{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1206.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1206.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1206.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1206.html"}],"law_id":65709,"edition_id":1,"section_id":65709,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1206","catch_line":"Surrender of certificate of title, etc., where motor vehicle acquired for demolition; records to be kept by demolisher or scrap metal processor","history":"1968, c. 421, \u00a7 46.1-555.8; 1989, c. 727; 2009, c. 664; 2012, cc. 803, 835.","full_text":"No demolisher or scrap metal processor who purchases or otherwise acquires a motor vehicle for wrecking, dismantling, or demolition shall be required to obtain a certificate of title for the motor vehicle in his own name. After the motor vehicle has been demolished, processed, or changed so that it physically is no longer a motor vehicle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall surrender to the Department for cancellation the certificate of title, Vehicle Removal Certificate, properly executed vehicle disposition history, or sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction for the vehicle. The Department shall issue the appropriate forms for the surrender of sales receipts, certificates of title, vehicle disposition histories, and vehicle removal certificates.\n\t\tDemolishers and scrap metal processors shall keep accurate and complete records, in accordance with \u00a7 46.2-1608, of all motor vehicles purchased or received by them in the course of their business. Demolishers and scrap metal processors shall also collect and verify:\n\n1\n\nThe towing company’s name;2\n\nOne of the ownership or possession documents set out in this section following verification of its accuracy;3\n\nThe driver’s license of the person delivering the motor vehicle; and4\n\nThe license plate number of the vehicle that delivered the motor vehicle or scrap.\n\t\t\tIn addition, a photocopy or electronic copy of the appropriate ownership document or a Vehicle Removal Certificate presented by the customer shall be maintained. Ownership documents shall consist of either a motor vehicle title or a sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction or a vehicle disposition history. These records shall be maintained in a permanent ledger in a manner acceptable to the Department at the place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location within the Commonwealth for at least five years. The personal identifying information contained within these records shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure through the ultimate destruction of the information. Disclosure of personal identifying information by anyone other than the Department is subject to the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721 et seq.).\n\t\t\tIf requested by a law-enforcement officer, a licensee shall make available, during regular business hours, a report of all the purchases of motor vehicles. Each report shall include the information set out in this chapter and be available electronically or in an agreed-upon format. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who falsifies any of the information required to be maintained by this article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense. Any licensee or scrap metal processor who is found guilty of second or subsequent violations shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Department shall also assess a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Those penalties shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.\n\t\t\tIf the vehicle identification number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been otherwise tampered with, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall take no further action with regard to the vehicle except to safeguard it in its then-existing condition and shall promptly notify the Department. The Department shall, after an investigation has been made, notify the demolisher or scrap metal processor whether the motor vehicle can be freed from this limitation. In no event shall the motor vehicle be disassembled, demolished, processed, or otherwise modified or removed prior to authorization by the Department. If the vehicle is a motorcycle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall cause to be noted on the title or salvage certificate, certifying on the face of the document, in addition to the above requirements, the frame number of the motorcycle and motor number, if available.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":238865,"text":"No demolisher or scrap metal processor who purchases or otherwise acquires a motor vehicle for wrecking, dismantling, or demolition shall be required to obtain a certificate of title for the motor vehicle in his own name. After the motor vehicle has been demolished, processed, or changed so that it physically is no longer a motor vehicle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall surrender to the Department for cancellation the certificate of title, Vehicle Removal Certificate, properly executed vehicle disposition history, or sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction for the vehicle. The Department shall issue the appropriate forms for the surrender of sales receipts, certificates of title, vehicle disposition histories, and vehicle removal certificates.\n\t\tDemolishers and scrap metal processors shall keep accurate and complete records, in accordance with \u00a7 46.2-1608, of all motor vehicles purchased or received by them in the course of their business. Demolishers and scrap metal processors shall also collect and verify:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":238866,"text":"The towing company’s name;","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":238867,"text":"One of the ownership or possession documents set out in this section following verification of its accuracy;","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":238868,"text":"The driver’s license of the person delivering the motor vehicle; and","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":238869,"text":"The license plate number of the vehicle that delivered the motor vehicle or scrap.\n\t\t\tIn addition, a photocopy or electronic copy of the appropriate ownership document or a Vehicle Removal Certificate presented by the customer shall be maintained. Ownership documents shall consist of either a motor vehicle title or a sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction or a vehicle disposition history. These records shall be maintained in a permanent ledger in a manner acceptable to the Department at the place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location within the Commonwealth for at least five years. The personal identifying information contained within these records shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure through the ultimate destruction of the information. Disclosure of personal identifying information by anyone other than the Department is subject to the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721 et seq.).\n\t\t\tIf requested by a law-enforcement officer, a licensee shall make available, during regular business hours, a report of all the purchases of motor vehicles. Each report shall include the information set out in this chapter and be available electronically or in an agreed-upon format. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who falsifies any of the information required to be maintained by this article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for the first offense. Any licensee or scrap metal processor who is found guilty of second or subsequent violations shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The Department shall also assess a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for the first offense and $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Those penalties shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.\n\t\t\tIf the vehicle identification number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been otherwise tampered with, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall take no further action with regard to the vehicle except to safeguard it in its then-existing condition and shall promptly notify the Department. The Department shall, after an investigation has been made, notify the demolisher or scrap metal processor whether the motor vehicle can be freed from this limitation. In no event shall the motor vehicle be disassembled, demolished, processed, or otherwise modified or removed prior to authorization by the Department. If the vehicle is a motorcycle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall cause to be noted on the title or salvage certificate, certifying on the face of the document, in addition to the above requirements, the frame number of the motorcycle and motor number, if available.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":15110,"edition_id":1,"name":"Abandoned Vehicles","identifier":"1","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13248,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:52:13","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:52:13","permalink":{"id":229709,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15110,"identifier":"1","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13248,"edition_id":1,"name":"Abandoned, Immobilized, Unattended and Trespassing Vehicles; Parking","identifier":"12","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:31","permalink":{"id":229707,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13248,"identifier":"12","token":"46.2\/III\/12","url":"\/46.2\/III\/12\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61628,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/46.2-1200\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200","metadata":false},{"id":63283,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.1","catch_line":"Abandoning motor vehicles prohibited; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1200.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.1","metadata":false},{"id":76589,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.2","catch_line":"Vehicles registered to active duty military personnel","url":"\/46.2-1200.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.2","metadata":false},{"id":61648,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1200.3","catch_line":"Limitation on removal and sale of abandoned vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1200.3\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1200.3","metadata":false},{"id":60742,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1201","catch_line":"Ordinances","url":"\/46.2-1201\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1201","metadata":false},{"id":75992,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1202","catch_line":"Search for owner and secured party; notice","url":"\/46.2-1202\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1202","metadata":false},{"id":77436,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1202.1","catch_line":"Vehicle Removal Certificates","url":"\/46.2-1202.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1202.1","metadata":false},{"id":63644,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1202.2","catch_line":"Notice of intent to auction and sale of vehicle; posting requirements","url":"\/46.2-1202.2\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1202.2","metadata":false},{"id":72914,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1203","catch_line":"Sale of vehicle at public auction by locality; disposition of proceeds","url":"\/46.2-1203\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1203","metadata":false},{"id":57574,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1204","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1204\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1204","metadata":false},{"id":82860,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1205","catch_line":"Disposition of inoperable abandoned vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1205\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1205","metadata":false},{"id":65709,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1206","catch_line":"Surrender of certificate of title, etc., where motor vehicle acquired for demolition; records to be kept by demolisher or scrap metal processor","url":"\/46.2-1206\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1206","metadata":false},{"id":74419,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1207","catch_line":"Certification of disposal; reimbursement of locality by Commissioner","url":"\/46.2-1207\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1207","metadata":false},{"id":61857,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1208","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-1208\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1208","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":82860,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1205","catch_line":"Disposition of inoperable abandoned vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1205\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1205","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":74419,"structure_id":15110,"section_number":"46.2-1207","catch_line":"Certification of disposal; reimbursement of locality by Commissioner","url":"\/46.2-1207\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1207","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1206\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1968. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 421 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1968 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 3 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1989, chapter 727; in 2009, chapter 664<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 803<\/a> and 835<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":60419,"section_number":"46.2-1608","catch_line":"Maintenance and contents of records","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1608\/"},{"id":67751,"section_number":"46.2-1608.1","catch_line":"Reports to police department; local ordinance; holding period; penalty","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1608.1\/"},{"id":87484,"section_number":"46.2-600","catch_line":"Owner to secure registration and certificate of title or certificate of ownership","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-600\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":60419,"section_number":"46.2-1608","catch_line":"Maintenance and contents of records","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1608\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229755,"object_type":"law","relational_id":65709,"identifier":"46.2-1206","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1206","url":"\/46.2-1206\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1206\/","token":"46.2\/III\/12\/1\/46.2-1206","dublin_core":{"Title":"Surrender of certificate of title, etc., where motor vehicle acquired for demolition; records to be kept by demolisher or scrap metal processor","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1206","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

No demolisher or scrap metal processor<\/span> who purchases or otherwise acquires a motor vehicle<\/span> for wrecking, dismantling, or demolition shall be required to obtain a certificate of title for the motor vehicle<\/span> in his own name. After the motor vehicle<\/span> has been demolished, processed, or changed so that it physically is no longer a motor vehicle<\/span>, the demolisher or scrap metal processor<\/span> shall surrender to the Department<\/span> for cancellation<\/span> the certificate of title, Vehicle Removal Certificate<\/span>, properly executed vehicle disposition<\/span> history, or sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction<\/span> for the vehicle. The Department<\/span> shall issue<\/span> the appropriate forms for the surrender of sales receipts, certificates of title, vehicle disposition<\/span> histories, and vehicle removal certificates<\/span>.\n\t\tDemolishers and scrap metal processors<\/span> shall keep accurate and complete records, in accordance with \u00a7 46.2-1608<\/a>, of all motor vehicles<\/span> purchased or received by them in the course of their business. Demolishers and scrap metal processors<\/span> shall also collect and verify:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> The towing company’s name; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> One of the ownership or possession<\/span> documents set out in this section following verification of its accuracy; <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The driver<\/span>’s license of the person delivering the motor vehicle<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> The license plate<\/span> number of the vehicle that delivered the motor vehicle<\/span> or scrap.\n\t\t\tIn addition, a photocopy or electronic copy of the appropriate ownership document or a Vehicle Removal Certificate<\/span> presented by the customer shall be maintained. Ownership documents shall consist of either a motor vehicle<\/span> title or a sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction<\/span> or a vehicle disposition<\/span> history. These records shall be maintained in a permanent ledger in a manner acceptable to the Department<\/span> at the place of business or at another readily accessible and secure location within the Commonwealth for at least five years. The personal identifying information contained within these records shall be protected from unauthorized disclosure through the ultimate destruction of the information. Disclosure of personal identifying information by anyone other than the Department<\/span> is subject to the Driver<\/span>’s Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721 et seq.).\n\t\t\tIf requested by a law<\/span>-enforcement officer<\/span>, a licensee shall make available, during regular business hours, a report of all the purchases of motor vehicles<\/span>. Each report shall include the information set out in this chapter and be available electronically or in an agreed-upon format. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter or who falsifies any of the information required to be maintained by this article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor<\/span> for the first offense<\/span>. Any licensee or scrap metal processor<\/span> who is found guilty of second or subsequent violations shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor<\/span>. The Department<\/span> shall also assess a civil penalty<\/span> not to exceed $500 for the first offense<\/span> and $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses<\/span>. Those penalties shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department<\/span>.\n\t\t\tIf the vehicle identification number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been otherwise tampered with, the demolisher or scrap metal processor<\/span> shall take no further action with regard to the vehicle except to safeguard it in its then-existing condition and shall promptly notify the Department<\/span>. The Department<\/span> shall, after an investigation has been made, notify the demolisher or scrap metal processor<\/span> whether the motor vehicle<\/span> can be freed from this limitation. In no event shall the motor vehicle<\/span> be disassembled, demolished, processed, or otherwise modified or removed prior to authorization by the Department<\/span>. If the vehicle is a motorcycle<\/span>, the demolisher or scrap metal processor<\/span> shall cause to be noted on the title or salvage certificate, certifying on the face of the document, in addition to the above requirements, the frame number of the motorcycle<\/span> and motor number, if available. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nSURRENDER OF CERTIFICATE OF TITLE, ETC., WHERE MOTOR VEHICLE ACQUIRED FOR\nDEMOLITION; RECORDS TO BE KEPT BY DEMOLISHER OR SCRAP METAL PROCESSOR (\u00a7\n46.2-1206)\n\nNo demolisher or scrap metal processor who purchases or otherwise acquires a\nmotor vehicle for wrecking, dismantling, or demolition shall be required to\nobtain a certificate of title for the motor vehicle in his own name. After the\nmotor vehicle has been demolished, processed, or changed so that it physically\nis no longer a motor vehicle, the demolisher or scrap metal processor shall\nsurrender to the Department for cancellation the certificate of title, Vehicle\nRemoval Certificate, properly executed vehicle disposition history, or sales\nreceipt from a foreign jurisdiction for the vehicle. The Department shall issue\nthe appropriate forms for the surrender of sales receipts, certificates of\ntitle, vehicle disposition histories, and vehicle removal certificates.\n\t\tDemolishers and scrap metal processors shall keep accurate and complete\nrecords, in accordance with \u00a7 46.2-1608, of all motor vehicles purchased or\nreceived by them in the course of their business. Demolishers and scrap metal\nprocessors shall also collect and verify:\n\n1. The towing company’s name;\n\n2. One of the ownership or possession documents set out in this section\nfollowing verification of its accuracy;\n\n3. The driver’s license of the person delivering the motor vehicle; and\n\n4. The license plate number of the vehicle that delivered the motor vehicle or\nscrap.\n\t\t\tIn addition, a photocopy or electronic copy of the appropriate ownership\ndocument or a Vehicle Removal Certificate presented by the customer shall be\nmaintained. Ownership documents shall consist of either a motor vehicle title or\na sales receipt from a foreign jurisdiction or a vehicle disposition history.\nThese records shall be maintained in a permanent ledger in a manner acceptable\nto the Department at the place of business or at another readily accessible and\nsecure location within the Commonwealth for at least five years. The personal\nidentifying information contained within these records shall be protected from\nunauthorized disclosure through the ultimate destruction of the information.\nDisclosure of personal identifying information by anyone other than the\nDepartment is subject to the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C.\n§ 2721 et seq.).\n\t\t\tIf requested by a law-enforcement officer, a licensee shall make available,\nduring regular business hours, a report of all the purchases of motor vehicles.\nEach report shall include the information set out in this chapter and be\navailable electronically or in an agreed-upon format. Any person who violates\nany provision of this chapter or who falsifies any of the information required\nto be maintained by this article shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor for\nthe first offense. Any licensee or scrap metal processor who is found guilty of\nsecond or subsequent violations shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The\nDepartment shall also assess a civil penalty not to exceed $500 for the first\noffense and $1,000 for the second and subsequent offenses. Those penalties shall\nbe paid into the state treasury and set aside as a special fund to be used to\nmeet the expenses of the Department.\n\t\t\tIf the vehicle identification number has been altered, is missing, or appears\nto have been otherwise tampered with, the demolisher or scrap metal processor\nshall take no further action with regard to the vehicle except to safeguard it\nin its then-existing condition and shall promptly notify the Department. The\nDepartment shall, after an investigation has been made, notify the demolisher or\nscrap metal processor whether the motor vehicle can be freed from this\nlimitation. In no event shall the motor vehicle be disassembled, demolished,\nprocessed, or otherwise modified or removed prior to authorization by the\nDepartment. If the vehicle is a motorcycle, the demolisher or scrap metal\nprocessor shall cause to be noted on the title or salvage certificate,\ncertifying on the face of the document, in addition to the above requirements,\nthe frame number of the motorcycle and motor number, if available.\n\nHISTORY: 1968, c. 421, \u00a7 46.1-555.8; 1989, c. 727; 2009, c. 664; 2012, cc. 803,\n835.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}