Heads-up about the SORN process.

Just a reminder for anyone as daft as me - thinking the DVLA wouldn't try to shaft us every which way possible.

I got my Tax Reminder/SORN letter on the first week of this month (September), as it's due 1st Oct. Seems like months ago that I last got out, and probably won't get many chances for the foreseeable. I have had literally no spare time lately for the bike. So before we went away on holiday from 13th until last Tuesday, I decided to SORN it before we left incase I forgot.

Onto the website, where it says Tax or SORN due 1st OCT. Fair enough, clickety click - job done!

Back home now, weather has improved hugely, and got the possibility to get out today on the bike - last chance before the SORN kicks in I thought.

Then I thought, feck it, renew for October.
Feck me!!! So, it's just as well I tried to do that before going out today.
I discovered that SORN online is instantly processed!

ie. From the date I informed them I wasn't going to renew the Tax - not from the last day of the current month.

How the hell do they justify that! I've paid for the September tax you robbing barstewards!

It gave me two clear options.
Buy 6/12mths tax dated from 1st Sept (and ride bike legally tonight)
Buy 6/12mths tax dated from 1st Oct (and cannot ride until tomorrow as bike is currently on SORN)



So, be warned if you are planning on doing SORN over winter, don't SORN til the last day of the month, incase you want one last blast.

Grrr. Bloody government departments.

[Bibio]

might say bike is on sorn but will more than likely be 'pending' till tax actually runs out.

i have phoned the DVLA before about tax, insurance and sorn. very helpful people.

so what are they going to do if you get pulled over. ermm sir your bike is on the SORN register yes but officer i have a tax disc stating that i'm taxed. tricky situation.

[MisterTommyH]

Surely if you make a statutory declaration that the bike is off road then the bike should be off road from the moment of that declaration.

Lesson - don't declare it off road until it is.

[Bibio]

it may be registered as being off road but if you have all the legal documentation (tax, insurance, mot) you are effectively legal. when putting a vehicle back on the road after a sorn you don't fill in another bit of paperwork to put it back on the road, you just buy a road fund licence.

I usually SORN'd or taxed as soon as the letter comes in and assumed as per your point of view Bibio.
But the website clearly stated it currently wasn't legal ie. from way back on the 10th which is what miffed me.

Oh well, noted for futute ref.

[Bibio]

i suppose it's up to the owner of the vehicle to ask for the remaining fund back.

but your right thieving barstewards.