There may come a point when you’re not going to be using your car for a lengthy period of time. Maybe you’re going to go travelling, or having a medical issue, or the car needs some work that’s going to take a while. Submitting a statutory off-road notice (SORN) lets the UK’s vehicle license authority know that the car isn’t being used, so you don’t have to pay vehicle excise duty (VED) for it.
In this guide, you’ll find out everything you need to know about what a SORN is, how to submit one and what happens if you break the rules.
What is SORN?
The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) needs to know the status of every vehicle in the UK, so any that are being used illegally can be stopped and removed from the road. Among the information held on each vehicle is whether vehicle excise duty – also known as road tax or car tax – has been paid. Even if VED is actually free for a car, you still have register for it every year, so the car is properly recorded in the system. If you fail to tax your car, you can’t legally drive it on UK roads.
Now, the DVLA recognises there can come a time when a car is off the road for an extended period. It could just be for a few months, maybe for several decades. In these cases, it’s not really fair to expect the owner to pay VED. That’s where a statutory off-road notice (SORN) comes in. By submitting – or declaring – a SORN, the DVLA knows that the car isn’t being used and VED doesn’t have to be paid.
When should I submit a SORN?
You should declare your car as SORN if you’re not going to use it for more than a month – VED is payable even if you only drive your car one day per calendar month. For it to be eligible for a SORN, your car must be parked on private land or in a garage. It doesn’t need an MOT or insurance, either, though you risk losing your money if an uninsured car gets damaged or stolen. Many insurers will cover a SORN’d car at a reduced rate.
Do I need to SORN my car if it’s on a driveway?
Yes, you will need to declare a SORN if you intend on leaving your vehicle on a driveway, garage or private land. However, you cannot declare a SORN if the car is parked on the road or in a public carpark. Any car that’s on public land, even if it isn’t being used, must be insured, taxed and MOT’d if needed.
How to SORN your car online
Submitting a SORN is now quick and easy with online submission through the DVLA website. However, for those who prefer traditional methods, the option to submit a V890 form via post is also available through the DVLA website. You will need to quote the 11-digit number from the car’s V5C logbook, or the 16-digit reference number from your VED reminder letter.
If you’re buying a car that is currently SORN’d, you need to tax it if you intend to drive it or submit a new SORN with your details. That can be done by informing the DVLA of the change of keeper. If the car’s V5C has been lost, you need to apply for a new one in your name before you can submit a SORN.
Can you SORN a car without paperwork?
Yes, you can SORN your car without a logbook. However, you’ll need your vehicle registration number and 16 digit reference number from your V11 reminder on hand. If all else fails and you don’t have your V11, you can still declare your vehicle as SORN by calling up the DVLA.
Is it free to SORN a car?
It’s entirely free to submit a SORN for your car, indeed the DVLA don’t charge submission or processing fees for any of their forms. There are some scam websites that do charge for purportedly submitting those forms on your behalf but there’s no guarantee they actually will and you’re giving them your information which could be used to commit other crimes. Always ensure you use the correct www.gov.uk website.
What happens if you don’t SORN a car?
If you’re not using your car and haven’t submitted a SORN, you’ll still have to pay VED for it, insure it and keep it MOT’d. If you fail to pay the VED due, you’ll be issued with an £80 fine. Non-payment could result in prosecution and the car being seized. Your car may also be seized if you ignore repeated MOT reminders.
Get caught driving a car that should be taxed but isn’t, and you’ll face a court appearance and a fine of up to £1,000. If you’re caught driving a car that’s been SORN’d, the fine could be £2,500. In both cases, you’ll also get points on your license, and you may even be banned from driving.
How often does a SORN have to be renewed?
You only have to submit a SORN once. It’s valid until you next pay for VED, whether that’s a few months or a few decades later. However, if the car changes hands while it’s SORN’d, the new owner will have to submit one in their name.
