Experts suggest an increasing number of drivers are choosing to keep their car off the road amid the cost of living crisis and the high cost of fuel.
With more people reportedly choosing this option, drivers are being urged to make sure they inform the DVLA if their car is off the road and untaxed.
A warning has been issued to motorists about the consequences of not correctly SORNing their car over the next few months. The DVLA says anyone taking vehicle off the road - for example if they’re keeping it in a garage - must ensure it has a ‘Statutory Off Road Notification’ (SORN).
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And drivers are being urged to make sure they inform the DVLA if their car is off the road and untaxed, Birmingham Live reports..
But many are not aware of the legal requirements they face if they choose not to run their cars, the experts have warned.
Making the notification is straightforward and can be done online via the DVLA’s website. Motorists only need to do a SORN once, and the notification will be automatically overturned if the vehicle is taxed again.
Drivers will know a SORN has been successfully processed when they receive a letter from the DVLA within four weeks. The government assumes all cars are on UK roads unless they are SORN and therefore require them to be taxed.
A SORN is necessary to avoid penalties which can incur if a camera or the police spots the car on the road when it is not covered with road tax. And once the car has had a SORN application, it cannot be driven on the roads.
The DVLA can cross reference the national insurance database with road tax expiration dates to find out which vehicles have cover. A warning letter with fines will be sent via post if motorists are caught out. It is £100 if your car is uninsured, and £40-£100 if your road tax has expired. Court action after this can raise fines to up to £1,000.
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