How to make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification)

If you’re the registered keeper of a vehicle that’s not being taxed and is kept off the road you must make a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification). You can do this at selected Post Office® branches, in person at a Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) local office, by post to DVA, Coleraine, BT51 3TA or when you apply for a refund of vehicle tax. If you do not receive an acknowledgment, within 15 days please contact DVA at the address listed below.

Ways to make a SORN

You can make a SORN:

In person or by post

A SORN can be made using a V10b(NI), V11(NI) or V11b(NI) (if you have received one of these forms) at any DVA local office or by post to:

DVA
Coleraine
BT51 3TA

At selected Post Office Branches with your V11(NI) reminder

Use the V11(NI) reminder in person at any Post Office branch that issues tax discs.

Without a reminder

Fill in the application form V15(NI) 'Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)' at any DVA local office or by post to:

DVA
Coleraine
BT51 3TA

With your V13(NI) 'HGV' reminder

Take the V13 (NI) reminder to a DVA local office or send to

DVA
Coleraine
BT51 3TA

When applying for a refund or returning a nil value disc

When applying for a refund or returning a nil value disc because you're keeping the vehicle off the road, you must make a SORN. The SORN can be made on the V14 application form.

SORN or vehicle tax due to expire while you're abroad

You can make a SORN up to two calendar months in advance. The vehicle must remain in Northern Ireland. Complete a V15(NI) 'Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)' together with a letter explaining why you’re applying so far in advance and post them to:

DVA
Coleraine
BT51 3TA

Alternatively, you can make a SORN at the time it’s due or get someone to make a SORN for you while you’re abroad.

If you want to renew your tax in advance, you can do this up to six weeks in advance in person at a Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) local office or by post to:

DVA
Coleraine
BT51 3TA

Buying a vehicle that has a SORN

If you buy a vehicle that already has a SORN made by the previous keeper, that SORN will come to an end on the date you buy the vehicle. You must make a new SORN if you are keeping the vehicle untaxed off the public road. You cannot transfer a SORN.

Not yet registered as the vehicle keeper

If the vehicle isn’t already registered in your name, you must submit the Registration Certificate (your details completed in section six) with your SORN notification. If you don’t have the certificate, you must complete Form V34(NI) 'Application for a Registration Certificate (V5C(NI))' instead.

Forms V15(NI) and V34(NI)

You can download forms V15(NI)and V34(NI) or collect them from selected Post Office® branches or any DVA local office.

What happens next?

The DVA should send you a letter confirming SORN. If you don’t receive the letter after 15 days of making SORN, you should contact DVA Vehicle Enquiry Section on 0845 402 4000 (if you have made a SORN in advance you should wait 15 days after the expiry of previous tax or SORN).

How to contact DVA

How to tax if your vehicle has a SORN

If you are putting the vehicle back on the road, you can tax your vehicle at any time using your V5C(NI) registration certificate. You can do this in person, by post, at selected Post Office Branches or at any DVA local office.