License address

[easyday]

My 18 year old son doesn't live with me, but he can't receive mail where he is or use it as an official address. He needs to replace his driving license and he was going to put my address in but I get a single persons discount on my council tax. He had our old address on it before (when we all lived together and he was under 18). If he uses my address can it be used as 'evidence' that he lives here? His mail (not that he gets much) goes to his work or gets forwarded to me. I'm not looking to avoid tax but he lives 70 miles away but needs an actual address.

It should be your permanent fixed address if you have one. Student addresses etc are temporary so you give your permanent fixed address. Travellers have no fixed abode so give a contact address.

OPs son has a permanent fixed address so doesn't fall into other categories. If he cannot register his licence there he should speak to the DVLA for clarification of his circumstances.

Thank you @BarbaraofSeville - I did Google it myself from the council tax side and did find out that there are exceptions to over 18s rule - if they are in full time education etc, which I didn't realise. But your link explains that they really want an address so they can get in touch if they need to. What got me hung up is he was doing the form and it asks 'how long have you lived at this address' which triggered my initial question.
I know several people who travel, sofa surf, Airbnb (I did myself for a few months last year as I sold one house before buying another) on a fairly permanent basis. It's whether the address they use on their ID comes in to play for the council tax discount that I didn't know.
Everyone seems hung up on his mail! He gets mail at my address. I'm not going to explain why he can't get mail where he is now - that's irrelevant to my question. His bank account has my address. He doesn't own a car, this is a provisional license.

I kept my UK driving licence to my mother's address for several years whilst living abroad - however I did not drive on it - that's not legal when permanently resident outside UK - I had a local driving license for my country of residence which I even used when hiring cars on UK visits. So having it registered to wrong address could be an issue if he ever has an accident and it comes out he's now actually resident there. Realistically though he is UK resident and surely most students do this as they live so often, I think likely outcome would just be a stern reminder to update it from DVLA/police.

However, with regards to your main question, my mother didn't have any issues with council tax. I also kept my UK bank account and credit card and a few other random things I didn't want getting lost in unreliable overseas mail system, registered to that address. I didn't stay on electoral roll though as I had concerns that could show legal residence for council tax.

It's whether the address they use on their ID comes in to play for the council tax discount that I didn't know.

It might not be as simple as that, which is why posters are interested in why he can't get mail. Is he registered on the electoral register, with his bank, phone contract etc elsewhere or all to your house? If your council tax claim was investigated, and all his official documentation shows he lives there, will he be able to prove with official documentation such his permanent address is elsewhere so you don't get accused of fraud?

For example (not saying it is this), if all his documents are registered to your address and he is living somewhere he is not supposed to be because it would impact someone else's benefit/council tax claims that would be fraud and you should refuse to enable that.

If it is temporary employment/student accommodation, and he has a signed contract with the employer/place of education, or utility bills in his name etc that wouldn't be a problem as he has proof of his actual residence.

I would speak to both the DVLA and the council tax place about his circumstances and what is registered where to ensure you are covered if there are any questions.