Moving House? Your Car Moves on Paper Too
When you change address, it’s not just the sofa and the kettle that need moving; your car’s details do too. The DVLA and your insurer both need to know where your vehicle’s officially kept. Failing to update them can lead to missed tax reminders, invalid insurance, and even fines. It’s one of those boring jobs that’s easy to forget but matters more than most.
Think of it as updating your car’s postcode; without it, official letters, fines or renewal notices might end up somewhere you’ll never see.
1. Update Your Driving Licence
Your first step is to change the address on your driving licence. It’s free, and you can do it in minutes on the GOV.UK licence update service. You’ll need your driving licence number, passport (if you’ve got one), and National Insurance number.
Driving with an outdated address isn’t just inconvenient; it’s technically an offence. It doesn’t carry points, but you could be fined up to £1,000 if you ignore it. The new photocard usually arrives within a week, and your licence number stays the same.
2. Update the V5C Logbook
Next, update your V5C registration certificate (the logbook). This tells the DVLA where the car is registered and who’s responsible for it. You can do it online if your car is in your name and you have the 11-digit document reference number from the V5C. Otherwise, you’ll need to post it to the DVLA in Swansea.
If you forget, you might never receive your tax or MOT reminders; and that can lead to penalties. Worse still, if the car’s ever stolen or involved in an incident, the DVLA and police will be writing to your old address.
You can find the official form and process at GOV.UK – Change Address on Your Logbook.
3. Tell Your Car Insurer
Your insurer needs to know where the car is kept overnight. It affects your premium and, more importantly, your cover. If you fail to update your address, they could refuse a claim later on. Many people forget this when moving from a driveway to on-street parking or vice versa; but insurers see location as a major risk factor.
It only takes a quick phone call or a few clicks in your online account. There might be a small adjustment to your premium, depending on your new postcode, but it’s far better than driving around technically uninsured.
4. Check Your Road Tax and MOT
Road tax doesn’t change when you move, but reminders are posted to the address on your logbook. Until you update it, any renewal letters will go to your old home. You can always check your tax status online at the GOV.UK vehicle tax page.
The same goes for MOT notices. While many garages now send digital reminders, the official DVLA ones depend on your registered address. It’s worth setting a phone reminder or using a free MOT checker so you never miss a date during the move.
5. Inform Your Breakdown Cover Provider
If you have breakdown cover, tell your provider too; especially if your new home affects how they’d reach you or where the car’s stored. Some policies include home-start cover that’s tied to your postcode, so updating it ensures you’re not left stranded on your own driveway.
6. If You’ve Sold the Car Before Moving
If you’ve sold your car as part of the move, let the DVLA know straight away using their vehicle sale service. That officially removes your name from the record. You’ll get a refund for any full months of unused road tax; it’s automatic once the sale is processed.
Failing to do this means you could still receive fines or speeding notices linked to a car you no longer own.
Useful UK Resources
It’s dull admin, but it keeps your records clean and your cover valid. Do it once, and it’s done for good; until the next house move, at least. Know someone mid-move who hasn’t updated their car details? Share this page; it might save them a fine and a lot of faff later.