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DVLA GUIDE - Unofficial Guide to the DVLA SORN Vehicle While Abroad

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If you need to apply for, renew or replace a licence, or have any other vehicle enquiry, you may also contact Drivers' Customer Services, Correspondence Team, DVLA, SA6 7JL or the Vehicle Customer Services, DVLA, SA99 1AR. You also may be able to use the vehicle and licensing services at a Post Office®.

You are in the Drivers License & ID. If you are looking for Drivers License & ID information dvlaguide.com is the right site for you. In this section you’ll find out how to apply, renew and replace your drivers license, how to update any name or address changes, how to apply motorcycle license, or what medical rules apply to drivers

This site, dvlaguide.com, also covers the specifics for learners and new drivers, vehicle registration, taxing your vehicle, MOTs, how to SORN a vehicle, what forms you need and DVLA hours and locations.





SORN Vehicle While Abroad

You cannot make a SORN if your vehicle is outside Great Britain. The vehicle will need to display a valid tax disc.

Taking a Vehicle Out of the UK Temporarily or Permanently

If you are taking your vehicle out of the country on a permanent basis you must notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of the vehicle's export. If you are taking your vehicle or a hired vehicle on a temporary basis, you must take the appropriate documentation with you.

Taking Your Vehicle Abroad For More Than 12 Months (Permanent Export)

If you are taking your vehicle out of Great Britain permanently you must notify DVLA. If you have a registration document (V5) you can do this by completing section C to show the intended date of export. The V5 should then be returned to DVLA or to a DVLA local office. In its place you will receive a certificate of permanent export (V561) as confirmation of your vehicle's registration.

If you have a registration certificate (V5C) then you must notify export on the purple section (V5C/4). You must take your registration certificate with you as you may have to hand it over to the relevant authority when the vehicle is registered abroad.

Further information on this subject, including advice on taking a vehicle to Northern Ireland, can be found in leaflet V526 called Taking your Vehicle out of the Country.

Taking Your Vehicle Abroad for Less Than 12 months (Temporary Export)

If you are taking your vehicle out of the country for less than 12 months you must make sure you take your registration document (V5) or certificate (V5C) with you. If you do not have one, you should apply to a DVLA local office on form V62, available from Post Office® branches, DVLA local office or download on the vehicle forms link below. The registration certificate may take up to 14 days to arrive. If you need to travel during this time you will need to apply for temporary registration certificate. You should apply well before your journey, as there could be delays of up to 14 days in issuing the certificate if you are not already recorded as the vehicle keeper. There is a fee for this service.

You should make sure that you meet any international and national conditions for licensing and taxation. Further information can be found in leaflet V526 called Taking your vehicle out of the country.