Archive Website of the UK government

How to make a SORN

You can make a SORN online or by phone as long as you are the registered keeper of the vehicle. When making a SORN online you can print the confirmation page for your records. Also, if you give your email address when making a SORN online you will receive a confirmation email for the transaction. An acknowledgement letter will not be sent.

• Motoring contacts

Make a SORN online

Use the reference number shown on your V5C registration certificate, V11 or V85/1 reminder form and declare your vehicle off road.

• Make a SORN online Opens new window

Make a SORN by phone

Call 0300 123 4321 – use the reference number shown on your V5C registration certificate, V11 or V85/1 reminder form.

Recently registered as the vehicle keeper

If you have become the registered keeper of the vehicle and received your V5C during the current month you will need to fill in a V890 ‘Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)’ form and send it to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AR.

For example, if you became the keeper on 4 December and received the V5C on 26 December you will need to fill in a V890. If you became the keeper on 28 November and received the V5C on 20 December you could SORN online or by phone.

• Download 'Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) - form V890' (PDF, 160K)

• Help with PDF files

Not yet registered as the vehicle keeper

If the vehicle isn't registered in your name, you must fill in section six and sign section eight on the V5C and fill in a V890. If you don't have the V5C you must fill in a 'Application for a registration certificate' (V62) (fee payable). Send in both the V890 and V5C or V62 to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AR.

• Download ‘Application form for a vehicle registration certificate V5C - form V62' (PDF, 203K)

• Help with PDF files

Applying for a refund or returning a nil value disc

When applying for a refund or returning a nil value tax disc because you’re keeping the vehicle off the road, you must make a SORN. The SORN can be made on the V14 application form.

• How to apply for a refund of vehicle tax

• Download ‘ V14 application for a refund of vehicle ' (PDF, 167K)

• Help with PDF files

SORN or vehicle tax due to expire while you’re abroad

The vehicle must be in and remain in Great Britain to make a SORN. You can make a SORN up to two calendar months in advance. Fill in a V890 together with a letter explaining why you’re applying so far in advance and post them to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AR.

You can make a SORN online or by phone when it’s due, or get someone to post your SORN application to DVLA on your behalf while you’re abroad.

If you want to renew your tax in advance, you can do this up to two calendar months in advance. You can renew at a Post Office® branch that deals with advance applications or a Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) local office.

• Taxing your vehicle in advance

• Download ‘Find your nearest Post Office® branch that deals with advance applications’ (PDF, 79K)

• Help with PDF files

• Find your nearest DVLA local office

Buying a vehicle that has a SORN

If you buy a vehicle that already has a SORN made by the previous keeper, that SORN will come to an end on the date you buy the vehicle. You must make a new SORN if you are keeping the vehicle untaxed off the public road. You cannot transfer a SORN.

How to tax if your vehicle has a SORN

If you are putting your vehicle back on the road, you can tax your vehicle at any time using your V5C. You can do this online or by phone.

• Apply for a tax disc online or by phone

• How to tax your vehicle without a reminder

What happens next

After making a SORN DVLA should send you a letter confirming this. If you don’t receive the letter after four weeks of making SORN, you should contact DVLA customer enquiries immediately on 0300 790 6802 (if you have made a SORN in advance you should wait four weeks after the expiry of previous tax or SORN).