Seven changes drivers MUST declare to the DVLA – or face of a fine of up to £1,000

YOU could be fined if you don’t declare any of these seven changes with the DVLA.

Driving with a valid license and an insured vehicle are two of the obvious laws you need to follow on the road.

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Failing to do so can result in court fines and dangerous accidents.

But there are several more changes that you must notify the DVLA about.

In most cases you will also need to update your insurer too.

If your residential address and license address do not match you could be hit with a £1,000 fine if caught by police. And your insurance premiums could skyrocket.

That’s because factors like your postcode can affect your insurance premiums.

Joshua Hughes, head of complex injury at law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp said sudden health changes are one of the most important updates a driver should report.

Hughes said: “As a personal injury lawyer I see the horrific results when things go wrong on the roads.

“From my experience I’d say the one issue the DVLA could do more to reduce accidents is how they deal with medical conditions which affect people’s ability to drive.

“Currently the system relies on drivers to self-report and this creates too much leeway, as many will downplay their condition – It’s human nature to do this.”

He added: “Greater emphasis on independent health assessments and a wider role for treating clinicians in sharing information about medical conditions would enable greater scrutiny and corroboration of who is allowed to drive on our roads.

“Taking this further, additional driving assessments could provide a very practical method for more accurately assessing an individual’s suitability to retain their license. This would help ensure a more robust approach to who is licensed to drive.”

As the new laws are announced for using a phone at the wheel, the SunOnline took a look into other facts that could catch you out.

1. A change of address

You must update your driving license, vehicle log book and other details when you move home. If you don’t, you could face a fine of up to £1,000.

You don’t need to tell the DVLA if you move temporarily, for example you’re at university, if it can still contact you at your permanent address.

2. Changes to your vehicle

You need to tell the DVLA if you have sold, transferred or bought a vehicle.

You can use an online service for this which will update the government’s database immediately.

You’ll receive a refund for any full remaining months of vehicle tax. This will be sent to the address in your log book.

3. If the vehicle has been written off

You need to notify the DVLA if you sell your vehicle to a motor trader or a garage or if the vehicle is scrapped or written off. You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell the DVLA.

4. If the vehicle is not being used

If you no longer driver your vehicle, you’ll need to register it as off the road. You’ll get a refund for any full months of remaining tax but you can’t use the vehicle on the road until you tax it again.

5. Medical conditions

There are around 112 medical conditions that you legally need to notify the DVLA about. Failing to report a medical condition that could result in a fine of up to £1,000.

6. A change in your name or gender

Millions of motorists in the UK are running the risk of a £1,000 penalty for driving with outdated information.

You could be breaking the law if you’ve failed to update your name after getting married.

7. Noticeable changes to your eyesight

There are laws that determine the eyesight standards for drivers, with tests to make sure the motorist is safe on the roads.

To meet the minimum eyesight standards for driving, you must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres away. If you fail you could face a £1,000 fine or a driving ban.