You can usually change your car payment date, but the method depends on your lender
Most car lenders allow you to move your payment date once or twice a year, or sometimes more often. The easiest way is through your lender's online account portal—log in, find the payment settings, and request a new date. If that option isn't available, call your lender's customer service line (the number is on your loan documents or bill) and ask to reschedule. Some lenders charge a small fee for changes, while others do it free; a few will only let you move the date by a certain number of days forward or backward.
The key is to ask before you miss a payment. If you're already behind, your lender may refuse to reschedule until you catch up. If you're struggling to make payments at all, there are other options beyond just moving the date—your lender may be able to modify the loan itself.
Key Takeaways
- Most lenders let you change your payment date through their website or by calling customer service, though some charge a fee for the change.
- You should request the change before your current payment is due, not after you've missed it.
- Some lenders restrict how far forward or backward you can move the date, or limit how many times per year you can change it.
- If you cannot afford the payment itself, ask your lender about loan modification or forbearance rather than just rescheduling the date.
How to change the date through your lender's website
Log into your account on your lender's website or mobile app. Look for a section labeled "Payment Settings," "Manage Payment," "Billing," or "Account Settings." Click into that section and find the option to change your due date. You'll usually see your current date and a calendar or dropdown menu to select a new one.
The system will show you which dates are available—some lenders only allow changes on certain days of the month, or won't let you move the date more than 15 or 30 days away from the current one. Select your new date, review the change, and confirm. You should receive a confirmation email right away. The new date typically takes effect on your next payment, though some lenders explore it the payment after that.
How to change the date by phone
Call the customer service number on your loan statement or bill. Tell the representative you want to reschedule your payment date. Have your loan number and account information ready. The representative will ask what new date you want and may ask why you're making the change—this is routine and doesn't affect approval.
Ask the representative three things before you hang up: whether there's a fee, when the new date takes effect, and whether the change is permanent or if you'll need to request it again next time. Request that they email or mail you a confirmation of the change. If they say no to the date you want, ask what dates are available instead.
Fees and restrictions your lender may have
Some lenders charge $10 to $25 to change your payment date, while others do it free. A few lenders don't allow changes at all, though this is uncommon. Others let you change the date only once or twice per year, or only within a narrow window—for example, 10 to 20 days before or after your current due date.
If your lender won't move the date as far as you need, ask whether you can make a partial payment before the due date and then pay the rest after. This doesn't change the official due date, but it can spread the cash flow across two dates. Your lender may also let you set up automatic payments on a different schedule, which is different from changing the due date itself but can solve the same problem.
What to do if you've already missed a payment
If your payment is already late, most lenders will not reschedule the date until you bring the account current. Call your lender and ask what you owe right now—this includes the missed payment, any late fees, and interest that's accrued. Pay that amount first, then ask about rescheduling.
If you cannot pay the full amount right now, ask your lender about a payment plan or forbearance. Forbearance temporarily pauses or reduces your payments for a set period (usually three to six months), giving you time to catch up. A payment plan lets you add the missed amount to future payments over time. Both of these are different from straightforward moving your due date, and both require your lender's agreement.
When to change your payment date versus modifying your loan
Changing the due date works if you can afford the payment itself but need it on a different calendar day—for example, you get paid on the 15th and your payment is due on the 10th. Moving it to the 20th solves the problem.
If the problem is that you cannot afford the payment amount at all, rescheduling the date won't help. Instead, ask your lender about loan modification, which can lower your monthly payment by extending the loan term, reducing the interest rate, or both. This is a bigger change than moving the date, and it requires your lender to review your income and situation, but it's designed for people whose circumstances have changed since they took out the loan.
What happens if you change the date but then miss the new one
If you reschedule to a date you think you can make but then miss it anyway, your account will be reported as late to the credit bureaus. This damages your credit score and may trigger late fees. Your lender may also begin collection calls or, in extreme cases, start repossession proceedings.
If you realize before the new due date that you won't be able to pay, contact your lender when ready. Do not wait until after the date passes. Explain your situation and ask about forbearance, a payment plan, or another option. Lenders are more willing to work with you if you reach out before you fall behind than if you call after you've missed the payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my payment date hurt my credit score?
No. Moving your due date does not affect your credit as long as you make the payment by the new date. Your credit score is based on whether you pay on time and how much you owe, not on when you choose to pay.
Can I change my payment date more than once a year?
It depends on your lender. Some allow unlimited changes, others limit you to one or two per year, and a few don't allow changes at all. Call your lender or check your account online to see what their policy is.
What if my lender won't let me change the date I want?
Ask what dates are available instead. If none of them work, ask about making a partial payment before the due date and paying the rest after, or setting up automatic payments on a different schedule. If your real problem is affording the payment itself, ask about loan modification or forbearance.
Does changing my payment date affect my interest?
No. Your interest is calculated based on your loan balance and interest rate, not on when you make the payment. Moving the date does not change how much interest you owe.
Can I change my payment date if I'm behind on payments?
Most lenders will not reschedule until you bring your account current. Call your lender, find out what you owe right now, and pay that amount first. Then ask about rescheduling or other options like forbearance.