How do I declare a SORN?

Declare SORN online at gov.uk/make-a-sorn using the 16-digit reference number from your V5C (logbook) or the 11-digit reference from your vehicle tax renewal letter. The process takes a few minutes and is free. DVLA will cancel the road tax and refund any full remaining months.

How long does a SORN last?

A SORN lasts indefinitely — it does not expire. It stays in place until you tax the vehicle again (to return to the road) or inform the DVLA the vehicle has been sold, scrapped, or exported. You do not need to renew a SORN annually.

Can I drive a SORN vehicle to an MOT?

Yes, but only by driving directly to a pre-booked MOT test. This is the only permitted reason to drive a SORN vehicle on a public road without valid tax. The vehicle must be insured for this journey. You cannot drive it for any other reason, even briefly.

What is the penalty for driving a SORN vehicle?

Driving a SORN vehicle on a public road without valid tax is an offence. Penalties include a £80 fixed penalty, court fines up to £1,000, and the vehicle may be clamped or impounded. DVLA uses ANPR cameras to identify vehicles on roads that are registered as SORN.

SORN Guide — How to Declare, Cancel, and Manage Your SORN

When Do You Need a SORN?

You must declare SORN if your vehicle is kept off all public roads and you do not want to pay road tax. Common situations include:

Vehicle in storage (garage, private land, driveway)
Project car or restoration vehicle not yet roadworthy
Car no longer in use after buying a replacement
Seasonal vehicle (classic, convertible) stored over winter
Vehicle awaiting repairs before being returned to use

How to Declare a SORN — Step by Step

Go to gov.uk/make-a-sorn
Enter your V5C reference number (16 digits, top right of the logbook) or your vehicle tax renewal reminder reference (11 digits)
Confirm the vehicle details
Submit — the SORN takes effect from the start of the following month if tax is currently valid, or immediately if tax has already expired
DVLA automatically cancels the road tax and issues a refund by cheque for any full remaining months

Phone and postal declaration

You can also declare SORN by phoning DVLA on 0300 790 6802 or by completing a V890 form and posting it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.

SORN Rules — What Is and Is Not Allowed

✓

Keep the vehicle on private land (garage, driveway, private field)

✓

Drive directly to a pre-booked MOT test — this is the only permitted public road use

✓

Work on the vehicle on private property

✗

Park the vehicle on a public road, even temporarily

✗

Drive the vehicle on a public road for any reason other than a pre-booked MOT

✗

Leave the vehicle on a public road while waiting to sell it

How to End a SORN

To return a SORN vehicle to the road, you must tax it again. Tax online at gov.uk/tax-vehicle using the V5C reference. The SORN is automatically cancelled when the new tax takes effect.

You will also need a valid MOT before taxing — without a current MOT certificate, DVLA will not issue tax online.

For more on what SORN means and the broader context of road tax exemptions, see our SORN explained guide.