You can change your driving licence address online in most cases, but the method depends on which country issued your licence

In the UK, you can change your address online through the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) website if you have a photocard licence. The process takes about 5 minutes and costs nothing. You will need your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and a valid payment method — even though there is no fee, the system requires one on file.

If you have an older paper licence or a licence issued before 1998, you cannot change the address online. You must send the physical licence to the DVLA by post along with a completed form and proof of your new address. The same applies if your licence has been lost, stolen, or damaged.

In other countries — the US, Canada, Australia, and others — driving licences are issued by state or provincial authorities, not a national body. Each has its own system. Some allow online address changes; others require a visit to a licensing office or a postal process. The rules vary significantly even between neighbouring states.

Key Takeaways

  • UK photocard licence holders can change their address online through the DVLA website in minutes at no cost.
  • Paper licences and older UK licences must be updated by post with a completed form and proof of your new address.
  • Outside the UK, contact your state, provincial, or territorial licensing authority directly — the process varies widely.
  • You will need your current licence number and usually proof of your new address, such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement.
  • Changing your address does not require a new photograph or a new licence card unless your licence is expiring soon.

How to change your address online through the DVLA

Go to the DVLA's official website and select "Change your address" from the main menu. You will be asked to enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number, and date of birth. The system will retrieve your current details and show you what is on file.

Enter your new address exactly as it appears on official documents — a utility bill, council tax letter, or tenancy agreement. The address must match one of these documents; the DVLA will not accept an address that differs from what you can prove. Once you have entered the new address, review it carefully before submitting. You cannot edit it after submission.

The system will ask for a payment method even though there is no charge. This is a standard security step. Your new address will be recorded when ready, and you will receive a confirmation email. Your photocard licence itself does not change — the address on the physical card remains the same, but the DVLA's records are updated.

When you must use the postal route instead

If your licence is a paper licence (issued before 1998) or if you hold an older photocard that has expired, you cannot change your address online. You must read form DL14 from the DVLA website, complete it by hand, and post it to the address shown on the form along with your physical licence.

You will also need to include proof of your new address. The DVLA accepts utility bills, council tax letters, tenancy agreements, mortgage statements, or letters from your employer or bank — the document must show your name and new address and be dated within the last three months. Send everything by post to the DVLA address on the form.

Processing takes between 4 and 8 weeks. During this time, your old address remains on the DVLA's system. If you need to drive before the change is processed, your current licence is still valid — the address on the physical card does not have to match where you actually live.

What to do if your licence is lost, stolen, or damaged

You cannot change your address online if your licence is missing or too damaged to read. Instead, you must report it to the DVLA and request a replacement. This is done by post using form DL14 (if the licence is damaged) or form DL14 with a separate report (if it is lost or stolen).

Include proof of your new address with your process. The DVLA will issue a new photocard with your updated address printed on it. This takes longer than a straightforward address change — usually 4 to 8 weeks — because a new physical card must be printed and posted to you.

Changing your address outside the UK

In the United States, driving licences are issued by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent body. Some states allow online address changes through their DMV website; others require you to visit an office in person or submit a form by post. Search "[your state] DMV change address" to find the correct process for your state.

In Canada, each province and territory has its own licensing authority. British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta all have different systems — some offer online changes, others do not. Contact your provincial licensing office directly or visit their website to find out what method they use.

In Australia, each state and territory issues its own driving licence. New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland all have online systems, but the process differs between them. Search "[your state] driving licence address change" to reach the correct authority.

Regardless of where your licence was issued, you will need your current licence number and proof of your new address. The proof required varies — some places accept utility bills, others require council tax letters or tenancy agreements. Check what your licensing authority accepts before you explore.

What proof of address the DVLA will accept

The DVLA accepts the following documents as proof of your new address: a utility bill (gas, electricity, water, or broadband) dated within the last three months; a council tax letter or bill; a tenancy agreement or mortgage statement; a letter from your employer, bank, or building society; or a letter from a government department. The document must show your full name and your new address.

Documents older than three months are not accepted. If you have just moved and do not yet have a utility bill in your name, a tenancy agreement or a letter from your landlord will work instead. If you are staying with family or friends and do not have a document in your name, ask them for a letter on headed paper confirming your address and the date you moved in.

Do not send original documents — the DVLA does not return them. Take a photocopy or a clear photograph of the document and send that instead.

How long the change takes and what happens next

Online changes through the DVLA are recorded when ready. You will receive a confirmation email within minutes. Your new address is then live on the DVLA's system, even though the physical licence card still shows your old address.

Postal applications take 4 to 8 weeks. The DVLA will send you a letter confirming the change once it has been processed. If you are sending in a damaged licence, you will receive a new photocard with your updated address printed on it. If you are straightforward changing your address on an existing licence, the card itself does not change — only the DVLA's records are updated.

You do not need to tell your insurance company, your employer, or the DVLA again. Once the change is recorded, it is complete. Your licence remains valid and you can continue to drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new driving licence card after I change my address?

No. Changing your address does not trigger a new licence card. The physical card you hold keeps the old address printed on it, but the DVLA's records show your new address. The card is still valid and you can still drive. You only receive a new card if your current one is expiring, damaged, lost, or stolen.

What if I move house before my online change is processed?

Online changes are processed when ready, so this is not an issue. If you are using the postal route, the change takes 4 to 8 weeks. If you move again during this time, wait until the first change is confirmed, then submit a second change request with your new address.

Can I change my address if my licence has expired?

Yes. An expired licence can still be updated. However, if your licence expired more than 10 years ago, you cannot renew it by post — you must visit a Post Office in person or explore for a new licence. Contact the DVLA to confirm whether your licence can be renewed or must be replaced.

What if the DVLA rejects my proof of address?

The DVLA will write to you explaining why the document was not accepted. Common reasons include the document being older than three months, the name on the document not matching your licence exactly, or the address being incomplete. Resubmit with a different document that meets the requirements.

Do I have to change my address with the DVLA if I move house?

Legally, you must notify the DVLA of a change of address within one month of moving. Driving with an out-of-date address on your licence is not an offence, but it can cause problems if you are stopped by police or if you need to renew your licence. It is simpler to update it as soon as you move.