Do you need to tax a car you’re not driving? (SORN explained)
If your car is off the road you can declare it SORN and stop paying tax and insurance — but only if it’s kept on private land, not the public road.
If a car is sitting unused — between owners, off the road for repairs, or a project in the garage — a SORN stops you paying tax you don’t need. Here’s how it works.
When you can SORN
How to declare a SORN
- 1Make sure it’s off the roadIt must be kept on private property — a driveway, garage or land, not the street.
- 2Declare SORN on GOV.UKFree, using the reference number from your V5C logbook or tax reminder.
- 3Get your tax refundYou’re automatically refunded for any full remaining months of vehicle tax.
Coming back on the road
A SORN lasts until you tax the car again — you don’t renew it yearly. Before you drive, tax and insure the car; driving a SORN’d vehicle (except to a pre-booked MOT) is an offence.
In short
You only need to tax a car that’s kept on the public road. If it’s genuinely off the road, declare a free SORN with the DVLA to stop paying tax (and get a refund for full remaining months). Tax and insure it again before you next drive.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep an untaxed car on the road if I don’t drive it?
No. Any vehicle kept on a public road must be taxed and insured, whether or not it’s being driven. To stop paying, the car must be kept off the road and declared SORN.
Does a SORN cost anything?
No — declaring a SORN with the DVLA is free. When you SORN a taxed car you’re also refunded for any full remaining months of tax automatically.
How long does a SORN last?
Until you tax the car again — there’s no need to renew it annually (the current rules removed the yearly SORN). Tax and insure it before you drive it again.
Sources & last checked
- Register your vehicle as off the road (SORN) — GOV.UK
- Vehicle tax — GOV.UK
Last checked against official sources: 9 July 2026.