How To Reregister a Junked Vehicle

Revived junk vehicle

A revived junk vehicle is one that was reported to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by an individual or dismantler as dismantled and now has been restored to operational condition.

More information on revived salvage vehicles

Reregistration of junked vehicles

The requirements are:

Application

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

Evidence of Ownership

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

• The junk receipt previously issued by DMV

NOTE: If the junk receipt has been lost, a Statement of Facts (REG 256) must be completed by the person to whom the receipt was issued declaring the receipt lost.

OR

• A bill of sale from a licensed dismantler, including the acquisition number under which the vehicle was junked, and/or
• Bills of sale from each seller, if the vehicle was sold after it was reported junked

AND

• Bills of sale for all the major and minor parts used in the reconstruction of your vehicle. These documents should identify:
  - The part purchased
  - The year, make, model, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle from which the parts were removed
  - The name, address, telephone number, signature, and driver license, identification card or Federal Employer Identification number of the person from whom you bought or acquired the part.

Vehicle inspection

Revived junk vehicles must be inspected by the California DMV or the California Highway Patrol (CHP) before DMV can issue title and registration. When the CHP does an inspection, you must bring the bills of sale and proof of ownership (previously discussed) 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.

NOTE: Vehicles being presented for inspection that were originally manufactured with a supplemental restraint system (air bags) need to be equipped with air bags, in good working order, which meet applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and conform to the manufacturer’s specifications for that vehicle.

CHP conducts inspections by appointment only. You must contact CHP for an appointment. See below for CHP inspection appointment phone numbers.

Brake and light inspection certificates

Check the yellow pages of your telephone directory or business guide for California state-licensed brake and light inspection stations. The certificates indicating your vehicle has passed California brake and light inspections are required for registration. Certificates are not required for trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or less gross vehicle weight.

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

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. Check your local telephone directory for the public weighmasters near you.

A weight certificate is not required for:

• Trucks or pickups previously registered in California when the prior California registration shows the empty or unladen weight, and the vehicle has not been modified to change the weight.
• Trucks or pickups with an empty or unladen weight of 6,000 pounds or less where the weight is indicated on an out-of-state junk certificate 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: If you do not revive your vehicle by obtaining the required certifications before moving it out of California, a California Certificate of Title will not be issued. California does not recognize out-of-state certifications.

Smog certification

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

• Diesel powered
• Electric
• Natural gas powered and has a Gross Vehicle Weight rating of more than 14,000 lbs.
• Hybrid
• Motorcycle
• Trailer
• 1975 year model or older.

Fees that may be due

The amount of money you will have to pay DMV depends on a variety of factors. The types of fees that may be collected are:

Registration

• Registration Fee
• California Highway Patrol Fee
• Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
• Weight Fees
• Commercial Registration Act (CVRA) Fee Motor Vehicle Fee
• County Fees
• Cargo Theft Interdiction Program Fee (CTIP Fee)
• Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Fee (most trailers).

Use Tax (not due if the vehicle was purchased from a licensed dismantler)

Service Fees

• Salvage Vehicle and Dismantled Vehicle Inspection Fee
• Prior History Fee

NOTE: More information regarding registration-related fees.

CHP inspection appointment scheduling

Inspections will not be conducted without an appointment. Please call one of the offices listed below to set the appointment date and time. These addresses are for appointment scheduling only and may not be the actual inspection site.

CHP Inspection Appointment Numbers

HTVR 4 (REV. 7/2007)