Driver's license, UK, change of address

In a word, what is (really) required in practice, when changing address for a UK driver's license? Consider, say, the situation where in the UK you are (genuinely) "living at a friend's house," or you've been spending a lot of time overseas. You may have no bank account statements, or utility bills, or lease. Does any one have any specific, experiential, facts on this? Thanks!

One could have a cell phone bill sent to the friend's house? What about forwarding services? I am currently expat from USA in Europe and I have a forwarding service in the USA.

3 Answers 3

Assuming you still have your paper counterpart, it's trivially easy. Just fill in your new address on the form on the back, and post it off to the DVLA along with the photocard. A week or so later, a new photocard and paper counterpart will appear at the new address.

There is no requirement to present proof of address when changing the address on your UK driving license, assuming you have all of it and don't try to do anything online

(This is especially handy, as it means you can then use your new license to prove your address for other things relating to your move)

It's absolutely incredibly that, in a word, you do NOT need to furnish POA. (If you're "living with a friend", it's usually a hassle doing this.) Thank you so much.

Why would you need to provide proof of address? You're sending them all of your old license, and telling them where to send the new one. No point lying as you won't get the new one, plus it'd be illegal. They want you to keep your address current, so they can find you if you're a naughty driver!

@JoeBlow I have opened bank accounts in a number of countries, and the UK seems fairly easy (but not the easiest) across all of them. KYC is a bank-only thing, but becoming increasingly common in some form or another worldwide. Much of the rest of the government seems fairly relaxed, but if you have counter examples best ask them, as you might find you're just tackling it the wrong way and we can help!

Note that from 8 June 2015 the UK will no longer issue paper parts for driving licences and these will no longer be valid or required. So after that date this will no longer be possible.

@MichaelHampton They must be introducing a way to change your license with just the photocard from that date, which will make things even easier! We'll have to look in a few months and see exactly what that route is (probably downloading a form from online and completing)

You only need to change the address on your UK driving licence, if you are a resident in the UK. If you live abroad, but you still have your UK driving licence, then you don't need to notify DVLA of your new address (they can't handle foreign addresses anyway).

If you live by your friends, but you are not considered as a resident, then you still don't need to notify DVLA about your new address. Of course having a proof of address is kinda useful in the UK, and one of the ways is your driving licence, so while it's not mandatory, you might still want to modify your address.

To change your address one way is to fill out the "New Address" part on your counterpart driving licence, and then send you licence to DVLA. You'll get your new licence via post in 1-2 weeks.

Alternatively you can also apply to change your address online. However they will ask you for your residence in the last 3 years, and if you came from an EU country, and were not living in the UK for at least half a year they will not consider you as a UK resident, and will not allow you to continue the process. If you finish this process they will send you a letter where you have to send your old licence back to them. You'll get your new licence in 1-2 weeks.

I assume that in both cases they'll verify your address by the fact that you'll have access to the mail at that address, as the licence will be sent there.