How to Tax a SORN Car: 3 Methods and What You Need

Taxing a SORN car requires a valid MOT, active car insurance, and your V5C logbook or V11 reminder letter. You can tax it online at gov.uk, by phone, or at a Post Office. The SORN is cancelled automatically once payment is made.

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What Is a SORN Car?

A SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) car is a vehicle declared as off the road and exempt from road tax. SORN status means the car cannot be driven or parked on public roads legally.

SORN was introduced in the UK under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. It applies to any vehicle not in use on public roads, including cars stored in garages or on private land.

Why Do People SORN a Car?

Reasons to SORN a car include:

• The vehicle is not roadworthy
• The owner wants to avoid paying road tax during non-use
• The car is being restored or repaired
• The owner is travelling abroad for an extended period

According to DVLA data, over 2 million vehicles in the UK are registered as SORN at any given time.

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What Do You Need to Tax a SORN Car?

There are 3 requirements to tax a SORN car:

1. A valid MOT certificate

2. Active car insurance

3. A V5C logbook or V11 reminder letter

All 3 must be in place before the DVLA processes a tax application. Taxing a car without a valid MOT or insurance is a criminal offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

What If You Do Not Have a V5C?

If your V5C is lost or damaged, apply for a replacement at gov.uk/get-vehicle-information-from-dvla. The replacement fee is £25. Processing takes up to 6 weeks by post, but you can tax the car using the 11-digit reference number from a V11 reminder letter in the meantime.

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How Do You Tax a SORN Car Online?

Taxing a SORN car online at gov.uk is the fastest method. The process takes under 5 minutes.

Steps to tax a SORN car online:

1. Go to gov.uk/vehicle-tax

2. Enter the 16-digit reference number from your V11 reminder letter, or the 11-digit reference from your V5C

3. Confirm the vehicle details are correct

4. Select a payment option - monthly, 6-monthly, or annually

5. Enter payment details and confirm

Tax is active immediately after payment. The DVLA sends a confirmation email within 2 hours. You do not receive a physical tax disc, as these were abolished in October 2014.

What Are the Road Tax Costs in 2024?

Road tax rates for cars registered after April 2017 are based on CO2 emissions for the first year, then move to a flat standard rate.

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How Do You Tax a SORN Car by Phone?

To tax a SORN car by phone, call the DVLA on 0300 123 4321. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Steps to tax by phone:

1. Call 0300 123 4321

2. Have your V5C or V11 reference number ready

3. Follow the automated instructions

4. Provide payment details

The phone service uses an automated system. Tax is applied immediately after the call is completed.

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How Do You Tax a SORN Car at a Post Office?

Post Office taxation requires you to bring physical documents in person. This method is useful if you do not have internet access or prefer face-to-face service.

Documents to bring to the Post Office:

• V5C logbook (new keeper supplement if recently purchased)
• Valid MOT certificate
• Proof of insurance
• Payment method

Not all Post Office branches handle vehicle tax. Use the Post Office branch finder at postoffice.co.uk to locate a branch that offers this service.

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Can You Drive a SORN Car to an MOT Test?

A SORN car can be driven to a pre-booked MOT test without road tax. This is one of the few legal exceptions under DVLA rules.

The journey must be directly to and from the MOT testing station. Any deviation from this route is a legal offence and can result in a fixed penalty notice of £80.

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What Happens If You Drive a SORN Car Without Taxing It?

Driving a SORN car on a public road without valid road tax is an offence under the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994. Penalties include:

• A fixed penalty of £80 (reduced to £40 if paid within 28 days)
• Court prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000
• Vehicle clamping or impoundment by DVLA enforcement teams

DVLA uses automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras across the UK road network to detect untaxed vehicles. Detection rates have increased since the introduction of ANPR monitoring in 2013.

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How Long Does It Take to Tax a SORN Car?

Taxing a SORN car takes under 5 minutes online or by phone. The tax is applied immediately after payment is confirmed.

Post Office applications are also processed on the same day. There is no waiting period once all required documents are verified.

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How Do You Check If a SORN Car Is Taxed?

Check the tax status of any vehicle at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. Enter the vehicle registration number to see:

• Current tax status
• MOT expiry date
• SORN status

This service is free and available 24 hours a day. It updates within 5 working days of a tax payment being processed.

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Can You Get a Road Tax Refund After SORN?

A road tax refund is issued automatically when a car is declared SORN. DVLA refunds any full remaining months of paid road tax.

Refunds are sent by cheque to the registered keeper's address within 6 weeks. Direct debit payments are cancelled automatically when SORN is applied.

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What Are the 3 Most Common Mistakes When Taxing a SORN Car?

1. Taxing without a valid MOT - the DVLA checks MOT status in real time. An expired MOT blocks the tax application.

2. Using expired insurance - continuous insurance enforcement (CIE) data is checked automatically during the taxing process.

3. Using the wrong reference number - the V11 uses a 16-digit reference and the V5C uses an 11-digit reference. Entering the wrong one causes an application error.

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What Should You Do After Taxing a SORN Car?

After taxing a SORN car, 3 steps confirm the vehicle is road-legal:

1. Check the DVLA vehicle enquiry service at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax to confirm tax is active

2. Verify MOT validity at gov.uk/check-mot-status

3. Confirm insurance is active with your provider

A vehicle is ready to use on public roads as soon as all 3 are confirmed.