Forgot to change V5 address

GeorgePowerFinch

Evening all,

Long story short...

I used to live with my dad, unfortunately he passed away so I moved to my mums address in 2016, changed my license / insurance and being an idiot... completely didn’t realise I had to change my log book. Since my father passed I’ve had to be pretty independent, my mum doesn’t drive and doesn’t know anything about that kind of thing so it’s only hit me in the last week that the most important document was never updated.

I understand it’s still my fault and there’s no excuses. So I sent off my V5 with my current address on to be updated, do you think they’ll clock on to the fact that my licence was changed 3 years ago and log book wasn’t?

I’m such an idiot. Hope I don’t have any fines outstanding!!! I’m going to sell the car once it’s updated anyways, how can I tell if there’s any out standing fines if I’ve sold it?

Thanks all.

waamo

Contact the DVLA and ask if anyone has requested your details.

TooManyPoints

There is little to no chance that the DVLA will discover you changed your DL details two years ago and in any case they rarely prosecute for failing to update a V5C unless their is a deliberate attempt to avoid prosecution. The main reason is that there is no link in the DVLA data between drivers and vehicles. This is why so many drivers, having done what you have done, receive convictions for "Failing to Provide Driver's Details" without knowing about it. A Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) and the request for driver's details is sent to their old address and unsurprisingly is not responded to. The matter goes to court and they end up with a hefty fine and six points. New Drivers (who passed their test less than two years earlier) have their licence revoked (for reaching six points in those two years) and some drivers who already have six or more points are banned under "totting up".

Sometimes the police try to trace the vehicle's keeper via the MID (insurance database) but often it is bailiffs knocking at the door to collect the fine (and their costs) who have managed to trace the keeper.

You can check your Driving record online to see if you have gained any convictions without your knowledge.

loskie

you'll be fine, don't stress.

GeorgePowerFinch

Thanks for the help! Really stopped me stressing out. Doesn’t seem to be any convictions on my licence!

foxy-stoat

Check your credit files while your at it...you may have a CCJ for unpaid parking tickets.

At least you changed the details now before you need to "use" your car insurance for a total loss or accident.

GeorgePowerFinch

Doesn't seem to be any CCJ's on my credit file either. So fingers crossed.