A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) is a declaration to the UK government that a vehicle will not be used or kept on public roads, meaning it does not need tax, insurance or an MOT while it remains off the road.
You must make a SORN if you plan to take a vehicle off the road and stop paying vehicle tax (VED) and insurance. Once the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) has recorded the SORN, the vehicle does not require tax, MOT or insurance as long as it stays off public roads, such as in a garage or on private land.
This is sometimes referred to as a DVLA SORN online declaration when done via the official government website.
What are the benefits to making a SORN?
Declaring your vehicle as being off the road through a SORN notification:
- Stops you paying vehicle tax and most types of insurance (insurance isn’t legally required while the vehicle remains off public roads).
- You can get a refund for any full months of tax already paid once the SORN is in place.
- You don’t need to renew a SORN every year – it stays valid until the vehicle is taxed again, sold, scrapped or exported.
However, you must not use or keep the car on public roads while it’s SORN’d (with limited exceptions below).
Not using your car, but not declared it as SORN?
If you do not have a SORN, you must insure and tax your vehicle, even if you are not using it.
Penalties for untaxed / uninsured cars
Cars that are not declared off-the-road and which are not taxed and insured will face an automatic fine of £80 for not having a SORN, as well as potentially facing an additional fine for having an uninsured vehicle.
Reasons for declaring a car off-the-road
You may not need your car for a particular period, or, for example, have a classic car that you wish to store but not drive.
Other reasons include:
- You're studying away from home and won’t need your car during that time
- You have a car but plan to scrap it
- You've purchased an old car to fix up and don’t plan to drive it on public roads
Before you decide to declare your car as off-the-road, be certain you won’t need it for things like shopping, picking up medications - or in an emergency.
How to SORN a car (How to cancel tax on car):
Wondering, how do you declare your vehicle as off-the-road?
SORN a car online
Use the government website to declare your car off-the-road with the DVLA.
SORN a car via post
Not the registered owner of the vehicle?
Use the V890 form and apply by post.
SORN a car via phone
You can also complete the process to SORN a car by calling the DVLA on 0300 123 4321. It's a 24-hour service.
Can you choose when a SORN starts?
If applying to SORN your vehicle by phone or online, there are two options as to when you can start the SORN from:
To immediately SORN a vehicle
Use the 11-digit number on your vehicle log book (V5C) to take the vehicle off the road immediately.
To SORN a vehicle on the first day of next month
Use the 16-digit number on your vehicle tax reminder letter (V11) to take the vehicle off the road from the first day of next month. You can only use this number once.
If you apply to SORN a vehicle by post, the date of the SORN will start on the date you put on the form.
This can be any day either:
- this month
- next month or the month after (you will need to include a letter saying why you cannot send the form nearer the time)
Note: It is not possible to backdate a SORN.
How much does it cost to declare a car as SORN?
It is completely free of charge to certify your car as SORN.
If you require a new V5C log book in order to declare your car as SORN, you will need to get this from the DVLA, and you’ll have to pay £25 to get a replacement.
How long is a SORN valid? Do I need to renew my SORN?
No, there is no need to renew your SORN; it will be cancelled automatically the next time you tax or sell your car.
If I buy a car does my SORN transfer over?
No, a SORN cannot be transferred from a previous owner.
If you buy a car that has been registered as SORN and you intend to keep it so, you'll need to declare another SORN under your own name.
If you are selling a car which has been registered as SORN, the new owner will either need to apply for a SORN themselves or re-tax and insure the vehicle.
If I sell my vehicle do I need to SORN?
You do not need to make a SORN for a vehicle you’ve already sold.
Tell DVLA you’ve sold a vehicle instead.
Can you check If a vehicle is SORN?
Unsure is my car sorned?
Looking to find out if another vehicle is SORN?
You can check a vehicle’s SORN status online on the Government website.
Can I get a refund for any remaining road tax (VED) once I declare my vehicle as SORN?
Yes, you can get a refund on any full months of road tax you have paid for once your vehicle has been declared SORN.
Some insurers may offer refunds too - contact yours to find out.
SORN insurance – What is laid up car insurance?
You must have Third party motor insurance as a minimum legal requirement, to drive your vehicle on UK roads.
Whilst you don’t legally need insurance if your vehicle is SORN, you could still benefit from having insurance in place.
Remember that your car may still be stolen or damaged while declared off-the-road, so you may wish to continue insuring it.
You can get laid up car insurance – also called SORN insurance – for your car while it has a SORN.
How much does SORN car insurance cost?
Like standard car insurance, the cost of SORN insurance (laid up insurance) depends on a host of risk factors such as the make, model and value of your car, where you live, and your claims history.
SORN insurance tends to be cheaper than standard vehicle insurance because you’re not insuring your car to be driven anywhere, and so the risk factors tend to be lower.
Getting a SORN vehicle back on the road:
Can I drive a SORN car to MOT?
Yes. You can drive a vehicle that’s been declared SORN to and from a pre‑booked MOT appointment on public roads provided that:
- The MOT appointment is booked in advance,
- The car is insured for that journey with at least third‑party cover,
- You follow the most direct route possible.
Driving a SORN car to any other destination (workshop, errands, servicing not at an MOT station, etc.) is illegal. If you’re not covered for that trip by insurance for example because you only have laid‑up insurance, you must either arrange appropriate cover or have the vehicle transported.
Can I drive a SORN car to an MOT without insurance?
While it is legal to drive a SORN car with no MOT to a pre-booked appointment at an MOT station – the car must be insured.
You must at least have third party motor insurance in place, to drive your vehicle on UK roads.
Find out how to check your car insurance is up to date.
Where can I keep my SORN car?
Once a vehicle is SORN’d, it must be stored off public roads. Here’s a simple summary:
Location | Allowed? |
On the roadside | NO |
In your driveway | YES |
In a garage | YES |
On private land with permission | YES |
In a public car park | NO |
A location counts as off the road only if it’s private land, such as your driveway or garage. Parking it on a public street, pavement or public car park is not permitted under a SORN.
Do I need to inform anyone if I no longer have SORN in place on my vehicle?
You do not need to inform the DVLA if you no longer want your vehicle SORN; as soon as you start to pay road tax on the vehicle again, it will be automatically taken off SORN.
How do I tax my car after SORN?
To get your car taxed again, use the 11 digit reference number on the V5C.
Taxing your vehicle can be done:
- Online
- By phoning the DVLA
- At some Post Office branches.
MOT and insurance requirements for a car taken off SORN
Ensure you have valid MOT in place if you intend to start using your car again.
You will also need to ensure that you have appropriate insurance in place.
SORN insurance doesn’t cover you for driving, so if you have had this in place whilst your car has been off road, you need to cancel your SORN and buy regular car insurance before you take your car out on a public road.
