Free DVLA task that could get you £1,000 fine if not completed

Motorists could be hit with a fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to follow important guidance from the DVLA.

The agency is reminding drivers to update the address on their full or provisional driving licence after moving home. Anyone who has changed address but has not yet informed the DVLA could be at risk of needing to pay a £1,000 fine.

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In good news, it confirms: "It does not cost anything to change your address with DVLA. You can still drive while you’re waiting for your new licence."

While the change is free, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) warns on its website: "You can be fined up to £1,000 if you do not tell DVLA when your address changes."

Once you have updated your address, your new driving licence should arrive within a week if you apply online. It's important to notify the DVLA as soon as you move. Keeping your address up to date ensures the DVLA can contact you if necessary. This could include providing updates on a licence application, requesting documents or additional information, making medical enquiries, issuing penalty or enforcement notices, or sending licence renewal reminders.

You can apply online here. If you want to apply by post, you can do that here.

Officials note: "You can also change the address on your licence by post. The process is different depending on whether you have a photocard or paper driving licence. Your driving licence will usually arrive within 3 weeks. It might take longer if DVLA needs to check your identity or medical details. Contact DVLA if it has not arrived within 3 weeks."

Drivers could face another fine of up to £1,000 if they fail to complete another simple task. In guidance published on its website, the DVLA warns that motorists with high blood pressure may need to declare the condition, but only in certain circumstances. Failing to notify the agency when required could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

While high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, does not stop a person from driving, the experts explain drivers who hold a car or motorcycle licence need to follow a set of rules. They state: "You do not need to tell DVLA if you have high blood pressure."

However: "You must stop driving if a doctor says you have malignant hypertension." This is a "sudden rise in your blood pressure, also known as accelerated hypertension."

They stress that you are not allowed to drive until you receive medical clearance confirming that your condition is under control, noting: "You can drive again when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled."

If you have a bus, coach or lorry licence, you also don't need to tell the DVLA if your numbers are "consistently below 180/100mmHg" meaning "you can keep driving."

"You can drive again when a doctor confirms that your condition is well controlled" motorists are being warned.