SORN and 'off the road'
Discussion
Hi, due to a trip abroad (around 6 months) I am looking to SORN my car so that I don't have to pay for insurance when it won't be used. I'm aware that the car will have to be kept off the public road, however I am looking for peoples opinions on whether or not my drive would be acceptable for the storage of the SORNd car.
We live in a new build property in a cul-de-sac which has 2 car parking spaces to the front of it ( in place of a front garden). These spaces are for our cars and we consider them to be our property and our 'drive'. The issue I have is that these spaces are not fenced/gated off and although I am sure that the land is ours, if I leave the car there uninsured am I risking it being clamped by the DVLA?
I've attached a screenshot (this isn't our house but it is a similar setup, no front garden, 2 parking spaces/driveway but not fenced off).
Would I be able to leave my SORNd car here without worry?
Any useful info/opinions much appreciated.
We live in a new build property in a cul-de-sac which has 2 car parking spaces to the front of it ( in place of a front garden). These spaces are for our cars and we consider them to be our property and our 'drive'. The issue I have is that these spaces are not fenced/gated off and although I am sure that the land is ours, if I leave the car there uninsured am I risking it being clamped by the DVLA?
I've attached a screenshot (this isn't our house but it is a similar setup, no front garden, 2 parking spaces/driveway but not fenced off).
Would I be able to leave my SORNd car here without worry?
Any useful info/opinions much appreciated.
If it's your drive then it's fine for SORN and not being insured.
calibrax said:
As I understand it, if it's in a place that the public have access to, regardless of who owns it, then you need it insured to park it there. I could be wrong...
You're wrong Edited by calibrax on Thursday 23 July 23:01
ben_h100 said:
Would I be able to leave my SORNd car here without worry?
You should be able to, but I wouldn't trust them not to do something anyway... would you have someone who would spot if your car had been ticketed/clamped and could deal with it on your behalf before your return?Here's a thread with my experiences from a few months back: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
who maintains it? you or the council
if it's maintained at public expense then you can't keep a an untaxed vehicle on it, if it's maintained by you or a managment agency paid for by you then it should be fine, however chances are you'll have some sort of covenent about displaying a current road fund licence, or something equally badly worded to try and prevent people turning thier front drives into what look like scrap yards
if it's maintained at public expense then you can't keep a an untaxed vehicle on it, if it's maintained by you or a managment agency paid for by you then it should be fine, however chances are you'll have some sort of covenent about displaying a current road fund licence, or something equally badly worded to try and prevent people turning thier front drives into what look like scrap yards
ging84 said:
who maintains it? you or the council
if it's maintained at public expense then you can't keep a an untaxed vehicle on it, if it's maintained by you or a managment agency paid for by you then it should be fine, however chances are you'll have some sort of covenent about displaying a current road fund licence, or something equally badly worded to try and prevent people turning thier front drives into what look like scrap yards
I've yet to see anyone ever enforce that. Where I live most houses are leasehold on 999 year leases. Most modern houses have all sorts of bizarre covenants around all sorts and none of which would ever be enforced. Satellite dishes can't be on the front of houses as an example of the daft crap that gets shoved in and completely ignored, or no commercial vehicles, or caravans, no illegal drugs on the premises. I seriously doubt the leaseholder could take my house off me if I smoke a joint, or stick a satellite dish on the front of it. if it's maintained at public expense then you can't keep a an untaxed vehicle on it, if it's maintained by you or a managment agency paid for by you then it should be fine, however chances are you'll have some sort of covenent about displaying a current road fund licence, or something equally badly worded to try and prevent people turning thier front drives into what look like scrap yards
it's not just leases, they put them as covenants on freeholds too
they don't get enforced unless there is a militant residents association, or a management agency keen to pick up extra jobs that they can pay someone else for and charge more than the origonal bill on top of that for their management fee, particularly if there is a chance of an expensive legal fight which win or lose they are billing the residents for, along with the obligatory 110% admin fee.
they don't get enforced unless there is a militant residents association, or a management agency keen to pick up extra jobs that they can pay someone else for and charge more than the origonal bill on top of that for their management fee, particularly if there is a chance of an expensive legal fight which win or lose they are billing the residents for, along with the obligatory 110% admin fee.
Swervin_Mervin said:
Why would you not want your car insured whilst you're away? 
It's a cheap runaround that I will either trade in for something newer or do up and run for a few months, not decided yet. Value is <£1000.I'll look at the lease. If it comes to it I will consider buying a cover for the car so that the numberplates are not visible to any militant residents or DVLA/management companies. The land is definitely ours.
ben_h100 said:
I'll look at the lease. If it comes to it I will consider buying a cover for the car so that the numberplates are not visible to any militant residents or DVLA/management companies. The land is definitely ours.
Or depending on the means of fixing, remove the number-plates. Not compulsory on private land.Collectingbrass said:
Flog it to WBAC, pay off any finance, stick the rest in a 180 day notice savings account and use that + the earned interest as a deposit on a replacement when you get back.. You'll make more in interest than the car will loose in depreciation and TPF&T insurance will cost you.
Excuse me?Six months? It's worth less that £1000? WBAC will offer £250. How much interest will he earn?
ging84 said:
who maintains it? you or the council
if it's maintained at public expense then you can't keep a an untaxed vehicle on it, if it's maintained by you or a managment agency paid for by you then it should be fine, however chances are you'll have some sort of covenent about displaying a current road fund licence, or something equally badly worded to try and prevent people turning thier front drives into what look like scrap yards
Surely that's completely unenforceable now that tax discs don't exist?if it's maintained at public expense then you can't keep a an untaxed vehicle on it, if it's maintained by you or a managment agency paid for by you then it should be fine, however chances are you'll have some sort of covenent about displaying a current road fund licence, or something equally badly worded to try and prevent people turning thier front drives into what look like scrap yards
OP I think you are confused as if you SORN a car then you do not have to tax it.You will still need insurance if something happens to the car like it gets stolen.I would check with the DVLA to make sure your car has been SORN after you have done it then there will be no problems with you leaving it on your drive.
btcc123 said:
OP I think you are confused as if you SORN a car then you do not have to tax it.You will still need insurance if something happens to the car like it gets stolen.I would check with the DVLA to make sure your car has been SORN after you have done it then there will be no problems with you leaving it on your drive.
If it's SORNed then he has no legal obligation to insure it. I agree though, if it's worth anything to you then you'd bit silly not to insure it against theft. Might be quite cheap if you put it on a very limited mileage policy.SonicShadow said:
If it's SORNed then he has no legal obligation to insure it. I agree though, if it's worth anything to you then you'd bit silly not to insure it against theft. Might be quite cheap if you put it on a very limited mileage policy.
Even cheaper if you get "laid up" insurance which doesn't cover road risks, but does cover damage/fire/theft.SonicShadow said:
If it's SORNed then he has no legal obligation to insure it. I agree though, if it's worth anything to you then you'd bit silly not to insure it against theft. Might be quite cheap if you put it on a very limited mileage policy.
Wonder how much a 3rd party fire and theft policy with say 10 miles would cost?Forums | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff