Does A Sorn Car Need Insurance?

What Does SORN Mean?

SORN stands for Statutory Off Road Notification, and is a notification made to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) that a car is not being used on public roads. When a car is registered as SORN, it is not covered by insurance, and the owner must not drive it on any public roads.

A SORN declaration can be made online, by post, or by phone. The owner will then receive a certificate to confirm the SORN has been made. The car must also be kept off public roads until the SORN is cancelled. The owner must also make sure that the car is not taxed or insured.

Do You Need Insurance For a SORN Car?

No, you do not need to have insurance for a SORN car. This is because when a car is registered as SORN, it is not allowed to be driven on public roads, so there is no need for insurance. However, it is important to remember that if the car is ever driven on a public road, then the owner is breaking the law and will need to have the car insured.

It is also important to remember that if the car is stored on a public road, then it is classed as being ‘in use’ and will need to have insurance. This is regardless of whether the car is ever driven or not.

What Are The Penalties For Not Having Insurance On a SORN Car?

If the owner of a SORN car is caught driving it on a public road, then they could face a fine of up to £1000, as well as points on their driving licence. If the car is found to be uninsured, then the owner could also be liable for any damage caused to the car, or any third party property.

If the owner is found to be storing the car on a public road without insurance, then they could face a fine of up to £100. It is also important to remember that it is illegal to store a car on a public road for more than two weeks, and any car found to be stored for longer than this could be removed and destroyed.

What Is the Difference Between SORN and Keeping a Car Off the Road?

The main difference between a SORN and keeping a car off the road is that, with a SORN, the owner is making a declaration to the DVLA that the car is not being used on public roads. With keeping a car off the road, the owner is not making any declaration, and the car could still be used on public roads.

With keeping a car off the road, the owner is not legally required to have insurance, but they would still be liable for any damage caused by the car if it was to be driven on a public road. The owner would also be liable for any fines imposed by the DVLA if the car was to be driven on a public road without the proper insurance.

Conclusion

When a car is registered as SORN, it is not covered by insurance, and the owner must not drive it on any public roads. It is important to remember that if the car is ever driven on a public road, then the owner is breaking the law and will need to have the car insured.