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AIBU?

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To not know that an off road car must be insured?

34 replies

Strawpollplease · 17/01/2026 14:28

I took my car off the road last October because it failed its MOT. It has been sat in my driveway since, I didn’t declare it SORN because the road tax is only £30 and I wouldn’t have got a refund. I’ve just been fined £100 because it is an offence to own a vehicle that’s not insured, if you haven’t registered it off-road with DVLA. Did everyone else know this? I’m now feeling a bit foolish and a bit cross!

OP posts:
roseymoira · 17/01/2026 14:36

I can’t believe anyone wouldn’t know that

Upsetbetty · 17/01/2026 14:36

Yes I knew this.

YourPoliteLeader · 17/01/2026 14:36

Had you bothered to declare it off road
You would not have needed insurance

It is really very simple when you think about it

Littletreefrog · 17/01/2026 14:35

Yes I knew that, that's why it's meant to be registered as SORN. Even when cars are SORN some people still have them insured against fire and theft especially if it's just on your drive.

ViciousCurrentBun · 17/01/2026 14:35

I knew this I actually did this for a few months and left it on the drive as it wasn’t used.

shouldofgotamortage · 17/01/2026 14:33

Everyone knows that.

RubberyChicken · 17/01/2026 14:32

If its off road and not insured it needs to be sorn'd, its been like that for years now. I thought they sent a letter first but obviously not

Boredoflunch1 · 17/01/2026 14:31

It's an offence to have a vehicle without a SORN uninsured. Pretty sure it says this on the road tax letter somewhere.

porridgecake · 17/01/2026 14:31

You have to declare SORN. Otherwise how does anyone know you aren't driving it?