Change car registration address: How to guide

Why do I need to change my car registration address?

If you move house, you’re required by law to update all of your car’s documentation with your new address. Your car’s registration address can be updated in your vehicle log book (V5C). You’ll also need to update your address on your driving licence and the Direct Debit for your car tax (if that’s how you pay it).

For more information on updating the address on your driving licence, check out our blog ‘How to change address on driving licence’

As well as being legally required (you can get a £1,000 fine if you don’t update your address), making sure all your documents are up-to-date is actually pretty important. For insurance claims being able to show that you own your car and that it’s registered to the right address is important. The same goes if you want to sell your car. If a prospective buyer sees that the car they’re buying is registered to a different address, they might have a hard time trusting that you actually own the car.

How do I change my car registration address?

Changing your car registration address is as simple as updating your vehicle log book (V5C) with the new address. If you just want to change your address, you do this online. If you’re updating more things, like your name, you might need to apply by post. We’ve outlined everything you need to know about changing your car registration address below.

Changing your car registration address online

If you’d like to change your car registration address online, all you need to do is head to gov.uk and fill out their online form. It’s pretty simple and probably won’t take more than a couple of minutes. You’ll need to check you have these things to get started:

• Your car’s registration number
• Your log book reference number (you can find this in your V5C log book)
• A UK address (not a PO box)
  

Once you’ve completed the form, you should receive a confirmation email. The DVLA will then send you a new V5C log book with the updated address. Once you receive the new log book, you can get rid of your old one.

You might need to update your details by post if:

• You’re changing your name and address at the same time
• You’re just changing the name in your log book
• If the address is changing because you have sold, transferred, or bought the car
  

You also won’t be able to change your car registration address online if:

• You’ve already sent your log book to the DVLA for a different reason
• You’ve lost your log book (you need to apply for a new log book using a V62 form)
• Your vehicle is registered as part of the DVLA fleet scheme
• Your new address is outside the UK, including the channel islands (Jersey and Guernsey), Isle of Man or Ireland
  

If you’re wondering how to check how many points you might have on your licence, you can check out our blog ‘How to check points on driving licence’

It’s also worth checking if your car tax is due to be renewed within the next 4 weeks. If it is, you’ll need to renew it online first before you can update your address.

Changing your car registration address by post

If you’d prefer to update your address by post, it’s pretty simple, though where you write your new address and where you send it does depend on which style of log book you have.

If you have the new style log book with multi-coloured numbered blocks on the front cover, write the new address in section 3 (this can’t be a PO Box). You can then send the whole logbook to the DVLA address that’s written in section 3.

If you have the older style log book you need to write the new address in section 6 (this can’t be a PO Box). You can then sign and send the whole logbook to the DVLA address that’s written in section 8. Make sure you don’t tick the ‘new keeper’ box or fill in your name on the older style form, unless you’ve just bought the car.

If you’re changing ownership on the car, you can check out our blog ‘DVLA change of ownership - how to let them know’

It’s a good idea to send your log book by tracked post, just in case. That way you’ll know if it gets delayed or lost.

Does it cost to change car registration addresses?

Changing your address on your V5C log book is free, you’ll just need to cover the postage. If you’re changing your address online, there’s no cost at all.

How long does it take to get my log book back?

If you applied online, you can usually expect to get your new log book in about 5 working days. If you applied to change your address by post, it can take around 6 weeks to get your log book back. If you’re worried there’s been a big delay, you can always give the DVLA a call to check. It’s a great idea tomake sure to write down your log book reference number before you send it off, just in case you need it when you call.

A few final tips…

Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re changing your car registration address:

• If you’re moving outside the UK and taking your car, you’ll need to take your log book with you and register with the local authorities when you arrive.
• If you’ve lost your log book, you’ll need to apply for a new one with a V62 form before you can change your address. This costs £25.
• If your car tax runs out in the next 4 weeks you’ll need to renew it online before you can update your address.
• You can’t update your car registration to a PO Box address.

Urban Jungle is not a financial advisor and information in this article should not be taken as advice or recommendation.