can you drive a sorn car to scrap

[Jenkins]

Yes, but only under very specific conditions. You cannot legally drive a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) car on public roads for any general purpose. The only exception is when you are driving it directly to a pre-booked appointment at an Authorised Treatment Facility (ATF), which is an official scrapyard. You must have valid car insurance for the journey and the vehicle must be taxed for that single trip. If the car is unsafe to drive, you must arrange transportation instead.

The key is adhering to the DVLA's strict rules for driving a SORN vehicle. Your journey must be for the sole purpose of disposal, and you should take the most direct route. Before you go, you must book the appointment with the scrapyard and inform the DVLA that you are scrapping the vehicle. The ATF will give you a Certificate of Destruction, which is your proof that the car has been legally disposed of.

Failing to follow these rules can result in an automatic fine of £80. If the vehicle is found to be uninsured, you could face a fixed penalty of £100, have the car seized, and get points on your license. The risks far outweigh the convenience.

Factor	Requirement	Consequence of Non-Compliance
Journey Purpose	Direct to pre-booked scrapyard only	Fine, points on license
Vehicle Tax	Required for the specific journey	Fine of up to £1,000
Car Insurance	Must be valid for the trip	Fixed penalty of £100, vehicle seizure
Booking	Appointment with ATF must be confirmed	Journey is considered illegal
Vehicle Condition	Must be roadworthy	Potential for being stopped by police
DVLA Notification	Must be done; use V5C logbook	Remain liable for the vehicle
Proof	Obtain Certificate of Destruction	No proof of legal disposal

The safest and most recommended approach is to use a professional collection service. Many scrapyards offer free collection for end-of-life vehicles. They will tow or transport your SORN car to their facility, completely eliminating the legal risks of driving it yourself. This ensures full compliance and is often the most practical solution for a car that's been declared off the road.

[OJessica]

Nope, not for a joyride, that's for sure. The law's strict on this. The only time you can move a SORN car is to drive it straight to the scrapyard, and that's it. You gotta have it booked in, and you need insurance for that one trip. Honestly, it's usually less hassle to just call a scrapyard that offers free collection. They come get it with a truck, and you don't have to worry about cops or fines. Saves you the trouble.

[VanIsla]

It's a common question, and the rules are quite precise. You are permitted to drive a SORN vehicle to an Authorised Treatment Facility for disposal. However, this is not a blanket permission. The journey's sole purpose must be scrapping, and you are required to have the correct insurance in place for that specific transit. My advice is to have all your paperwork—your V5C logbook and insurance documents—ready before you even turn the key. Planning is essential to avoid penalties.

[DiAlana]

I looked into this when I scrapped my old hatchback. The key is booking the scrapyard appointment first. Then, you need to get short-term insurance to cover the drive there. It felt a bit weird driving a car that had been parked for years, but as long as it's roadworthy and you're going straight there, it's legal. The scrapyard handled the DVLA notification and gave me a Certificate of Destruction on the spot. It was straightforward once I knew the steps.