When a car (or van) is not being used for public roads for a prolonged period of time and it has no tax or insurance, the owner needs to make a SORN for it.
SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification and it is what UK drivers need to take a vehicle ‘off the road’.
If you own a vehicle which you are not keeping or using on public road, because you’re either keeping it in a garage, on a drive or private land, then you’ll be legally required to get a SORN for it.
A SORN is required for untaxed or uninsured vehicles, even if it has only been uninsured for a short amount of time because of a delay renewing your policy. If you plan to break a vehicle down for parts, then you’ll need a SORN for that vehicle before you scrap it.
Also remember that if you buy a car which had a SORN put on it by the previous owner, this will not be transferred. You’ll have to get your own if you want to keep the purchased vehicle off the road. If you’re found to own a car that has no tax or is uninsured and it has no SORN, then you could be fined at least £80.
How to make a SORN for a car
You can make a SORN for a car either by phone, by post or online via www.gov.uk. To register a vehicle as off the road you’ll need either the 16-digit number on your vehicle tax reminder letter (also known as the V11 document) or the 11-digit number on your vehicle log book (V5C document).
A SORN on a vehicle will last until it is either taxed again, sold, scrapped or permanently exported. You won’t have to take any specific action in order to renew or remove a SORN. The SORN will be removed automatically when it’s no longer needed.
What happens when a car has a SORN?
Once a vehicle has a SORN applied to it, the owner will receive a vehicle tax refund for any full remaining months.
You can still use a car with a SORN if you’re going to a pre-booked MOT test or other testing appointment. If you’re found to use the car for any other reason however, then you’ll face court prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.