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Vehicles · DVLA rules

SORN Declaration

A SORN takes your vehicle legally off the road — you stop paying VED and the unused months are refunded. The vehicle must be kept on private property and can’t be driven.

£
mo

Estimated refund

£110.83

Breakdown

  • Monthly VED rate
    £16
  • Full months refunded
    £7
  • Refund cheque
    £111

How we calculated your result

We divide your annual VED by 12 to get a monthly rate, then multiply by full months remaining. DVLA rounds part-months down — only complete unused months refund.

Official UK rules in simple English

  • Declare a SORN at gov.uk/make-a-sorn — free and instant.
  • Refund cheque arrives in 6 weeks, sent to the registered keeper.
  • Direct debits cancel automatically.
  • Vehicle must be on private land (driveway, garage) — never the public road.
  • Re-tax it before driving — even to an MOT (with proof of pre-booked test you can drive directly there).

Common pitfalls to watch out for

  • ⚠ Insurance still required?

    Continuous Insurance Enforcement doesn’t apply to SORNed vehicles — so you can drop insurance. But check for fire/theft coverage if it’s in a garage.

  • ⚠ Driving while SORN

    £2,500 fine and possible prosecution. The car is seen by ANPR every time it leaves the drive.

  • ⚠ Selling a SORNed car

    The SORN doesn’t transfer. The new owner must tax it before driving away.

Frequently asked questions

Can I refund a part-month?
No — DVLA only refunds full unused months from when the SORN takes effect.
Do I need an MOT while SORN?
No, but you’ll need a current MOT to re-tax it when you want to drive again.
Can the council ticket a SORNed car on the road?
Yes — and DVLA will reverse the SORN and fine you.

Indicative refund only. Actual refund depends on the exact date DVLA processes your SORN.

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