Declaring your vehicle off road with a SORN means you won't be able to drive or park it on a public road. Your vehicle will need to be kept in a garage or on private land, like your driveway.
Moving a SORN car cannot be done under its own power. Because SORN vehicles cannot be driven or towed, you will need to arrange an alternative type of transport. The simplest way to think about it is that a SORN vehicle's wheels can not touch the road network.
The most important piece of this, though, is that it must stay off the road at all times. SORN cars cannot be on any part of the public highway at any time. This includes parked on roads or in public car parks, even if they're not moving.
Your vehicle can also be seized if it's being driven on a public road or place and: it hasn't been taxed for two months and one day or longer. it's registered as SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)
Yes, you can still have your car clamped on private land, but it can only be done by specific bodies, namely the police, DVLA, or local authority. But this would only happen if your vehicle is parked illegally, obstructively, dangerously, or is broken down.
It is an offence not to declare a Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN) when a vehicle is untaxed or uninsured. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) monitors compliance through real-time data.
How long does a SORN last? Once registered, SORN lasts indefinitely. There is no need to renew or update a SORN until you intend sell your car, scrap it or return it to the road. It is also worth remembering that SORN does not transfer between owners.
Another common question from people with SORN cars is, “Can I drive an untaxed car to an MOT appointment?” Similar to the rules around driving SORN cars, the only situation where it's permitted to drive an untaxed vehicle is to a pre-booked MOT appointment.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are used to scan registrations and check them against information stored in the DVLA's database. If your vehicle is found to be untaxed, an officer may issue you with a fine.
Again, regardless of whether it is being used or not, in the absence of a SORN declaration, an offence is committed and the DVLA will issue a Fixed Penalty of £100, reduced to £50 if paid within 21 days. If it is ignored, the DVLA can and will refer the case to Court, resulting in a fine up to £1,000.
To be pedantic, “unSORNing” isn't a thing. There is only one way to remove a SORN from a vehicle, and that is to tax it. SORN and tax are both linked, and you cannot have one without the other being removed. As soon as you SORN a car, you remove the tax from it.
You must have motor insurance for your vehicle if you use it on roads and in public places. You'll also need to meet all the legal obligations for drivers before you can drive. You do not need to insure your vehicle if it is kept off the road and declared as off the road ( SORN ).
You can keep a SORN car anywhere so long as it is away from the road. Most SORN vehicles are kept safely stored in garages or on driveways. If you have private land, then you are able to keep a SORN car here. You cannot, however, keep a SORN car in a residential car park.
No, it is not illegal to sleep in your car. As long as you are safely and legally parked, and you are sober and not under then influence of drugs then there is no problem with taking a nap in your car. In fact, it can be the safest thing to do if you are drifting off.
Your car can be clamped if: it's parked illegally: police and local councils can clamp cars which are illegally parked on roads and public land, or causing an obstruction – this includes cars that have broken down. your insurance is invalid: police can clamp any uninsured vehicle.
Please log onto https://pay.apcoa.ie where you can view full information relating to your clamp including photographs taken at the time of the offence.
Reverting a SORN is relatively straightforward; all you have to do is get the car taxed again. This can be done either through the DVLA website or over the phone. Make sure you have the 11-digit reference number on the car's V5C to hand.