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What is a SORN and when do you need one?

By May 21, 2020October 23rd, 2023No Comments

A Statutory Off Road Notification or SORN as it is more commonly known is used when you would like to take your vehicle off the road for an extended period of time. One of the main benefits of a SORN is that you will no longer need to pay any vehicle excise duty or insure your car. In this article, we’ll give you the answers to the most common questions about SORNs and tell you everything you need to know.
When you need a SORN

If you are planning on keeping your car off the road and do not want to drive it on a public road in the near future, then chances are you will want to get a SORN. There are many occasions when you might need a SORN and these include:

Keeping your car in a lockup or garage for months
Buying a classic, collectable or vintage car
Restoring a vehicle or looking to scrap it

Remember that you are not allowed to keep a vehicle on a public road once you have registered a SORN so make sure that your vehicle will be kept on private property or you will be fined.
Do you need to insure or tax a car after SORN?

Once you have applied for your SORN you will be able to cancel your current insurance policy for your vehicle. For your VED you will automatically receive a refund for any remaining time left on your tax. If your road tax has already expired then you will need to pay for this as you could get a fine of up to £1000 for unpaid tax until the DVLA has processed all of the paperwork. Remember you will get back money you pay for any unused road tax so it is worth making sure your vehicle is taxed prior to applying for a SORN to avoid any potential fines.
How much does a SORN cost?

The good news about a SORN is that it is completely free to apply for and receive. For those who are looking to cut down costs by taking their vehicle off the road, a SORN provides an excellent way to do this.
Will I need to renew a SORN each year?

Following a change in the regulations, you no longer need to renew a SORN every twelve months. This means that once you register a SORN this will last indefinitely meaning you no longer have the hassle of remembering to renew it every year. This is perfect for those with classic or vintage cars who want their cars to remain as SORN.
How long does it take to get a SORN?

For most applications, it will normally take up to 4 weeks before you receive a SORN and often a lot sooner. If you don’t receive it within this timeframe then it is best to give the DVLA a call just to double check that they have received your application.
Can I scrap a vehicle with a SORN?

Most people assume that in order to scrap a car that it will need valid road tax, insurance and an MOT but this is not the case. Even vehicles that have been declared as SORN can be scrapped. If you’d like to find out more about scrapping your car with a SORN then get in touch with us today to find out how much it is worth.