What is a SORN and how do I declare my car off the road?

What is a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)?

A SORN, or Statutory Off Road Notification, is how you tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that your vehicle is off the road.

In the UK, a vehicle must be taxed and insured if it's used or kept on a public road. If it's not on the road, you usually need a SORN instead.

Once a SORN is in place, the vehicle must be kept entirely off public roads, for example, in a garage or on a private driveway.

When do you need to SORN a vehicle?

You'll usually need to SORN a car if it's not going to be driven or parked on public roads for a while.

Common reasons include:

• You're storing the car long-term

• You're repairing or restoring it

• You're taking it off the road before scrapping or selling it

• You've removed parts and it's no longer roadworthy

What happens if you don't SORN it?

If you don't tax, insure or SORN your vehicle, you could be fined. Under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) rules, even an unused car can trigger penalties if it's uninsured and not declared off the road.

If the car is on a public road at any point, it must be taxed and insured - a SORN won't cover you.

How to make a SORN declaration

You can declare SORN through the DVLA using the official GOV.UK service. This is the fastest option. Alternatively, you can declare SORN by phone using the DVLA's automated service, or by post using the relevant section of your V5C.

What you'll need to make a SORN declaration

You'll need one of the following:

• The 11-digit reference number from your V5C logbook, or

• The 16-digit reference number from your V11 tax reminder

If you've just bought the car and don't yet have the V5C in your name, you must use the new keeper slip and apply by post.

Always use the official government channels when you SORN your vehicle to make sure it's registered correctly.

How long does a SORN last?

A SORN doesn't expire. It stays in place until the vehicle is:

• Taxed again

• Sold to a new keeper

• Scrapped

• Permanently exported

A SORN does not transfer to a new owner. If you buy a car that's already SORN, you'll need to declare a new one yourself if you're keeping it off the road.

You can check whether a vehicle has a SORN in place using the DVLA's online vehicle checker.

How do you take a car off SORN?

To put a SORN car back on the road, you'll need to make sure it's fully road-legal.

The usual steps are:

• Get a valid MOT (if the car needs one)

• Arrange car insurance

• Tax the vehicle

As soon as you tax the car, the SORN automatically ends. You don't need to tell the DVLA separately.

Do I need car insurance if I SORN my car?

Legally, no, as long as the car:

• Has a valid SORN, and

• Is kept entirely on private land

However, many people still choose to buy car insurance for a SORN vehicle, because without insurance:

• You're not covered for theft

• You're not covered for fire or accidental damage

• Any loss comes out of your own pocket

Some insurers offer laid-up or fire-and-theft-only policies for SORN cars. These aren't required by law, but they can offer peace of mind if the car still has value.

Can you drive a SORN car?

No. A SORN car cannot be driven or parked on public roads.

The only exception is driving to or from a pre-booked MOT appointment.

Outside of that, driving a SORN car can lead to fines, penalty points and your vehicle being clamped or seized.

Where can you keep a SORN vehicle?

A SORN vehicle must be kept on private land. This includes:

• A private driveway

• A garage

• Private land with the owner's permission

It cannot be parked on a pavement, on the road, or in a public car park.

Even if it's outside your house, if the land is publicly maintained, it counts as a public road, and a SORN won't apply.