Can't afford to run car at the moment - SORN

[peasantboy]

Hey guys,

I need some advice.

I'm out of work at the moment and I can't afford to get the MOT & Tax renewed on my car but I want to keep it for when I get back into work. I've declared my vehicle off the road, SORN.

Is it ok to keep my car on the road side outside of my home or does it actually have to be off the road? On the DVLA website it says:
Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) means that, by law, DVLA must be informed when a registered keeper does not re-license a vehicle because it is not being used or kept on a public road.
So I'm guessing that's fine? Also, as I'm not using it and I have no idea how long I'll be out of work for what should I do about my car insurance? Can I get it reduced as I'm not driving my car at the moment? I'm guess it's necessary to keep in case my neighbour decides to drive into my car.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

[MX5huggy]

It must be off the road, parked on private property. Not just not used.

[pogofish]

It has to be kept off the public road, so unless outside your house is on a private road or drive, you will need to get it off road.

Don't know what your area is like but they have been pretty merciless on untaxed/SORN'd vehicles on road round here in the last year or two. Think thay have an ANPR car that makes it easy to catch lots of them.

Most insurers will do lay-up insurance IME, I've never had it for a car but last time I had it for a bike, it was not much, @£25pa OTOH. Depending on how long your current insurance has left to run and your terms, it may not be worth cashing-it up though. If your vehicle is sitting on a public road however, you will need the minimum Third Party/RTA cover.

[1984ReturnsForReal]

You cant keep it on a road.

Thats what "not being...kept on a public road" means!


It needs to be off a public highway & even some car parks have conditions that the car must be taxed to keep it there.

[peasantboy]

Thanks, apologies for my blatant ignorance but I kind of presumed it would be ok outside my home. I pay the council the privilege to park my car outside of my home as it is. I'll park it inside my mothers drive for now. Thanks again.