The list of places to update your address when you move is long and the process tedious, whether you’re heading to a new neighborhood or across the country. While some of these updates are important but not time-sensitive, you’re actually on the clock to notify your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles of an address change—and the deadline is sooner than you think.
You may be tempted to hold onto your driver’s license from another state for sentimental reasons or put off updating your vehicle registration to avoid taxes, or simply not make the time to go to the DMV (which requires a lot of documentation and, in some states, additional testing). However, if you fail to apply for a new license and registration when you move to a new state or update your address for an in-state move and get caught, you could face a fine or license suspension.
How soon do I need to update my license and registration?
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Each state has different timelines for updating your address with the DMV (if moving in-state) and applying for a new driver’s license and vehicle registration (if moving to a new state). This ranges anywhere from immediately in Michigan to within a year of your move to Wyoming.
Obviously, you should check your state’s specific requirements, but there’s a good bet you’ll need to update your in-state address within a week or two and your out-of-state information within a month or two. (College students, members of the military, and other temporary nonresidents are generally exempt.)
Note that in most states, your vehicle registration and driver’s license must match, meaning you cannot have a license from one state while your vehicle is registered in another.
Will I actually get caught?
Maybe. It’s certainly possible to live in and drive around your new city or state for months or even years without anyone noticing that your license and registration don’t align with your residency, and you can jump through hoops to continue renewing both in another state. But if you get pulled over or get into an accident, you might raise some red flags and incur penalties ranging from tickets and fines to having your vehicle towed and impounded.
An additional complication is your vehicle insurance. You’ll definitely want to let your insurance company know you’ve moved, as it could change your coverage. It’s also possible that you become ineligible for your current company or policy when you move to a new state—and you must have an in-state policy.
This could be a problem in the event of an accident, even if you’ve updated your insurance but not your license and registration. States have even used vehicle insurance data to identify and punish drivers who haven’t updated their registration to match their residency.
How to update your license and registration
For in-state moves, it’s likely as simple as changing your address online through your state’s DMV website. You won’t receive nor do you need an updated physical license unless you go to the DMV with additional documentation.
For out-of-state moves, the process is more involved and generally requires a trip to the DMV, a long list of documents (which may include your vehicle title, old license and registration, additional identification, and proof of address), payment of taxes and fees, and the passing of a vision test.