What is SORN?
If you plan to take your car off the road, you must make a SORN and tell the DVLA. But, what is a SORN?
The Cazoo editorial team
Published on 27 October 2025 | 1 min read
When it comes to taxing your vehicle, you may have noticed the acronym ‘SORN’ appear several times.
If your car fails its MOT, isn’t fit for the road, or you own a classic car that only comes out in the spring and summer time, then a SORN makes perfect sense.
You might be thinking, though, what is a SORN? Can I drive my car if I SORN it? What are the consequences if I don’t tell the DVLA that my car is off the road?
Here is our guide to everything you need to know about making a SORN to your vehicle.
What is SORN?
The first thing you need to know is, what does SORN actually stands for? SORN is an acronym and is short for ‘Statutory Off Road Notification’ and it’s a way of telling the Driver Vehicle License Agency (DVLA) that your car is off the road and won’t be used for the time being.
By telling the DVLA that you have a SORN marker against your vehicle, it means you no longer pay road tax on the car, and the agency will refund you any money you might have left on the current tax payment. It also means you don’t need to insure the vehicle as it’s classed as being ‘off-road’.
A SORN notification is most commonly used on vehicles that have broken down and are not being used on the road until they’re repaired. Also, classic car owners tend to SORN their vehicles during the winter period as the vehicles won’t get used for six months of the year, and by telling the DVLA these cars are off the road means owners can benefit from a tax refund.
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How do I SORN my vehicle?
To make a SORN, it’s very simple. Firstly, you need to go onto the Department for Transport’s (DfT) website and type in, ‘register your vehicle as off-road’. Then, you need to apply online by typing in your vehicle’s 16-digit tax reminder reference number. If you don’t have a tax reminder letter, then you can use your vehicle’s 11-digit V5 logbook reference number as a proof of ownership as well.
It will then give you your vehicle details to make sure that the reference number matches the correct car, and then you simply click on the button that says ‘make a SORN’. You can then request an email or text message from the DfT to confirm your vehicle has been declared off-road.
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What are the consequences if I don’t SORN my vehicle?
There are rules you need to know about Sorning your vehicle. If you plan to take your car off-road and don’t SORN it, your vehicle will be registered as ‘untaxed’ and the DVLA will think that you’re breaking the law by driving around in an untaxed vehicle.
If you plan to drive your car on the road while it’s registered as SORN, it’s illegal and the police can pull you over, seize your vehicle or fine you anything between £80 and £2,500.
If you plan to park your car on the public road, you'll need to tax it, as any vehicle that is parked on a public highway and is not taxed will be seized by the police and removed from the road.
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Can I drive my vehicle on the roads if it’s SORN?
The only reason you’ll be allowed to drive your vehicle on the road if it’s on a SORN is driving it to and from an MOT test. However, if you’re pulled over by the police, you must provide proof of the MOT booking or the latest MOT certificate if you’re driving back from the test centre.
Being able to drive a car on SORN to and from an MOT test is allowed because an MOT is a legal requirement to drive a vehicle on the road, and you won’t be able to tax the car without a valid MOT.
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Where do I keep my vehicle if it’s SORN?
Once you’ve registered your car as off-road and made a SORN, you can’t leave it parked on pavements, public roads or in car parks.
A vehicle that is on SORN is best kept on a driveway or in a garage, if you have one, as these are classed as ‘off-road’ locations.
If you are lucky enough to have a driveway or garage, they also cause less risk of the car being damaged or stolen.
If you own a classic car, having it kept away from the elements and harsh winter months can also help preserve it and keep it in tip-top condition.
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