SORN · Off Road Notification

What Is SORN?

SORN is the free DVLA declaration that a vehicle is being kept off public roads. No tax required. No MOT required while SORNed. But strict rules apply — here is everything you need to know.

Check Tax / SORN Status

Official UK dataFree to useInstant resultsNo account needed

The short answer

What Is SORN?

SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) is a free declaration to DVLA that a vehicle is kept entirely off public roads. Once SORNed: no road tax required, no MOT required (while SORNed), no mandatory insurance (though storage insurance is advisable). The SORN lasts indefinitely — until you tax, sell, or scrap the vehicle. The car must not touch any public road.

What it allows

SORN: What It Allows and What It Prohibits

Allowed while SORNed

Store the vehicle on private land (garage, driveway, private car park)

Work on or restore the vehicle on private land

Sell the vehicle — buyer must tax it before driving on public road

Move the vehicle on private land

Drive it to a pre-booked MOT test (specific legal exemption)

Not permitted while SORNed

Park on any public road — even briefly

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

Use in a public car park (considered a public road in law)

Tow or transport on a public road without separate trailer declaration

Check SORN or Tax Status Free

Instant DVLA vehicle status check — taxed, untaxed, or SORN — no login needed.

Check Tax Status →

Questions & answers

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SORN stand for?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It is a declaration made to the DVLA that a vehicle is being kept off public roads and will not be used or parked on any public road. Once declared, the vehicle no longer needs to be taxed (VED) for the period it remains SORNed.

Is SORN free?

Yes. Declaring a SORN is completely free. There is no charge to notify the DVLA. The benefit of SORN is that you stop paying vehicle tax on a vehicle you are not using on public roads.

How long does a SORN last?

A SORN lasts until you tax the vehicle, sell it, export it, or scrap it. It does not expire after a set period — it remains in force indefinitely. You do not need to renew a SORN annually. The DVLA will send a reminder when the previous year's MOT is approaching its anniversary, but the SORN itself is continuous.

Can I keep a SORNed car on the road?

No. A SORNed vehicle must not be kept or parked on any public road at any time. It must be stored on private land — a driveway, garage, or private car park. Parking a SORNed vehicle on a public road is an offence, even if the vehicle is not being driven.

Do I still need MOT insurance on a SORNed car?

You do not need an MOT or insurance while the vehicle is SORNed — provided it is kept entirely off public roads. The legal obligation to maintain third-party insurance only applies to vehicles kept or used on public roads. However, you may wish to maintain voluntary storage insurance to cover fire, theft, and accidental damage while the vehicle is stored.

What happens to existing road tax when I declare SORN?

When you declare a SORN, any existing road tax is cancelled and DVLA automatically issues a refund for any full calendar months remaining. For example, if you declare SORN in the middle of June, you will receive a refund for the months from July onwards. You do not receive a refund for the current or any partial month.

Related tools

Related Tools & Resources

Tax & SORN Hub

Complete guide

Open

How To SORN

Step-by-step process

Open

Drive A SORN Car?

When it's legal

Open

Tax Refund Guide

Get your VED back

Open

Tax Status Check

Check SORN status

Open

DVLA Data Guide

All DVLA records

Open

Ownership Costs

Running costs hub

Open

Check MOT and Tax Together

Review both statuses before returning a vehicle to the road

Open

SORN rules reflect the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994 and DVLA guidance. MotR is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or GOV.UK. Verify through official GOV.UK sources. Last reviewed 13 June 2026.

Keep reading

How To SORN A Car

The step-by-step process for declaring SORN — online, by phone, and by post.

Open