The complete UK guide to SORN
Taking a car, van, bike or camper off the road? Everything you need to know about a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), step by step, in plain English. Making a SORN is free with DVLA, and we show you exactly how.
How to SORN in 3 steps Check MOT history
Start here
- How to SORN in 3 stepsOnline, by phone or by post, with or without your V5C.
- Should I SORN my vehicle?A quick decision tree for your situation.
- After you SORNRefunds, MOTs, insurance and taxing it again.
- Problems & fixesLost V5C, fines, letters, refunds that never came.
- Real-life casesWinter lay-ups, project cars, working abroad and more.
- Handy contact numbersOfficial DVLA numbers and addresses, checked today.
What is a SORN?
A SORN is how you tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that a vehicle is being kept off the public road, for example in a garage, on your drive or on private land. Once a SORN is in place you no longer have to tax the vehicle, and it is excluded from continuous insurance enforcement, so you can stop insuring it if you want to. Our full guide to what SORN means explains the law behind it. If you keep a vehicle that is not taxed and not declared SORN, DVLA will automatically fine you £80, according to GOV.UK's SORN guidance. Using a SORN vehicle on the road for anything other than a pre-booked MOT or test can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.
Do you still own it? If not, tell DVLA it was sold, scrapped or exported. Will it be used or kept on a public road? If yes, tax and insure it. If it is kept on private land, make a SORN.
- Do you still own or keep it?NoTell DVLA it was sold, scrapped or exported (no SORN)Yes
- Will it be used or kept on a public road?YesTax it, insure it and keep a valid MOT (no SORN)No
- Kept in a garage, drive or on private land?Yes
- Make a SORN (free on GOV.UK)Stop tax · insurance optional · Refund for full months left
- Valid until you tax, sell, scrap or export
How to SORN: the short version
- Find your reference number. Use the 11-digit document reference on your V5C log book, or the 16-digit reference on a vehicle tax reminder (letter V11, email or text). See which reference number to use.
- Apply for free. Use GOV.UK's Make a SORN service, DVLA's 24-hour phone line on 0300 123 4321, or form V890 by post.
- Get your refund. DVLA cancels your tax and any Direct Debit and sends a refund for every full month left, automatically.
Our step-by-step SORN guide covers each route in detail, including what to do without a V5C.
Step 1 find your 11-digit V5C or 16-digit reminder reference. Step 2 apply free online, by phone or by post. Step 3 the SORN is recorded and any refund is sent automatically.
- Step 1Find your reference11-digit V5C reference or 16-digit reminder (V11)
- Step 2Apply for freeonline, by phone (0300 123 4321) or post (V890)
- Step 3SORN recordedtax cancelled and refund for full months sent
Key SORN rules at a glance
- You cannot backdate a SORN. It starts the day you apply, or on the 1st of next month if you apply in the month your tax expires (when SORN starts).
- You do not need to renew a SORN. It lasts until you tax, sell, scrap or permanently export the vehicle.
- A SORN cannot be transferred. If you buy a car that was on SORN, you must tax it or make your own SORN.
- The vehicle must stay in the UK for the SORN to be valid.
- You can only drive a SORN vehicle on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT or other test appointment, and it must be insured for that journey (MOT and SORN).
- Taking a vehicle off the road gets you a refund for full months of remaining tax (SORN refunds).
See the full MOT history, mileage and advisories for any UK reg in seconds.
Common problems we help with
Most SORN headaches come down to paperwork. If your log book is lost, the SORN isn't showing on the DVLA record, your refund hasn't arrived, or you've had a late licensing penalty letter or an insurance (CIE) letter, our problem guides take you through the fix step by step.
Real situations, explained
Every SORN is a little different. We've written guides for the common ones: laying a car up for winter, restoring a project car, working or living abroad, dealing with a relative's car after a death, long garage repairs, motorbikes, campervans and motorhomes and classic cars.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to SORN a car?
Yes. Making a SORN with DVLA is free online at GOV.UK, by phone on 0300 123 4321 or by post with form V890.
Do I need to renew my SORN every year?
No. A SORN stays in place until the vehicle is taxed, sold, scrapped or permanently exported.
Do I need insurance on a SORN car?
No. A vehicle declared SORN and kept off the road is excluded from continuous insurance enforcement, though you may still want cover against fire or theft.
Can I drive a SORN car?
Only on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment, and it must be insured for that journey.