A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) tells the DVLA a vehicle is off the road, so you don't have to tax or insure it. The catch: while SORN, the vehicle must be kept on private land - a driveway or garage - and must not be driven or parked on a public road. You can check a vehicle's current tax/SORN status free on RegScan.

What SORN means

SORN is how you legally take a vehicle off the road. Once declared, you stop paying vehicle tax and get an automatic refund of any full remaining months. It stays in force indefinitely until you tax the vehicle again - you don't renew it each year.

When you'd make a SORN

  • The car is stored, laid up over winter, or off the road for a project or repairs.
  • You've bought a vehicle you're not using yet.
  • The MOT or tax has lapsed and you're keeping it off-road rather than taxing it.

How to make a SORN

Declare it online with the DVLA (or by phone/post). You'll need the vehicle's registration and the reference number from your V5C logbook or a tax reminder. It's free. A SORN can start immediately, or from the first of next month if your tax is still running.

How to cancel a SORN

You don't formally "cancel" it - a SORN ends automatically as soon as you tax the vehicle again. Once taxed (and with a valid MOT where required), it's road-legal and the SORN no longer applies.

The rules while SORN

  • Do not drive it on a public road - the only exception is driving to a pre-booked MOT.
  • Do not park it on a public road; it must be on private land.
  • Breaking these rules risks a fine (typically starting around £2,500 for using a SORN vehicle on the road, or an £80 penalty for failing to SORN an untaxed car).

SORN vs untaxed

They're not the same. Untaxed means tax lapsed with no SORN - an offence if the car is on a public road. SORN is a lawful, declared off-road status. If you're not using a car and not taxing it, SORN is the correct route.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SORN mean?

Statutory Off Road Notification - a declaration to the DVLA that a vehicle is off the road, so no tax or insurance is due while it's kept on private land.

Do I need to renew a SORN every year?

No. A SORN lasts until you tax the vehicle again. It doesn't expire annually.

Can I drive a SORN car to an MOT?

Yes - driving to a pre-booked MOT test is the one exception. Otherwise a SORN vehicle must not be used on a public road.

How do I cancel a SORN?

Just tax the vehicle again. The SORN ends automatically once it's taxed (with a valid MOT if required).

How do I check if a car is SORN?

Enter the registration on RegScan to see whether it's Taxed, Untaxed or SORN, free from official DVLA data.