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How does SORN affect me as a motor trader?

Motor traders who have vehicles temporarily in their possession in the course of their business are not required to tell the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that the vehicle is being kept off the road unless the vehicle is registered in their name. Telling DVLA the vehicle is off road is known as making a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).

Trade exclusions: when a SORN declaration is not required

The following are not required to make a SORN declaration in respect of vehicles temporarily in their possession in the course of their business:

  • a motor dealer (including the holder of a trade licence)
  • a vehicle auctioneer
  • a vehicle dismantler while waiting to dismantle the vehicle
  • a vehicle insurer responsible for the custody of a vehicle in connection with settling a claim
  • a finance company holding a licence under Part II of the Consumer Credit Act 1974. In respect of vehicles which are the subject of a personal credit agreement and which are in the company’s temporary possession following an order for repossession

When a SORN declaration is required

If a vehicle is registered in your business name you will need to declare SORN if:

  • there was a licence in force for the vehicle on or after 31 January 1998
  • you are registered as the keeper of the vehicle
  • the vehicle is kept off the road unlicensed

This requirement also applies to vehicles used for demonstration or courtesy purposes and to vehicles registered in a fleet operator’s name.

What you need to do

You can make a SORN declaration from the 15th day of the month in which the vehicle tax or SORN declaration expires. Do not declare SORN if you have sold, scrapped, exported the vehicle or if the vehicle has been stolen.

You can declare SORN:

  • Online - if you have a vehicle registration certificate (V5C) in your name
  • using your vehicle tax renewal reminder V11 or V85/1. The V11 should be taken to a licence issuing Post Office branch. The V85/1 should be taken to a DVLA local office. Do not post either to DVLA, Swansea.
  • by contacting DVLA customer enquiries on 0870 850 4444. Please note it is only the person shown as the registered keeper on DVLA's records and have a V5C who can make a SORN declaration by telephone
  • if you take the vehicle off the road and claim a refund of duty on your vehicle tax (tax disc) on form V14 or V33. However, you should only do this if you keep the vehicle
  • if you do not have a V11 or V85/1 and you are not applying for a refund of duty you can use form V890
  • if you are abroad and your vehicle is in the United Kingdom and is not being used or kept on the public road, it is possible for you to declare SORN eight weeks in advance. You should use form V890 accompanied by a letter of explanation detailing the registered keeper is or will be out of the county on expiry of the current tax disc. Send the form and letter to DVLA Swansea SA99 1AR

Forms V14 or V890 can be obtained by download from the Vehicle Owner Forms page or from any licence issuing Post Office branch, or your nearest DVLA local office. Form V33 is available from a DVLA local office.

What happens next

Once you have made a SORN declaration you will be sent an acknowledgement letter within four weeks confirming the details. If you do not receive the acknowledgement letter after four weeks you must immediately contact DVLA customer enquiries on 0870 240 0010.


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What will happen if you do nothing?

A vehicle keeper who does nothing on receipt of a V11 or V85/1 may be liable to prosecution as will a vehicle keeper who declares SORN, but is then found to be using the vehicle on the road. For further information please see What if I do not tax my vehicle.

How to renew a SORN declaration

SORN declarations are valid for 12 months and must be renewed, if the vehicle is kept off the road for a further period. SORN can be renewed by completing the V11, V85/1 or if these are not available a V890 SORN form can be used and is available for download here.

When can an untaxed vehicle be used on a public road?

An untaxed vehicle cannot be used or kept on a public road.

There is one exception:

You can drive an untaxed vehicle on a public road to and from a pre-arranged

  • MOT testing station
  • VIC testing station
  • an approved vehicle weight testing station which covers design weight certificate or plated revenue weight
  • reduced pollution test
  • provided that adequate insurance cover for your use of that vehicle is in place

Page last updated: 17/01/2008