How to Change the Address on Your V5C Vehicle Log Book After Moving

You must change the V5C address when you move

If you are the registered keeper of a vehicle, you must update its vehicle log book when your address changes. DVLA states that you can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell them about the change.

A temporary move does not always require every DVLA record to be changed if DVLA can still contact you at your permanent address, but a permanent move should be reflected on your V5C.

Prepare your V5C details before using the online service

To change the address online, you need the vehicle's registration number, the V5C reference number and your new UK address. You must be the registered keeper.

The online service is available Monday to Friday from 7am to 9pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7am to 8pm.

Tax the vehicle first if renewal is due within 4 weeks

Before changing the address online, check when the vehicle needs taxing. If the tax is due within the next 4 weeks, DVLA instructs you to tax the vehicle online using your current V5C before changing the address.

If applying by post and the vehicle needs taxing within 4 weeks, you can either tax it online before sending the V5C or take the V5C to a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax so that the details and tax can be handled together. If the vehicle requires an annual MOT, take a valid MOT certificate when using that Post Office route.

The postal route depends on which V5C version you have

If you have the newer V5C with multi-coloured numbered blocks on the front, write your new address in section 3 and send the whole log book to the DVLA address shown in that section.

If you have an older-style V5C, write the new address in section 6, sign the document and send the whole V5C to the address shown in section 8. Do not tick the new keeper box or add your name to the old-style form just because you are changing address.

DVLA specifically says not to use a PO Box address for this V5C address change.

Use a different route in these situations

The normal online address-change service is not available if you have already sent your V5C to DVLA, have lost the log book, the vehicle is registered in the DVLA fleet scheme, or the new address is outside the UK, including the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Ireland.

A separate process also applies if you are changing your name and address at the same time, changing only your name, or dealing with a vehicle that has been sold, transferred or bought.

A lost log book requires a replacement process

If you no longer have the V5C, do not try to use the standard address-change service. You need the relevant replacement-log-book process instead. Form V62 is the official paper application for a vehicle registration certificate where required.

A replacement V5C normally costs £25 in cases where the replacement fee applies. If you have lost the log book and need to change both your name and address, GOV.UK specifically instructs you to send form V62 with a £25 cheque or postal order to DVLA.

Changing the V5C does not update your driving licence automatically

Updating the vehicle log book does not update every DVLA record. You must also change the address on your provisional or full driving licence. The driving-licence address change is free.

If you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit, you must separately tell DVLA about your new address. If you have a personalised registration number that is not currently assigned to a vehicle, you may also need to change the address on the V750 certificate of entitlement or V778 retention document.

Moving house may also mean updating other official records. If you have moved permanently, you can also update your address on the electoral register.

Wait for the replacement V5C at your new address

DVLA sends an updated V5C after processing the address change. GOV.UK does not publish one guaranteed delivery period for this specific address-change service, but it instructs you to contact DVLA if the new log book has not arrived after 4 weeks.

If you have still not received the V5C after 6 weeks and have not notified DVLA about the non-arrival, GOV.UK warns that you will have to pay £25 to obtain another replacement.

Do not use the standard service when moving outside the UK

The online V5C address-change service is for a new UK address. If you are moving abroad and taking the vehicle with you, GOV.UK instructs you to take the log book and register the vehicle in the country you are moving to. The standard UK address-change service is not the correct route for an overseas address.

Avoid these problems after moving house

• Do not assume changing your driving licence also updates the V5C; these are separate records.
• Do not leave the old address on the V5C after a permanent move.
• Check whether vehicle tax is due within 4 weeks before changing the address online.
• Do not use the standard online service if the V5C has been lost or already sent to DVLA.
• Do not use a PO Box as the new address on the postal V5C change.
• Do not use the simple address-change process if your name is also changing.
• Remember to update the vehicle-tax Direct Debit address separately if that is how you pay.