Contact your lender directly to request a due date change
The fastest way to move your car payment due date is to call your lender's customer service line. Most lenders allow you to shift your due date by a few days to a few weeks, and some will do it over the phone in minutes. You'll need your loan account number and the new due date you want.
Before you call, check your loan documents or online account to see what your current due date is and confirm the lender's phone number. The number is usually on your monthly statement. When you reach customer service, ask directly: "Can I change my due date to the 15th?" or whatever date works for your budget. They'll tell you immediately whether it's possible and what happens next.
Some lenders charge a small fee for moving your due date, while others do it free. Ask about the cost before you confirm the change. If there is a fee, you can decide whether it's worth it to align your payment with your paycheck or other bills.
Key Takeaways
- Call your lender's customer service number on your loan statement and ask to move your due date; most lenders can do this in one call.
- You'll need your loan account number and the new due date you want, and the change usually takes effect within one or two billing cycles.
- Some lenders charge a fee for changing your due date, so ask about the cost before you confirm.
- If your lender won't move your due date, you can make an extra payment early in the month to shift when money leaves your account, though this doesn't change the official due date.
- Moving your due date does not affect your interest rate or loan term—it only changes when the payment is due each month.
What happens when you request a due date change
When you call and request a new due date, the lender will check your account to see whether the change is allowed. Most lenders permit one due date change per year, though some allow more. If you've recently changed your due date, they may tell you that you have to wait before making another change.
Once approved, the change usually takes effect on your next billing cycle or the one after that. Your lender will confirm the new date and may send you a letter or email showing the updated schedule. Your next payment will be due on the new date, not the old one.
If you're behind on payments, some lenders will not allow a due date change until your account is current. In that case, you'll need to catch up first, then request the change.
Moving your due date through your online account
Many lenders let you change your due date yourself through their website or mobile app without calling. Log into your account, look for a section called "Account Settings," "Loan Details," or "Payment Options," and find the due date field. Some lenders make this change instant; others require you to submit a request that takes a day or two to process.
If you can't find the option online, it doesn't mean it's not available—it may just mean your lender requires a phone call. Not all lenders have built this feature into their digital platforms yet.
Why you might want to change your due date
The most common reason to move your due date is to match it with when you get paid. If you're paid on the 15th and your car payment is due on the 5th, you might not have the money in your account yet. Moving the due date to the 20th or later gives you time to deposit your paycheck before the payment comes out.
Another reason is to consolidate multiple bills. If you have a mortgage due on the 1st, a credit card due on the 10th, and a car payment due on the 25th, you might want to move the car payment to the 1st or 10th so all your major bills come out on the same day. This makes budgeting easier and reduces the number of times money leaves your account each month.
Changing your due date does not lower your payment amount, reduce your interest, or shorten your loan. It only changes the calendar date when the payment is due.
What to do if your lender won't change your due date
If your lender says no to a due date change, you have other options. The simplest is to make an extra payment early in the month. If your payment is normally due on the 5th but you pay it on the 1st instead, the money leaves your account earlier. This doesn't officially change your due date, but it shifts when the payment actually happens.
Another option is to set up automatic payments on a date that works for you. Even if your official due date is the 25th, you can arrange for the payment to be automatically deducted on the 20th. This protects you from late fees because the money is out of your account before the due date arrives.
If you're struggling to make payments on time no matter what date they're due, contact your lender about loan modification or forbearance. These programs can lower your payment temporarily or pause payments for a few months. A due date change won't help if the real problem is that you can't afford the payment itself.
How a late payment affects your due date
If you miss a payment, your due date doesn't automatically move. The payment is still due on the original date, and you now owe a late fee on top of the regular payment. Your next payment will be due on its normal schedule, not pushed back because you were late.
If you pay late, contact your lender to ask whether they'll waive the late fee. Some lenders will do this once if you have a good payment history. Paying late also damages your credit score, so it's worth calling to negotiate even if you think the fee will stick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my due date if I'm behind on payments?
Most lenders won't allow a due date change while your account is delinquent. You'll need to bring your account current first—pay all missed payments plus any late fees—then request the change. Call your lender to ask what "current" means for your account; sometimes it means one full payment, sometimes more.
Does changing my due date cost money?
Some lenders charge a fee, usually $10 to $25, while others do it free. Ask about the cost when you call or before you submit the request online. If there's a fee, decide whether moving your due date is worth the cost or whether you can manage with your current date.
How long does it take for a due date change to go into effect?
If you change it online, it may be instant or take one to two business days. If you call, the lender will usually confirm the change immediately, but it takes effect on your next billing cycle—typically within 30 days. Your lender will send confirmation of the new date.
Will changing my due date affect my interest rate or loan term?
No. A due date change only affects when your payment is due each month. Your interest rate, loan term, and monthly payment amount stay the same. You'll still pay off the loan on the original schedule.
What if I want to change my due date multiple times a year?
Most lenders allow one change per year, though some allow more. If you've already made a change recently, ask when you'll be may be able to access to make another one. If your lender limits changes to once yearly and you need more flexibility, you can use automatic payments on different dates instead.