EXPERT IN AUTO PARTS
14 January 2025 Table of content
A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is a declaration to the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) in the UK, informing them that your vehicle will no longer be driven or parked on public roads. This means you are exempt from road tax and insurance requirements for the vehicle, saving costs when it's not in use.
However, the car must be kept off-road, such as in a garage or private driveway. Find out more on how to apply for a SORN and what regulations are in place.
You can register your car for a SORN online via the designated GOV.UK page or contact the DVLA directly by posting the V890 application form to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR. Alternatively, you can call the DVLA’s 24-hour service on 0300 123 4321.
On the government website, you can apply using the 11-digit number in your vehicle’s log book or 16-digit reference number on your tax reminder. The process itself is rather straightforward. Simply provide the required reference number and confirm your intention to declare the car off-road. Once registered, the SORN remains valid until the vehicle is taxed or sold.
If you don’t have a logbook, you can apply to get a new one from the DVLA for £25. Simply send in a filled in V62 form along with your SORN application form (V890). If you need a duplicate of the original document due to it getting lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for one using the V5C form.
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Your SORN will take effect immediately if:
If you apply in the month your vehicle tax is due to expire, your SORN will be valid from the first day of the following month.
Yes, if you SORN your vehicle, you may get a refund for any remaining full months of road tax. The refund is automatic and sent to the address registered with the DVLA. It begins from the date the SORN is processed. You won’t receive a refund for partial months, so timing the SORN close to the end of a month maximises your rebate.
You don’t need a SORN if you have sold the vehicle, you just need to inform the DVLA that it has been sold.
A Statutory Off-Road Notification remains valid indefinitely as long as the vehicle stays off public roads, is uninsured, and untaxed. There’s no need to renew it annually. However, if you do decide to use your car on public roads again, you must first tax and insure it before driving. The notification also becomes invalid if you sell, scrap, or export the vehicle, as the new owner must handle the registration and tax requirements.
Of course, but be aware that once you’ve bought the car, the SORN will be cancelled automatically and you will be responsible for insuring it, paying tax, or getting the SORN status renewed. If you are buying a SORN vehicle and intend on driving it, make sure that it still has a valid MOT. If not, you will need an MOT test to make sure the systems are working properly and, if necessary, fit new parts to the car.
Driving a car that is registered as off-road on public roads is illegal in the UK, except under very specific circumstances. These exceptions include driving the vehicle to or from a pre-booked MOT test, servicing, or repair appointment. For any other use, the vehicle must be taxed and insured, even if only temporarily.
You must also be able to verify the appointment if stopped and questioned. If caught driving unlawfully, you could be fined up to £2,500 and face court prosecution, though this fee is normally lower if paid on time.
There are certain situations where you’re required to declare a vehicle as off-road. For example:
Usually, people take the car off public roads when they can no longer afford to maintain it or no longer have use for it. If you are worried about repair costs, keep in mind that some repairs can be carried out for less at home, such as filter or brake pad replacements.
You can get back on the road by simply taxing it again and getting it insured. To start paying tax again, you can do so online or contact the DVLA directly by phone. Make sure you have the 11-digit reference number specified on the V5C document (vehicle logbook) ready. There isn’t much else to it.
Moreover, don’t forget to get the car serviced after long stationary periods to make sure it is roadsafe. Check the motor oil levels, coolant, and other fluids, as well as the vehicle’s critical systems.
Even after you declare your vehicle as SORN, you are responsible for cancelling your car insurance as this will not occur automatically. See the insurance provider’s and/or policy broker’s terms and conditions for specific information on cancellation fees and processing times.
SORN vehicles can exclusively be parked on private property, such as on a private driveway or inside a garage. It is even illegal to park on a public road with or without a parking permit, so please bear this in mind if you only have on-street parking.
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