Guides › Public Services › Changing Your Address With DVLA: Licence and Log Book
Changing Your Address with DVLA: Licence and Log Book
You must tell DVLA when your address changes, on both your driving licence and your vehicle log book (V5C). It is free. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not. Online, a new licence should arrive within a week. Contact DVLA if your new log book has not arrived after 4 weeks; after 6 weeks a replacement costs £25.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Changing Your Address
Driving Licence
You must tell DVLA when your address changes; you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not. It does not cost anything. Online, your licence should arrive within a week. source
Log Book (V5C)
It is usually free. Update online if you are the registered keeper, or write the new address on the log book and post the whole log book to DVLA. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA. source
If It Does Not Arrive
Contact DVLA if your new log book has not arrived after 4 weeks. If you have not received it after 6 weeks and have not told DVLA, a replacement costs £25. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 4 weeksChase a missing log bookBefore 6 weeks to avoid the £25 fee
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Update your driving licence online.
Step 2 of 5
Update your V5C online or by post.
Step 3 of 5
Tax the vehicle first if due within 4 weeks.
Step 4 of 5
Chase DVLA if the log book has not arrived after 4 weeks.
Step 5 of 5
Update your insurer too.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
DVLA
Use the GOV.UK online services first; they are free and usually quickest.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
Fines and letters go to the address DVLA holds, so update it straight away.
Northern Ireland licences and vehicles are dealt with by the DVA, which has its own rules and services.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence Checked 16 October 2026
- gov.uk/change-address-v5c Checked 16 October 2026