Step-by-step guide to returning a SORN car to the road

Owning a classic car that has been declared off the road under a SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notification) can be ideal for storage, restoration and saving money on tax. But when the time comes to get it back on the road, the process can feel confusing if you haven’t done it before.

We’re often asked how to bring a SORN vehicle back into use safely, legally and without stress. In this guide, we break down each step clearly, so you know exactly what to do.

What does it mean to have a SORN

A SORN is a declaration to the DVLA that a vehicle is being kept off public roads and therefore does not need to be taxed or insured while in that state. You must have declared a SORN if your vehicle isn’t taxed and you are not planning to use it on public roads.

A SORN remains valid indefinitely until you either tax the car again or the vehicle is sold, scrapped, or permanently exported. You cannot drive or keep an untaxed, uninsured vehicle on a public road unless it has a current SORN.

How to get it back on the road:

1 Step : Check what you need before you start

Before you do anything else, make sure you have:

• Your V5C logbook (registration document) or the recent V11 tax reminder reference number.
• An idea of the car’s MOT status. If it expired while your car was SORN, a valid MOT may be needed before you tax it.
• An insurance plan. You must have valid insurance in place before the car hits the road again.

Step 2: Check MOT and roadworthiness

You will usually need a valid MOT to tax the vehicle again unless it is under three years old or an eligible historic vehicle.

If the MOT has expired:

• Book a test at an authorised MOT centre.
• You can drive your SORN car only to and from a pre-booked MOT appointment without tax in place. During this move, you must have insurance. 

Once the MOT is passed and you have the certificate, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 3: Insure the car

You cannot drive on public roads without valid motor insurance. This includes journeys to MOTs, recovery, loading or transport. Many owners arrange cover specifically for the MOT and then change it once the car is taxed.

Ensure the policy covers the intended use, including any movement to or from testing or storage locations.

Step 4: Tax your vehicle to cancel the SORN

Cancelling a SORN is straightforward. Once you pay vehicle tax, the SORN is automatically cancelled, and the vehicle becomes legal to use on public roads, provided it has an MOT and insurance. 

You can tax the car via the official GOV.UK page. You’ll need your V5C reference or V11 number, and you can pay for 6 or 12 months of tax.

Road tax is not transferable from one owner to another when a car is sold. The new owner must tax the vehicle themselves before driving it legally. 

Step 5: Final checks before you hit the road

Once tax is in place:

• Make sure the MOT certificate is valid and the car has passed its most recent test.
• Confirm insurance is active and appropriate for the planned use.
• Double-check your DVLA records show the vehicle is taxed and not SORN anymore.
• With tax, MOT and insurance in place, your classic car is road legal again.

Does my car need road tax to sell it?

A question we hear frequently is Does my car need road tax to sell it. The short answer is no.

At Phil Mires Classic Cars, we do not require sellers to tax their vehicle before sale. We use trade plates for movement, and do not need each vehicle to be taxed for us to collect it. Road tax is no longer transferable between owners, and many classic vehicles we buy arrive with no current tax, especially this time of year.

That said, if you want to get the best possible price in the second-hand market, it helps to have a valid MOT and clear paperwork ready for the buyer.

Ready to get your classic on the move again? Contact us today and let’s make it happen. Visit our dedicated SORN page here.