Updating Driving License address

HungryHippos · 4 Nov 2012 at 10:40

Hi all,

When I moved out of my parents 2-3 years ago I forgot to update my driving license address, I am now looking at buying a property so I want to update mine to have the right one to avoid complications.

I have also discovered that you should legally have the right address on the license or it can mean a fine if you get pulled over and have the wrong address, so naturally I want to get this fixed. I haven't been pulled over for anything.

I have two questions about this:

1. Is it illegal to have the wrong address on, even if it's going to my parents address who can forward any communication onto me?

2. If I go to change my address now, considering it's been wrong for 2-3 years, will they get funny about me saying I've lived here for a while but am only just updating my address now?

Thanks for reading.

SilverTongue · 4 Nov 2012 at 10:44

Number 1 is yes it is illegal

number 2 i suppose they could but would doubt it (do not take this as fact though)

ins0mn1ac · 4 Nov 2012 at 11:29

It's easy with the online system, get it done, a copper won't be happy with you if he pulls you and find your addresses are all different

SKILL · 4 Nov 2012 at 11:29

I left mine as my Mums address for years whilst at Uni before I moved to a place I knew I'd be in for longer than 6-12 months, I believe yes it's illegal although never posed a problem for me, as for the second question, doing it online at least they never ask how long you've lived there, just fill in the details and you'll get the new one in around a week or so, job done

Puzzled · 4 Nov 2012 at 11:34

Never got round to doing mine either.

How much does it cost to update?

Randomface74 · 4 Nov 2012 at 11:35

I was in the same situation, just gave them the new address and didn't get any grief.

Phemo · 4 Nov 2012 at 12:11

MonkeyMan said:
Never got round to doing mine either.

How much does it cost to update?

Pretty sure it's free to change the address on your license, though it seems to be impossible to find the info without logging in on the Directgov site.

Edit: Ah here we go - https://www.gov.uk/driving-licence-fees

233 · 4 Nov 2012 at 12:14

Fill in the new details in the back of your paper counterpart send that and your photo card to the dvla or hand into a local office

Jobs a good un and no charge either. Wife just updated her name and address on hers last week. Only been married 9 years

and moved house 18 months ago nobody batted an eyelid

StonedPenguin · 4 Nov 2012 at 12:17

I went for my test with an old addy on my provisional and it wasnt an issue, Just had to fill the bottom in for it to be updated if i passed, which i did

HungryHippos · 4 Nov 2012 at 12:28

Thanks guys, the on-line one does seem to ask how long you've lived there for, and I don't want to lie, so I may just do the old counterpart one instead and see if that does the trick

Worth keeping in mind for others like me who also haven't updated, apparently they can fine you up to £1k if they catch you, so worth updating for sure if you haven't. Also key for when you want to get a mortgage too.