Statutory Off Road Notification

General

The law on taxing your vehicle has changed, but this change only affects you if a tax disc was in force for your vehicle on or after 31/1/1998.

What is SORN ?

SORN is a new legal requirement, if you do not tax your vehicle because it will not be used or kept on public roads, you must now declare so to DVLA Swansea.

Why have SORN ?

SORN reduces the opportunity for tax dodgers to skip taxing a vehicle for a month or more while still using or keeping it on the public roads. You must by law either: tax your vehicle or make a SORN declaration. There is no 'Do Nothing' option. Enforcement is triggered direct from DVLA without the need for the vehicle to be seen on the public road.There are substantial penalties for those who break the law. You must remember to sign the form, it is a legal obligation.

How does SORN affect me ?

SORN only affects you if there was a tax disc in force for your vehicle on or after 31st January 1998. If a vehicle in your possession is taken off road (eg for repair) you must make a SORN declaration. You must also declare SORN if you take your vehicle and claim a refund of duty on your tax disc, but only if the vehicle remains in your possession.

How do I declare SORN ?

If you have received a vehicle licence renewal reminder, V11, and will not use the vehicle on the public road, use the form to declare to SORN.

What if I do not have a V11 ?

If you need to declare SORN and you do not have a V11, use form V890. You can get a V890 from the DVLA Customer Enquiry Unit on 01792 772134 or from your nearest Vehicle Registration Office.

Refund of tax

If you apply for a refund of tax, declare SORN on the refund application form V14. The notes on the form explain what to do.

What happens if I do not tax the vehicle or make a SORN declaration ?

If you use or keep your vehicle untaxed on a public road, you could be fined £1000 or 5 times the annual rate of duty of the vehicle, whichever is the greater. You will also be ordered to pay any unpaid duty on the vehicle. if you do not make a SORN declaration when you should, you could be fined £1000. The maximum penalty for making a false declaration by declaring SORN when a vehicle is actually used or kept untaxed on a public road is £5000 and 2 years imprisonment.