What you can and cannot update online

You can update your driving licence online for some changes, but not all. The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) lets you change your name, address, or medical information through their website without visiting a post office or sending documents by mail. You cannot renew an expired licence online, explore for a new category of licence, or update your photograph online — those still require the postal route or a visit to a Post Office that offers the DVLA service.

The online service is fastest for straightforward updates. If you've moved house, got married and changed your name, or need to tell the DVLA about a medical condition, you can do it in minutes from home. The change usually shows on your licence within a few days, though the physical card itself won't change until you renew it for another reason.

Key Takeaways

  • You can update your name, address, and medical information online through the DVLA website, but photograph and licence renewal must go through the post office or mail.
  • The online update takes a few minutes and costs nothing, with changes recorded within days.
  • You will need your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and a UK passport or UK photocard driving licence to log in.
  • If your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, you cannot use the online update service and must explore for a replacement through the post office instead.

How to update your details online

Go to the DVLA's official website and select "Update your driving licence details". You will need to enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and your date of birth. The system will then ask you to prove your identity using either a UK passport or a UK photocard driving licence — you scan or photograph the document and upload it through the website.

Once your identity is confirmed, you choose which details you want to change. Select the field (name, address, or medical information), enter the new information, and review it before submitting. There is no fee for this update. The DVLA will send you a confirmation email, and your records update within a few working days. Your physical licence card stays the same until you renew it for another reason — the next time you reach the expiry date or explore for a new category.

When you must use the post office instead

If your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged, the online service will not work. You need to explore for a replacement licence through the post office or by post. Similarly, if you want to renew your licence before it expires (for example, to get a new photograph), you cannot do that online — you must use the post office service or send your process by mail with a new photograph.

If you are explore for a new category of licence (such as adding a motorcycle category to a car licence), or if you need to update your licence after a medical diagnosis or change in your circumstances that affects your driving, those applications also require the postal route. The post office can tell you which documents you need to bring when you visit.

What happens if you cannot prove your identity online

The online system requires either a UK passport or a UK photocard driving licence to verify who you are. If you do not have either of these, you cannot use the online update service. In that case, you can update your details by post instead — print the form from the DVLA website, fill it in, and send it with proof of your new name or address (such as a utility bill or council tax letter) to the DVLA address shown on the form.

Postal updates take longer, usually two to three weeks, because the DVLA has to process the form manually. There is no fee for postal updates either. If you are in a hurry and do not have a passport or photocard licence, visiting a post office that offers the DVLA service is often faster than sending documents by mail.

Updating your address after moving house

Address changes are one of the most common updates and the online service handles them quickly. When you move, you should tell the DVLA within one month. Use the online update service if you have a passport or photocard licence — it takes five minutes and your new address is recorded within days.

Your physical licence card will still show your old address until you renew it. This is normal and does not cause problems. When you renew your licence for any reason (expiry, new photograph, new category), the DVLA will print your current address on the new card. If you need proof of your new address before then, a utility bill or council tax letter serves that purpose.

Updating medical information and notifiable conditions

If you develop a medical condition that affects your driving — such as diabetes, epilepsy, or a heart condition — you must tell the DVLA. Some conditions are notifiable, meaning the law requires you to report them. You can do this online if you have a passport or photocard licence. The DVLA will review the information and may ask you for more details from your doctor.

Do not wait for the DVLA to contact you. Driving with a condition you know about but have not reported can invalidate your insurance and is illegal. The online update takes a few minutes. The DVLA will then write to you with next steps — sometimes they approve your licence to continue, sometimes they ask for a medical report from your GP, and sometimes they suspend your licence until the condition is managed. This process usually takes a few weeks.

Changing your name after marriage or deed poll

If you marry, divorce, or change your name by deed poll, you can update your licence online. You will need to upload a document that proves the change — a marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll. The online system will ask you to photograph or scan this document and upload it along with your identity proof (passport or photocard licence).

The DVLA will process the name change within a few working days. Your physical licence card will still show your old name until you renew it for another reason. If you need to use your licence as proof of identity before renewal, bring the marriage certificate or deed poll along with it to show the connection between the old and new name.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an online update take?

The update itself takes a few minutes to submit. The DVLA records the change within a few working days, and you will receive a confirmation email. Your physical licence card does not change until you renew it, but your details are updated in the DVLA system when ready.

Do I have to pay to update my licence online?

No. Updates to your name, address, or medical information are free whether you do them online or by post. You only pay a fee if you are renewing your licence or explore for a new category.

What if I do not have a UK passport or photocard licence?

You cannot use the online service without one of these documents to prove your identity. You can update your details by post instead — read the form from the DVLA website, fill it in, and send it with proof of your new name or address. Postal updates take two to three weeks.

Will my physical licence card change after I update online?

No. Your details update in the DVLA system, but your physical card keeps the old information until you renew your licence for another reason. When you eventually renew — at expiry, for a new photograph, or for a new category — the new card will show your updated details.

Can I update my photograph online?

No. Photograph updates require a new licence process, which must go through the post office or by mail. You will need to provide a new passport-style photograph and pay the renewal fee.