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How much trouble will I be in if I don't change the address on my license?
I moved a little less than a year ago, and it never occurred to me that I needed to change the address on my license. Nothing has happened so far, and it doesn’t expire for three more years. Can I just leave it as is? What is the penalty for not changing the address on my driving license?
Shannon Martin · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You actually can get in trouble for failing to update the address on your driver’s license—and exactly how much trouble depends largely on luck!
If you never get pulled over, then the odds are, nothing will happen. But if you are at a highway checkpoint or get pulled over for a potential infraction, you could face penalties for driving with an outdated license.
Since failing to update your driver’s license isn’t a major offense, an officer may let you off the hook with a verbal or written warning. Most of the time, you will receive a ticket along with advice to have your license updated before your court date.
If you have a pretty good driving record, the judge may reduce or waive the ticket, so long as you update your license prior to court.
But, technically speaking, there is a legal penalty for not updating your license and registration appropriately, in the form of a misdemeanor charge. Depending on where you live, a misdemeanor charge is punishable by less than a year in jail and/or fines.
That’s because sometimes people choose not to update their address as a way of dodging notices from the DMV or possible warrants that may have been issued in their name. If anything suspicious comes up on your record when they check your license, a ticket might not be the worst thing—you could also risk having your vehicle impounded or being arrested.
Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll receive more than a warning or small fine—but you should take immediate action to ensure you’re not at risk of penalty. It would be best to change your address with the DMV right away.
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- Gregory R.
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