Welcome to your new home in Virginia! When you move to a new address, Virginia law requires you to notify the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) within 30 days.
The “garaging address” is the official address where your vehicle is parked or “garaged” overnight. This is critically important because this is the address the DMV reports to your city or county for annual personal property tax bills.
This guide will walk you through the simple, one-step process.
The Big Secret: It’s ONE Process, Not Three
Many people get confused, but in Virginia, you do not change your Driver’s License, vehicle registration, and garaging address separately. It is one single, online action.
Your Driver’s License address is your “master” record. When you update it, the DMV system will automatically update your garaging address for you.
How to Change Your Garaging Address Online (Step-by-Step)
This is the fastest, easiest, and most official method.
Step 1: Visit the official Virginia DMV website: dmv.virginia.gov
Step 2: Look for “Online Services” and click on “Address Change.” You may need to log in to your “MyDMV” account or create one.
Step 3: Update Your Driver’s License / ID Card Address
- The system will first ask you to update the address on your Driver’s License or ID card.
- Enter your new street address and verify it. This is the most important step.
Step 4: Update Your Vehicle’s Garaging Address
- After you confirm your new Driver’s License address, the DMV system will show you a list of all vehicles registered in your name.
- It will ask you, “Do you want to update this address for your vehicles?”
- Select “Yes” for all vehicles that have moved with you. This officially changes your “garaging address” for each car.
Step 5: Review and Confirm (The “Fee” Explained)
- You will be asked to confirm your changes. It is 100% FREE to update your address in the DMV’s system.
- Optional: The system will then ask if you would like to purchase a replacement Driver’s License card or vehicle registration card with the new address printed on it. You are not required to do this. You can simply print the final confirmation page and keep it with your old cards as proof of the change.
What to Do After You Update the DMV
Once you’ve changed your address with the DMV, you have one more important call to make.
You MUST Notify Your Insurance Provider
- Your “garaging address” is a primary factor in setting your car insurance premium.
- Call your insurance agent or log in to your policy online and tell them your new address immediately.
- Failing to do this can lead to premium errors or, in the worst case, a denied claim.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It is FREE to change your address in the Virginia DMV’s online system. You only pay a fee (e.g., $10-$20) if you choose to order a new physical, replacement Driver’s License or registration card.
No. You are not legally required to get a new card as long as your address is correct in the DMV’s system. However, it is highly recommended to avoid confusion if you are pulled over.
For two main reasons:
Taxes: Your city/county uses this address to bill you for annual personal property taxes on your car.
Insurance: Your insurance company uses this address to calculate your rates.
Virginia law requires you to update your address with the DMV within 30 days of your move.
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