As more and more people look to cut their everyday costs, declaring an unused - or underused - vehicle ‘off the road’ with a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is becoming a more common occurrence. This isn’t the only time when taking a vehicle off the road has proved popular. After just one month of lockdown, more than half a million motorists chose to SORN their vehicle, and for good reason.

Read on to discover the pros and cons of making a SORN, the advantages and disadvantages of the alternative (i.e. continuing to tax and insure your car), and how to bring a SORN to an end once you’re ready to use your vehicle once more.

Why should I SORN my vehicle?

By declaring your vehicle SORN, you no longer have to tax or insure it, and could even be eligible for a refund if your tax and/or car insurance are yet to come to an end.  Other motoring costs are also non-existent. You won’t need to have a valid MOT for instance, which will save you money on testing and repairs.

There are many instances where it makes perfect sense to SORN a vehicle. Declaring your vehicle as SORN is good idea if you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a period of more than one month, you’ve purchased a ‘doer upper’ that is not yet roadworthy, you intend to scrap your vehicle, or your insurance and tax have not been renewed.

SORN declarations are also popular among classic car owners who only drive their vehicles during the summer and keep them in storage for the rest of the year.

When should I continue to tax and insure a vehicle?

It is important to recognise that by declaring your vehicle SORN, you will not be able to use it under any circumstances until the SORN has been brought to an end. The vehicle also has to be parked ‘off the road’ on private land (i.e. in your garage or on your driveaway) for the SORN to remain valid. Failure to do this, will leave you liable for fines.

If you do not have access to private land, intend to drive your vehicle, or you’re taking your vehicle off the road for less than a month, you should continue to insure and tax it.

How do I declare my vehicle as ‘off the road’?

Whatever your reason for making a SORN, declaring your vehicle as off the road is easier than you think. Simply head to GOV.UK. There’s also no charge to SORN a vehicle. SORNs don’t have to be made annually either. To bring a SORN to an end, it must be re-taxed, sold, exported or scrapped.