Reg Plates And SORN Road Tax For Vehicles

All cars registered in the UK have to be taxed annually. Not renewing car tax is a criminal offence, and is picked up very quickly by the police. If you plan to have your car off the road for an extended period of time, you need to apply for something called a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN) to avoid being liable for tax during that time.

You could be fined up to £2,500 if you drive a car that’s subject to a SORN on the road. One exception to this rule is allowed: if you can prove you’re driving your car to its MoT test.

It makes no difference if your car spends all its time parked up on your drive; it still needs be taxed. If you don’t want to tax it and you’re not going to use it for a while, your only option is to apply to the DVLA for a SORN.

Having one of these means you don’t have to tax your car, as long as you keep it off the road. It could save you a lot of money if you don’t plan to drive your car for a long period of time, like if you’re travelling abroad for more than a month or if it’s not roadworthy for whatever reason. But as soon as the vehicle even touches a road, you’ll need to pay tax, as driving it would overturn the SORN.

What do I need to do to SORN a vehicle?

If you’re absolutely sure you won’t use the vehicle, it’s easy to do by going to www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn, calling the DVLA on 0300 123 4321 or by posting a completed V90 form to its HQ in Swansea.

The 11-digit reference number from your car’s V5C (logbook) or 16-digit reference number from a road-tax renewal letter will be necessary here. Your car’s registration number, make and model will also be required. Enter the date you wish the SORN to begin as well. The DVLA will refund you any unused road tax.

You won’t need to renew the SORN each year. Instead, it’ll lapse when you notify the DVLA you wish to start paying road tax on it again, or it has a change of owner (you might sell it).

Because a SORN cannot be transferred from one owner to another, if you buy a car that’s the subject of a SORN, you have to apply to the DVLA to have it cancelled. Either way, the DVLA will regard the SORN as having ended with the change of owner and road tax will become due once more.

As long as they adhere to a few special conditions, vehicle testers and motor traders don’t have to apply for a SORN.

We pride ourselves on our excellent reputation for customer service and competitive prices and have many letters of recommendation from our customers over the years. We will always go the extra mile to ensure you receive the highest levels of service.

Our team of trained personalised number plate staff will professionally handle your transfer as swiftly as possible with all paperwork change over handled for you including the V5C, tax and MOT records. We offer advice without technical 'jargon', and are always competitive on price.

If you are looking to sell a private plate, our personalised registration plates valuations department can give you an accurate market value on your registration number by post or by e-mail.