What if you don't tax or SORN your vehicle?
Every vehicle registered in Northern Ireland (NI) must be taxed if used or kept on a public road. If the vehicle is kept off-road it must either be taxed or have a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) in force. If not the vehicle could be clamped or removed.
There’s no way out!
Your vehicle doesn’t need to be seen on the road for an offence to have been committed. The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) carries out a check of its records each month to identify untaxed vehicles. DVA has the authority to carry out enforcement action against you using the information held on its records.
As well as this, DVA works in partnership with VEAS who operate the wheelclamping scheme and with PSNI. Using automatic number plate readers (ANPR) they identify, clamp and tow away untaxed vehicles on the public road. Members of the public can also report an untaxed vehicle online.
What will happen?
If you don’t tax or SORN your vehicle you could be stopped by the police. You’ll get an automatic penalty of £80, as well as paying for a new tax disc and any arrears of vehicle tax you owe. You could also get a County Court Judgement against you, and be fined a minimum of £1,000.
The maximum penalty for making a false declaration by declaring SORN when the vehicle is actually used or kept on a public road is £5,000 and two years imprisonment. Your vehicle could be clamped by one of DVA's wheelclamping partners.
You’ll need to pay to have your vehicle released as well as producing a valid tax disc or a surety fee if no disc is available. If you fail to pay, your vehicle will be impounded, incurring storage charges. If you don’t pay the release or storage fees, your vehicle could be crushed or sold.
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