How to SORN a Car in the UK: The Definitive 2025 Guide

All UK motorists occasionally park a vehicle for weeks or months at a time.

Declaring a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) lets you legally take that car “off the road,” pause vehicle tax and insurance, and avoid automatic penalties so long as the car stays on private land.

This in-depth guide explains every rule, form, fine, and practical step you need to master the SORN process.

Overview

SORN is a free, legally binding notice you submit to the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) when you intend to keep a vehicle off public roads. Once approved, vehicle tax stops, unused full months are automatically refunded, and you may legally cancel insurance—provided the car never touches a public highway. Breaching these rules risks clamping, prosecution, and fines up to £2,500.

Understanding SORN: What It Is and Why It Exists

The Legal Definition

A SORN is a statutory declaration under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 that a vehicle “is not used or kept on a public road,” allowing the keeper to suspend tax and Continuous Insurance Enforcement requirements.

Key Benefits

Ability to cancel insurance and reclaim unused premium.
Automatic refund of any full months of pre-paid Vehicle Excise Duty (VED).
Indefinite validity until the vehicle is taxed, sold, exported, or scrapped—no annual renewals.

When Must You Declare a SORN?

Mandatory Situations

Vehicle is uninsured, even briefly (Continuous Insurance Enforcement law penalises uninsured vehicles unless SORN exists).
VED has lapsed or will lapse (Untaxed keepers face an £80 civil penalty).
Stripping or scrapping the car for parts (DVLA must be notified before dismantling).
New keeper wants to keep the car off-road (Previous owner’s SORN does not transfer).
Exporting permanently (Car must be SORNed until shipped).

Optional (Yet Sensible) Scenarios

Long-term travel or military deployment.
Seasonal use of classics or motorhomes.
Expensive driveway ornament under restoration.

Risks of Failing to Declare—or Respect—a SORN

Offence	Identification Method	Minimum Out-of-Court Penalty	Maximum Court Fine	Enforcement Action
Keeper of untaxed vehicle	DVLA database	£80 late licensing penalty	£1,000 or 5× outstanding tax	Debt collection, clamp, impound
Using untaxed vehicle on road, no SORN	ANPR sighting	£30+1.5× tax	£1,000 or 5× tax	Clamp, seizure
Using vehicle on road while SORN in force	ANPR sighting	£30+2× tax	£2,500	Clamp, seizure

The Three Ways to Make a SORN

Method 1: Apply Online (Fastest)

Visit gov.uk/make-a-sorn and log in.
Enter either:
- 11-digit V5C reference for immediate SORN, or
- 16-digit V11 reminder to start on the 1st of next month.
Confirm off-road status and submit.
Receive instant email confirmation; paper letter within 4 weeks.

Pros: Instant effect, no forms to post, 24×7 service.
Cons: V5C or V11 reference required.

Method 2: Apply by Phone (24-hour DVLA Line)

Call 0300 123 4321.
Provide V5C or V11 reference plus registration and postcode.
Receive verbal confirmation; written confirmation within 4 weeks.

Pros: Works without internet.
Cons: Call queues; still need reference numbers.

Method 3: Apply by Post (Form V890)

Download/collect form V890.
Complete sections, selecting desired start date.
Enclose:
- V5C (or V62 + £25 if logbook missing).
Post to: DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.
Confirmation letter arrives in up to 4 weeks.

Pros: Only option if not yet registered keeper.
Cons: Postal delays; must buy £25 logbook if absent.

Quick-Reference Requirements

Method	Reference Needed	Start Timing	Confirmation Speed
Online	11-digit V5C or 16-digit V11	V5C = immediate; V11 = 1st next month	Email instantly, letter ≤4 weeks
Phone	Same as online	Same	Letter ≤4 weeks
Post	V5C or V62+V890	Date you stipulate	Letter ≤4 weeks

Choosing When Your SORN Starts

Immediate: Use 11-digit V5C reference; starts the day DVLA processes application.
Next Month: Use 16-digit V11 code; begins on 1st of next calendar month.
Custom Past Date (postal only): Allowed but tax refund not back-dated.

Life After You SORN a Vehicle

Tax Refund

HM Treasury automatically sends a cheque for any full unused tax months shortly after processing.

Insurance Options

Continuous Insurance Enforcement stops applying once the SORN is active; you may cancel or switch to laid-up cover. Insurers typically refund unused premiums minus admin fees.

MOT Status

An existing MOT remains valid but is not mandatory while off-road. If it expires, you may drive only to a pre-booked MOT on public roads.

Storage Rules

Must stay entirely on private land—garage, driveway, private field.
Cannot rest on public road, verge, pavement or public car park, even if taxed at £0.
DVLA/NSL clamps are common in residential areas; release fees add £160-260.

Practical Tips for Long-Term Storage

Task	Recommended Action	Reason
Clean & wax exterior	Removes road salt; prevents corrosion	Preserve paint
Over-inflate tyres by 3-5 psi	Minimises flat-spotting	Tyre health
Fit battery conditioner	Avoids battery sulphation	Electrical reliability
Use fuel stabiliser	Prevents varnish build-up in petrol	Engine health
Disengage handbrake	Stops pad seizure	Brake longevity

Driving a SORN Vehicle to an MOT

A single exception allows you to drive directly to and from a pre-booked MOT or other test. Police may verify the booking. Any other journey is illegal and invites fines up to £2,500.

Ending a SORN and Returning to the Road

Step-by-Step

MOT: Ensure valid certificate or book test.
Insurance: Reinstate comprehensive or third-party cover.
Vehicle Tax:
- Online, phone or Post Office using V5C/V11 details.
- Pay for 6 or 12 months (minimum 1 month).
- DVLA automatically cancels the SORN once tax is activated.

No waiting period exists; you can SORN and re-tax in the same week.

Special Cases & Frequently Asked Questions

Missing Logbook (V5C): Apply for duplicate V5C via form V62 and £25 fee, posting it with V890.
Buying a SORN Vehicle: The previous keeper’s SORN expires on sale; new keeper must re-SORN or tax before using.
Selling While SORN: Permitted, but buyer cannot legally drive away until vehicle is taxed and insured.
Exporting a Vehicle: Keep vehicle SORNed until the date it leaves the UK, then notify DVLA of permanent export.
Classic, Collectors & Seasonal Cars: Many owners alternate annually between full-road use and SORN during winter storage for cost savings.

Is Short-Term SORN Worth It?

Because VED is refunded only in full months and insurers may charge admin fees, SORN usually makes financial sense if off-road for longer than 1 calendar month.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Parking on the street after SORN: triggers clamp or £2,500 fine.
Forgetting to book MOT before driving: no exemption applies.
Assuming SORN transfers to buyer: it never does.
Failing to confirm DVLA letter: always chase if no confirmation in 4 weeks.

Essential Checklists

SORN Application Checklist

Item	Online	Phone	Post
V5C 11-digit number	✔	✔	✔
V11 16-digit number (optional)	✔	✔	✔
Registration and postcode	✔	✔	✔
Completed V890 form	✖	✖	✔
Envelope & stamp	✖	✖	✔

DVLA Contact Reference

Purpose	Contact	Hours
Vehicle tax & SORN helpline	0300 123 4321	24 hours
Webchat for SORN queries	contact.dvla.gov.uk/vehicle-tax	Mon–Fri 08:00–19:00; Sat 08:00–14:00
Postal SORN address	DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR	N/A

Offence & Fine Snapshot

Offence	Initial Penalty	Max Court Fine
Untaxed, no SORN	£80 LLP	£1,000
SORN vehicle on road	£30 + 2× tax	£2,500

DIY Flowchart: Is SORN Right for Your Car?

Vehicle will be unused and stored off public roads ≥1 month → Yes?
VED still has at least 1 full month remaining → Yes?
You can park only on private land → Yes?
→ Proceed to SORN. Otherwise, keep vehicle taxed and insured.

Conclusion

Declaring a Statutory Off-Road Notification is straightforward, free, and often financially wise when a car will sit unused. The key is strict compliance: apply correctly, store the vehicle entirely off public roads, and remember that a SORN stays in force until you proactively tax the car again. Master these steps and you will avoid fines, receive automatic tax refunds, and keep your vehicle legally protected during its downtime.