Sorn Vehicles: Do You Need Insurance?

If you're taking your vehicle off the road and want to stop paying tax and insurance, you'll need to apply for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). This tells the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you won't be driving your vehicle and are declaring it as off the road. A SORN vehicle cannot be driven or parked on a public road and must be kept in a garage or on private land.

You must make a SORN if your vehicle isn't taxed or insured, even for a short time. You can apply for a SORN online, by phone, or by post. It's free to make a SORN application, and you'll receive a refund for any full months of remaining tax.

Do I need to insure a SORN vehicle if I want to protect it from accidental damage or theft?

If you want to take your car off the road and avoid paying tax and insurance, you can apply for a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). This tells the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that you won't be driving your vehicle and are declaring it as off the road. A SORN vehicle cannot be driven or parked on a public road and must be kept on private land, such as a driveway, garage, or private plot of land.

While insurance is not compulsory for a SORN vehicle, it is still at risk of accidental damage, theft, fire, or vandalism. Therefore, many people choose to insure their SORN vehicles to protect them from these risks. This type of insurance is often called 'Laid-Up Insurance' or 'SORN Cover' and is designed for cars kept on a driveway, in a garage, or in a secure building. It typically covers accidental damage and theft and is much cheaper than regular vehicle insurance.

If you decide not to insure your SORN vehicle and it is damaged or stolen, you will have to bear the cost of repairing or replacing it. Additionally, if your SORN vehicle is stolen and involved in an accident, you may be held liable for any damage caused to third parties.

In summary, while it is not legally required to insure a SORN vehicle, it is advisable to consider the risks and the potential costs involved if something happens to your vehicle. By insuring your SORN vehicle, you can protect yourself from these costs and have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is covered.

What happens if I don't insure my SORN vehicle?

If you don't insure your SORN vehicle, you could face a number of penalties. In the UK, it is a legal requirement to have at least third-party motor insurance if you own a vehicle. However, there are exceptions to this rule, including if you have a valid Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN). A SORN is a way of letting the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) know that your car does not require insurance, an MOT, or tax.

If your vehicle is not insured and you haven't declared it as off the road through a SORN, you will be sent an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL) from the DVLA, warning you to insure your vehicle or face a fixed penalty notice. If you still don't insure your vehicle, it could be seized, clamped, or destroyed, or you could be taken to court and face a maximum fine of £1,000.

It's important to note that you can only drive a vehicle with a SORN on a public road to go to or from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment. Driving a vehicle on a public road when it's declared SORN is an offence and can result in a fine of up to £2,500 if taken to court.

While insurance isn't required by the DVLA for a car that's legally considered off the road, many people choose to insure their vehicle anyway, especially if their vehicle is a classic car that they're restoring or if it's being kept somewhere private where it might get damaged. Specialist policies, often referred to as 'laid up cover' or 'SORN cover', are available from many insurers and are designed for cars that are being kept on a drive, in a garage, or in a secure building. These policies typically cover accidental damage and offer agreed valuations for classic cars.

Can I drive a SORN vehicle to an MOT station without insurance?

A SORN vehicle cannot be driven on the road, except when it is being driven directly to a pre-arranged MOT appointment at a registered garage or test centre. However, it is illegal to drive a SORN vehicle to an MOT station without insurance. If you are caught driving a SORN vehicle without insurance, you may face severe penalties, including a fine of up to £2,500 and penalty points on your driving licence.

If you need to take your SORN vehicle for an MOT, you can purchase temporary insurance from your provider to cover your journey to the test centre. This type of insurance can be bought for a day or just a few hours and will allow you to legally drive your vehicle to and from its MOT. It is important to note that the MOT appointment must be pre-booked, and you may be required to show proof of the appointment if you are stopped by the police.

If you do not want to purchase temporary insurance, you will need to arrange for the vehicle to be towed to the appointment instead. After the vehicle passes its MOT, you should ensure that it is taxed and insured before driving it on the road.

It is also worth noting that a SORN vehicle cannot be parked on a public road and must be kept on private land, such as a private driveway or garage.

What do I do if I need to use my SORN vehicle in an emergency?

If you need to use your SORN vehicle in an emergency, you must first ensure that you have valid tax, insurance, and an MOT before taking your vehicle out on the public road. You can drive your SORN vehicle to a pre-booked MOT appointment with the right insurance, and you will be able to fully tax the vehicle immediately before it's ready to hit the road with an MOT in place.

If you have bought insurance that provides laid-up cover, you will need to make sure this is upgraded to a full road-going policy before you go anywhere. It is illegal to drive a vehicle without a valid MOT. Possible punishments include a fixed £60 penalty notice, a fine of up to £1,000, or your car could be impounded.

It is also an offence to drive a vehicle on a public road in the UK without road tax, but again, the exception to the rule is if you're taking your car to a pre-booked MOT test. It is also illegal to drive a vehicle without insurance. If you're caught without insurance, you'll get an Insurance Advisory Letter (IAL), notifying you with a warning that you'll be fined unless you act in the given time period. If you don't, you could be fined a fixed penalty of £100, have your vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded, or face court prosecution with a possible maximum fine of £1,000.

If you have a SORN vehicle on your driveway and need to use it in an emergency, you must ensure that you have valid insurance, an MOT, and road tax in place before driving it on a public road.

How do I cancel a SORN?

To cancel a SORN, you must tax your vehicle. This can be done online, by phone, or by post. You will need your V5C registration document or your tax renewal reminder letter. You will also need to make sure that you have valid car insurance in place, as well as an up-to-date MOT certificate if required.

Once your vehicle is taxed, your SORN status will be automatically cancelled. You can then get back on the road, but remember to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy before driving.

It is important to note that you cannot backdate the cancellation of your SORN. If you want to drive your vehicle on a public road, you must either have valid tax, insurance, and an MOT in place, or you must be driving to a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment. Driving a vehicle with a SORN on a public road for any other reason can result in a fine of up to £2,500.

Frequently asked questions