Website of the UK government

When to make a SORN

Make a SORN as soon as you take your vehicle off the road.

If your tax or SORN is due to run out at the end of the month, make a SORN from the fifth day of the month.

SORN cannot be backdated.

• More about when to make a SORN

Ways to make a SORN

You can make a SORN:

Online

Use the reference number shown on your Registration Certificate or V11 reminder form.

• Make a SORN online (opens new window)

By phone

Call 0870 850 4444 – use the reference number shown on your Registration Certificate or V11 reminder form.

At a Post Office® branch with your V11 reminder

Use the V11 reminder in person at any Post Office® branch that issues tax discs or by post to the address shown on the reminder form.

• Find your nearest Post Office® branch that issues tax discs (opens new window)

By post without a reminder

Use completed form V890 ‘Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)’ and post to DVLA, Swansea SA99 1AR.

When applying for a refund

If your tax disc has complete months left to run, you can make a SORN at the same time you apply for a refund of vehicle tax.

• How to apply for a refund of vehicle tax

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

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

Alternatively, you can make a SORN online or by phone at the time it’s due or get someone to make a SORN for you while you’re abroad.

Not yet registered as the vehicle keeper

If the vehicle isn’t already registered in your name, you must submit the Registration Certificate (your details completed in section six) with your SORN notification. If you don’t have the certificate, you must complete Form V62 ‘Application for a Registration Certificate (V5C)’ instead.

Forms V890 and V62

You can download forms V890 and V62 or collect them from any Post Office® branch or Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) local office.

• Download ‘Statutory Off Road Notification’ - form V890 (PDF, 45K)
• Download ‘Application form for a Vehicle Registration Certificate V5C’ - form V62 (PDF, 57K)
• Help with PDF files
• Find your nearest DVLA local office

What happens next

DVLA should send you a letter confirming SORN. If you don’t receive the letter after four weeks of making SORN, you should contact DVLA customer enquiries.

• DVLA contact details

If you have a V85/1 ‘HGV reminder’

Take or send the V85/1 reminder to a DVLA local office.