How to Change Your Name on a UK Driving Licence (2026 Guide)

If your name has changed after marriage, divorce or a legal name change, you should update your UK driving licence so that your details are correct. In Great Britain, you can change the name on your driving licence through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).

The process usually involves completing the correct application form, returning your existing licence and providing evidence of your new name. Changing the name on your driving licence is free, although additional charges can apply if you also need a new photograph or cannot return your old licence.

This guide explains how to change your name on a UK driving licence, which documents you may need, how to apply and what to do if your licence has been lost.

For related information, read our UK driving licence guide.

Do You Need to Change Your Name on Your UK Driving Licence?

If your legal name has changed, you should update your driving licence details with DVLA.

Common reasons include:

• Getting married or entering a civil partnership.
• Changing your name after divorce or the end of a civil partnership.
• Changing your name through a deed poll.
• Making another legal change to your name.
• Correcting a name that is recorded incorrectly.

You should also check that the name on your driving licence matches the relevant identity documents you use for official purposes.

If you change your name, remember that you may also need to update other records, including your passport, vehicle registration certificate (V5C), insurance details and financial accounts.

How to Change Your Name on a UK Driving Licence

In Great Britain, you generally cannot use the standard online address-change service to change your name. You must apply by post using the correct form and supporting evidence.

Step 1: Get the Correct Application Form

For a car or motorcycle driving licence, you need form D1 — Application for a driving licence.

For a lorry or bus driving licence, you need form D2 — Application for a lorry/bus licence.

You can obtain the relevant forms from most Post Offices that provide DVLA services.

Before completing the form, check the official GOV.UK name-change guidance to confirm the correct application route for your licence.

Step 2: Prepare Evidence of Your New Name

You must provide the appropriate original evidence to support your name change.

Depending on your circumstances, DVLA may accept documents such as:

• A marriage or civil partnership certificate.
• A divorce or end-of-civil-partnership document, together with additional evidence where required.
• A deed poll.
• A statutory declaration.
• Other documents specified in the official guidance for your situation.

The documents required depend on how your name changed. For example, someone who changed their surname after marriage may need different evidence from someone who changed their name by deed poll.

Check the official identity document guidance before sending your application.

Step 3: Return Your Existing Driving Licence

Include your current photocard or paper driving licence with your completed application and supporting documents.

Follow the instructions carefully. GOV.UK says not to send photocopies or laminated certificates where original evidence is required.

If your licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you can still apply. You will need to explain what happened to the licence and follow the additional instructions for that situation.

Step 4: Send Your Application to DVLA

Use the address specified in the official application instructions.

For car and motorcycle licences, the published DVLA address is:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BN

For lorry and bus licences, the address is different. Check the current official instructions before posting your application.

Use suitable postage and consider keeping proof of posting.

Step 5: Wait for Your Updated Licence

Once DVLA has processed your application, it will issue an updated driving licence if your application is approved.

Processing times can vary, particularly if further checks or documents are required. Keep your application details and any proof of posting until the new licence arrives.

Is It Free to Change Your Name on a UK Driving Licence?

Yes. In Great Britain, changing the name on your driving licence is normally free if you return your existing licence and apply using the correct procedure.

However, additional charges may apply in certain circumstances.

The precise fee depends on your circumstances and the application route. Check the current GOV.UK driving licence fees before applying.

Avoid paying an unnecessary third-party service charge when you can apply directly through the official government process.

Can You Change Your Name and Address at the Same Time?

If you have changed both your name and address, you should tell DVLA about both changes.

However, the standard online address-change service does not cover a simultaneous name change. GOV.UK directs applicants who want to change their name and address together to apply by post.

Make sure your application contains the correct details and all the required supporting documents.

You must also update the address on your vehicle registration certificate (V5C) if your address has changed. Changing your driving licence details does not automatically update every vehicle or insurance record.

For more information, read our guide to changing the address on a UK driving licence.

Can You Change Your Name on a Paper Driving Licence?

Yes. If you still hold a valid paper driving licence, you must apply to change your name using the appropriate postal process.

You will normally need the relevant application form, your existing licence and the original evidence supporting your name change.

GOV.UK explains that you can receive a new licence after changing your name. Check the official paper driving licence exchange guidance to confirm what applies to your document.

Do not assume that you must exchange a valid paper licence simply because you have one. The need to obtain a new licence depends on the change you are making and the applicable rules.

Can You Change Your Name on a UK Driving Licence Online?

For a name change, the standard DVLA process in Great Britain is by post, not through the ordinary online address-change service.

You need to submit the appropriate form and supporting documents.

Be cautious of websites claiming they can change your official driving licence name entirely online when the government process requires original documents by post.

Always start with the official GOV.UK name-change service.

Can You Drive While Waiting for Your New Licence?

GOV.UK states that you can still drive while waiting for your new licence after applying to change your name.

However, you must continue to meet the legal requirements for driving, including having valid entitlement and appropriate insurance.

If you have another issue affecting your licence, such as a disqualification, revoked entitlement or medical restriction, do not assume that the name-change application resolves it.

If you are unsure about your circumstances, check the official guidance or contact DVLA.

What If Your Driving Licence Has Been Lost or Stolen?

If your licence is missing when you need to change your name, you can still apply. The official process requires you to explain that the old licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed.

A replacement fee may apply in these circumstances.

Do not submit an ordinary name-change application as though you are returning your old licence when you no longer have it. Follow the additional instructions in the official GOV.UK name-change guidance.

If you need more information about a missing photocard, read our guide to replacing a UK driving licence.

Do You Need to Update Your Vehicle Registration Certificate?

Yes, if the name recorded on your vehicle registration certificate needs updating, you should follow the relevant DVLA process.

The V5C log book is a separate document from your driving licence. Updating one does not automatically update the other.

Check the instructions for your vehicle registration document and ensure that the information recorded by DVLA is correct.

You should also inform your motor insurer about a name change and check whether your policy details need to be updated.

Does the Process Differ in Northern Ireland?

Yes. Northern Ireland has a separate driving licence system administered by the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).

If your licence was issued in Northern Ireland, use the official nidirect guidance on proving your identity for a driving licence and follow the appropriate application procedure.

Do not automatically apply Great Britain’s forms, addresses or fees to a Northern Ireland licence.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I change my name on my UK driving licence?

In Great Britain, complete the appropriate D1 or D2 application form, include your existing licence and the required original evidence of your new name, then send the application to DVLA.

2. How much does it cost to change a name on a driving licence?

The name change is normally free if you return your existing licence. Additional charges may apply if you also change your photograph or cannot return the old licence.

3. Can I change my driving licence name online?

The standard name-change process in Great Britain is by post. Use the official GOV.UK instructions to obtain the correct form and supporting-document requirements.

4. What documents do I need after getting married?

A marriage certificate is commonly used as evidence of a surname change. Check the official guidance for your circumstances and whether additional documents are needed.

5. What if I changed my name by deed poll?

You may need to provide your deed poll and an additional document showing that you are using the new name. Check the current GOV.UK identity guidance before sending your application.

6. Can I drive while DVLA processes my name change?

GOV.UK says you can continue driving while waiting for your new licence after applying to change your name, provided you meet the applicable legal requirements.

7. Do I need to update my V5C log book too?

Yes, if the name recorded on your vehicle registration certificate needs to be updated. The V5C is separate from your driving licence, so check its own update procedure.

8. Does a name change renew my driving licence?

No. Updating your name is different from renewing an expired photocard or renewing your driving entitlement. If your licence is also due for renewal, check the appropriate application requirements.

Final Thoughts

Changing your name on a UK driving licence is usually straightforward if you follow the official DVLA process and provide the correct evidence.

In Great Britain, name changes are normally handled by post using form D1 or D2, depending on your licence category. The name-change process is generally free when you return your existing licence, although additional charges may apply in some circumstances.

Before posting your application, check the current GOV.UK instructions, include the required original documents and remember to update other records that need to reflect your new name.

For more information, read our UK driving licence guide, address-change guide and replacement licence guide.

Official sources

• Change the name or gender on your driving licence — GOV.UK
• Identity documents needed for a driving licence application — GOV.UK
• Driving licence fees — GOV.UK
• Change the address on your driving licence — GOV.UK
• Providing proof of identity for a driving licence — nidirect