UK Drivers Risk £1000 DVLA Fine Over Missed Updates

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If you’ve changed address recently and are a UK driver, you need to update the address on your driving licence to avoid a hefty DVLA fine. Failing to do so may cost you £1,000.

Why do I need to renew my licence if I’ve changed address?

If you’re a UK driver in possession of either a provisional or full driving licence and you’ve recently changed address even temporarily, you need to update the DVLA and change the address on your licence. Failure to do so may incur a fine of £1,000. Unlike renewing your licence, changing the address listed is free of charge.

The DVLA requires licences to list accurate, up-to-date residential information in case of accidents.

You must also update the address in your vehicle logbook (V5C) and update the vehicle tax Direct Debit.

If you’re a student, provided that your driving licence lists a permanent home address at which you remain reachable, you do not need to update the address on it.

How often should I renew my licence?

Legally, drivers have to renew their licences every decade, so that the image displayed matches their likeness. Failure to do so can result in a £1,000 fine from the DVLA.

However, drivers should also renew their licence every time they change address in order to avoid the same fine.

Licences can be renewed via gov.uk, where the five-day application process will cost a total of £14. Changing the address on a licence is free of charge.

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Can I Buy a Car without a Log Book?

Dog in a car that was bought without a log book

A car’s logbook is also known as its V5C. It’s a red document that details information on the car, as well as specifying who is responsible for taxing and registering it. Although it’s both possible and legal to buy a car and have that car’s ownership transferred without a log book, we wouldn’t recommend doing so.

Why you should always buy a car with a log book

It’s possible that the person from whom you’re trying to purchase the vehicle has genuinely lost the logbook.

However, if they don’t have their log book, it could also indicate that the car is stolen or has finance still owed on it – typically, these will be logbook loans, where the vehicle’s owner used the logbook in order to secure a loan against it. You may consequently find yourself responsible for repaying this outstanding finance, despite having not owned the vehicle at the time the finance deal was established.

DVLA replacement log book service

The DVLA has announced a service for ordering a replacement log book, provided that no details on that log book – such as name or address – have changed. It costs £25, is delivered within five days, can be paid by credit or debit card, and the application process is online.

If you’ve found a vehicle that you want to purchase but the log book is missing, we recommend liaising with the seller to order a replacement log book. You can then carry out the deal as normal and follow standard protocol on advising the DVLA of transferred ownership.

Don’t forget that you can always check your eligibility for car finance with My Car Credit’s car finance checker. We’ll make your car finance journey smoother.

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  • You rarely apply for credit
  • You are employed or self-employed

Good

  • You are on the electoral role
  • You are a home owner or long standing tenant
  • You have a stable employment history
  • You have current credit arrangements with occasional missed payments
  • You have no CCJs

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  • You are or have recently been on the electoral role
  • You may have recently changed address
  • You may have occasional missed payments
  • You may have an old CCJ
  • You may have regularly applied for credit

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  • You may have had frequent changes in address
  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • You may have exceeded credit card limits
  • You may have missed payments on current agreements
  • You may have had a CCJ in the past

Bad

  • You may not be traceable on the voters roll
  • Your credit cards are over their limits
  • You have recent CCJs
  • You may have been refused credit elsewhere
  • You may be in a debt management plan
£

X monthly repayments of
£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 12.4%, annual interest rate (fixed) 12.36%, 47 monthly payments of £196.44 followed by 1 payment of £206.44 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,939.12, total amount payable is £9,439.12.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.
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Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

Email
or call 01246 458 810