Taxing a vehicle that has been listed as SORN is simple and is no different to any normal taxation process. All you need to tax your car is the 11-digit number from your car’s V5C logbook. This can be completed easily online, or you can call the DVLA directly to tax your vehicle. Once you have taxed the car it will automatically remove the SORN from your vehicle.
Online
The easiest way to tax your vehicle is to do so online. This can be completed on the Tax Your Vehicle page of the government’s website. You will need the 11-digit number from your car’s V5C in order to complete this. If you don’t have the V5C you will need to apply for a new one using a V68 document. A new logbook will cost £25.
By phone
You can also apply for tax by calling the DVLA’s 24 hour vehicle tax service on 0300 123 4321. Like applying online, you will also need the relevant data from your car’s V5C logbook. When applying by phone you cannot pay by Direct Debit.
At the Post Office
If you wish to tax your vehicle in person, you can do so at the Post Office. You will need to take the V5C with you – or the green new keeper’s slip if you’ve just bought it. You will also need to bring payment for the tax, or your bank details if you wish to set up a Direct Debit.
Will I still get tax reminders for a SORN vehicle?
No, your tax reminders will stop as soon as you SORN your vehicle. If you have any unused tax on your car, this will be refunded to you. Your car will remain as SORN until you decide to tax it once again. You will need to remember to ensure you have the relevant insurance and MOT certificate in place before taxing your car.
Taxing a car very soon after SORN
There is no minimum term for SORNing a car. Applying for a SORN and tax both takes place instantly, if done online, so it doesn’t matter if you wait a week, a month or even a year to re-tax your vehicle.
Can I tax a car for one day?
The minimum amount of time you can tax a car for is a month. This month is by the calendar, not the date you tax the vehicle. If you tax your car on the 20th, the tax will be valid from the 1st and expire at the end of the same month.
Remember that both tax and SORN is instant, so even if you’re taxing a car very soon after you’ve applied for a SORN, there will be no overlap.
Can I still tax my car without a V11 reminder?
If you’ve not got a V11 tax reminder, then you can still tax your vehicle by using your car’s V5 registration certificate. If you don’t have your V5 (often simply called your logbook), then you can apply for a replacement with a V62 form. A replacement logbook will cost £25.
Does SORN cancel my tax direct debit?
The DVLA will cancel your direct debit once you inform them you are SORNing your vehicle. The same applies if you were to sell your car or transfer ownership. Remember that when you pay for tax by the month, there are no part-month payments. This means if you have paid for June and then SORN your car on the 4th of June, there will be no part-refund for that month.
Can I drive a SORN car to its MOT test without tax?
Providing you have a pre-booked MOT appointment, then you can drive a SORN car to it. This is the only occasion where this will be allowed. You should be prepared to prove this if needed, so make sure you have some proof of your appointment to hand should you be asked any questions
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 tax a SORN vehicle?
You can tax a SORN vehicle, although this will immediately negate the Statutory Off Road Notice. When you SORN a car, you are informing the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that it will not be on the road for a set period of time. From this moment on your tax will be nullified and you will be refunded any unused tax that has been paid for up front.
When you re-tax a SORN vehicle, you are effectively doing the reverse of applying for a SORN. Once your car is taxed, the SORN will be removed.
Where can I keep a SORN vehicle?
SORN vehicles can be stored anywhere so long as they are off of the public highway. You cannot park a SORN car on the road at any point. This includes roads with no parking restrictions or if you have a specific permit. The vehicle must be kept “off road”, as the name of the notice suggests.
Popular places to keep SORN vehicles are garages or on a private driveway. You can also keep a SORN vehicle anywhere on private land.
Can I drive a SORN vehicle?
The only circumstance that allows you to drive a SORN vehicle is if you are driving to a pre-booked MOT appointment. If you are stopped by the police, you will need to show proof that you are driving to your appointment. If you know you are needing to drive a SORN vehicle to an MOT appointment, ask the garage to provide you with written confirmation of this.
Do SORN vehicles need an MOT?
No, SORN vehicles do not require an MOT. Unlike tax, though, an MOT does not get cancelled when a vehicle is registered as SORN. The MOT certificate will continue to run for its 12 month period.
If your SORN car does not have a valid MOT, then it will need to receive an MOT certificate before it can be returned to the road.
How long does a SORN last?
A vehicle will remain listed as SORN until it is taxed, sold, exported permanently or scrapped. There is no need to renew annually. You just need to remember to get an MOT certificate and renew your tax and insurance before you intend to drive it again.
FAQs
“This is an untaxed vehicle” note on car I have SORN
If you have returned to a note saying your vehicle is untaxed but it has been registered as SORN, then double check where you have parked it. SORN cars cannot be parked on public land at any point. They must be kept on a private driveway, garage or private property. If your vehicle is kept in a car park, you’ll need to check this with your local authority to see what the rules are. The most likely outcome is you will not be able to store a SORN car in a car park.
Can I drive a SORN car to sell it?
No – SORNing a car means it cannot be driven. It must stay off the road as you have legally stated that’s where it shall be. You can absolutely sell the car, but suitable arrangements must be made for it to be removed. This can be arranging for transportation or getting the car taxed beforehand.
How do I get a SORN car home?
If the car is driveable with valid insurance and MOT, then you can tax it on the spot and drive it home. If the car cannot move and you’re buying a SORN car as a project, then you’ll need to arrange a suitable form of transport.
What happens if a SORN car is parked on the road?
A SORN car parked on the road will likely be clamped and you could face a fine of up to £2,500 or five times the amount of tax owed.
If you have found a note stating “This is an untaxed vehicle” on a car that you have declared as SORN, chances are you have unknowingly parked in a public place. SORN doesn’t purely mean you can’t be on a road – you can’t be anywhere public. Some car parks are public land, so ensure that you have parked your SORN vehicle on private property.
Does SORN happen automatically if you don’t tax a car?
No, your car won’t be automatically SORNed if you don’t tax it. Failing to tax your car will mean it just sits there untaxed, even if it’s on your driveway doing nothing. An untaxed car without a SORN registration will trigger an automatic fine from the DVLA. The fine will cost you £80, unless you pay within the first month in which the penalty is halved to £40..
How To Tax A Sorn Vehicle At Post Office
IF you’re taxing your vehicle at a Post Office that deals with vehicle tax, then you’ll need to bring either the V5C or a V62 form (which applies for a new V5). You will also need evidence of your car’s MOT status and the ability to make a payment there and then.
Will DVLA automatically refund car tax?
If you have paid for more tax than you’ve used then this will be refunded to you automatically by the DVLA. You will receive any full months unused. For example, if you’ve paid a full 12 months but are SORNing after six and a half, you’ll get five months’ worth back.
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
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