Whether buying or renting, moving house is an exciting but very busy time. From liaising with solicitors and estate agents, to filling out endless forms and navigating confusing house buying terminology, the importance of changing your car address details when you move home in the UK is easy to overlook.

Keeping your car address details current with the DVLA, and your car insurance and breakdown providers is a legal requirement, and this guide helps you to make sure you’ve got everything covered in preparation for your home move.

Why is it important to change your car address?

It is required by law to tell the DVLA that you’ve changed address after you move, and that includes updating the address on your driving licence, the address on your vehicle log book (V5C). If you pay by Direct Debit, you’ll need to update your address on that too. Failing to complete these steps could see you facing a fine of up to £1,000, so even if you’re moving to a rented property, make sure it’s on your to-do list.

You also need to change your car address details with your insurance company, and breakdown cover provider, if you have one. If not, your insurance cover could be affected, and some breakdown policies have clauses related to the vehicle address. All in all – it’s far better to spend half an hour or so making sure everything is up to date, rather than risking unnecessary stress or expense further down the line.

How to notify the DVLA of your address change

After the stress of countless house viewings and admin paperwork, luckily changing your address details with the DVLA is pretty straightforward, although there are a few individual steps to complete.

First of all, you need to go to the DVLA website to change the address on your driving licence. This process is free and can be done by post if you prefer; although if you want to update the picture on your driving licence as well as your address, there is a fee to pay (£14 online, £17 by post). You’ll receive your updated driving licence shortly after and you can continue to use your current licence until your new one arrives. You don’t need to change your address for the DVLA if you are still directly contactable at the one currently listed on your driving licence, but if not, you need to update it as soon as you move.

You also need to change your address on your vehicle log book(s). The log book, or V5C is a document which holds the details of the current registered keeper of a vehicle, and can be updated either online or by post for free with your amended log book arriving within the following few weeks. The registered keeper of a vehicle is also responsible for paying car tax; you’ll also have to change the address on your vehicle tax Direct Debit if this is your preferred method of payment for your car.

If you have a private (personalised) number plate that is currently assigned to a vehicle, you only need to change the address on your vehicle log book. If the plate is not assigned when you move, by law you’ll need to complete a V750 or V778 certificate (as applicable) to ensure you don’t receive a fine. For more information, read the DVLA’s information on changing your address for a private vehicle registration number.

Changing your car insurance address

Along with updating your address details with the DVLA, you’re also responsible for directly informing your car insurance provider that you’ve moved home, via the contact information on their official website. You’ll need to provide proof of address – like a mortgage statement, bill, or tenancy agreement – when you do this, so it’s best to have everything prepared before making the call. It is worth noting, too, that you may be charged a small admin fee.

It's really important to notify your car insurance provider when you change address, as not doing so could invalidate your insurance policy, meaning that any claims you do make could be rejected. Be prepared for your car insurance premium to change when you update your address details, as your location is one of the factors that are considered when calculating your insurance premium costs.

Updating your breakdown cover

Equally as vital, you’ll need to update your breakdown cover when you move house. Some providers have clauses in their policy that tie the cover to your home address, which if not updated could potentially invalidate it. Not only this, but it’s important to inform them of any changes to personal details so that you can keep up to date with need-to-know information by post, email, or phone.

The method of notifying your breakdown cover provider of your new address could vary, so it’s best to check with them. But it’s typically as easy as filling out an online form, or giving them a call.

Updating your congestion charge and toll accounts

A congestion charge is a fee you need to pay if travelling through a ‘clean air zone’, and a toll is a fee you pay to use a ‘toll road’, which is a public or private road that requires a payment to use it. If you drive in London, you may be liable to pay a congestion charge and a Low and/or Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) charge.

The way to pay congestion charges and tolls can vary, but if you use an account to make regular payments to use a road or drive in a chargeable area, make sure you update your associated address details with the relevant company as soon as possible. You may need to provide proof of address for this. Some companies obtain registered vehicle keeper details from the DVLA to contact drivers regarding fines for missed payments, so it’s crucial to make sure your vehicle log book information is updated as you move to ensure you can be contacted, and you don’t accrue any additional fines because your correspondence has gone to the wrong address.

What happens if you don’t update your car address?

You could be fined up to £1,000 for not having the correct home address on your driving licence or on your vehicle logbook/V5C. This is a risk particularly if you get pulled over for a driving offence and your licence gets checked. Not only this, but you risk missing notices related to any driving offences or parking fines, which could lead to having points added onto your driving licence, escalated fines, or even prosecution. Similarly, for insurance companies and breakdown companies it may invalidate your cover if you provide incorrect details.

Tips for changing your car home address details when moving home

With a busy schedule in the weeks leading up to moving house, updating the details of your car might be the last thing on your mind. However, not updating your car address details is an important step in the moving home process that you can’t afford to forget. Check out our advice for a smooth transition below, and take a look at more of our stress-reducing tips for moving home.

Set aside time to make a to-do list

There are a few bits of information you need to remember when it comes to changing your car address details, so set aside time to make a to-do list so that you don’t miss any important actions.

Going one step further, you could create a spreadsheet that lists every other company or organisation that you need to update your address details with after you move home, plus their contact information or relevant website links; this would enable you to quickly work through the list following your move and tick off each update once completed.

Make sure you have your important documents to hand

Being surrounded by moving boxes can understandably make you feel a little disorganised, so make sure you plan ahead and get all your documents ready and stored in a safe, easily accessible place so that you aren’t frantically digging through boxes after your move.

Be prepared for a cost from your car insurance provider

While it is free to change your address details with the DVLA, be prepared for an admin fee for updating your information with your insurance provider, and the possibility that your policy premium may go up or down.

You may need to pay admin fees to update your address details with other companies too, such as your pet insurance or home and/or contents insurance providers, and these can add up so make sure to factor these into the costs of moving home.

Be patient until your new documents arrive

Once you notify the DVLA that you have changed address, it can take up to a few weeks for your updated driving licence and vehicle log book (V5C) documents to arrive, and this can vary depending on whether you applied by post or on the website. In the meantime, you can use your old driving licence, so no need to worry about whether you can stay on the road.

Frequently asked questions about changing your car address details

How long does it take to update my address with the DVLA?

Once the DVLA have received your details, it usually takes around one week for your new driving licence or vehicle log book to arrive if you applied online. It could be longer, around three weeks, if you apply by post.

Can I update my car address online?

Yes, it is easy to update your car address details online. Simply go to the official DVLA website and follow their steps to update your driving licence, log book (V5C) and Direct Debit payment details, and any other actions you need to complete.

You can also update your details by post if that’s easier for you. It’s important to note that if you also wish to change your name on your driving licence or vehicle log book(s) you can only do this by post. You can update your photo and address either online or via post, too.

What documents do I need to update my address?

If you’re applying online to update the address on your driving licence, you need your national insurance number and your UK passport number – so you don’t need to scan or post any documents. You’ll also need to give the details of the addresses you’ve lived at for the previous three years.

It is a little different if you are applying to change your driving licence address by post. If you have a photocard licence you’ll need to fill out a D741 form, or a D1 form if you’ve lost your D741. And if you still have a paper driving licence, you’ll need to fill in a D1 or D2 form, whichever is applicable to you. You then need to post your paper licence, the form, any identifying documents, and a passport-style photograph to the DVLA.

To change the address on a vehicle log book (V5C) you need your current log book, so that you have the reference number to update your details online, or to fill out the appropriate section if updating your details by post.

Changing your car address details after moving house is relatively hassle-free, with everything being sorted in as little as a few clicks. We hope this guide has been useful in reducing your stress during the home-moving process, whether you’re relocating to a rented property, a first-time buyer, or finally getting the keys to your dream home.

You can find more articles to support your moving journey on Your Nest, including our ultimate house viewing checklist, an explanation of some of the most confusing house buying terminology, and what you need when moving into your first home.

If a new-build home is your ideal next move, visit the Bellway website to find out the great reasons to buy new, explore your nearest Bellway developments, and learn about unmissable buying schemes and incentives to make your perfect home more affordable.