What happens if I don’t apply for a SORN?
If your car isn’t registered as insured on the MID, and you haven’t declared a SORN, you’ll be sent an Insurance Advisory Letter. This will confirm that your car is uninsured and that you may have to pay a fine unless you arrange insurance immediately. You’ll also need to make sure your car is taxed.
The penalties for having an uninsured car, even if you don’t drive it, can be severe. You could face:
- An automatic £80 fine for not having a SORN
- A fixed penalty fine of £100
- Have your vehicle wheel-clamped, impounded and even destroyed
- Face a court prosecution, with a possible fine of up to £1,000
If you’re not sure whether your car is insured, you can check online at ask MID.
Can I drive my car if it has a SORN?
The only time you can drive a SORN-declared car on public roads is if you’re taking it to and from a pre-booked MOT. If you drive on public roads for any other reason, you could face a court prosecution and a fine of up to £2,500.