MOT & Tax

What is SORN and do I need one if my MOT expires?

Q: What is SORN and do I need one if my MOT expires?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It's a declaration to the DVLA that your vehicle is being kept off public roads. You do not need a SORN simply because your MOT has expired — but if you can't or won't drive the car while it's out of MOT, declaring a SORN means you won't need tax and won't be fined for keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road. The car must stay on private land while SORNed.

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification. It tells the DVLA your vehicle is off the road — meaning you don't need tax. Whether you need one when your MOT lapses depends on your situation.

A SORN is not automatically required when your MOT expires. But if you can't drive the car legally (because the MOT has gone) and it's sitting on a public road, you'll still need valid tax — or face a fine. Declaring a SORN keeps you legal while the car is off the road, and you'll get a refund on any remaining full months of tax.

What SORN means in practice

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No tax requiredOnce you SORN a vehicle, you don't need to pay or renew vehicle tax for as long as it stays SORNed.

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Tax refund issuedAny full remaining months of tax are automatically refunded to your payment method when you declare a SORN.

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No MOT needed while SORNedYou don't need a valid MOT to keep a SORNed vehicle — only to drive it on public roads.

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Car must stay on private landA SORNed vehicle cannot be parked on a public road, including directly outside your house. It must be kept on a driveway, in a garage, or on other private property.

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Cannot be drivenA SORNed vehicle cannot be driven on public roads for any reason — including driving to a garage for repairs or to get a new MOT.

When should I declare a SORN?

Consider a SORN when your MOT has expired and you're not planning to drive the car for a while — for example, while waiting for repair work, during a long trip abroad, or if the car is off the road due to an accident. It's also worth doing if the MOT has lapsed and you want to avoid paying for tax you can't legally use.

How to declare a SORN

Go to gov.uk/make-a-sorn

The DVLA's online SORN service is free and instant. You'll need your vehicle registration number and either your V5C reference number or the 11-digit number from your tax renewal letter.

Confirm the declaration

SORN takes effect immediately when submitted online. You'll receive a confirmation and your tax refund will be processed automatically.

Move the car off public roads

The car must be on private land from the moment SORN is declared. Leaving it on a public road after SORNing it could result in a fine or the vehicle being clamped.

Don't SORN and then drive to the MOT: A SORNed vehicle cannot legally be driven on a public road — even to a pre-booked MOT appointment. If you need to get an MOT, either cancel the SORN first and re-tax the car, or arrange for it to be transported (e.g. on a trailer or flatbed).

Good to know: SORN does not expire on its own. It stays in place until you tax the vehicle again (which requires a valid MOT), sell it, or scrap it.

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