Real-life SORN cases and scenarios
The rules are the same for everyone, but how they apply depends on your situation. These are the scenarios we're asked about most.
- Laying a car up for winterConvertibles, sports cars and second cars.
- Project car or restorationMonths or years in the garage.
- Working or living abroadLeaving a car at home, or taking it with you.
- A relative's car after a deathExecutors, SORN and selling.
- Car in for long repairsGarage waits, parts delays, accident repairs.
- MotorbikesWinter storage for bikes and scooters.
- Campervans and motorhomesOff-season storage.
- Classic and historic cars40-year rules for tax and MOT.
- Insurance write-offsCat S, Cat N and getting back on the road.
What every case has in common
Whatever your situation, the same four questions decide what to do:
- Will the vehicle be on a public road at all? If yes, it must be taxed and insured. No SORN.
- Is it staying in the UK? A SORN is only valid for vehicles kept in the UK.
- Is it registered to you? If not, you'll need the postal route.
- When does the tax expire? That decides when the SORN starts and how much refund you get.
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
A note on costs
SORN itself is always free. Where people lose money is in fines for gaps (untaxed with no SORN, or uninsured with no SORN), MOT failures after long storage and flat batteries. Our cases show how to avoid each.
Taking it off the road, or putting it back on?
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