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What is DVLA SORN: How to Take Your Car Off the Road?

DVLA SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) is a legal status that confirms your vehicle is not being driven or kept on public roads.

Declaring SORN through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) suspends your duty to pay vehicle tax or maintain insurance, but only if the vehicle remains on private land, not a public road, car park, or pavement.

A SORN must be declared if the vehicle is untaxed or uninsured, even for short periods. The DVLA enforces this rule using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition).

Failure to declare can result in a fine of £80, rising to £1,000 if unpaid.

You can apply online at GOV.UK, call DVLA at 0300 123 4321, or post using form V890. If your V5C logbook is unavailable, apply for a new one with form V62.

Once issued, a SORN stays valid until you:

  • Tax the vehicle
  • Sell it
  • Scrap it
  • Export it permanently

SORN does not cancel your MOT and does not transfer to new owners. Each new keeper must re-declare if they intend to keep the vehicle off the road.

What does SORN Mean?

What Does DVLA SORN Mean for Your Vehicle?

A Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) tells the DVLA that your vehicle is no longer being driven, parked, or stored on public roads. 

Around 3.4 million UK vehicles are SORNed annually [gov.uk].

Once SORN is active:

  • The vehicle is exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
  • Any full months of unused tax are refunded automatically
  • The car is removed from active insurance enforcement under Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE)

SORN applies only if the vehicle is kept on private land, such as a driveway or garage. It must remain untaxed and uninsured until you re-tax and re-insure it for road use.

SORN is tied to the vehicle, not the owner. When a vehicle is sold or transferred, the new keeper must make a separate SORN declaration if the car remains off-road.

When to Declare DVLA SORN Status?

A DVLA SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) must be declared when a vehicle is unused and will no longer be taxed or insured. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) requires this action before or after expiration. 

SORN applies only if the vehicle is kept entirely on private property, such as a garage, driveway, or private estate.

Declare SORN if:

  • You plan to cancel your insurance or allow it to lapse
  • You are not renewing road tax (Vehicle Excise Duty)
  • The vehicle is undergoing repairs, awaiting MOT, or being dismantled
  • You’ve purchased a car but won’t be driving it immediately
  • It’s a classic, project, or seasonal vehicle stored off-road

Important: Declare SORN before cancelling your insurance. The registered keeper is penalised if the car is uninsured without a valid SORN, even if the vehicle remains on private land.

You do not need to declare SORN if the vehicle remains taxed and insured, regardless of use.

However, SORN is the only legal way to suspend both obligations without incurring enforcement action.

How to Declare SORN with the DVLA (Including V890 Form Guide)

You can declare SORN using one of three DVLA methods: online, by phone, or by post. The process depends on whether you have the V5C log book or only a reminder slip (V11).

Online via GOV.UK
Use the 11-digit number from your V5C or the 16-digit number from your V11. If you apply with a V5C, SORN starts immediately. If you use a V11, it begins on the 1st of the following month.

By Phone
Call 0300 123 4321 (24-hour DVLA line). Have your V5C or V11 reference number ready.

By Post
Use form V890 if:

  • You don’t have the V5C logbook
  • You’re not yet the registered keeper
  • You're declaring SORN on behalf of someone else or a business

Send completed forms to:
DVLA, SORN Applications, Swansea, SA99 1AR.

SORN is free. A fee only applies if you request a replacement log book (form V62).

What Happens If You Don’t Declare SORN?

It is an offence not to declare a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) when a vehicle is untaxed or uninsured. 

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) monitors compliance through real-time data. It enforces penalties under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) scheme, which is operated in partnership with the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

If the DVLA identifies a registered vehicle with no valid tax, insurance, or active SORN, it is flagged as non-compliant, regardless of whether the car is in use.

Penalties include:

  • A £80 fixed penalty notice, issued automatically
  • A fine of up to £1,000 if the offence goes to court
  • The vehicle being clamped, seized, or destroyed
  • Loss of entitlement to any unused vehicle tax refund

Enforcement applies when a vehicle is:

  • Parked on a public road without a valid tax or SORN
  • Uninsured with no SORN in place
  • Kept off-road without formally notifying the DVLA

The DVLA requires SORN to be declared before tax or insurance expires. Retroactive applications are not accepted. Gaps in coverage may result in automatic fines, vehicle clamping, or prosecution.

How Long Does a DVLA SORN Last After Declaration?

A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) lasts indefinitely. It ends only when the vehicle is taxed, sold, scrapped, or exported. There is no need to renew it manually.

SORN starts:

  • Immediately if applied with the V5C logbook
  • On the 1st of the following month, if applied with the V11 tax reminder

You can apply using a V11 up to two months in advance.

While SORN is active, the vehicle:

  • Is exempt from VED
  • Is removed from insurance enforcement (CIE)
  • Must remain off public roads and stored on private land

Can I Drive a SORN Vehicle at All?

A vehicle under a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) cannot be used or parked on public roads.

DVLA classifies any road use of a SORN vehicle as a legal offence unless it falls under a single, tightly defined exemption.

You may drive a SORN vehicle only to and from a pre-booked MOT test, subject to all the following:

  • The appointment is confirmed in advance
  • The car is insured at the time of travel
  • The journey is direct, with no stops or diversions

If stopped by police, you must provide proof of the MOT booking. The DVLA may contact the test centre to verify details. Any route variation can invalidate the exemption and result in enforcement.

All other use is prohibited. This includes:

  • Test drives, including by private buyers
  • Driving to or from garages or repair centres
  • Journeys for diagnostics, road checks, or delivery

If the vehicle needs to be moved and does not qualify for the MOT exception, it must be transported using a trailer or recovery vehicle.

Driving a SORN vehicle for any purpose other than a pre-booked MOT is unlawful. There are no exemptions beyond that. To move the car legally, arrange transport via trailer or recovery service.

How do You Apply for SORN When Buying a Car?

The exemption does not transfer to you if you purchase a vehicle with an active Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN). SORN is non-transferable under DVLA regulations. 

As the new keeper, you must submit a new declaration if the vehicle will remain off the road.

Apply for SORN using one of two methods:

  • Online, with the 11-digit reference from the V5C registration certificate
  • By post, using the V5C/2 new keeper slip and form V890

Until your application is processed, the vehicle cannot be driven or parked on public roads. The previous owner's SORN becomes void the moment ownership changes.

Declare SORN immediately if:

  • The car is stored on private land and is not insured
  • You do not intend to tax or insure the vehicle right away
  • The car is held for repairs, resale, or long-term storage

Failure to act may trigger penalties under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) scheme. The DVLA tracks ownership changes in real-time and does not carry over prior SORN status.

You are legally responsible for:

  • Declaring SORN as soon as the sale is completed
  • Ensuring the vehicle is not used or parked on public roads
  • Using the correct DVLA documents for your application method

Once DVLA confirms the new SORN, the vehicle is removed from tax and insurance enforcement obligations. No grace period applies during the ownership transition.

How do I Cancel or Renew SORN?

You do not need to cancel a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) manually. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) removes the SORN automatically when the vehicle’s legal status changes.

A SORN ends when:

  • The vehicle is taxed
  • Ownership is transferred to a new keeper
  • The car is scrapped and reported to DVLA
  • The vehicle is permanently exported

To take a vehicle off SORN, you must re-tax it. 

This can be done by:

  • Online via GOV.UK using the 11-digit reference from the V5C
  • By phone using DVLA’s automated service
  • At a Post Office that offers vehicle licensing services

Before applying for tax, ensure the vehicle has:

  • A valid MOT certificate
  • Active insurance listed in the Motor Insurance Database (MID)

You cannot park the vehicle on public roads until the tax is confirmed. Driving without valid tax may result in fines under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994.

Once the vehicle is taxed, the SORN is lifted automatically. No additional request is required. The vehicle re-enters active DVLA monitoring under:

  • Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) requirements
  • Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE) compliance tracking

If the vehicle was sold or scrapped, the SORN will close once the DVLA processes the V5C update or receives a certificate of destruction.

How to Check SORN Status Online?

You can check if a vehicle is registered as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) using CarVeto's free car history check.

Our service confirms whether the vehicle is legally off the road and exempt from road tax and insurance.

CarVeto provides a free SORN check alongside the following:

  • Vehicle tax status
  • MOT history and due date
  • SORN activation status
  • Vehicle identification data

This tool is useful when:

  • Verifying a vehicle’s legal status before a private purchase
  • Confirming your SORN is active after the application
  • Ensuring compliance before cancelling insurance

Check via GOV.UK (Official DVLA Record)

DVLA’s vehicle enquiry tool displays:

  • Current SORN status
  • Tax and MOT details
  • Date of last DVLA update

You’ll need:

  • The vehicle’s registration number
  • Sometimes, the make and model for validation

If SORN is not listed, the vehicle remains subject to:

  • Vehicle Excise Duty (VED)
  • Insurance enforcement under CIE

Use these checks before:

  • Driving or taxing a previously SORNed vehicle
  • Buying a vehicle declared off the road
  • Cancelling your insurance on a stored vehicle

Verify your car with the CarVeto DVLA Checker.

Check SORN: Free DVLA Status Tool

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What Happens to My Car Insurance With SORN?

A SORN vehicle does not require active insurance under DVLA rules or Continuous Insurance Enforcement (CIE). However, any existing policy remains in place unless cancelled.

If you no longer need cover:

  • Wait for SORN confirmation from the DVLA
  • Contact your insurer to cancel
  • Check if cancellation fees or refunds apply

Do not cancel insurance before declaring SORN. This creates a legal gap that may trigger CIE penalties.

Some owners keep laid-up insurance (fire and theft cover) while vehicles are off-road, especially for high-value or garage-stored cars.

Never use or park a SORN vehicle on public roads without insurance. Doing so is a criminal offence.

Do you have an active policy? Check Vehicle Insurance Status Online with our free service.

What Should I Know Before Buying a SORN Car?

You can legally buy a car under a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), but the exemption does not transfer.

The DVLA requires the new keeper to either:

  • Tax the vehicle before driving it
  • Submit a new SORN declaration if it will remain off-road

Before buying, check:

  • SORN status using the DVLA tool or CarVeto’s free vehicle check
  • That the vehicle has a valid MOT if you plan to drive it
  • It is stored on private land (not on a public road, which breaches DVLA rules)

Vehicles are often SORNed due to:

  • Expired or failed MOTs
  • Long-term storage between owners
  • Classic or project status awaiting restoration

If you intend to drive it:

  • Tax and insure it immediately
  • Confirm MOT is current

If you intend to store it:

  • Declare SORN using the V5C or V5C/2 with form V890

Near to buying a car? Conduct a Free Car Data Check.

What are SORN Rules for Motorbikes, Vans, Classic Cars, Campervans, and Lorries?

SORN applies to any road-registered vehicle that is untaxed, uninsured, and kept off public roads. This includes private and commercial categories such as:

  • Motorbikes stored between seasons
  • Classic cars exempt from tax, but off-the-road
  • Campervans not in use between trips
  • Vans and light commercials during job gaps
  • Lorries in fleet downtime or awaiting repair

Regardless of type or usage, SORN must be declared if a vehicle is not taxed or insured and remains off-road. This includes project vehicles, show cars, and others kept in storage.

Declare SORN before insurance lapses or tax expires. No exemptions apply based on engine type, age, or emissions. SORN is required if the vehicle remains road-registered and visible to DVLA systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. A SORN vehicle cannot be parked on a public road. It must be kept on private land like a driveway or garage. Parking on any publicly maintained road, including streets or car parks, breaches DVLA rules and can result in fines or seizure.

You can drive a SORN vehicle to a pre-booked MOT without tax, but valid insurance is required. The MOT must be confirmed, and the route must be direct. Driving without insurance is illegal and not exempt under SORN.

No. You cannot drive a SORN vehicle to a garage for repairs. The MOT exemption is the only permitted journey. Use a trailer or recovery service for transport. Any other road use is unlawful.

Yes. You can SORN a car stored on any private land, including rented garages or off-street parking. A private driveway is not required. You cannot SORN a car kept on a public road.

Yes, you can SORN your car without a V5C or V11, but only by post. Online SORN applications require one of these documents. Use form V890 and include the V5C/2 new keeper slip, or request a new log book using form V62.

To end SORN, tax the vehicle using the V5C. It must have valid insurance and a current MOT. Once taxed, the car can be used on public roads, and the SORN is cancelled automatically.

Yes, you can sell a car with a SORN. But SORN does not transfer to the new owner. Once the vehicle is sold, the buyer must tax it or submit a new SORN declaration if it stays off-road.

Use the DVLA's online report tool to report a SORNed vehicle being driven on public roads. Provide the number plate, location, and date. Reporting misuse helps enforce SORN compliance and protects other road users.

You don’t need temporary insurance for a SORN vehicle; insurance is not legally required while the car is off the road. Some owners choose laid-up cover for protection against fire or theft, but it's optional.

To avoid a SORN fine, declare the vehicle off-road before tax or insurance expires. DVLA does not accept backdated applications. Early action ensures compliance and prevents penalties or enforcement.

In Northern Ireland, declare SORN through the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), not the DVLA. Apply online or by post using your vehicle log book. The rules and penalties are the same as in Great Britain.