How To Reregister a Salvaged Vehicle

You will need...

  • Application for Title or Registration (PDF) (REG 343)
  • California Certificate of Title or Salvage Certificate or Application for Duplicate
  • Verification of Vehicle (REG 343) or CHP Inspection Certificate
  • Brake and Light Adjustment Certificates
  • Appropriate Fees

You may also need… (see details below)

Revived Salvage Vehicle

A revived salvage vehicle is one that was reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by the owner or insurance company as a total loss and now has been restored to operational condition. (For information on revived junked vehicles, see brochure HTVR 4, How To Reregister a “Junked” Vehicle

 

Reregister a Revived Salvage Vehicle

  1. Application

    You must submit an Application for Title or Registration (PDF) (REG 343) signed by all listed owners.

  2. Proof of Vehicle Ownership

    To prove your ownership of the vehicle, you must have one of the following:

  3. Vehicle Inspection -

    Revived salvage vehicles must be inspected by the California DMV or if required, by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) before DMV can issue title and registration. When you are sent to CHP for an inspection, you must bring the proof of ownership (previously discussed) and repair receipts to the inspection appointment for review by the inspection officer. A nonrefundable inspection fee will be collected by DMV at the time the registration application is presented.

    CHP conducts inspections by appointment only. You must contact the CHP for an appointment. The CHP addresses and appointment telephone numbers are listed below.

    Note: Vehicles manufactured with a supplemental restraint system (air bags) need to be equipped with working air bags that meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and conform to the manufacturer’s specifications.


  4. Brake and Light Inspection Certificates -

    California brake and light inspection certificates are required for reregistration of most vehicles. Certificates are not required for trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight. For a listing of California state-licensed brake and light inspection stations check your local telephone directory or the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) website, at www.bar.ca.gov.

    Exception: When an official California brake and light station that inspects specific vehicles, such as motorcycles or large commercial vehicles is not located within a reasonable distance, the DMV will accept a Statement of Facts (REG 256) from a California repair shop certifying that the brakes and lights are in proper working order.

    Note: California does not recognize out-of-state salvage vehicle certifications.


  5. Weight Certificate

    A California public weighmaster’s certificate of the vehicle’s unladen or empty weight is required for trucks and pickups. This certificate may be obtained from many moving and storage companies for a nominal fee. For a list of public scales check your local telephone directory or with the California Department of Agriculture .
    A weight certificate is not required for:

    • Trucks or pickups previously registered in California, when the prior California registration shows the unladen weight, and the vehicle has not been modified to change the weight.
    • Trucks or pickups with an unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less where the empty, unladen, scale, or tare weight is indicated on an out-of-state certificate of title or registration, and the vehicle has not been modified to change the weight.
    • Two-axle or three-axle trucks weighing 10,001 pounds or more. The estimated weight is required.
    • Autos, trailers, and motorcycles.

    Note: A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008) is required for commercial vehicles weighing 6,001 pounds or more, except pick-ups.

  6. Smog Certification

    Smog certification from an official smog inspection station is required unless your vehicle is:

    • Diesel powered vehicles manufactured prior to 1998 with a Gross Vehicle Weight rating (GVWR) of more than 14,000 lbs  
    • Electric 
    • Natural gas powered and has a Gross
      Vehicle Weight (GVW) rating of more than 14,000 pounds 
    • Hybrid
    • Motorcycle
    • Trailer
    • 1975 year model or older
    • Already titled in your name and does not require a smog certification for renewal of registration
    Note: A California Certificate of Title will not be issued if you do not obtain the required certifications and reregister your vehicle before moving it out of California. California does not recognize out-of-state salvage vehicle inspection certifications.

  7. Fees That May Be Due -
    The types of fees that may be collected are:

    Registration

    Service Fees

    • Salvage and Dismantled Vehicle Inspection Fee
    • Prior History Fee
    • Non-Resident Fee (if the vehicle was last registered out of state)

    Transfer Fee

    Use Tax (not due if the vehicle was purchased from a licensed dismantler or was already titled in your name)

    Substitute Plate Fee

    NOTE: For registration fees, see the brochure, Registration Related Fees (FFVR 34). Because fees are subject to change, for the most current information call DMV toll free, at 1-800-777-0133.

CHP Inspection Appointment Scheduling

Inspections will not be conducted without an appointment. The addresses are for appointment scheduling and may not be the actual inspection site. Contact one of the offices listed in the following section to make an appointment.

CHP Inspection Appointment Numbers

Northern Division
2485 Sonoma Street
Redding, CA 96001-3026
Phone: (530) 225-2120

Valley Division
11336 Trade Center Drive
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742-6233
Phone: (916) 464-1480

Golden Gate Division
1551 Benicia Road
Vallejo, CA 94991-7568
Phone: (510) 622-4611

Central Division
5179 N. Gates Avenue
Fresno, CA 93722-6414
Phone: (559) 488-4053

Coastal Division
4115 Broad Street #B-10
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401-7963
Phone: (805) 549-3006

Inland Division
847 E. Brier Drive
San Bernardino, CA 92408-2820
Phone: (909) 383-4247
Phone: (909) 806-2437

Border Division
1722 East Main Street
El Cajon, CA 92021
Phone: (858) 492-1745

2335 Enrico Fermi Drive
San Diego, CA 92154
Phone: (858) 492-1745

13200 Golden West Street
Westminster, CA 92683
Phone: (714) 892-4426

Southern Division

411 N. Central Avenue Ste. 410
Glendale, CA 91203

Altadena Phone: (626) 296-8100

Monterey Park Phone: (323) 980-4600

Torrance Phone: (310) 516-3355

Valencia Phone: (661) 294-5540

Woodland Hills Phone: (818) 888-0980

HTVR 13 (REV. 8/2009) WWW 2/2010