To change your name on your V5C logbook, you fill in the relevant section of the certificate with your new name and post the whole logbook to the DVLA in Swansea. It’s free, but — unlike an address change — a name change cannot be done online. The DVLA sends you a new V5C, which can take up to 6 weeks to arrive. You’ll usually need to enclose proof of your new name, such as your deed poll.
Below we walk through exactly which section to complete, what to send, and the pitfalls that slow people down. It only takes a few minutes to fill in, and there’s nothing to pay.
Does your V5C update automatically when you change your name?
No. The DVLA has no way of knowing you’ve changed your name until you tell them, so nothing happens automatically. The registered keeper’s name on your logbook (also called the vehicle registration certificate) stays exactly as it was until you send the document in and ask for it to be updated.
You’re legally required to keep your details current. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell the DVLA when your name changes, so it’s worth doing promptly once your new name is in effect.
If your name change is a legal one — rather than a marriage or a spelling correction — you’ll need a document to prove it. For the roughly 98% of people who use an unenrolled deed poll, that document is valid the moment you sign it in front of an independent adult witness — no court, solicitor or government approval needed. The DVLA is one of the many organisations that accept a deed poll.
How to change your name on your V5C logbook, step by step
The exact box you fill in depends on which version of the logbook you hold. Check the front of yours before you start:
- New-style V5C (front cover has multi-coloured, numbered blocks): write your new name in full in section 3. Don’t use initials. The DVLA postal address you need is printed in that same section.
- Older-style V5C: write your new name in section 6 (the amendments area). The DVLA postal address is printed in section 8.
Then follow these steps:
- Fill in the correct section with your new name in full — and nothing else needs changing if your address is staying the same.
- Enclose a short covering letter explaining why the name on the logbook needs to change.
- Enclose proof of your name change — for example your deed poll — if this is a legal change of name. (See below for when proof isn’t needed.)
- Post the whole logbook — not just the section — to the DVLA address shown on your V5C. This is DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1BA.
That’s it. There’s no form to buy and no fee. Keep a photocopy or photo of the completed logbook and your deed poll for your own records before you post it.
Timing, fees and the proof they’ll ask for
Updating your name on the V5C is free. (The only time a charge applies is if you’ve lost the logbook and need a replacement, which currently costs £25 — but that’s a separate situation.)
Once the DVLA receives your logbook, it can take up to 6 weeks for your new V5C to arrive in the post. There’s no faster online route for a name change, so allow for that wait.
On proof: you do need to send evidence of your new name if you’ve legally changed it — a deed poll is the usual document. You don’t need to enclose proof if you’re changing your name because you got married or divorced, or because it was spelt incorrectly on the logbook by mistake. If in doubt, include the proof anyway — it saves the DVLA writing back to ask.
Common pitfalls — what people get wrong
- Trying to do it online. The DVLA’s online logbook service only covers address changes. A name change must go by post — there’s no online option in 2026.
- Sending only part of the document. You must post the entire V5C, not just the amendment slip. Sending a fragment means it comes straight back to you.
- Forgetting about your car tax. Your logbook will be with the DVLA for a few weeks. If your vehicle is due to be taxed within about 4 weeks, either tax it online first, or take your logbook to a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax and do the update and the tax together before posting.
- Assuming the licence updates too. Changing your V5C does not change your driving licence — that’s a completely separate job (see below).
- Using initials. The DVLA wants your new name written out in full, not abbreviated.
Related admin to sort at the same time
Your V5C isn’t the only motoring record in your name. Your driving licence is issued and held separately by the DVLA, so you’ll need to update that on its own (it’s also free). Your V11 tax reminder — the letter that prompts you to renew your car tax — is generated from your DVLA record, so future reminders will show your new name once your updated V5C has been issued.
It’s also worth telling your car insurer and updating your V5C, licence and insurance so all three match — mismatched names can cause headaches at renewal or after an accident. For the bigger picture of who to notify and in what order, see our checklist for updating your ID, passport and driving licence, and our guide to your wider responsibilities for notifying government and banks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my name on my V5C online?
No. The DVLA’s online logbook service only lets you change your address. A name change has to be done by post — you sign the relevant section and send the whole logbook to the DVLA in Swansea.
How much does it cost to change my name on my logbook?
It’s free. There’s no fee to update your name on the V5C and no form to buy. A charge only applies if you’ve lost the logbook and need a replacement copy.
Which section of the V5C do I fill in?
On a new-style logbook (with coloured numbered blocks on the cover) write your new name in full in section 3. On an older-style logbook, use section 6 — the amendments area. The DVLA address to post to is printed on the document.
Do I need to send a deed poll?
Yes, if it’s a legal change of name — enclose your deed poll as proof. You don’t need to send proof if you changed your name through marriage or divorce, or to correct a spelling mistake.
How long does a new V5C take to arrive?
Up to 6 weeks after the DVLA receives your logbook. Plan around this if your car tax is due soon, and tax the vehicle before you post the document if needed.
Does changing my V5C update my driving licence?
No. Your driving licence is separate and must be updated on its own. It’s a good idea to change both so your name is consistent across all your motoring records.
Ready to Change Your Name?
If you need a deed poll to prove your new name to the DVLA, we can help. Our professionally printed, legally valid unenrolled adult deed poll starts at just £14.49, with same-day dispatch before 3pm and free Royal Mail Tracked delivery. The online order takes around 4 minutes, and we’ve helped 160,000+ UK customers change their name with confidence — ready to post straight to the DVLA with your logbook.