You can still use your car on the road in certain circumstances without paying the tax (Image: GETTY)
If your vehicle is off the road and stored on private property, like a driveway, you might be eligible for an exemption road tax.
Richard Dornan, Motoring Expert at , highlighted that many people may be unnecessarily paying road tax due to unawareness of a lesser-known DVLA exemption – the Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN).
There are numerous reasons why someone might leave their vehicle unused on a driveway or in a garage for an extended period, such as attending university elsewhere, travelling, or temporary inability to drive.
However, to reduce this tax bill, you’ll first need to declare a SORN. “The DVLA states that any car kept on public roads must be taxed and insured.
“But if a vehicle is not in use and kept off-road, such as in a garage or on private land, it can be declared SORN.”
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This means owners don’t need to pay vehicle tax or insurance while their car remains unused for whatever reason. However, motorists need to be careful as any vehicle kept on a public road needs to be taxed, even if it’s not being driven.”
You can apply for a , by phone or post. If granted, there are still some circumstances when you can drive the vehicle on a public road, such as taking it to and from a pre-booked MOT or other testing appointment.
Driving or keeping a SORN vehicle on a public road for any reason other than the exceptions provided could result in fines of up to £2,500. The expert warned: “If a vehicle with a SORN in place is left on a public road, owners face an initial £30 fine, plus twice the amount of any outstanding vehicle tax.
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“If this goes unpaid, the case could be taken to a magistrates’ court, where the penalty increases to £1,000 or five times the unpaid tax – whichever is greater. The consequences don’t stop there. If you’re caught using or keeping an untaxed vehicle on a public road despite having a SORN, the fine can rise to £2,500.”
Once a vehicle has been declared SORN, you may be eligible for a tax refund for any remaining months that you have already paid road tax for.
However, if you need to use or keep the vehicle on public roads after declaring it SORN, you’ll need to tax it again as soon as possible.
More information on SORN can be found on .