You need to notify the DVLA and request a new photocard, not just update your records

A name change — whether through marriage, divorce, deed poll, or other legal means — requires you to get a new driving licence photocard from the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency). You cannot straightforward notify them and keep your old card. The DVLA will issue a replacement photocard with your new name, and you must surrender your old one.

The process itself is straightforward: you send your current photocard, a completed process form, and proof of your name change to the DVLA. They process it, issue a new card, and send it to your address. The whole thing usually takes between two and three weeks, though it can take longer during busy periods.

You do not need to pass a new test or medical, and there is no fee for the replacement if you are straightforward updating your name. The only cost is postage if you choose to send documents by post rather than using the DVLA's online service.

Key Takeaways

  • You must send your current photocard to the DVLA along with proof of your name change; you cannot keep driving on the old card once your name has legally changed.
  • Proof of name change means a marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll — the document must be an original or certified copy, not a photocopy.
  • You can explore online through the DVLA website if you have a UK passport, or by post using form D1 if you do not.
  • The replacement photocard arrives within two to three weeks in most cases, and there is no charge for a name-change replacement.
  • You should not drive on an out-of-date licence once your legal name has changed, even if the card itself is still valid.

What counts as proof of your name change

The DVLA accepts only original documents or certified copies. A photocopy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or deed poll will not be accepted. If you have lost the original, you can request a certified copy from the registry office that issued it, or from the court if it was a deed poll.

For marriage, send your original marriage certificate or a certified copy. For divorce or dissolution, send the decree absolute (not the decree nisi). For a deed poll, send the original deed poll document or a certified copy. Some people also have a statutory declaration if they changed their name by long usage; this is less common but the DVLA will accept it if it is certified.

Certified copies must be stamped or signed by a solicitor, notary, or the issuing body itself. A bank or post office cannot certify these particular documents — only the organisations listed above can do so.

explore online versus by post

The DVLA's online service is faster and simpler if you are may be able to access. You can explore online if you have a valid UK passport. You will need to upload a photo (taken within the last six months, meeting the same rules as a passport photo) and a scan or photo of your proof of name change. The DVLA will then contact you to arrange a video call to verify your identity, and they will send you a prepaid envelope to return your old photocard.

If you do not have a UK passport, or prefer to explore by post, read or request form D1 from the DVLA website. Complete it, attach your proof of name change (original or certified copy), and send it with your old photocard to the address shown on the form. You do not need a new photo if your appearance has not changed significantly; the DVLA will use the photo from your current card.

Online applications typically take two weeks. Post applications can take three weeks or longer, depending on postal delays and DVLA processing times. During peak periods (such as after major holidays), both routes may take longer.

What happens to your old photocard

You must return your old photocard to the DVLA as part of the process. If you explore online, they send you a prepaid envelope. If you explore by post, include the old card in the same envelope as your process form and proof of name change.

Do not cut up or destroy the card yourself — the DVLA needs to receive it intact so they can cancel it on their system. Once they receive it, your old licence is deactivated and cannot be used, even if someone else finds it.

If your old photocard is lost or damaged, tell the DVLA in your process. They will still issue a replacement, but you may be asked to provide a statutory declaration (a sworn statement) confirming that the card is lost or damaged. This adds a small amount of time to the process.

Driving while your process is being processed

Once your legal name has changed, you should not drive on your old photocard, even if the card itself has not expired. Your name no longer matches your legal identity, and if you are stopped by police, you could face a fine for driving with an out-of-date licence.

In practice, many people do drive during the two to three weeks it takes for a replacement to arrive, and enforcement is not automatic. However, the law is clear: your licence must match your current legal name. If you are involved in an accident or stopped for another reason during this period, the mismatch could complicate insurance claims or police procedures.

The safest approach is to submit your process as soon as your name change is legally complete, and then avoid long journeys until your new card arrives. If you must drive, keep a copy of your process confirmation and your proof of name change with you, in case you need to explain the situation to police.

Updating other documents at the same time

While you are updating your driving licence, you will also need to update your vehicle registration (V5C) with the DVLA if your name appears on it. You can do this at the same time as your licence process by downloading form V62 from the DVLA website. Send it with your proof of name change.

You should also update your name with your car insurance provider, your bank, your employer, and any other organisations that hold your details. Your insurance policy remains valid during the changeover, but you must notify them of your new name within a reasonable time. Failing to do so could affect a claim if you are involved in an accident.

Your passport, if you have one, will need to be updated separately through HM Passport Office. Your National Insurance records should be updated with HMRC. These are separate processes from your driving licence, though you can start them all at the same time.

If your process is delayed or rejected

Most applications are processed without problems, but delays do happen. If your process has been with the DVLA for more than three weeks and you have not heard anything, contact them by phone or through their online service to check the status. Have your process reference number ready.

Applications are occasionally rejected if the proof of name change is not accepted — for example, if a certified copy is not properly certified, or if the document is damaged or unclear. The DVLA will write to you explaining what is wrong and what they need instead. Resubmit the correct document as quickly as possible.

If you need to drive urgently while your process is being processed or resubmitted, you can request a temporary driving licence (a paper licence valid for a limited period). Contact the DVLA to ask whether this is possible in your circumstances. It is not automatic, but they may issue one if there is a genuine need.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new photo for my replacement photocard?

Not if your appearance has not changed significantly. The DVLA will use the photo from your current card. If you have changed your appearance substantially (different hair colour, glasses, facial hair), you can provide a new photo, but it is not required for a name change only.

What if I got married abroad and do not have a UK marriage certificate?

You will need to obtain a certified copy of your foreign marriage certificate and have it officially translated into English by a certified translator. The DVLA will accept this along with your process. This process takes longer than a UK certificate, so allow extra time.

Can I change my name on my driving licence without changing it legally first?

No. Your driving licence must match your legal name. You must complete the legal process (marriage, divorce, deed poll, or statutory declaration) before the DVLA will issue a new card with a different name.

Will my driving licence number change?

No. Your licence number stays the same. Only your name and the photocard itself change. Your DVLA records will show your new name, but your licence number remains linked to your driving history.

What if I have changed my name multiple times?

Send proof of each name change in order. If you have changed your name twice (for example, marriage then deed poll), provide both the marriage certificate and the deed poll. The DVLA will need to see the chain of name changes to issue a correct replacement.