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Your essential checklist for updating vehicle details after moving

Feb 09, 2026
Changing vehicle details when you move
Changing the address of your vehicle may not be your priority when moving to your new home, but it’s important to do it once you’ve settled in. This guide explores how to update your car details, from your insurance and driving licence to your vehicle’s logbook and plate.

Key Takeaways

Car Insurance Details:
Contact insurer (online or after move).
Address change may affect premium.
 
Driving Licence Details:
Update address with DVLA (online or by post).
 
Vehicle Log Book (V5C) Updates:
Fill V5C section 6 with new address.
Send to DVLA (no charge).

Car Tax and Private Number Plate:
Inform DVLA of your new address
Update private number plate address by filling out a V750 or V778 form.

How to update your driving licence address

You must inform the DVLA when you move, which you can do for free either online or by post. The online service is fastest, with a new licence typically arriving within 5 days, whereas postal applications take around 3 weeks.

 

For a standard online address change, you need to be a resident of Great Britain and have your driving licence to hand; you don't need to provide proof of address for previous years. You also won't need to post your old licence back to the DVLA. This process applies to both full and provisional licences.

How to update your vehicle log book (V5C)

It is also a legal requirement to update the address on your vehicle log book (V5C) for free. The quickest method is the DVLA's online service, with a new V5C arriving within 5 working days.

 

For postal applications, you must fill in the relevant section (section 3 on new-style V5Cs with multi-coloured blocks, or section 6 on older versions) and send the entire log book to the DVLA. You can expect to wait 2-4 weeks for your new log book to arrive by post.

Updating your car insurance details

You should contact your car insurance provider to inform them of your new address, which can often be done online for free. Be aware that your new postcode can affect your premium, as insurers base their calculations on location, where you park your car, and local statistics. If your premium increases significantly, it may be worth shopping around for a new policy.

What about car tax and private number plates?

You don't need to change your car tax separately. Once you update your V5C address, the DVLA will have your new details on file to send you renewal reminders.

 

If you have a private number plate, you must also update the address on your V750 Certificate of Entitlement or V778 Retention Document. This can be done online or by posting the completed form to the DVLA.

FAQs

  • No, the process for updating your address is the same for both full and provisional driving licences.
  • Updating your address on your driving licence and V5C log book is free. However, if your logbook has been lost, stolen, or damaged, you'll need to pay £25 for a replacement.
  • Yes, you can be fined up to £1,000 if you don't tell the DVLA that your address has changed for your driving licence, and a separate fine of up to £1,000 for not updating your vehicle log book (V5C).

Find out more about telling the DVLA you’ve changed address on the GOV.UK website.

 

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