Sky-high living costs could be forcing increasing numbers of drivers to take their cars off the road, suggests a new report.

More than 2.7 million vehicles were officially declared out of use in 2022 - with one month towards the end of last year reporting a 77% rise in applications.

Drivers who aren't using their vehicles and who wish to be exempt from costs such as insurance and tax can apply for a Statutory Off-Road Notification - or SORN - from the DVLA.

In October last year more than 297,000 notices were requested - up from 167,383 in July - at the same time as inflation hit 11% in the face of rising food, petrol and energy bills.

With the cost of living crisis showing few signs of easing, and the average monthly running costs for a car now tipping £400, researchers at Confused.com say the figures suggest the motor car has become the latest major outgoing households are looking at in order to cut costs.

SORN applications for October were also the highest for four years, which says the comparison site, could point to 40-year high inflation rates taking their toll.

Louise Thomas, Confused.com car insurance expert, said: "The number of SORN applications has hit record-breaking figures since the Covid-19 pandemic. And with 2.7 million applications registered last year, it’s clear that some drivers are facing financial burdens due to the cost-of-living crisis.

"Although declaring your vehicle off-road might seem like a cheaper alternative, it might not always be the best solution. Once a car is registered as SORN, you can’t drive it, and the consequences of doing so could be costly. That’s why drivers should weigh up all options before going through the legal process with the DVLA."

Declaring a vehicle as being off the road can mean it is exempt from both car insurance premiums, car tax and the need for a valid MOT certificate - which means drivers could be taking cars off the road in order to avoid repairs they can't afford.

And insurance experts at Confused.com say the rising figures aren't just a co-incidence.

The company also points to a recent survey of more than 2,000 drivers, in which one in 10 admitted to considering declaring their car as SORN with 53% doing so to save money, 34% because of struggles with repayments and 30% who said they didn't any longer drive the car enough to justify the costs attached to running it.

But getting a SORN is a legal process and there are strict rules motorists must follow if they choose to declare their vehicle as being 'off the road'.

This includes keeping the vehicle on private property, such as in a garage or on a driveway and never driving or parking the car on a public road unless it is to take it to or from a pre-booked MOT appointment. Once a vehicle is registered as SORN, drivers can’t use it under any other circumstances and anyone caught doing so could be fined up to £2,500.

Louise Thomas said drivers concerned about rising costs should explore other avenues first.

She advised: "If motorists are looking for other ways to save money, there are a few things they can do to keep costs down. Taking time to shop around for things like car insurance, fuel and even vehicle maintenance can ensure that drivers aren’t paying more than they need to. It might seem time-consuming, but the financial benefits could really pay off.

"And it means that SORN applications are the last option, especially if drivers rely on their cars for everyday travel."