You cannot drive any car without insurance at any time. While you can drive to a pre-booked MOT test without a valid MOT certificate or if the vehicle is SORN, it still needs to be insured. Driving without insurance is a crime, and you could be fined up to £2,500 if you’re caught doing so.
How to insure a SORN car to drive it to an MOT
Insuring a SORN car to drive to an MOT can be quite a headache – as most policies will have a clause that states driving without insurance will invalidate the policy. The best thing to do is to take out a policy but speak to the insurer and let them know the situation that you’re in. Get their confirmation that they will cover you driving to a pre-booked MOT test in writing in case you are stopped for any reason.
Sometimes it might actually be cheaper and less risky to arrange transportation of the vehicle via a trailer to the MOT test to avoid the
Does a SORN car have to be insured?
No, SORNing a car means you can save some money on your insurance and tax costs. You’ll need to inform your insurers your car has been SORNed, though as they will not be automatically made aware, unlike the DVLA with regards to tax.
It’s important to remember that you must insure your car again before you plan to drive it on the road. Driving an uninsured car at any time is a crime and you could be slapped with a fine and six penalty points.
Can you drive a SORN car?
You can only drive a SORN car if you’re heading to your pre-booked MOT appointment. Otherwise your car must remain off the road at all times, such is the nature of a Statutory Off-Road Notification.
Can you drive a SORN car to MOT without tax?
If your car is a SORN vehicle, it will have no tax by default. You will not be able to tax your car without a valid MOT, so you will likely need to drive the car to the appointment without tax. You will need to make sure you have insurance before you drive, otherwise you could face a hefty fine and six penalty points.
It’s important to remember that you can only drive a SORN vehicle if you’re heading to a pre-booked MOT appointment. This is the only occasion when you will be permitted to do so. You’ll also need to be prepared to prove where you are heading, so make sure you have your confirmation to hand just in case you are challenged en route. You must also go directly to the appointment – no stopping at the shops on the way.
Taxing your SORNed car will remove the SORN status. Here’s some more advice on what to do next.
Taxing your SORNed car will remove the SORN status. Here’s some more advice on what to do next.Can I test drive a SORN car?
No – unless your test is taking place on private property. Unless you are driving to a pre-booked MOT test, there is no legal time that you are allowed to have your SORN vehicle on the road.
Getting a SORN car back on the road
To get a SORN car back on the road, you’ll need to make sure it is back in a roadworthy condition. You’ll need to have insurance in place to get it to the MOT test centre. Once you’ve obtained a new MOT certificate for the car, you are then able to tax it. Once the car is taxed, MOT’d and insured, you are good to get back on the road!
MOT on SORN car, how to move it
If you are looking to move a SORN car, with or without a valid MOT certificate, then you’ll need to do so by keeping the car off the road. This means arranging transport through trailers or flatbed trucks – it can not be driven unless it is going to a pre-booked MOT appointment.
Do I need to SORN an uninsured vehicle?
Any uninsured vehicle on the road is illegal. This means if your insurance has run out, then you will need to get it off the road and onto private property, with a SORN in place. There is no legal requirement for SORN vehicles to be insured. If your car is not SORN, it must have a policy in place.
Do I have to declare SORN if my MOT ran out?
Like insurance, all cars on the road must have a valid MOT. If your car has failed its MOT then you’ll need to remove it from the public highway and onto private land. Again, like insurance, there is no legal requirement for a SORN car to have an MOT. This means you should SORN your car and take it off the road if its MOT has expired.
How do I sell a SORN car with no insurance
Insurance does not transfer when selling a car, so whether it has insurance or not will not be a factor when selling a SORN car. If you do decide to sell a SORN car, you’ll need to make sure that you inform potential buyers beforehand that it has been off the road for any amount of time.
FAQ
Can you MOT a SORN car?
While you do not need an MOT for a SORN vehicle, you’ll need to make sure that it has a valid certificate before you return it to the road. As above, the only time you’re permitted to drive a SORN vehicle is if you’re heading to a pre-booked MOT appointment.
Can I drive a SORN car to sell it?
No – driving a SORN car at any time is illegal unless you are going to a pre-booked MOT test. If you need to move a SORN car as part of a sale, this should be arranged with the buyer and will require either a trailer or a flatbed truck.
Can you insure a car without a license in the UK?
No. Driving without a license is a crime, and for this reason insurers put a clause in that you cannot get a policy if you are not in possession of a driving licence. Learner drivers are only able to insure a car if they have a provisional licence, which all learners must have before getting behind the wheel.
In short: No license, no insurance.
SORNing Tax and Insurance Hub
Explore expert advice on tax, insurance, and legal matters for SORNed cars and motorbikes. Our Knowledge Centre offers essential information to ensure you’re fully informed to manage your vehicle off the road.
How and When You Need to Declare SORN
Learn how to declare a SORN online to save on tax, MOT, and insurance while keeping your car off-road. Quick and easy guide for UK drivers.
How to tax a SORN vehicle
Learn how to tax a car previously declared as SORN. This guide explains the steps to reactivate your vehicle for road use, covering the necessary documents and fees.
Can you drive a SORN car to an MOT with no insurance?
This guide explains the legal requirements for driving a SORN vehicle, including MOT exemptions and the necessity of insurance coverage.
How to tax a SORN car without MOT
This guide covers the steps, legal requirements, and alternative methods to ensure your vehicle is road-ready.
Or, visit our SORNing Knowledge Centre for guides on all topics related to SORNing and storing your car or bike
Sell your SORNed car
If you want to get rid of your old or SORNed car, it could be easier with our free, online comparison engine. Whether your car is SORNed and not too old to move, or in good working condition and sellable as salvage – our service can get you a private buyer in minutes.
