Website of the UK government

When SORN is needed

SORN applies to all tax classes including historic and disabled vehicles.

You’ll need to make a SORN:

• if your vehicle is being kept off the road due to repair or a MOT failure, or it isn't being used
• if you’re not renewing your tax and you're keeping the vehicle off the road
• if you’re applying for a refund of vehicle tax and keeping the vehicle off the road
• every 12 months if you continue to keep your vehicle off the road
• in advance if your vehicle is to be kept off the road in Great Britain when you’re abroad

When to apply

Make a SORN as soon as you take your vehicle off the road. You can make a SORN from the fifth day of the month in which the current tax disc or SORN is due to expire. SORN can't be backdated.

• How to make a SORN

When SORN isn't needed

SORN isn’t needed if:

• you sell the vehicle
• you scrap the vehicle or pass it to a scrap dealer
• your insurance company writes off the vehicle
• you take the vehicle abroad permanently
• you apply for a refund of vehicle tax and don’t keep the vehicle
• your vehicle was last taxed before 31 January 1998

Check when your SORN expires

Check the date your SORN expires by checking online using the ‘vehicle enquiry’ service. Just enter the make and registration mark of your vehicle.

• Make an online vehicle enquiry Opens new window

Vehicle has failed a MOT test or insurance certificate hasn’t arrived

If you intend to renew your vehicle tax you should do so before your current tax disc expires. However, this isn't always possible if your vehicle has failed it’s MOT or you’re waiting for insurance.

You must keep the vehicle off the road if you can't get a tax disc. While your vehicle is off the road, you have 14 days from the date your current tax disc expires in which to get a new tax disc or to make a SORN.

You’ll be committing an offence if you use or keep your vehicle on the public road without a current tax disc.

Driving to a MOT test when a SORN is in force

You can drive your vehicle to and from a pre-arranged test at a MOT test station provided you have adequate insurance cover in place for that vehicle.

Registered keeper is deceased

The person responsible for the deceased person’s affairs can make a SORN if the vehicle is being taken off the road.

• Notifying DVLA of a bereavement

Vehicle involved in accident – not sure what insurance company intends to do

You may want to leave the tax disc on the vehicle if it's likely to be repaired. If it's likely that the vehicle will be written off then you should arrange with the insurance company where the vehicle will be stored.

The vehicle must be continuously taxed and display a valid tax disc if it’s to be kept on the public road.

To discharge your liability for the vehicle, you must complete the V5C/3.

Buying a vehicle that has SORN on it

If you buy a vehicle that has a SORN on it, the SORN will come to an end on the date you buy the vehicle. You must make a new SORN if you are keeping the vehicle untaxed off the public road.

Using or keeping a vehicle on a public road  

A public road is a road maintained at the public expense, including grass verges and ground adjoining the road. Contact your local authority if you have any doubt about an area where you want to park your vehicle.

• Local councils

Change of address

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) doesn't need an address for SORN purposes. However, make sure your registration certificate (V5C) is up to date to ensure you receive a reminder when your SORN is about to expire.

• Changing your name and address on your registration certificate

Vehicle abroad on temporary basis

You can't make a SORN if your vehicle is outside Great Britain. The vehicle will need to display a valid tax disc.

• How to tax your vehicle
• Taking a vehicle out of GB both temporarily or permanently