Transport Scotland - Resident’s parking permit query: FOI release

Information requested

Would you please let me know if a vehicle with SORN (Statutory Off-Road Notice) status can legally be granted a resident’s parking permit by a local authority in Scotland?

Response

A Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) is a declaration that a vehicle is not being used or kept on a public road. Vehicles subject to a SORN must be kept off public roads and cannot be used or parked on them, except in limited circumstances.

Resident parking permits issued by local authorities in Scotland are generally intended to allow vehicles to be parked on public roads within designated areas. As a vehicle with SORN status cannot legally be kept or used on a public road, this would be incompatible with the purpose and use of a resident parking permit.

Local authorities are responsible for setting the terms and conditions of their own parking permit schemes. Transport Scotland does not hold central information on whether a local authority could administratively issue a permit in such circumstances. However, any such permit would not enable the lawful use of a SORN vehicle on a public road.

If there is a specific area or local authority you are concerned about, you may wish to contact the relevant local authority directly for clarification on their parking permit policy.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.