On this page:
Have you made the decision to take your car off the road for whatever reason? If you know you’re not going to be getting behind the wheel of your car anytime soon then you’ll need to make sure you apply for a SORN from the DVLA.
What is a SORN?
SORN, which stands for Statutory Off Road Notice, means that you can store your car away from the public highway, such as a driveway or garage, without fear of being penalised by the law at all. Any cars that are on the road must have up-to-date road tax, insurance and MOT certificates, but a car that has a SORN avoids the need of any of these.
Can I drive a Car that’s been SORNed?
SORNing a car means that it has been taken off the road for whatever reason, even if it’s still roadworthy. Just because a car may be roadworthy doesn’t necessarily guarantee it’s okay to drive on the road, however. If you have applied for a SORN and still try to drive it anywhere other than a pre-booked MOT appointment, your number plate will flag up on any Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras, and you could face fines of up to £2,500.
What do I need to SORN a car?
Luckily, SORNing a car isn’t a tricky process at all. What used to have you queuing at the post office to fill in a mountain of paperwork now takes just a couple of clicks on the DVLA website – although if you don’t have a computer (then how are you reading this blog?) you can still apply via post or over the phone.
To SORN a car, all you need is the car’s registration details, its make and model and the 11-digit reference number from the V5C, although this can also be replaced with the 16-digit number from the V11 tax renewal letter.
How long does a SORN last?
Unlike MOTs or road tax, a SORN does not need renewing each year and will remain in place until you tax the vehicle again.
How do you cancel a SORN?
Reversing a SORN is just as easy as it is to apply for one in the first place and reapplying for tax follows the exact same procedure as renewing tax at the end of the year. However, if the car has been off the road for a significant length of time it will certainly need an MOT, and probably a good service (unless you’ve been tinkering the entire time it’s been off the road).
While driving a SORNed car is illegal, you are allowed to drive it to a pre-booked MOT appointment, but you will need to make sure you have got yourself relevant insurance to cover this trip. It’s worth noting that while cars over 40 years old do not require an MOT, it’s still worth getting the car professionally checked over just to be extra safe.
Has your car been SORNed for a long time and is now just a glorified cat shelter on the driveway or dust collector in the garage? Maybe it’s time to make some space and let us at National Scrap Car take it away from you. Using our dedicated team of experts and national network of trusted buyers, we can guarantee you the very best price for your car, with collection free of charge in even the remotest of corners of the British Isles. Get started today using our Online Quote Generator and see just how much your scrap car could be worth.