Forgot to SORN my car

Forgetting to SORN your car could result in you facing some unwanted fines and unexpected headaches. The good thing is if you’re expecting to SORN your car, you should have most of what you need to do relatively close by.

The very first thing you should do when forgetting to SORN a car is, simply, SORN it. It’s a quick and easy process and can help get you out of any potential problem situations in a hurry.

Will SORN automatically apply if I don’t tax my car?

No, you must manually register your car as SORN. If you don’t tax your car, it will just sit there untaxed and leave you open to a fine from the DVLA as a result. These fines are automated in the form of a ‘Late Licensing Penalty’ (LLP) from the DVLA’s vehicle register.

What is the fine for an untaxed car?

The basic LLP fine will be £80, which is reduced to £40 if paid within 33 days. Failure to pay will see you referred to a debt collection agency. This fine is simply for being the registered keeper of an untaxed car. You will receive different penalties if you are seen using an untaxed car depending on whether or not a SORN is in place:

• Using an untaxed car without a SORN: An out of court settlement (OCS) letter issued.OCS set at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If the OCS is not paid, as a criminal offence the case may be pursued through the magistrates’ court. The penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.
• Using an untaxed car with a SORN in place: An out of court settlement (OCS) letter issued.
  OCS set at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If the OCS is not paid, as a criminal offence the case may be pursued through the magistrates’ court. The penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.

If you buy a car and do not tax or SORN it, then this will trigger the penalty for ‘Keeping an untaxed vehicle’. This penalty is like one of the ‘using an untaxed car’ fines, in which you will receive an OCS letter set at £30 plus one and a half times the outstanding vehicle tax. If this is not paid then it may be pursued as a criminal offence. The penalty is either £1,000 or five times the amount of tax chargeable, whichever is greater.

Can I SORN a car online?

Absolutely! In fact, it’s probably the easiest way to do so. Just take the 11-digit number from your car’s V5C and you car will be SORN before you know it. If you don’t have access to the internet you can also SORN a car by phone or by post. If you’re applying by post you will need to collect a V890 form from the Post Office.

How long does it take a SORN to be put in place?

If you SORN a car online or by post, then this will happen instantly. If you apply by post, however, this can take up to four weeks to be put in place. You will receive a confirmation letter once the SORN has been applied.

Where do I store a SORN car?

You can store a SORN car wherever you like so long as it is not on the public road. The most common options are on a driveway, in a garage or on private property. For clarification, the ‘public road’ doesn’t just mean a road. Pavements and car parks are also covered by this. If the car is in a private car park, you will need to arrange permission from the owner.

How long does a SORN last?

A SORN has no limit, meaning it will remain in place in perpetuity until you tax it or sell it. There are no reminders once your vehicle has been declared SORN, so it could, in theory, sit in your garage for years undisturbed if you don’t action anything.

Will having no tax impact my insurance?

As a general rule of thumb, your tax expiring shouldn’t have an impact on your insurance, but it’s worth remembering that driving an untaxed vehicle will more than likely invalidate your policy. Declaring a car as SORN will also not change anything about your insurance.

I want to get my car back on the road, how?

Getting a SORN car back on the road isn’t as hard as you might think. Assuming you still have insurance and MOT, then all you need to do is tax it. Once you tax a car, the SORN is removed. If you don’t have a valid MOT, you will need to get this before you can tax it.

Can I tax my car with no MOT?

You cannot tax a car if your MOT has expired. In order to be able to tax a car, it must first have a valid MOT.

How do I get an MOT without tax?

Driving an untaxed car is only allowed if you’re driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment. This journey must be direct, so you cannot stop on the way for any reason at all. Although you can drive there without a valid MOT or tax, you must still have a valid insurance policy on the vehicle.

Or, visit our SORNing Knowledge Centre for guides on all topics related to SORNing and storing your car or bike