Half a million students risk £1,000 fine for not updating details on their driving licence and vehicle documents – and it could also invalidate their insurance
Uni students around the country are now settling into the first semester of the educational year - but they must remember to make these changes if they move out of home to study
CLOSE to half a million British students could be at risk of a hefty £1,000 fine for failing to update their driver's licence and car registration details.
With most universities now into their first semester of the educational year, students will be settling into their new accommodation having left home to study.
But just over 426,000 Brits will be keeping their car at uni this semester, according to Go Compare, and they will need to make a few vital changes to avoid paying a penalty.
In order to keep your driving licence, vehicle log book (V5C) and tax up-to-date, you must register any changes of address to the DVLA.
This not only includes permanent addresses, but also if you're moving temporarily to university.
Any motorist found not to have their regular living address on any of these documents can be slapped with a fine of up to £1,000.
WHEN DO I NEED TO INFORM THE DVLA?
- Any change of address - temporary or otherwise - must be reported to the DVLA to update your driving licence and vehicle documents.
- Similarly a change of name after marriage must be detailed.
- Any medical conditions that may affect your driving must be flagged up, too. These include eye conditions, diabetes, epilepsy, a stroke, Parkinson's and heart disease.
- Failure to do any of these could result in a £1,000 fine.
- Visit the for more guidance on how to update your details.
And the same principle applies to car insurance details.
While you might not be fined in the same way for having the wrong address on your insurance, your policy could be invalid if you try to make a claim.
Living in a different postcode to the one nominated on your policy could have an impact on your premium and the level of cover your insurer will provide, making it vital you let them know of any changes.
Drivers can change their address on their licence or vehicle documents by filling out a short online application form on the
It doesn't cost anything to update your address information.
Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Policy and Research Director, said: “In all the stress of starting university it’s easy to forget things like updating your driving licence.
"If you move, even on a temporary basis, you must inform DVLA so they can put the new address on your full or provisional licence.
"It's free, but ignoring it could land you with a fine of up to £1,000 if you get stopped by the police and your documents are checked on the system.
the road laws you need to know
"You can still drive while you’re waiting for your new licence and it should only take a week or two to come back.
"You should also update your car registration documents and most importantly tell your car insurance company as well.
"Postcodes are a key factor in setting premiums so an adjustment might have to be made if you are moving from the leafy suburbs to an inner city area.”