We have been asked by members if the new regulations regarding SORN affect them so, to clarify and explain the situation, I have put down a few facts with the help of the DVLNL.

The law on vehicle licensing in Northern Ireland changed on 1st December 2002 in that from that date a new Government initiative was introduced to combat motor tax evasion and improve the accuracy of vehicle records.

If you are not renewing your vehicle licence because you are taking the vehicle off the road, then by law you must now notify the DVLNL. This is known as making a SORN declaration. The completed form should be returned to the Vehicle Licensing Central Office or any Local Vehicle Licensing Office.

After 1st December 2002 every vehicle in Northern Ireland must have either be licensed or have a declaration in force stating that it will not be used or kept on a public road.

However, fear not those of you who have vehicles not on the road due to rebuilds, being parts vehicles or competition vehicles etc. as these - if not taxed during 2002 and not used on the road - do not need a SORN declaration. For example: An owner of a vehicle in the process of being rebuilt over the last couple of years and not due to be on the road for some time need do nothing.

An owner of a vehicle on the road during the summer months, not re-taxed in September 2002 and not due to be put back on the road until next Spring need do nothing but a SORN declaration will need to be completed next September when the vehicle is put away for the winter.

A competition vehicle never used on the public road does not need a SORN declaration.

If you acquire an untaxed vehicle after 1st December 2002 and do not re-tax it because you are keeping it off the road you must make a SORN declaration.

A SORN declaration is valid for 12 months or until the vehicle is sold or disposed of. If you intend to put the vehicle back on the road before 12 months elapse, then you must tax it before doing so.

If you do not have a valid tax disc and do not either tax your vehicle or make a SORN declaration, then you are

committing an offence. If you are caught on the road while a SORN declaration is in force, you may be heavily fined, up to £2,500 or five times the annual rate of duty, whichever is the greater.

To sum up, if you are taking a vehicle off the road for repairs, rebuilds etc., you must complete a SORN declaration to ensure that you are not liable for the back tax when you go to put the vehicle back on the road. Those with vehicles already off the road before 1st December 2002 need do nothing.

The above information has been supplied by the DVLNI and for more information you can visit their website at

www.dvlni.gov.uk from where you can download a SORN only form, a V15(NI).

As an aside to all of this, anyone with a vehicle in their possession should register it with the DVLNI so as to keep their registration number alive. This will also help owners clubs to trace vehicles and to ensure that no one steals your vehicle identity and applies for a duplicate log book, as they could without you being registered as a previous owner.

Neil Stevenson (Chairman)