To change the address on your V5C logbook, go to www.gov.uk/change-address-v5c. You will need your V5C reference number, your vehicle registration number, and your new address. The service is free, takes around five minutes, and is available 7am to 7pm every day. Your new V5C arrives within 5 working days. Updating by post takes 4 to 6 weeks. Failing to update is a legal offence and can result in a fine of up to £1,000.
Key Takeaways
- Change your V5C logbook address free at www.gov.uk/change-address-v5c. Takes around 5 minutes, available 7am to 7pm every day.
- You need your V5C reference number (11 digits, in the white box on your logbook), your registration number, and your new address.
- New V5C arrives within 5 working days online. Postal updates take 4 to 6 weeks.
- Your V5C and driving licence are two separate DVLA records. Updating one does not update the other.
- Failing to update is a legal offence carrying a fine of up to £1,000.
What is the V5C logbook and why does your address matter?
The V5C is the vehicle registration certificate, commonly called the logbook, that is the official document that identifies you as the registered keeper of your vehicle and is issued by the DVLA. It contains details about the vehicle, its make, model, engine size, fuel type, colour and registration number, alongside your name and address as the registered keeper.
Being the registered keeper is not the same as being the owner. The registered keeper is the person legally responsible for the vehicle, including making sure it is taxed, has a valid MOT, and that the DVLA holds accurate records. If the address on the V5C is out of date, vehicle tax reminders, penalty charge notices, and other important correspondence from the DVLA go to your old address. That post could reach someone you no longer know, creating both a practical problem and a risk of previous occupier fraud.
Are you legally required to update your V5C when you move?
GOV.UK is explicit: you must update your V5C when you move home. This is a legal requirement under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. Failure to keep the registered keeper details accurate is an offence, and the DVLA can issue a fine of up to £1,000.
Beyond the fine, an outdated address creates practical complications. The DVLA sends vehicle tax renewal reminders, MOT expiry notices, and any compliance or enforcement correspondence to the address on record. If that is your old address, you may let your vehicle tax or MOT lapse without knowing, both of which carry their own penalties.
Do not update before you move. Unlike some admin tasks you can tackle in advance, the DVLA requires you to have actually moved before updating your V5C. Update your address on or after your moving day, once you are living at the new property.
What do you need to change your V5C address?
The online process is straightforward and you do not need to create an account or sign in to GOV.UK. Before you start, have the following to hand:
- Your V5C reference number, the 11-digit number printed in the white box on the front of your logbook. This is not the same as your vehicle registration number
- Your vehicle registration number: the number plate of your vehicle
- Your new address and postcode
- An email address: the DVLA sends confirmation to your email
Which number is the V5C reference number? It is the 11-digit number printed in the white box near the top of your V5C, usually starting with letters then numbers, for example BG5 4890421. This is different from your vehicle registration number (your number plate). Do not confuse them, the online service will not accept an incorrect reference number.
How do you change your V5C address online?
The online service is the fastest method. The address update is applied to DVLA records immediately on submission, and your new V5C arrives in the post within 5 working days.
The service is available 7am to 7pm, seven days a week. You do not need to sign in or create a GOV.UK account.
Type in your vehicle's registration number exactly as it appears on the number plate, without spaces.
Enter the 11-digit reference number from the white box on your logbook. The service will verify this against your vehicle record.
Provide your new full address and postcode. Check it carefully, as this will be printed on your new V5C.
Confirm the change. You will receive email confirmation immediately. Once you receive it, destroy your old V5C. Shred it rather than putting it in recycling. Your new V5C arrives within 5 working days.
Beware of scam websites. A number of unofficial websites charge fees to update your V5C address. The official DVLA service is always at gov.uk/change-address-v5c and is always free. Look for the .gov.uk domain before entering any details.
How do you change your V5C address by post?
If you prefer to update by post, or if the online service is unavailable, you can send your V5C directly to the DVLA. This method takes significantly longer, allow 4 to 6 weeks.
On a new-style V5C, find Section 3, which is the section for change of keeper or change of keeper's details. On an old-style logbook, this may be Section 6. Fill in your new address clearly in block capitals.
Sign and date the declaration at the bottom of the section to confirm the information is accurate.
Send the whole logbook (not just the completed section) to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. Do not include a cover letter or fee. Send by recorded delivery and keep your proof of postage.
The DVLA will process the change and return a new V5C showing your updated address. Allow 4 to 6 weeks. If it has not arrived after 6 weeks, contact the DVLA.
| Method | Where | Hours | New V5C arrives | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | gov.uk/change-address-v5c | 7am–7pm, 7 days | Within 5 working days | Free |
| Post | DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA | Any time | 4 to 6 weeks | Free (postage cost only) |
Does updating your V5C also update your driving licence?
This is one of the most commonly missed steps when moving home. Your V5C logbook and your driving licence are two completely separate DVLA records. Updating the address on your V5C does not update your driving licence. You must do both.
To update your driving licence address, go to gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence. This is also free. You will need your driving licence number and your new address. A new licence is sent to your new address free of charge.
Both are legally required. You must update both your driving licence address and your V5C logbook address when you move. Each is a separate legal obligation. Failing to update either can result in a fine of up to £1,000. Many people update one and assume the other is covered, but it is not.
What should you do after updating your V5C?
Once you have submitted the change online and received email confirmation, there are two further steps to take.
Destroy your old V5C
The DVLA instructs you to destroy your old V5C once you receive confirmation that the change has been processed. Shred it rather than tearing it up. The V5C contains your name, address, and vehicle details, all of which could be used by a fraudster. Do not put a whole V5C in your recycling bin.
Notify your car insurer
Updating your V5C with the DVLA does not update your car insurance. You must notify your insurer separately. Your postcode is one of the factors that determines your insurance premium, and a different postcode may change what you pay. More importantly, failing to tell your insurer about a change of address can invalidate your policy. If you had an accident and it emerged that your registered address was incorrect, your insurer could refuse to pay out.
Also update your breakdown cover provider, parking permit details if applicable, and any vehicle finance provider.
What if you have lost your V5C?
If you no longer have your V5C, you cannot complete the postal address change process and the online service requires the V5C reference number. The solution is to apply for a replacement V5C using form V62, available on GOV.UK. A replacement costs £25. You can apply online or by post. Once your replacement V5C arrives, you can then update the address using the normal online process.
If you have recently bought the vehicle and the V5C has not yet arrived, contact the DVLA directly before attempting to update your address. In some cases, a new keeper supplement (the yellow section sometimes separated from the main V5C) may allow you to complete an initial registration before updating the address.
How do you update the DVLA and all your other providers at once?
Moving home means updating your address with dozens of organisations simultaneously. Your V5C is one legal requirement among many: your driving licence, your council, HMRC, your bank, your energy supplier, your GP, all need your new address, and none of them communicate with each other.
Moveinout is an online change of address service that lets you notify the DVLA alongside over 9,000 UK organisations across 24 categories, all from one process. You enter your details once, select who needs to know, and Moveinout dispatches notifications on your behalf. A dashboard shows which providers have been notified, helping you keep track and avoid duplication throughout your move.
Notify the DVLA and thousands of other providers in one go.
Banks, councils, HMRC, energy providers, your GP and over 9,000 other organisations. All from one place, without a single phone call.
Get started with Moveinout →No queues. No paperwork. Notifications dispatched on your behalf.
What happens if you do not update your V5C when you move?
The consequences of not updating your V5C after moving fall into three areas.
Legal penalty
Failing to update the registered keeper details on a V5C is an offence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. The DVLA can issue a fine of up to £1,000. This is not theoretical, the DVLA has enforced this penalty and continues to do so.
Missed DVLA correspondence
Vehicle tax renewal reminders, MOT expiry notices, penalty charge notices from councils, and any compliance letters from the DVLA all go to the address on your V5C. If those go to your old address, you may let your vehicle tax lapse, which carries an automatic £80 fine and potentially the clamping or removal of your vehicle. You may also miss a penalty charge notice during its discounted payment window, resulting in a higher fine.
Identity fraud risk
Post arriving at your old address bearing your name, vehicle registration number, and personal details gives anyone at that property enough information to commit identity fraud. A V5C is one of the documents sometimes used to verify identity. This is part of a wider pattern known as previous occupier fraud, which affects thousands of UK home movers every year. Keeping your address current is one of the most effective protections against it.
Quick summary: V5C logbook change of address
- Online: gov.uk/change-address-v5c, free, available 7am to 7pm every day
- You need: V5C reference number (11 digits, white box on logbook), vehicle registration number, new address
- New V5C arrives within 5 working days online; 4 to 6 weeks by post
- Post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. Send the whole logbook with no cover letter.
- Destroy your old V5C once you receive email confirmation
- Your driving licence must be updated separately at gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence
- Notify your car insurer separately. Your postcode affects your premium and an outdated address can invalidate your policy.
- Failure to update: fine of up to £1,000
- Lost your V5C: apply for a replacement using form V62. Costs £25.
- Use Moveinout to notify the DVLA alongside over 9,000 other organisations in one process
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions about changing your V5C logbook address when moving home.
Go to gov.uk/change-address-v5c. You will need your V5C reference number (the 11-digit number in the white box on your logbook), your vehicle registration number, and your new address. The service is free and available 7am to 7pm every day. Your new V5C arrives within 5 working days. You can also use Moveinout to notify the DVLA alongside your other providers in one process.
Yes. Updating your V5C address is completely free whether you do it online or by post. The only cost is £25 if you need to apply for a replacement V5C because you have lost your original. Be aware that some unofficial websites charge for this service, the official DVLA service is always at gov.uk/change-address-v5c and is always free.
Failing to update your V5C is a legal offence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and can result in a fine of up to £1,000. You also risk missing vehicle tax reminders, MOT expiry notices, and penalty charge notices that the DVLA sends to the address on your logbook. Allowing your vehicle tax to lapse carries its own automatic £80 fine.
Yes. Your driving licence address and your V5C logbook address are two separate DVLA records. Updating one does not update the other. Use gov.uk/change-address-v5c for your logbook and gov.uk/change-address-driving-licence for your licence. Both are free and both are legally required.
After updating online, your new V5C should arrive within 5 working days. After a postal update, allow 4 to 6 weeks. If your new V5C has not arrived after 14 working days following an online update, contact the DVLA. You can drive your vehicle normally while waiting for the new V5C to arrive, keep your email confirmation as proof of the update.
Yes. Fill in Section 3 of a new-style V5C (or Section 6 of an old-style logbook) with your new address and sign the declaration. Post the entire V5C to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA. Do not send a cover letter or fee. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing. Send by recorded delivery and keep proof of postage.
You need your V5C reference number (the 11-digit number in the white box on your logbook, not your registration number), your vehicle registration number, your new address and postcode, and an email address for the confirmation. You do not need to create an account or sign in to GOV.UK.
Yes. You can drive your vehicle normally while waiting for your updated V5C to arrive. The DVLA updates its records immediately on submission of the online form. Keep your email confirmation as proof that you have notified the DVLA of the change.
Yes. Updating your V5C with the DVLA does not update your car insurance. You must notify your insurer separately. Your postcode affects your premium, and failing to update your address with your insurer can invalidate your policy. If you had an accident and your registered address was incorrect, your insurer could refuse to pay out.
Yes. Moveinout is an online change of address service that lets you notify the DVLA alongside over 9,000 other UK organisations, banks, councils, HMRC, energy providers, your GP and more, all from one process. You enter your details once, select who needs to know, and Moveinout dispatches notifications on your behalf.
V5C updated. Now for the rest of your list.
Moveinout notifies the DVLA alongside your council, bank, HMRC, energy provider, GP and over 9,000 other organisations. All from one place, all in one process.
Get started with Moveinout →No queues. No paperwork. Notifications dispatched on your behalf.
