SORN Advice Please…

[Anonymous]

Morning All.

This post is non-political…

For the first time in seven years I want to withdraw my road tax contribution for December/January/February.

What’s the best way to do this? I’ve heard/read you just need to cancel your DD. Is that the case or do I need to officially SORN for three months.

TIA

 

[Cluck]

To the best of my knowledge (which is limited at best), if the car is not taxed then it must be declared as SORN. You can't simply "do nothing"

And just to check, I googled it. The RAC advises thus:

"If you have a vehicle and no intention of driving it on the road, you must inform the DVLA by officially registering the vehicle as being off the road.

Registering a SORN means the car's owner can avoid paying vehicle tax.

You cannot just stop paying tax. Motorists can be fined £80 for failing to tax a car if it hasn't been registered with a SORN."

source - https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/legal/what-does-sorn-mean/


EDIT: From gov.uk

"You must make a SORN in any of the following situations:

your vehicle is not taxed
your vehicle is not insured (even for a short time, for example because there’s a delay renewing your policy)
you want to break a vehicle down for parts before you scrap it
you buy or receive a vehicle and want to keep it off the road (you cannot transfer a SORN from the previous keeper)"

source - https://www.gov.uk/sorn-statutory-off-road-notification

 

[cj10jeeper]

You need to apply for SORN when you're ready to take your vehicle off the road, so during November.
Real easy via the .gov site as I know from having 2 vehicles on it

https://www.gov.uk/make-a-sorn

Of course if you stop the DD the tax won't get paid but you still need to make a SORN
Just apply for tax when you want it on the road again

 

[Nigelc]

Slightly different scenario. If you have paid in advance for 6 or 12 months VED, I assume you simply get a refund for any full months where SORN is declared within the taxed period?

 

[cj10jeeper]

Slightly different scenario. If you have paid in advance for 6 or 12 months VED, I assume you simply get a refund for any full months where SORN is declared within the taxed period?

Yes, the registered keeper will get an automatic tax refund for any full unused months of RFL from the point the SORN application is processed.
Zero of course if you process it in the last month of RFL

 

[Anonymous]

As always, thank you

Final question…

So just cancel my DD for Dec. Then remove SORN & reinstate DD ready for March?

 

[cj10jeeper]

As always, thank you

Final question…

So just cancel my DD for Dec. Then remove SORN & reinstate DD ready for March?

That’s not quite correct as you need apply for SORN before December, then next year tax the vehicle. Never paid by instalment, but I assume you set up a new dd.

 

[Nigelc]

Slightly different scenario. If you have paid in advance for 6 or 12 months VED, I assume you simply get a refund for any full months where SORN is declared within the taxed period?

Yes, the registered keeper will get an automatic tax refund for any full unused months of RFL from the point the SORN application is processed.
Zero of course if you process it in the last month of RFL

Thank you. Just checked and mine renews on 1st January (6 months from purchase date). I'll SORN in Jan and Feb ready to hit the road in spring. Sadly, my car was registered at end of March 2017 so I have to pay the premium VED rate otherwise it would be hardly worth it for just two months..

 

[Kev]

Don't forget to check your insurance cover whilst it's off the road

 

[TH51]

Just checked and mine renews on 1st January (6 months from purchase date). I'll SORN in Jan and Feb ready to hit the road in spring. Sadly, my car was registered at end of March 2017 so I have to pay the premium VED rate otherwise it would be hardly worth it for just two months..

If you're SORNing for January don't forget to do it in December.

Similarly, if you're retaxing for February make sure you either wait until February 1st or ensure you state it when reapplying.

 

[Billymcmred]

Just a small point to add, if you SORN the car it can’t be parked on a public road, driveway, private road / land is fine, I know it sounds obvious but just mentioning just in case