What is SORN? Statutory Off Road Notification explained

SORN is one of those acronyms lots of drivers use without being sure what it means. Getting it wrong can mean an automatic fine, so here is everything you need to know.

Checked against GOV.UK guidance · Updated 25 October 2026

What does SORN stand for?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. Each word matters:

• Statutory means it is required by law, not just advice.
• Off road doesn't mean off-roading. It means the vehicle is not kept or used on a public road at all: it's in a garage, on a private driveway or on private land.
• Notification means you have to tell DVLA. Simply parking the car up isn't enough.

Why SORN exists

Every vehicle registered in the UK has to be either taxed or declared off the road. DVLA's records show the status of every registered vehicle, and its systems automatically flag vehicles that are neither taxed nor SORN. That's why owners who forget get an automatic £80 fine, even if the car hasn't moved in months. SORN also ties in with insurance. Under continuous insurance enforcement (CIE), a vehicle must be insured unless it's declared SORN, as explained on GOV.UK's vehicle insurance page. See our guide to SORN and car insurance.

When do you need a SORN?

According to GOV.UK, you must make a SORN if:

• your vehicle is not taxed
• your vehicle is not insured, even for a short time (for example a delay renewing your policy)
• you want to break the vehicle down for parts before you scrap it
• you buy or receive a vehicle and want to keep it off the road (you cannot take over the previous keeper's SORN)

You don't need a SORN if you've sold the vehicle. Tell DVLA you've sold it instead. Not sure? Use our Should I SORN my vehicle? decision tree.

What happens when you SORN

• Your vehicle tax is cancelled, along with any Direct Debit.
• You automatically get a refund for any full months of tax left.
• The vehicle no longer needs to be insured (though you may want fire and theft cover).
• You can't use it on a public road, except to drive to a pre-booked MOT.

How long does a SORN last?

Since 2013 a SORN has had no expiry date. It stays in place until you tax the vehicle again, sell it, scrap it or permanently export it. You don't need to renew it every year, and there's nothing to pay.

Fines and penalties

• £80 automatic fine (late licensing penalty) for keeping a vehicle that's untaxed with no SORN. DVLA's enforcement policy says this is reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. See our guide to DVLA fine letters.
• £100 fixed penalty if you're the registered keeper of an uninsured vehicle that isn't declared SORN, with court fines of up to £1,000 and the risk of clamping or impounding (CIE letters).
• Up to £2,500 fine if you use a SORN vehicle on the road for anything other than going to or from a pre-booked MOT or test (driving a SORN car).

How to make a SORN

You can make a SORN online, by phone or by post, and it's free. You'll need the 11-digit reference from your V5C log book or the 16-digit reference from a tax reminder. Our 3-step SORN guide walks through every route.

Where can a SORN vehicle be kept?

Anywhere that isn't a public road. That includes a garage, a private driveway, a field you own or a storage unit. A vehicle parked on the street, even outside your house, is on a public road and can't be on SORN. The vehicle must also stay in the UK.