Insurance v SORN question

[GJB]

Question -

If I cancel the motor insurance on my car and take the car off the road do I have to declare the vehicle as SORN. I have no knowledge that this is the case and assumed that these were not related, tax v motor policy. I thought the only issue regarding SORN was that you'd be in trouble if the car was actually physically on the road. Not aware of any other issues but await correction?

[TooMany2cvs]

GJB said:

Question -

If I cancel the motor insurance on my car and take the car off the road do I have to declare the vehicle as SORN. I have no knowledge that this is the case and assumed that these were not related, tax v motor policy. I thought the only issue regarding SORN was that you'd be in trouble if the car was actually physically on the road. Not aware of any other issues but await correction?

Yes.

The continuous insurance laws, which came into force in 2011, mean that you MUST have insurance at all times a car's taxed.

[GJB]

So if the car is off the road but not declared SORN without insurance cover who pursues the legal side?

I ask this because it's happened to my son when he was abroad and I thought he was telling me porkies.

Car was off the road, not SORN and not insured.

[TwigtheWonderkid]

It's not an endorsable offence, but up to £1000 fine from DVLA. As said, if taxed, it must be insured.

[GJB]

So if the car is off the road but not declared SORN without insurance cover who pursues the legal side?

I ask this because it's happened to my son when he was abroad and I thought he was telling me porkies.

Car was off the road, not SORN and not insured.

[the_lone_wolf]

GJB said:

So if the car is off the road but not declared SORN without insurance cover who pursues the legal side?

As above...

DVLA are the ones who fine you...

Then they'll follow whatever procedure they normally would to collect the fine, I suspect the end result of failing to pay would involve legal action and a CCJ, bailiffs, etc...

[Old Merc]

This topic has been done to death,I'm surprised people are still asking questions.
Its simple a car HAS TO BE taxed and insured 24/7. OR SORNED and parked completely off the road.

[TooMany2cvs]

Old Merc said:

This topic has been done to death,I'm surprised people are still asking questions.
Its simple a car HAS TO BE taxed and insured 24/7. OR SORNED and parked completely off the road.

<nods>
...five years since CI was introduced...

Mind you, 18yrs since SORN was introduced, people still have a problem with that not-very-hard concept...

[Old Merc]

If the car is valuable it would be sensible to insure it for fire,theft and damage even when SORNED.