Anyone who has moved house but failed to update their vehicle log book (V5C) could face a fine of up to £1,000 from the DVLA. This easily missed update is separate from changing your driving licence address, and both must be done independently.
The V5C oversight
When moving home, there is a long list of admin tasks: updating your address with the council for council tax, informing banks and credit card companies, and sorting out utilities. However, the V5C is often overlooked because it is tied to the old address, even after other paperwork has been changed.
Changing the address on a full or provisional driving licence does not change the V5C. Registered keepers must complete both jobs separately to avoid the penalty.
Expert advice
Lisa Mortie, owner at property marketplace Sylvest, advises: “Start with records that can trigger penalties, missed bills or misdirected personal mail, then work down the list. A single checklist shared by everyone in the household is far safer than relying on memory during moving week.”
She also said: “Treat the licence and V5C as two separate boxes on your moving-week list. Completing one does not clear the other, so save each confirmation before moving on.”
How to update
Updating your driving licence address is free online, and the new licence should arrive within a week. A V5C address change is also usually free, and you can continue driving while waiting for replacement documents.
To update your V5C, visit GOV.UK Change Address V5C, provide your registration number, 11-digit V5C reference number, and old postcode, then enter your new address.
Other vehicle-related updates
The financial risk is not limited to the driving licence and V5C. If you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit, you must update that address separately. An unassigned private registration requires the V750 or V778 record to be changed.
There is an exception: the DVLA does not need to be told about a temporary move, such as living away at university, if you can still be contacted at your permanent address. Keep emails, screenshots, and reference numbers for each update.
The official maximum fine is “up to £1,000”, so the penalty is not automatic, but leaving the old address in place creates an avoidable enforcement risk. This guidance applies to Great Britain; Northern Ireland licence holders use the DVA process.
