Can I check a car's SORN status ?

[J111]

- and will the DVLA take any action on a car that's neither taxed nor SORNd ?

[J111]

After 50 minutes on hold with the ever helpful () DVLA - "No"

[marshalla]

No to which question ?

You can get some tax status info. from the Vehicle Enquiry page here : http://www.vehiclelicence.gov.uk/EvlPortalApp/

As for SORN action - it depends when the Tax disc expired. If it pre-dates the SORN requirement they won't/can't take action - if it's happened since, then they probably will.

[davido140]

if you dont renew tax and dont declare a SORN you (registered keeper) get an automatic fine throught the post.

£80 if memory serves.

ETA yes I did forget to tax a car once.

Edited by davido140 on Saturday 15th March 12:41

[J111]

The online search only gives tax status, not SORN, unfortunately.

According the DVLA call centre droid, if it isn't SORNd they'll send a warning, then a fine, then an enforcement officer, but they've no power to remove the car from private land.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but hasn't the government been spending the last couple of years, and our money, convincing motorists that their car will instantly be reduced to the size of a sugar cube if they don't pay their tax ?

[TigerK]

I've just done a search on my kit car which is SORN at the moment, and the status shows as "SORN not due", so it does appear to show SORN status

HTH

Tk

[J111]

TigerK said:

I've just done a search on my kit car which is SORN at the moment, and the status shows as "SORN not due", so it does appear to show SORN status

HTH

Tk

Thanks. Now I'm completely confused. I get 'unlicensed' on the car in question - the miserable Welsh bint helpful customer services agent seemed to think it only shows tax status, but not whether SORN is due

[marshalla]

Unlicensed = neither taxed nor declared SORN. If the tax expired after 31st Jan. 1998 it should have been declared SORN. Prior to that date no SORN system existed.

[Madscanner]

The DVLA search will indicate if the vehicle has either a valid RFT or SORN status - if it doesn't, it usually means the car is non-compliant.

The DVLA site also has a link to a form to complete to report an untaxed vehicle - fill it out and send it off, if you want...

Note that cars which were "off-road" before the legislation came into effect cannot be SORN'd (I know - I've tried).

[jonlwright]

This is great - looking at all my old cars to see whats still on the road etc.

My first 911 (a 2002 car) is still listed as being on the plate but has not had tax or SORN for 2 years - maybe someone has written her off?

[StevenB]

Madscanner said:

The DVLA search will indicate if the vehicle has either a valid RFT or SORN status - if it doesn't, it usually means the car is non-compliant.

The DVLA site also has a link to a form to complete to report an untaxed vehicle - fill it out and send it off, if you want...

Note that cars which were "off-road" before the legislation came into effect cannot be SORN'd (I know - I've tried).

As soon as you tax the car again it comes under the SORN rules, until then they are not intrested in it

[J111]

Confirmed today that it's neither SORNd nor taxed. It was last taxed during the period SORN came into effect, so there is a requirement to SORN or tax it.

So, that'll be the DVLA using their telekinetic powers to crush it where it sits, as per the TV campaign, right ?

Err...no.

The DVLA droid was correct in one respect, if it's on private land, aside from sending fines, they'll do absolutely bugger all.

Edited by J111 on Monday 17th March 23:16

[Madscanner]

If you really feel the need to do something about this car, try submitting an "untaxed vehicle report", as per http://dvla.gov.uk/onlineservices/report_unlicense...

[fleurdelyes]

If you SORN a vehicle online then you will have had an Email telling you that the vehicle was in fact SORN'd. This will suffice a s evidence that you SORN'd the vehicle in question. The DVLA are supposed to send you a letter completing the service but they seem to forget on a regular basis now so as they can "cut costs".

Search your Email deleted / old Email for "Confirmation of Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)" and that should place it on the screen for you to see.

[anonymous-user]

J111 said:

After 50 minutes on hold with the ever helpful () DVLA - "No"

You could have looked it up in 30 seconds on the website.

[anonymous-user]

PS: I have twice forgotten to renew the SORN on a vehicle after buying it, but in neither case did I get clobbered, when I made the declaration months afterwards. Me, Great Big Jim the Crim, me.

[Disco You]

Breadvan72 said:

You could have looked it up in 30 seconds on the website.

How helpful for you to point this out to him... Over 4 years later.

[anonymous-user]

Holy Thread Resurrection Batman!

I wonder what made fleurdelys dig this one up?

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Waiting 4 years and then checking the web site is probably still quicker than phoning DVLA.

[anonymous-user]

I concur.