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Don’t get caught without a SORN

A Statutory Off-Road Notification is used to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency that you’re registering a vehicle as off the road – and once done it must not be driven on a public road, at any time.
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25 March 2019

VEHICLE off the road for a long period of time or being driven only on company premises? You may need a SORN.

A Statutory Off-Road Notification is used to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency that you’re registering a vehicle as off the road – and once done it must not be driven on a public road, at any time.

If you own a vehicle you have no intention of driving on-road and plan to keep in your garage, on your driveway or use solely on private land, the DVLA must be informed and this cane be done online via the government’s website, by phone or by post.

Here’s when you need SORN

  • Your vehicle isn’t insured, even if only for a short time.
  • Vehicle isn’t taxed, bearing in mind tax can no longer be transferred when vehicles are sold on.
  • If you buy a vehicle you intend to keep off-road. SORN cannot be transferred from the previous owner.
  • If  going abroad for a long period of time.

Once an application is accepted, conformation will come from the DVLA within four weeks. Take a note of the SORN’s expiry date – if not renewed, the vehicle will be treated like any other and will need to be insured and taxed.

Failure to tax a vehicle could result in an automatic £80 fine, while driving without insurance could result in a possible court prosecution and a maximum fine of £1000.

However, there’s no need to tax and insure a vehicle kept on private land and never driven on public roads. Simply notify the DVLA that it is kept off public roads by declaring a SORN.

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Chris Wright

Chris Wright

Chris Wright has been covering the automotive industry nationally and internationally for 30 years. Following spells with consumer titles he became News Editor of Automotive Management (AM), Editor of Automotive International, International Editor for Detroit-based Automotive News, and Editor of Dealer Update. He has also co-authored several FT Management Reports and contributes regularly to Justauto.com

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