If you’re not planning to drive your vehicle for a while, you might want to consider applying for a SORN – a Statutory Off Road Notification. Declaring your car as off the road lets you avoid paying car tax and insurance, provided your vehicle won’t be driven or parked on public roads. In this guide, we’ll cover what SORN means, how to do it, and why it might be the right choice for your situation.

What Does SORN Mean?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It’s a formal declaration to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that your car is not being used on public roads. Once SORNed, your car must be kept on private land – such as a driveway or garage – and cannot be used or parked on any public road.

Why SORN Your Car?

There are several reasons to declare your vehicle off the road:

• You're going abroad for an extended time.
• The car is no longer in working condition.
• You're restoring or repairing the vehicle.
• You’re not using the car and want to avoid paying vehicle tax and insurance.

SORN can be a cost-effective option, especially if your car is not going to be used for months.

How to SORN My Car

Declaring a car as SORN is free and can be done in three ways:

1. Online: Visit the official GOV.UK SORN page. You’ll need the 11-digit reference number from your V5C log book or 16-digit number from a tax reminder letter.
2. By Phone: Call the DVLA on 0300 123 4321.
3. By Post: Send a completed V890 form to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.

It’s important to note that your SORN starts immediately if you use the V5C log book, or at the start of the next month if you use a tax reminder.

What Happens After I SORN My Car?

Once the SORN is active:

• You won’t need to pay vehicle tax.
• You can cancel your insurance, though some choose to keep fire and theft cover.
• You must keep the vehicle off public roads.
• The SORN lasts indefinitely until you tax, sell, or scrap the vehicle.

When You Need to Cancel a SORN

If you plan to start using your vehicle again, you’ll need to tax it before driving it on public roads. The SORN will be automatically cancelled once the car is taxed. Failing to tax a SORNed vehicle before driving it could result in a fine or penalty points.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re putting your car into storage or it’s not roadworthy, declaring SORN is a simple way to stay within the law and avoid unnecessary costs. Just remember, the moment the car is back on public roads, it must be taxed and insured.

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