If you moved home and your address has changed, you must inform the DVLA as soon as possible to change your address on your Driving Licence. After the DVLA knows your new address, they will update your Driving Licence with the new address. Remember that if you do not tell DVLA about your new address, you can be fined up to £1,000. Changing your address on a Driving Licence via DVLA is an easy process. You can do that by applying online or applying by post. Well, you will get that information on the text below.
Changing Your Address on a Driving Licence Through DVLA – Here’s Guide
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) makes the process of changing your address on your Driving Licence easy enough. You can tell the DVLA that your address has changed online or by post for free. In other cases, if your name has changed at the same time, then you must apply by post, not online.
Method 1: Applying Online
Before you start applying online, you will need:
- Your Driving Licence.
- Become a resident of Great Britain.
- To give the addresses you have lived at in the last three years.
- To not be banned from driving.
In addition, when filling out the application, you will also be asked to give your Driving Licence number, passport number, and National Insurance Number. Please provide that information if you know them.
Here is how to apply online:
- At the first step, visit the DVLA’s page where you can change the address on your Driving Licence. Or, simply you can click this link; https://www.gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence.
- Then, you can click at the ‘Start Now’ button to change your details. Make sure that you follow step by step to fill out the form quickly and accurately.
- On the Authentication page, click the ‘Next’ button.
- Now, you are on the page of the security of your data, just click the ‘Next’ button to continue.
- After that, you will be asked to complete your personal details including your title, name, gender, date of birth, and country of birth. If all the details are correct, click the ‘Next’ button.
- Next, you will be asked to enter the address you require on your new Driving Licence. Please enter your address using your postcode (Highly recommended), your street and town, or a BFPO address.
- Please enter your 16-character driver number. You will be able to find this on your Driving Licence under the expiry date.
- Please fill in your security details. Usually, these are some basic questions about you such as your surname and place of birth to assist the DVLA confirm your identity.
- Afterwards, you will also be asked to enter your National Insurance number and UK passport number, if you have these.
- Also, you need to enter your Licence Issue number and your 10- or 12-digit number on the bottom of the back of your photocard Licence.
- In this step, you will need to fill in your email address correctly.
- Please check your personal details before submitting the application.
- After submitting the application, you will get a confirmation email from the DVLA. Your new driver’s license will be sent by post in approximately seven working days.
While waiting for your new Driving License to be issued, you can continue driving. Your new Driving License usually will arrive within one week after submitting the online application. If it has been longer than three weeks since you submitted the online application, you must contact the DVLA. For note: You do not need to change the address on your Driving Licence if you are living away from home temporarily, for instance, if you live at university during term time.
Method 2: Applying by Post
Besides applying online, you can also change your address on a Driving Licence by applying by post. The process will different, depending on whether you have a Photocard Driving Licence or Paper Driving Licence. Usually, your new Driving Licence will arrive within three weeks. If DVLA needs to check your identity or medical details, it will take longer. If your new Driving Licence has not arrived within three weeks, please contact the DVLA.
If you have a Photocard Driving Licence holder, you can complete the ‘changes’ section on a D741 form which came with your Photocard Driving Licence. After that, you can send both your Photocard Driving Licence and a D741 form to the DVLA with a relevant address.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
In other cases, if you do not have a D741 form, then you can use a D1 form (for cars or motorcycles) or D2 form (for lorries and buses) that you can get from Post Offices.
At the same time, if you want to change your photo, besides fill in a D1 form, you also need to send:
- A recent passport-style photo.
- A cheque or postal order for £17, payable to the DVLA. Remember that damaged cheques will not be accepted. There is no fee if you are over 70 years old or have a short-term driver’s license.
Also, if you want to change your name at the same time, besides filling in a D1 form, you also need to send original documents in your new name.
While if you have a Paper Driving Licence, to change your address on a Driving License by applying by post, you can send the following requirements to the DVLA:
- A completed form D1 or D2.
- Your Driving Licence.
- Original documents that confirm your identity.
- A passport photograph.
Well, the text above is an explanation about how to change your address on a Driving Licence through the DVLA. As we explained above, you can do so by applying online or applying by post. You can choose the one way you want. Make sure you follow the instructions properly.
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