How to Make a SORN When You Take a Vehicle Off the Road
Tell DVLA a vehicle is off the road using a SORN. Check when it is required, when it starts, what reference you need and how to apply online, by phone or post.
GB United Kingdom
Driving & Vehicles ~ 10 min read
19 FAQ
Updated 2026-09-10
Helpydo structures practical guidance around official or public sources. For individual cases, confirm requirements with the responsible institution.
Make a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) to DVLA if you keep a vehicle off public roads and it is untaxed or uninsured, you are breaking it for parts before scrapping it, or you have bought it and want to keep it off the road. A SORN is free. If the vehicle is already registered in your name, you can apply online using the 11-digit V5C reference or 16-digit vehicle tax reminder reference, or by phone on 0300 123 4321. You can also apply by post using form V890. If you are not yet the registered keeper, you must use V890 by post with the relevant V5C paperwork. A SORN cannot be backdated and does not transfer to a new keeper. It lasts until you tax, sell, scrap or permanently export the vehicle.
What you need
- The vehicle must be kept off public roads, for example in a garage, on a driveway or on private land.
- If applying online as the registered keeper, use either the 11-digit number from the V5C or the 16-digit reference from the V11 tax reminder.
- If applying by phone, you must be the registered keeper and can use DVLA's 24-hour vehicle service.
- If applying by post, complete form V890.
- If you are not yet registered as the keeper, complete the appropriate part of the V5C and send it with form V890.
- If you do not have a V5C, send form V62 and form V890; the V62 replacement log book fee is currently £25.
- If the address on your V5C is wrong, update it before making the SORN or follow DVLA's postal instructions with the V890.
Eligibility
You need a SORN when a vehicle is kept off the public road and is not taxed or insured, when you intend to dismantle it for parts before scrapping it, or when you buy or receive a vehicle and intend to keep it off the road. A previous keeper's SORN does not transfer to you. You do not need to make a SORN for a vehicle you have already sold; instead, you must tell DVLA that you sold or transferred it. A SORN is valid only while the vehicle remains in the UK.
How to do it
- Take the vehicle off the public road. Keep it in a garage, on a driveway or on other private land.
- Check whether a SORN is required. Make one if the vehicle is untaxed, uninsured, being dismantled before scrapping, or newly acquired and staying off the road.
- Choose the correct application route. Registered keepers can apply online, by phone or by post. Someone who is not yet the registered keeper must apply by post.
- Find your reference number. For an online claim, use the 11-digit V5C reference or the 16-digit reference on your vehicle tax reminder.
- Apply online if eligible. Submit the SORN through DVLA's official online service and keep the confirmation.
- Alternatively, apply by phone. Registered keepers can use the DVLA vehicle service on 0300 123 4321.
- Use form V890 for a postal application. Send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR with any V5C or V62 documents required for your circumstances.
- Check when the SORN starts. It can start immediately or on the first day of the next month depending on when you apply and when your tax expires. It cannot be backdated.
- Keep the vehicle off public roads. Do not use it on the road except for travel to or from a pre-booked MOT or other permitted testing appointment.
- Tax the vehicle before returning it to normal road use. Taxing it again automatically ends the SORN.
When do you need to make a SORN?
A Statutory Off Road Notification, usually called a SORN, tells the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency that you are keeping a vehicle off public roads.
DVLA says you must make a SORN if:
- the vehicle is not taxed;
- the vehicle is not insured, even temporarily;
- you want to dismantle the vehicle for parts before it is scrapped; or
- you buy or receive a vehicle and want to keep it off the road.
A vehicle is considered off the road when you do not use or keep it on a public road, for example when it is stored in a garage, on a driveway or on private land.
Does a SORN transfer to a new owner or keeper?
No. A SORN cannot be transferred to a new keeper.
If you buy or receive a vehicle that was already declared off road, you must make your own SORN if you intend to keep it off the road. Vehicle tax also does not transfer to the new keeper.
When is a SORN not required?
If you have already sold the vehicle, do not make a SORN. Tell DVLA about the sale or transfer instead.
There is also a specific exception for qualifying motor traders and vehicle testers where the vehicle is only temporarily in their possession, is kept at their business premises and the previous registered keeper has correctly notified DVLA of the transfer.
Is it free to make a SORN?
Yes. Making a SORN is free through DVLA.
If you do not have a V5C and need to apply for a replacement log book using form V62 as part of the process, GOV.UK currently lists a £25 fee for the new V5C.
How do you make a SORN online?
You can use the official DVLA online service if the vehicle is already registered in your name.
You will need one of these references:
- the 11-digit reference number from your V5C log book; or
- the 16-digit reference number from your vehicle tax reminder, which can be a V11 letter, email or text message.
DVLA states that the online service gives immediate confirmation. Its vehicle enquiry records can take up to 2 working days to show an approved SORN.
Can you make a SORN by phone?
Yes, if you are the registered keeper. Call the DVLA vehicle service on 0300 123 4321.
GOV.UK lists this as a 24-hour service.
How do you make a SORN by post?
Complete the official V890 Statutory Off Road Notification form and send it to:
DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1AR
A postal SORN can be made for:
- the current month; or
- the next month or the month after, provided you include a letter explaining why you cannot send the form nearer the time.
What if you are not yet the registered keeper?
If the vehicle is not yet registered in your name, you cannot use the normal online or telephone SORN route.
DVLA requires you to complete the appropriate section of the V5C and send it with a completed V890 form by post.
If the V5C has already been submitted to register the vehicle in your name, the V890 form allows you to declare that as part of the application.
Can you make a SORN without a V5C?
Yes, but the process is different. If you do not have the log book and need to become the registered keeper, complete form V62 for a vehicle registration certificate and send it with the V890.
The current fee for a V62 replacement log book in this situation is £25.
What if the address on your V5C is wrong?
If your address is incorrect on the V5C, GOV.UK tells you to update it before making an online SORN.
You can also update the V5C by post and send the amended log book with form V890. If you have moved recently, Helpydo has a separate guide to changing the address on your V5C after moving.
When does a SORN start?
Your SORN starts immediately if:
- the vehicle tax has already expired; or
- you are not applying during the month in which the vehicle tax is due to expire.
If you apply during the month in which the tax is due to expire, the SORN starts on the first day of the following month.
You cannot backdate a SORN.
Do you have to renew a SORN every year?
No. You make the SORN once and it continues until something happens that automatically ends it.
A SORN is cancelled when you:
- tax the vehicle again;
- sell or transfer it;
- permanently export it; or
- scrap it.
You do not need to renew the declaration annually.
Do you get a vehicle tax refund after a SORN?
Yes. DVLA automatically refunds the vehicle tax for any full remaining months after the vehicle is taken off the road and the SORN is processed.
If you pay vehicle tax by Direct Debit, DVLA will cancel the Direct Debit after you make the SORN.
Does a SORN mean the vehicle can be uninsured?
A SORN is the formal declaration used when a vehicle is kept off the road and you want to stop taxing and insuring it.
If a vehicle does not have a SORN, DVLA says it must be both appropriately taxed and insured. A registered keeper can receive an automatic £80 penalty for an untaxed vehicle where a SORN should have been made, and separate insurance enforcement can also apply.
Where can you keep a SORN vehicle?
The vehicle must remain off the public road. Suitable examples include a private garage, private driveway or other private land.
The V890 declaration specifically confirms that the vehicle will not be used or parked on a public highway from the declared date. If you are unsure whether land forms part of the public highway, DVLA advises checking with the local authority.
Can you drive a vehicle after making a SORN?
Normally, no. You must tax the vehicle again before returning it to normal road use.
There is a limited exception: GOV.UK states that you can drive a SORN vehicle on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment.
Using the vehicle on a public road for another reason while it is under SORN can lead to prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.
How do you end a SORN?
You do not submit a separate cancellation form to put the vehicle back on the road. Taxing the vehicle automatically cancels the SORN.
Make sure any other legal road-use requirements, including insurance and MOT requirements where applicable, are also satisfied before driving normally.
What happens if you sell, scrap or export the vehicle?
The SORN ends automatically if the vehicle is sold, permanently exported or scrapped.
You still need to complete the appropriate DVLA notification for the relevant event. Do not assume that having a SORN removes your duty to tell DVLA when the keeper or status of the vehicle changes.
Can a SORN remain valid if the vehicle leaves the UK?
No. GOV.UK states that a vehicle must remain in the UK for its SORN to remain valid.
If you are permanently taking the vehicle abroad, follow the DVLA permanent-export procedure instead.
Common SORN mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a previous keeper's SORN transfers when you buy the vehicle.
- Trying to backdate the declaration.
- Leaving a SORN vehicle parked on a public road.
- Driving it for ordinary journeys before taxing it again.
- Making a SORN for a vehicle you have already sold instead of notifying DVLA of the sale.
- Using the online route when the vehicle is not yet registered in your name.
- Forgetting to update an incorrect V5C address before an online application.
- Thinking a SORN must be renewed every year.
What should you check before making the SORN?
Make sure the vehicle is being kept off public roads and confirm whether it is already registered in your name. If it is, find the 11-digit V5C reference or 16-digit tax-reminder reference and use the online service, phone service or V890 form.
If you are becoming the keeper, use the postal V890 route with the correct registration paperwork. Remember that the SORN cannot be backdated and that a vehicle kept under SORN must stay off public roads until it is taxed again, apart from the limited pre-booked testing exception.
Frequently asked questions
Is it free to make a SORN?
Yes. DVLA does not charge a fee to make a SORN.
Can I make a SORN online?
Yes, if the vehicle is already registered in your name. You can use the 11-digit V5C reference or the 16-digit reference from your vehicle tax reminder.
Can I make a SORN by phone?
Yes, if you are the registered keeper. DVLA's vehicle service number is 0300 123 4321 and GOV.UK lists it as a 24-hour service.
What form do I use to make a SORN by post?
Use DVLA form V890 and send it to DVLA, Swansea, SA99 1AR.
Can I make a SORN if the vehicle is not registered in my name yet?
Yes, but you must use form V890 by post and complete the appropriate keeper section of the V5C. The normal online and telephone routes are for registered keepers.
Can I make a SORN without a V5C?
If you need to register the vehicle in your name and do not have a V5C, send form V62 with form V890. A new V5C currently costs £25.
Can a SORN be backdated?
No. GOV.UK explicitly states that a SORN cannot be backdated.
When does my SORN start?
It starts immediately if the tax has expired or you are not applying in the month the tax expires. If you apply during the expiry month, it starts on the first day of the next month.
Do I have to renew my SORN every year?
No. A SORN remains in force until you tax, sell, permanently export or scrap the vehicle.
Does a SORN transfer when I buy a vehicle?
No. A SORN does not transfer to a new keeper. You must make your own declaration if you intend to keep the vehicle off the road.
Can I park a SORN vehicle on the street?
No. A SORN vehicle must not be kept or used on a public road. It should be stored on private land, such as a private driveway or garage.
Can I drive a SORN vehicle to an MOT?
Yes. GOV.UK permits a SORN vehicle to be driven on a public road to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment.
What is the fine for driving a SORN vehicle on the road?
You can face court prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500 for using a SORN vehicle on a public road for a reason other than the permitted pre-booked testing exception.
Do I get my remaining vehicle tax back after making a SORN?
Yes. DVLA automatically refunds any full remaining months of vehicle tax.
Does DVLA cancel my vehicle tax Direct Debit after I make a SORN?
Yes. DVLA cancels the vehicle tax Direct Debit when you tell it the vehicle has been taken off the road.
How quickly does an online SORN take effect on DVLA records?
The online service provides immediate confirmation, but the DVLA vehicle enquiry record can take up to 2 working days to update after the application is approved.
How do I cancel a SORN when I want to drive again?
Tax the vehicle again. Taxing it automatically cancels the SORN.
Do I need a SORN if I have already sold the vehicle?
No. Tell DVLA that you sold or transferred the vehicle instead.
Can I keep a SORN if I permanently take the vehicle abroad?
No. GOV.UK states that the vehicle must remain in the UK for the SORN to be valid. Permanent export automatically ends the SORN.
Official sources
GOV.UK - Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN)GOV.UK - When you need to make a SORNDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - Make a statutory off road notification (SORN) form V890GOV.UK - Check if a vehicle is taxed or has a SORNGOV.UK - Cancel your vehicle tax and get a refundGOV.UK - Vehicle tax Direct Debit paymentsGOV.UK - Tell DVLA you've sold, transferred or bought a vehicleDriver and Vehicle Licensing Agency - DVLA busts 9 myths around SORNRelated procedures
Useful next steps and closely related guides for United Kingdom.
Others were interested in
Other practical guides people exploring this topic may find useful.