Everyone has – or knows – a neighbour whose dodgy old cars occasionally creep out on the road. Chances are their car is just in need of a little TLC, but what happens if it’s actually been registered as SORN? Is this allowed? Can you report it? Perhaps more importantly, should you report it?
What is a SORN car?
So let’s start with the obvious question – what actually is a SORN car? SORN stands for “Statutory Off Road Notice”. We’ve explained this in greater detail here, but to give a brief description, a SORN vehicle is one that has been registered as “off the road”. This means the car no longer requires a valid MOT, tax or insurance.
The most important piece of this, though, is that it must stay off the road at all times. SORN cars cannot be on any part of the public highway at any time. This includes parked on roads or in public car parks, even if they’re not moving.
Should you report a SORN car on the road?
By the letter of the law, yes. A SORN car on the public highway is an offence, and reporting it would be the right thing to do from a legal standpoint. However, don’t naturally assume that the car is still registered as SORN – the owner may have taxed it that morning to move it (Tax and SORN is instant). If you know the owner, maybe they’re a neighbour, then a gentle word with them should be your first port of call.
If the car is blocking your driveway, then you’ll have to speak to them first anyway, and if they refuse then you’re likely to need to take further action anyway.
Who do you report a SORN car to?
If you see a SORN car in a public place, then you should report this to the DVLA. This is easily done online, and you’ll need to note down where you saw it – including the street name and postcode – as well as the car’s make, model and colour.
You may report this to police if the car is in a dangerous or nuisance place, but they may still direct you to file a report with the DVLA.
How do you report a SORN car?
Reporting a SORN car is simple, and can be done with just a few simple clicks on the DVLA website, providing you have all the details to hand. Your first site visit, however, should be to the DVLA’s page for checking if a vehicle is taxed. This service is free and will provide you an instant answer to whether it’s taxed or not – it may have been taxed without your realising. Since the removal of tax discs, there’s no way of checking if a car is taxed without carrying out an online check.
You’ll need:
- Car’s registration number (number plate)
- Car make
- Car model
- Car colour
- Town name
- Street name
- Postcode
What happens after reporting a SORN car?
After you’ve reported an untaxed car on the road, someone will come out and investigate it. If you’re expecting them to turn up with a low-loader and remove the car there and then, you’re likely to be disappointed. The most likely scenario will be that the car gets clamped and have a “THIS IS AN UNTAXED CAR” notice attached to it – meaning it will stay there even longer.
If nothing continues to be done about the car, then it may be removed and eventually scrapped. If the car has been left a long time and is still showing no signs of removal, you may wish to report it as an abandoned car to your local council.
Will they know who has reported a SORN car?
No, the owner will not be told who reported their car as untaxed and on the road. Any report filed to the DVLA is anonymous. Of course if you have previous with the owner then they may suspect it’s you, but unfortunately there’s nothing anyone can do about that.
What if the car doesn’t have an MOT?
If the car is on the road with no valid MOT, then this is a police matter rather than a licensing issue. You’ll need to let them know the car’s number plate, make and model, colour and location. The police will then investigate the issue.
If the car has been abandoned they will not be able to act. Abandoned cars fall under the remit of your local council, so you must report any abandoned vehicles to them.
FAQs
Can a SORN car be parked in a public car park?
No, vehicles registered as SORN must remain on private land and away from the public highway, including public car parks or on pavements. The car can be stored on a driveway, in a garage or tucked away on private land.
My neighbour’s SORN car is an eyesore, can I report it?
Providing the car is stored on their own property, there’s nothing you can do about it. If the car is on their driveway, it’s up to them what they do with it. While you can discuss this with them, be aware that asking them to cover something up because you think it looks ugly might not go down particularly well.
I’ve seen my neighbour driving their untaxed car, what now?
If you’ve seen someone driving an untaxed vehicle, then you should report them just as you would with an untaxed vehicle parked on the road. Again, this is an anonymous report so you can do this without fear of being found out. They will also potentially get caught anyway even if you don’t report them, as their car will flag up on any Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems. All police cars are fitted with ANPR, and many roads and car parks now use the technology, so there is a high chance of an untaxed car being caught.
SORNing and UnSORNing Hub
SORNing and UnSORNing HubExplore expert advice on tax, insurance, and legal matters for SORNed cars and motorbikes. Our Knowledge Centre offers essential information to ensure you’re fully informed to manage your vehicle off the road.
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