Motorists could save hundreds of pounds every year on their car tax through a DVLA scheme, although breaking rules could see them slapped with enormous £2,500 fines.
Through the DVLA’s Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) scheme, drivers are able to register their vehicles as off the road, meaning they don’t have to pay tax.
This is often done by motorists if they are travelling for an extended period of time, as they could save themselves hundreds or potentially even thousands of pounds.
However, strict rules apply about where SORN vehicles can be kept and can result in substantial penalties if broken, with the most serious cases attracting fines of thousands of pounds.
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Motorists have been warned of declaring their vehicle SORN if they cannot keep it off a public road
PA/DVLA
The DVLA states that any car kept on public roads must be taxed and insured, but can be declared SORN if kept off-road on private property.
This exempts owners from paying vehicle tax or insurance while their car remains unused, although they cannot be kept on public roads when declared SORN.
Motoring expert Richard Dornan warns that many UK motorists are wasting money on tax and insurance for vehicles they aren’t using.
He said: “If a vehicle is not in use and kept off-road, such as in a garage or on private land, it can be declared SORN.
“If you want to SORN your car but don’t have a driveway, you could ask a family member or friend if they have private land or a garage you could use.”
Drivers face serious consequences for breaking SORN rules, with penalties escalating quickly.
“If a vehicle with a SORN in place is left on a public road, owners face an initial £30 fine, plus twice the amount of any outstanding vehicle tax,” warns Dornan.
Unpaid fines can lead to magistrates’ court proceedings, where penalties can increase to £1,000 or five times the unpaid tax, whichever is greater.
The most severe penalty applies to those caught driving a SORN vehicle, when the fine can rise to as much as £2,500.
Beyond fines, SORN violators face further financial penalties through vehicle enforcement actions, as the vehicle will be clamped.
A £100 release fee needs to be paid within 24 hours and costs will continue to escalate unless the driver pays the fine promptly.
Doenan said: “If the car is towed away, the cost jumps to £200, plus a storage charge of £21 per day once it’s in the pound.”
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Drivers can declare their vehicle SORN on the DVLA website
X/DVLA
These daily charges accumulate rapidly, potentially adding hundreds of pounds to the original fine.
Recovering an impounded vehicle requires proof of tax and insurance, along with payment of all outstanding fees.
The combined costs of fines, recovery fees and storage charges can quickly exceed the tax savings made through SORN.
