If you won’t be driving your car for a while, you can stop paying insurance and tax by declaring it off-road. Here’s how to legally apply for a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
Key takeaways
- Submitting a SORN, or Statutory Off Road Notification, is a way of telling the DVLA that your car isn’t in use on public roads.
- Vehicles that have been SORNed are exempt from tax and don’t need to be insured.
- If you apply online, a SORN will take effect immediately. For post or phone applications, it’s the first day of the following month.
- It’s important you don’t drive your SORNed car on public roads - it’s illegal and could result in a fine and further penalties.
What is a SORN?
A Statutory Off Road Notification, otherwise known as a SORN, is a legal declaration a driver makes if their car’s going to be off the road for a while.
It allows you to avoid paying tax and insurance while your car’s not in use.
Without a SORN in place, you’d still need to tax and insure your car, even if you’re not driving it.
A SORNed car can’t be parked on the road - it has to be kept in a garage or on a driveway.
Failing to SORN your car could lead to you being fined, receiving points on your licence, or even being banned from driving. So it’s essential that you do it.
You’ll need to SORN your car if:
- It’s not taxed, and isn’t going to be
- It’s not insured, even for a short time (like if you’re still looking for a new insurance policy for it)
- You want to break it down for parts before you scrap it
How do I SORN my car?
The easiest way to get a SORN is to apply online on the UK government website. The same goes for sorning a car in Scotland, Wales, England or Northern Ireland.
Visit GOV.UK to get started. You need some of your car’s documentation to complete your application:
- Your V11 tax reminder - including the 16-digit reference number
- Your logbook (V5C) - including the 11-digit reference number
- Your New Keeper's Supplement (V5C/2)
You can also call the DVLA on 0300 123 4321. You don’t need to pay to SORN a car - the process is completely free.
It’s important that the address on your tax reminder letter as well as your log book is correct before you apply.
Does this apply if I live in Northern Ireland?
Yes. SORN works the same way for Northern Ireland-registered vehicles as it does for the rest of the UK. You'll still apply through the DVLA and GOV.UK, rather than a separate NI process.
How do I SORN my car without my logbook?
If you’ve mislaid your V5C logbook, you have to apply for a replacement, which costs £25.
Log onto GOV.UK and start the application process. This assumes that you don’t need to make any changes to the details on the logbook such as your name or address.
How long is a SORN valid for?
Your car is SORN for as long as you want - there's no time limit. The SORN is removed as soon as you tax the car.
If you buy a car that has a SORN, you need to apply for a new SORN under your own name if you want to keep it off the road.
The SORN status doesn’t transfer automatically from one owner to the next.
When will my SORN start?
You can choose to have your SORN start immediately or on the first day of the next month.
If you want it to start right away, you need the 11-digit number on your log book (V5C).
For a SORN that you want to start the following month, you need the 16-digit number that’s printed on your V11 tax reminder letter.
Do I still need to pay car insurance if my car is SORN?
If your car is declared SORN, you no longer have a legal obligation to insure it.
This means you can contact your car insurance provider and cancel your car insurance policy. This is likely to come with a cancellation fee.
If it's no longer insured, you won’t be able to make a claim for any theft or damage it suffers while it’s off the road.
If you still want your car to have cover while the SORN is in place, you need laid up cover. This is a specialist car insurance policy designed for cars that are off road.
What happens after my car is SORN?
Applying for a SORN means you don’t have to to pay car tax. If your car is currently taxed, you should be able to get a car tax refund for any unused whole months.
Cars with SORN are also exempt from needing a valid MOT., so you don’t need to get it re-tested when the existing MOT runs out. But you need to have an up-to-date MOT when you want to get the car back on the road.
It's important to remember that if your car is SORN you can't drive it or park it on a public road or street.
If you’re caught driving a vehicle that has been declared SORN, you could face a fine of up to £2,500. The only exception is if you’re driving to a pre-arranged MOT appointment.
How do I keep my possessions covered in shared accommodation?
If your car has a private or personalised registration plate and you want to keep it, rather than losing it when you sell or scrap your car, you can apply to retain it.
Essentially, retaining a number plate gives you the legal right to use it later if you want to. But, you have to do it before your car is scrapped or your V5C is cancelled.
If you wait until afterwards, you'll lose the right to use the plate.
When you're ready to start the process, you can take your number off the vehicle online via GOV.UK. And once it's been approved, the retention will come into effect immediately.
Alternatively, you can complete a V317 application form and send it to the DVLA by post. But the processing time may be longer. Typically, it takes between 4 to 6 weeks.
Whether you apply online or by post, you'll need to pay an £80 fee in order to retain your plate number.
After you've completed your application and had it approved, you'll be able to transfer your registration to another vehicle. Or, you can save it for future use.
How do I cancel a SORN?
The process to unSORN your car is simple – you just have to tax it again.
Before you can buy car tax, you need to get an MOT certificate, which means taking your car for an MOT test.
The only time you can drive a car with a SORN is when you're driving directly to or from a pre-booked MOT test.
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