UK Deed Poll Bureau

DVLA guidance

Change the name on your UK driving licence

The current Great Britain process is a postal application using form D1 or D2. It is free to change your name or gender on the licence.

Last reviewed against GOV.UK: 9 September 2026

The correct DVLA process

  • Send DVLA your old driving licence with the correct application form and supporting documents.
  • Use form D1 for a car or motorbike licence, or form D2 for a lorry or bus licence.
  • There is no DVLA fee for changing your name or gender.
  • GOV.UK says you can continue driving while waiting for the replacement licence.
  • If you own a vehicle, update the name on the V5C log book as well.

What to send

Follow the document list in the current D1 or D2 application and the GOV.UK instructions. The evidence required depends on why your details changed. A signed deed poll can be relevant evidence for a name change, while marriage or civil-partnership evidence may be sufficient for a surname change.

Do not rely on old online-application instructions

Older versions of this guide incorrectly described an online DVLA name-change route. The current GOV.UK process says to send the old licence, application form and supporting documents to DVLA.

Northern Ireland

GOV.UK states that Northern Ireland has a different process. If your licence was issued in Northern Ireland, use the DVA guidance rather than the Great Britain DVLA process described here.

Check the live DVLA guidance Name-change checklist

Official UK Government sources

For authoritative, up-to-date rules we recommend the official UK government pages alongside this guide. The links below open on the gov.uk website or the relevant official body.