SORN meaning: What you need to know
If you’re planning to take your vehicle off the road, you’ll need to register a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA).
This allows you to avoid making further tax and insurance payments. In this guide, we’ll look at what a SORN means, when you should use it - and what to do if you wish to reverse a SORN and put your vehicle back on the road again.
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What does SORN mean?
SORN is an acronym for 'Statutory Off Road Notification'. This is a formal declaration to the DVLA that you are taking your vehicle off the road – and don’t need to renew your car tax or insurance.
When a car is subject to a SORN, it should not be driven on public roads.
When should I make a SORN for my car?
- If you plan to park your vehicle on a driveway, in a garage, or on private land for an extended period.
- If the vehicle is uninsured (even for a short period of time) due to an insurance renewal delay.
- If you intend to recover parts from your vehicle before scrapping it.
- If you’re buying a vehicle and intend to keep it off the road.
Where can I park a SORN car?
When your car is subject to a SORN, it must be kept on private land at all times.
The DVLA states that it is an offence to park a SORN car on a public road (defined as ‘a road repairable at the public expense’), which includes footpaths, grass verges, and some car parks.
What happens if I buy a car with a SORN?
If you buy a car and the previous owner has made a SORN for it, it’s important to know that this will not transfer over.
As the new legal owner of the vehicle, you must make a new SORN in your name.
Conversely, if you are selling a car that is subject to a SORN, the new owner should be made aware that they will have to make a fresh SORN if they don’t intend to tax, insure, and drive it straight away.
Read our guide 'How to check if a car is SORN' for more tips and guidance.
How do I SORN my car?
The quickest and easiest way to SORN your car is via the DVLA’s online service. You’ll just need one of the following reference numbers:
- The 16-digit number from your vehicle tax reminder.
- The 11-digit reference number from your V5C logbook.
- The reference number from the new keeper slip (V5C/2) if you have just bought the car and are waiting for a new V5C logbook.
Alternatively, you can contact the DVLA’s 24-hour service line on 0300 123 4321.
If you are not yet the registered keeper, you’ll need to apply to SORN the car by post:
Complete the V890 application form, along with the appropriate part of the V5C logbook and post the paperwork to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.
How do I SORN a car without a logbook?
If you don’t have the V5C logbook, complete a V62 form and send it with the V890 form instead.
For more information, see our full guide: How to SORN your car with the DVLA (step-by-step)
How long is a SORN valid for?
A SORN lasts indefinitely, until the car is re-taxed.
Under the previous rules, SORNs only lasted 12 months and had to be renewed after this time.
However, nowadays, if your car is SORN, you don’t need to worry about its SORN or tax status until you intend to return it to the road.
Can I drive a car with a SORN?
The only circumstances in which you are allowed to drive a SORN car on a public road is if you are driving it directly to a garage for a pre-booked MOT appointment.
Should you be pulled over and questioned by the police regarding the status of the car, the garage will be able to confirm the details of your appointment.
Driving a SORN car under any other circumstances could land you a fine of up to £2,500.
How to get a SORN car back on the road (step-by-step)
- Check your car’s MOT status.
- If it has outstanding MOT cover and is safe to drive, tax your car.
- Arrange an appropriate insurance policy for your car.
If your car failed its last MOT, or its MOT cover has expired:
- You can drive your SORN car to a pre-booked MOT test, providing its last MOT test did not highlight any ‘dangerous’ faults.
- If the car has dangerous faults, you must arrange for it to be moved on a transporter or flatbed truck. (It cannot be towed or driven.)
- Once the car has been repaired to roadworthy condition, and passed an MOT test, you can re-tax and insure it.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s free to make a SORN for your car, whether you do so online, or via the DVLA’s phone service.
However, if you need a replacement V5C logbook, it costs £25 to order one from the DVLA.
If you declare your vehicle as off road, you do not need to tax or insure it. If you have any full months of remaining tax, you can get a refund from the DVLA.
You are also entitled to a refund from your insurance provider for the months remaining on your policy. To claim your refund, contact your provider and provide the SORN details the DVLA issued you.
Yes, if you intend to stop driving your car (and parking it on public roads), you should make a SORN to register it as ‘off road’.
While your car is subject to a SORN, you won’t need to pay road tax.
You should not simply allow your existing road tax cover to expire. You could face an £80 fine for failing to tax your car, even if you’re not using it.
No, SORNs are not transferrable.
If you buy a car that is subject to a SORN, this will be void at the point of sale. So, if you don’t intend to tax and insure the car, you’ll need to make a fresh SORN for it.
No, you cannot tow a SORN vehicle, as you would be taking it ‘on the road’, which would violate the terms of the SORN, even if it is not being driven.
If you want to tow your car, it must have valid road tax, insurance - and be safe to tow.
Yes, you can move a SORN vehicle, but it cannot be driven or towed.
Instead, your SORN car be moved by trailer, flatbed truck, or another mode of transport that doesn’t require the car to be driven.
Remember, your SORN car cannot be parked on a public highway and must be kept on private property at all times.