Can I have a SORN car recovered on a public road?

Yes — being carried on a recovery truck or trailer isn't the same as being driven, so a SORN vehicle can be transported this way.

Do I need my own insurance to have a non-runner towed?

Usually not for the transport itself; the recovery firm's own insurance should cover the vehicle while it's on their truck. Confirm this when booking.

What if the car needs to be driven a short distance as part of the move?

If it needs to be driven on a public road, normal tax, MOT and insurance rules apply — this is where trade plates or the recovery firm's own arrangements come in, not your own cover.

Moving a Non-Runner Legally: Tax, Insurance, Trade Plates

Do you need tax and MOT to move it?

A vehicle being transported on a recovery truck or trailer is not being 'used on the road' in the legal sense, so it doesn't need valid tax or MOT to be recovered this way. Where it matters is if the vehicle is being driven, even briefly, under its own power on a public road — then tax, MOT and insurance requirements generally apply as normal.

SORN and buying a non-runner

If a vehicle has a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN), it can legally sit on private land untaxed, but it still generally cannot be driven on the public road. Recovery by truck or trailer is the correct way to move a SORN vehicle if it needs to travel on the road network.

Insurance when the car doesn't run

If you're only having the vehicle transported and not driving it yourself, your own car insurance often isn't the relevant policy — the recovery company's goods-in-transit and public liability insurance should cover the vehicle while it's on their truck. Ask them to confirm this before booking, especially for higher-value cars.

Trade plates — when they're relevant

Trade plates are typically used by motor traders, recovery firms or garages to legally drive an untaxed, unregistered or uninsured-to-the-owner vehicle on the road for limited purposes such as testing or delivery. As a private owner moving your own non-runner, you generally won't need trade plates yourself if the vehicle is being recovered on a truck rather than driven — it's the recovery firm's problem to sort if driving is ever involved.

Buying a non-runner and getting it home

If you've bought a car that doesn't run, arranging recovery rather than attempting to drive it — even a short distance — avoids breaching insurance, tax and roadworthiness rules that apply to driven vehicles. It also avoids risking further mechanical damage.

Notifying the DVLA

When you buy or sell a vehicle, you must notify the DVLA of the change of keeper promptly, regardless of whether the car runs. This is separate from arranging its physical transport and is easy to forget in the process of sorting recovery.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have a SORN car recovered on a public road?: Yes — being carried on a recovery truck or trailer isn't the same as being driven, so a SORN vehicle can be transported this way.
Do I need my own insurance to have a non-runner towed?: Usually not for the transport itself; the recovery firm's own insurance should cover the vehicle while it's on their truck. Confirm this when booking.
What if the car needs to be driven a short distance as part of the move?: If it needs to be driven on a public road, normal tax, MOT and insurance rules apply — this is where trade plates or the recovery firm's own arrangements come in, not your own cover.

Need help now? We are based in Oldbury and dispatch 24/7 across the West Midlands.

Call 07402 666 687

How to move a non-runner legally: tax, insurance and trade plates