There are a lot of reasons that you choose to change your personal information on the driving licence and one of which is changing the name on it after getting married. If you happen to be searching for ways to change the name of your driving licence, read this article because we will share all the information from necessary steps, associated costs, and other details.
Do I need to change my name on my driving licence after marriage?
Is it necessary to change the name after getting married in the UK? The short answer is no. Actually, there is no legal requirement that you should change your name. You have the full right to decide whether to change your name or not.
However, in the UK, many people decide to change their last names to open new chapters of their new lives. If this is the case, you should change the name on the driving licence accordingly. Likewise, if you change your name via a Deed Poll, or change your gender, you should also update your driving licence. If you do not update the personal information on it, there will be a severe consequence that your driving licence will be invalid.If you do not update your new name on it, there will be a severe consequence that your driving licence will be invalid.
What are the penalties for invalid documents?
If you are caught driving without a valid driving licence by the police in the UK, you will be fined up to £1,000 and 6 points for the driving licence. Additionally, if you are caught driving with disqualification, you will face legal action in court.
And as a reminder, any incorrect personal information such as name and address can lead to the driving licence being invalid.
How to change your name on driving licence？
Changing the name on your driving licence can be simpler than you thought. You just need to fill out the form and gather the required documents and send them to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). However, compared to the address change that can be made via online application, the name change can only be done via post because any driving licence change involving the name change should apply through post. Here are the steps.
Step 1. Prepare the appropriate form
As for an application for a name change, the first step you should take is to fill out the application form. You can download the form from the DVLA of GOV.UK. Alternatively, you can get the form from post, which is more convenient. There are two types of application forms.
- D1: If you hold a car or motorbike driving licence, you should fill out D1 application.
- D2: if you hold a bus or a lorry driving licence, you should fill out D2 application.
Step 2. Fill out the form
After you get the application form, you can fill in your information. Please be sure you should write your information using a black-inked pen with capital letters.
As you can see from the form D1, there are 8 sections. Write carefully because any incorrections will cause application delays. Write your new name, title, date of birth, current address, and your UK driver number (if you know it) under the first section “Your details”.
Put a cross X in the Yes box near “Has your name or address (or both )changed since your last licence was issued? If Yes, write the previous details below” and write the older name and address (if applicable). As for the remaining parts, fill in according to your actual information.
Remember to double-check the information you filled in. If you are applying for a driving licence in form D2, the process is the same.
Step 3. Gather original documents
Apart from the application form, you should gather other documents to submit. Please be aware that all the papers should be original. DVLA does not receive any photocopies of these documents, no matter whether they are legally notarized or not. Original only!
- Provide your previous driving licence.
- If it is a paper driving licence, you should provide a recent passport-style photo and a cheque or postal order for £17 to DVLA.
- If your old driving licence is stolen or destroyed, you can not provide it; you should state the reason when filling out the form. Include a cheque or postal order for £20 to DVLA.
- Provide your identity documents or any other counterpart that can prove your identity.
- Provide your marriage certificate or deep poll.
- If you are over 70 years old, please do not forget to submit your medical report.
Step 4. Send all the documents and forms to DVLA
When you have all the documents you need, you send them to the DVLA via post. Here is the address information.
- Send your application for a new car or motorbike licence to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN
- Send your application for a new lorry or bus licence to.
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BR
Can I change the address on my driving licence?
YES. If you move to a new address you must update the address on your driving licence, vehicle log book (V5C), Direct Debit for vehicle tax, your personal number plate documents, and your trailer registration certificates. If the move is only temporary and the DVLA can still find you at your old address, you don’t need to update it. You can make an online application or apply to renew the address via post.
Make online application:
- Provide your driving licence number, national insurance number, and passport number (if you know them).
- Provide the address where you have lived for the past three years.
- You are not disqualified from driving.
- Changing only the address does not need to pay.
How to change a photo on the driving licence?
Changing the photo of the driving licence is simple. You can make an online application.
Step 1. Before you start
- Make sure your eligibility for the online application
You should be a resident of the UK (the North Ireland has different service)
You still be qualified to driving
- You should prepare some documents.
If you’re driving licence is still valid, you should provide:
- your valid UK passport
- your driving licence (if you lost it, state the reason in application)
- your national insurance number (if you know it)
- the address where you have lived for the past three years
Step 2. Submit the online application
Visit the DVLA website to make an online application.
The payment is £14, and you can pay it via MasterCard, Visa, Electron, Delta debit, or credit card. Besides, if you are over 70, or you have a short-term medical licence, there is no need for payment.
If you want to submit by post:
You will need to complete a physical application D1 form.
Prepare the recent passport style photo.
Your current driver’s licence. If you have lost it, please explain why in the form
Cheque or postal order for £17. Payable to DVLA.
No payment required if you are over 70 or hold a short term medical licence.
Address:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1DH
If you’ve changed your name, you’ll also need to include identity documents.
📣Read Also: Where Can I Take a UK Driving Licence Photo?
Is the name change rules the same for North Ireland residents?
NO. There are different processes in Northern Ireland. You should submit your application for name changing offline. Fill the DL1 form and submit it to the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) along with the required documents.
How long does the name change on the driving licence process take?
According to the official, after your application is approved, you will receive your new driving licence within 3 weeks in general. However, this is based on the actual workload and there might be a delay if there are too many applications.
How Much Does It Cost to change name on driving licence?
If you just change your name, there is no payment.
FAQ
Can I continue driving before receiving my new licence?
Yes. While waiting for your new licence, you can continue driving.
😀Read Also: Can I Still Drive If My UK Driving Licence Has Not Arrived
Does your driving licence number change when you get married in the UK?
Yes. Your driving licence number will be changed if you change your name on the driving licence after getting married.
Do you lose your UK driving Licence if you no longer reside in the UK?
It depends on the situation. Currently, DVLA requires you to submit proof of your residency in the UK when you change your address. If you are no longer living in the UK, you cannot be cannot renew it since there are only 10 years of validity. If you cannot go back go the UK to renew it, after the period, your driving licence will be invalid.
Are paper driving licences still valid?
YES. You still can use it to drive legally. If your paper driving licence was issued before March 31, 2000, and the information is correct, it is still valid until you are 70 years old. If you need to change your licence information, the new licence will be issued as a photocard.
Conclusion
Changing the name of the UK driving licence is easy. With only four steps, you can get your new driving licence. Get the application form, fill out the form, gather the required documents, and submit all the documents to DVLA. Wait for some days, done!
Erin Lo