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  • Breadcrumb

    1. Home
    2. Motoring
    3. Driving licences
    4. Renew, exchange or apply for a driving licence

    Change address on your driving licence online

    This service is only available if you are still resident in Northern Ireland.

     

    Before you start

    If your driving licence is not a Northern Ireland (NI) licence and you're resident in NI, you may be able to exchange your licence for a NI driving licence. 

    If you have a NI driving licence and are resident outside NI, you should contact the licensing authorities where you are now resident.

    You must let the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) know if your address changes to keep your records up-to-date and make sure future driving licence reminders are sent to the right address.

    To apply online to change your address you'll need:

    • a credit or debit card (if payment is needed)
    • a valid email address
    • a printer
    • your NI driving licence number and expiry date (date it runs out on)- both can be found on the plastic card part of your driving licence – ‘5’ is the driving licence number and ‘4b’ the expiry date
    • to send both parts of your driving licence (a plastic photocard and a paper part which is known as the paper counterpart) to DVA

    If you can't return both parts of your driving licence you must give a reason why and you'll need to pay for a replacement licence. If your licence is due to expire (run out) within the next 12 months you can consider applying to renew it now instead of replacing it. Either way costs the same.

    If your licence has expired or is within two months of expiring you cannot apply to change your address. You must apply to renew your driving licence. 

    You can’t change your name online

    If your name has changed from that on your existing licence you must fill in and return a driving licence application form (DL1 or DL2 if you have a lorry or bus driving licence) along with the right identity documents. You can get DL1 and DL2 forms from Post Offices.

    Change your address online

    Additional information

    Linking your driving licence

    You do not need to create a nidirect account to change your address online but it can save you time when you’re filling out your application.

    When you create an account you can link your licence so the information from your driving record shows on screen. DVA will also send you updates on your application, such as when it has been processed.

    To link your driving licence you must have a nidirect account and have had your identity verified.

    You can also view your driving record to check the details DVA hold for you, including any penalty points or driving convictions you may have.

    You can also create a code to allow a third party, for example a car hire company or your employer, to view your driving rights.

    • Instructions on how to link your driving licence

    To find out more about identity assurance and the documents you need to verify your identity see:

    • Identity assurance

    You can find out how any personal information you send to the Department for Infrastructure (Driver & Vehicle Agency) when using this service will be handled by viewing their privacy notice.

    For queries

    For queries about changing the address on your driving licence, email: dva@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk.

    For queries about your identity check, email: nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

    This is a new beta service. To find out more about what beta means and how your feedback can help improve the service, visit:

    • beta on nidirect
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    Renew, exchange or apply for a driving licence

    • Apply for a provisional driving licence online
    • Applying for a provisional driving licence
    • Driving licence application DL1 - guidance notes
    • Driving licence application DL2 - guidance notes
    • Exchanging your foreign driving licence
    • Identity documents and photographs
    • Keeping your driving licence up-to-date
    • Older drivers – deciding when to stop driving
    • Renew your driving licence
    • Renew your driving licence at 70 plus
    • Renewing your vocational licence
    • Replacing your driving licence
    • The cost of a driving licence
    • The photocard driving licence explained

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    • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
      contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
       
    • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
      contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

    If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

    For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

     

    For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

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