Tired of paying taxes for a vehicle that you don’t even use? SORN it or sell it– but something tells us you don’t want to do that. That’s why you ended up in this article, no? Because you realised SORNing is the way to do it. But now you wonder, “How do I SORN my vehicle?”

Well, what’s this guide for anyway? SORN is quite helpful. Using SORN to notify the DVLA that you will not drive your vehicle may save you money. If you have already paid your road tax for the year, you will get a refund for the unused portion of the year.

So let’s get into how we can SORN your vehicle, shall we?

What does SORN mean?

We know Statutory Off Road Notification as SORN in short. SORN is an official term that declares that your car is currently off-road. While SORN is on, you can’t move your vehicle on any road the government owns. Privately, you are still eligible to drive the car.  Private areas concern roads that you or someone else owns, farms, and lanes. 

People usually SORN their cars when the owner plans on not using them. Most cars sit on their drive or in the garage during this period. You can’t park it anywhere, with the road in front of your house no exception to the rule. Whether you plan on driving it or not is beside the point. 

Why? Because that is what the acronym stands for. Statutory Off Road Notification. You are Off-Road now, so you can’t have your car anywhere on the road, even in a stationary state. 

Reasons to make a vehicle SORN:

Different circumstances often bring about the necessity to make a SORN. Change of commute, location, and such may be one reason to apply for the notification. The person might feel commuting by public transport is much more convenient, faster, and cheaper than driving to their destination. 

When you are using your car, there’s no point in paying tax for it. In other situations, your vehicle might be broken down, and you have been procrastinating in fixing it for whatever reason. This also calls for a SORN. 

You could also SORN your car when

• You haven’t taxed it yet and don’t intend on taxing or driving it
• You haven’t got it under insurance 

• Your car is new and not ready for use yet
• For whatever reason, you won’t utilise it soon.
• Your car will be broken down for parts soon

How to register vehicle as SORN

On the DVLA website, requesting a SORN is a simple process. In addition to applying online, you may also submit your information by phone or mail. If you’ve just purchased a vehicle and want to keep it garaged, you’ll need the V5C to register it as a SORN.

What happens if I fail to notify the DVLA that my car is SORNed?

Not notifying the DVLA about your car’s lack of usage and your desire not to take it to the roads might lead you to pay road taxes for the vehicle. They will assume it is still on the road, so you are still viable for taxes. Any omission of reimbursement will have DVLA fine you. Assuming your car needs work done on it and it still isn’t ready to go out, then SORN that car.

We know it sucks, but you can’t use your car even for shorter periods once or twice a year. You can be sneaky, but is it worth the risk of carrying a fine of  £2,500? It is not always that high, but the range is extensive. If the need for a car is infrequent, then maybe public transport is the way to go. 

Is my car SORNed from the beginning of the month?

SORN starts as soon as you refer your V5C unless you used a V11. In that case, your SORN starts counting day one from the next month. If you went the traditional route with mail, you could start as you wish from whichever date you presume.

How long is my vehicle SORNed? 

SORN doesn’t end until you attempt to end it deliberately. But how do you end it? You just take your car out of the UK.

Otherwise, simply administer to pay taxes on your car to conclude the SORN period. 

FAQ

Does SORN transfer with car ownership?

No, the car is SORN under only the last owner. You will have to manually transfer it by updating DVLA on the new ownership of the SORN car, so it is still SORN under you. 

Can I drive a SORN car on private land?

Yes, any private land and a farm are available to you when you are SORN. 

Can I park my SORN car?

You cannot drive vehicles with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), even if parked and unoccupied. Before applying for a SORN, choose a secure location to keep your vehicle. You have a prohibition against parking vehicles with valid SORN stickers.

Are SORNing cars safe?

SORN is a notification that disrupts the free movement of your car by restricting it from being on the streets. You may need to take further measures if it seems that your time of SORN will not include any driving. 

You might consider investing in a trickle battery charger to keep the battery from dying. You should refer to your vehicle’s manual for precise instructions on how to care for your electric car’s battery. You must keep your automobile dry and out of the elements while it’s not in use.

My vehicle is SORN How do I tax it?

You don’t. Yeah, taxing your SORN vehicle is impossible unless you aim to get it back on the roads. 

Verdict

You have probably found your answer: “how do I SORN my vehicle?” SORNing your vehicle can help you avoid redundant taxes for an inoperative car. However, there are other solutions if you are interested. 

Why not just sell your car if it is of no use? Perhaps renting a car once a year when the need comes is more cost-efficient. Or you could scrap your car at Car Scrap Fast. 

Contact us for more information about car scrapping for more significant benefits.