Press release no:13 - Brides must say 'I do' to updating driver details

Brides and newlyweds are being encouraged to ‘update their details’ as part of a nationwide campaign to remind them to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when they change their name and address.

One in three driving licences in the UK is not accurate and this impacts on road safety and crime prevention. For example, if your car is stolen and your driver or vehicle registration details are not up to date, it will impact on the police investigation. Over one million vehicles with safety defects are recalled by manufacturers every year, with information about the registered keeper used to trace defective vehicles - failure to track down the owners can result in serious accidents on the road.

Over 90% of surname errors on documents belong to female drivers, mostly newlyweds so, as part of this campaign, DVLA has compiled an essential ‘To Do’ list for brides after the wedding. Caught up in the excitement of wedding dress and honeymoon discussions, many brides may mistakenly feel their work ends on the wedding day, but there are still several things they must remember to do afterwards to avoid problems or, at worst, a serious catastrophe when you return from honeymoon…

10 things you must not forget to do before you go away on honeymoon…

• Inform DVLA of your new name and address in order to update your driving licence and vehicle registration details - don’t return home to find a £1000 fine!
• Calculate the value of your wedding gifts and make sure your house contents insurance is up to date and will cover the value your new belongings.
• Protect your home – lock everything and, if possible, get someone to move your car around and open and close curtains while you are away
• Unplug electrical appliances
• In winter leave the heating on a low setting to avoid returning to frozen or burst pipes
• Cancel deliveries such as milk, papers etc
• Make sure your bank, credit card companies, insurance company, doctor etc knows if your name and / or address has changed
• Clear out your fridge and stock up your freezer
• Inform your local authorities – you may even be entitled to a council tax rebate
• Ask someone to water your plants!

For more information on how to update your details with DVLA go to www.direct.gov.uk/motoring

*DVLA no longer issues paper driving licences. Photocard driving licence application packs are available from the Post Office®.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact:

Charlotte Davies
Geronimo Communcations
Tel: 020 7299 8748
Email: charlotte.davies@geronimocommunications.com

Any enquiries relating to the information contained in this press release should be referred to DVLA. Please do not contact Geronimo PR.

Notes to editors:

1. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport (DfT).

2. DVLA is responsible for issuing documents, and keeping records for, all drivers and vehicles in Great Britain. DVLA also collects and enforces payments of vehicle excise duty (VED).

3. DVLA has launched the ‘Update Your Details’ campaign to remind all UK
drivers to update their driving licence and veh icle registration details when their
personal details change i.e. name and/or address.