{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1605.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1605.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1605.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1605.html"}],"law_id":56078,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56078,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1605","catch_line":"Vehicles rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles","history":"1979, c. 401, \u00a7 46.1-550.10; 1986, c. 161; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 148; 1994, c. 73; 1996, cc. 21, 843; 2003, c. 304; 2006, c. 615; 2011, c. 824; 2012, cc. 283, 756; 2015, cc. 33, 177; 2017, c. 277; 2020, c. 867.","full_text":"A\n\nEach salvage vehicle that has been rebuilt for use on the highways shall be submitted for a state safety inspection in accordance with § 46.2-1157. The inspection shall be conducted by an inspector wholly unaffiliated with the person requesting the inspection of the vehicle.B\n\n1. Upon passage of a state safety inspection, each rebuilt vehicle shall be examined by the Department prior to the issuance of a title for the vehicle. The examination by the Department shall include a review of video or photographic images of the vehicle prior to being rebuilt, if available; all documentation for the parts and labor used for the repair of the salvage vehicle; and verification of the vehicle’s identification number, confidential number, odometer reading, and engine, transmission, or electronic modules, if applicable. This inspection shall serve as an antitheft and antifraud measure and shall not certify the safety or roadworthiness of the vehicle. The Commissioner shall ensure that, in scheduling and performing examinations of salvage vehicles under this section, single vehicles owned by private owner-operators are afforded no lower priority than examinations of vehicles owned by motor vehicle dealers, salvage pools, licensed auto recyclers, or vehicle removal operators. The Commissioner may charge a fee of $125 per vehicle, for the examination of rebuilt vehicles.2\n\nThe examination described in subdivision 1 shall not be required for a rebuilt vehicle if (i) the person rebuilding the vehicle has been licensed under this chapter for at least 10 years and has not incurred any penalties pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; (ii) the rebuilt vehicle is at least 10 years old but does not qualify as an antique motor vehicle; and (iii) the resale value of the rebuilt vehicle is less than $10,000. Any rebuilder who sells a rebuilt vehicle without an examination, as authorized by this subdivision, shall be required to maintain all required records for rebuilt vehicles described in subdivision 1 for inspection upon request of the Department or any law-enforcement official.C\n\nAny salvage vehicle whose vehicle identification number or confidential number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been tampered with may be impounded by the Department until completion of an investigation by the Department. The vehicle may not be moved, sold, or tampered with until the completion of this investigation. Upon completion of an investigation by the Department, if the vehicle identification number is found to be missing or altered, a new vehicle identification number may be issued by the Department. If the vehicle is found to be a stolen vehicle and its owner can be determined, the vehicle shall be returned to him. If the owner cannot be determined or located and the person seeking to title the vehicle has been convicted of a violation of § 46.2-1074 or 46.2-1075, the vehicle shall be deemed forfeited to the Commonwealth and said forfeiture shall proceed in accordance with Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.D\n\nIf the Department’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle indicates no irregularities, a title and registration may be issued for the vehicle upon application therefor to the Department by the owner of the salvage vehicle. The title issued by the Department and any subsequent title thereafter issued for the rebuilt vehicle shall be permanently branded to indicate that it is a rebuilt vehicle. All rebuilt vehicles shall be subject to all safety equipment requirements provided by law. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no title or registration shall be issued by the Department for any rebuilt vehicle that has not first passed a safety inspection or for any vehicle for which a nonrepairable certificate has ever been issued.E\n\nIf the Department’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle reveals irregularities in the required documentation or obvious defects, the Department shall identify to the owner the irregularities and defects that must be corrected before the Department’s examination can be completed.F\n\nNotwithstanding § 46.2-1550, a licensed salvage dealer or rebuilder who is also licensed as a motor vehicle dealer pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 46.2-1500 et seq.) may use dealer’s license plates for the sole purpose of transporting a rebuilt salvage vehicle to and from an official safety inspection station. Such dealer’s license plates may not be used on any vehicle not owned by the licensed salvage dealer or rebuilder. For all other rebuilt salvage vehicles, when necessary and upon application, the Department shall issue temporary trip permits in accordance with § 46.2-651 for this purpose.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":205542,"text":"Each salvage vehicle that has been rebuilt for use on the highways shall be submitted for a state safety inspection in accordance with § 46.2-1157. The inspection shall be conducted by an inspector wholly unaffiliated with the person requesting the inspection of the vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":205543,"text":"1. Upon passage of a state safety inspection, each rebuilt vehicle shall be examined by the Department prior to the issuance of a title for the vehicle. The examination by the Department shall include a review of video or photographic images of the vehicle prior to being rebuilt, if available; all documentation for the parts and labor used for the repair of the salvage vehicle; and verification of the vehicle’s identification number, confidential number, odometer reading, and engine, transmission, or electronic modules, if applicable. This inspection shall serve as an antitheft and antifraud measure and shall not certify the safety or roadworthiness of the vehicle. The Commissioner shall ensure that, in scheduling and performing examinations of salvage vehicles under this section, single vehicles owned by private owner-operators are afforded no lower priority than examinations of vehicles owned by motor vehicle dealers, salvage pools, licensed auto recyclers, or vehicle removal operators. The Commissioner may charge a fee of $125 per vehicle, for the examination of rebuilt vehicles.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"B2"},"2":{"id":205544,"text":"The examination described in subdivision 1 shall not be required for a rebuilt vehicle if (i) the person rebuilding the vehicle has been licensed under this chapter for at least 10 years and has not incurred any penalties pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; (ii) the rebuilt vehicle is at least 10 years old but does not qualify as an antique motor vehicle; and (iii) the resale value of the rebuilt vehicle is less than $10,000. Any rebuilder who sells a rebuilt vehicle without an examination, as authorized by this subdivision, shall be required to maintain all required records for rebuilt vehicles described in subdivision 1 for inspection upon request of the Department or any law-enforcement official.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"C"},"3":{"id":205545,"text":"Any salvage vehicle whose vehicle identification number or confidential number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been tampered with may be impounded by the Department until completion of an investigation by the Department. The vehicle may not be moved, sold, or tampered with until the completion of this investigation. Upon completion of an investigation by the Department, if the vehicle identification number is found to be missing or altered, a new vehicle identification number may be issued by the Department. If the vehicle is found to be a stolen vehicle and its owner can be determined, the vehicle shall be returned to him. If the owner cannot be determined or located and the person seeking to title the vehicle has been convicted of a violation of § 46.2-1074 or 46.2-1075, the vehicle shall be deemed forfeited to the Commonwealth and said forfeiture shall proceed in accordance with Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B2","next_prefix":"D"},"4":{"id":205546,"text":"If the Department’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle indicates no irregularities, a title and registration may be issued for the vehicle upon application therefor to the Department by the owner of the salvage vehicle. The title issued by the Department and any subsequent title thereafter issued for the rebuilt vehicle shall be permanently branded to indicate that it is a rebuilt vehicle. All rebuilt vehicles shall be subject to all safety equipment requirements provided by law. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no title or registration shall be issued by the Department for any rebuilt vehicle that has not first passed a safety inspection or for any vehicle for which a nonrepairable certificate has ever been issued.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"5":{"id":205547,"text":"If the Department’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle reveals irregularities in the required documentation or obvious defects, the Department shall identify to the owner the irregularities and defects that must be corrected before the Department’s examination can be completed.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"6":{"id":205548,"text":"Notwithstanding § 46.2-1550, a licensed salvage dealer or rebuilder who is also licensed as a motor vehicle dealer pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 46.2-1500 et seq.) may use dealer’s license plates for the sole purpose of transporting a rebuilt salvage vehicle to and from an official safety inspection station. Such dealer’s license plates may not be used on any vehicle not owned by the licensed salvage dealer or rebuilder. For all other rebuilt salvage vehicles, when necessary and upon application, the Department shall issue temporary trip permits in accordance with § 46.2-651 for this purpose.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13677,"edition_id":1,"name":"Salvage, Nonrepairable, and Rebuilt Vehicles","identifier":"16","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13355,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:32","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:32","permalink":{"id":231781,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13677,"identifier":"16","token":"46.2\/IV\/16","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/16\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13355,"edition_id":1,"name":"Dealers and Driver Training Schools","identifier":"IV","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:42","permalink":{"id":231065,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13355,"identifier":"IV","token":"46.2\/IV","url":"\/46.2\/IV\/","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":58576,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1600","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/46.2-1600\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1600","metadata":false},{"id":58776,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601","catch_line":"Licensing of dealers of salvage vehicles; fees","url":"\/46.2-1601\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601","metadata":false},{"id":68846,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601.1","catch_line":"Advertising and display of license; business hours","url":"\/46.2-1601.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601.1","metadata":false},{"id":69351,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601.2","catch_line":"Acts of officers, directors, and partners","url":"\/46.2-1601.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601.2","metadata":false},{"id":82874,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1601.3","catch_line":"Grounds for denying, suspending, or revoking licenses","url":"\/46.2-1601.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1601.3","metadata":false},{"id":85538,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602","catch_line":"Certain sales prohibited; exceptions","url":"\/46.2-1602\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602","metadata":false},{"id":65231,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.1","catch_line":"Duties of insurance companies upon acquiring certain vehicles","url":"\/46.2-1602.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.1","metadata":false},{"id":81945,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.2","catch_line":"Exemptions","url":"\/46.2-1602.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.2","metadata":false},{"id":82091,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1602.3","catch_line":"Exception; vehicles sold for recycling parts, dismantling, demolishing, or utilizing for scrap","url":"\/46.2-1602.3\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1602.3","metadata":false},{"id":61621,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603","catch_line":"Obtaining salvage certificate or certificate of title for an unrecovered stolen vehicle","url":"\/46.2-1603\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603","metadata":false},{"id":69665,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603.1","catch_line":"Duties of licensees","url":"\/46.2-1603.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603.1","metadata":false},{"id":55704,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1603.2","catch_line":"Owner may declare vehicle nonrepairable; insurance company required to obtain a nonrepairable certificate; applicability of certain other laws to nonrepairable certificates; titling and registration of nonrepairable vehicle prohibited","url":"\/46.2-1603.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1603.2","metadata":false},{"id":59590,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1604","catch_line":"Rebuilders required to possess certificate of title or salvage certificate","url":"\/46.2-1604\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1604","metadata":false},{"id":56078,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1605","catch_line":"Vehicles rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles","url":"\/46.2-1605\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1605","metadata":false},{"id":54656,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1606","catch_line":"Certificates of title issued by other states; nonnegotiable titles","url":"\/46.2-1606\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1606","metadata":false},{"id":71773,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1607","catch_line":"Inspection of records and examination of inventory","url":"\/46.2-1607\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1607","metadata":false},{"id":60419,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1608","catch_line":"Maintenance and contents of records","url":"\/46.2-1608\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1608","metadata":false},{"id":67751,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1608.1","catch_line":"Reports to police department; local ordinance; holding period; penalty","url":"\/46.2-1608.1\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1608.1","metadata":false},{"id":77682,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1608.2","catch_line":"Licensees to update records of the Department for motor vehicles that are to be demolished or dismantled","url":"\/46.2-1608.2\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1608.2","metadata":false},{"id":76509,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1609","catch_line":"Penalties","url":"\/46.2-1609\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1609","metadata":false},{"id":73259,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1610","catch_line":"Disposition of fees","url":"\/46.2-1610\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1610","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":59590,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1604","catch_line":"Rebuilders required to possess certificate of title or salvage certificate","url":"\/46.2-1604\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1604","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":54656,"structure_id":13677,"section_number":"46.2-1606","catch_line":"Certificates of title issued by other states; nonnegotiable titles","url":"\/46.2-1606\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1606","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1605\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1979. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 401 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 1979 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 12 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 1986, chapter 161; in 1989, chapter 727; in 1992, chapter 148; in 1994, chapter 73<\/a>; in 1996, chapters 21<\/a> and 843<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 304<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 615<\/a>; in 2011, chapter 824<\/a>; in 2012, chapters 283<\/a> and 756<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 33<\/a> and 177<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 277<\/a>; in 2020, chapter 867<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":69545,"section_number":"46.2-1072.1","catch_line":"Fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1072.1\/"},{"id":61621,"section_number":"46.2-1603","catch_line":"Obtaining salvage certificate or certificate of title for an unrecovered stolen vehicle","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1603\/"},{"id":54656,"section_number":"46.2-1606","catch_line":"Certificates of title issued by other states; nonnegotiable titles","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1606\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":68052,"section_number":"19.2-386.1","catch_line":"Commencing an action of forfeiture","order_by":null,"url":"\/19.2-386.1\/"},{"id":70675,"section_number":"46.2-1074","catch_line":"Removing or altering serial or identification numbers, decals and devices without consent of Department","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1074\/"},{"id":63514,"section_number":"46.2-1075","catch_line":"Possession of vehicles with serial numbers removed or altered","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1075\/"},{"id":85494,"section_number":"46.2-1157","catch_line":"Inspection of motor vehicles required","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1157\/"},{"id":84929,"section_number":"46.2-1500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1500\/"},{"id":72295,"section_number":"46.2-1550","catch_line":"Use of dealer's and manufacturer's license plates, generally","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1550\/"},{"id":54402,"section_number":"46.2-651","catch_line":"Trip permits; regulations; fees","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-651\/"}],"permalink":{"id":231835,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56078,"identifier":"46.2-1605","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1605","url":"\/46.2-1605\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1605\/","token":"46.2\/IV\/16\/46.2-1605","dublin_core":{"Title":"Vehicles rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1605","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Each salvage vehicle<\/span> that has been rebuilt for use on the highways<\/span><\/span> shall be submitted for a state safety inspection in accordance with § 46.2-1157<\/a>. The inspection shall be conducted by an inspector wholly unaffiliated with the person requesting the inspection of the vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> 1. Upon passage of a state safety inspection, each rebuilt vehicle<\/span> shall be examined by the Department<\/span> prior to the issuance of a title for the vehicle. The examination by the Department<\/span> shall include a review of video or photographic images of the vehicle prior to being rebuilt, if available; all documentation for the parts and labor used for the repair of the salvage vehicle<\/span>; and verification of the vehicle’s identification number, confidential number, odometer reading, and engine, transmission, or electronic modules, if applicable. This inspection shall serve as an antitheft and antifraud measure and shall not certify the safety or roadworthiness of the vehicle. The Commissioner<\/span> shall ensure that, in scheduling and performing examinations of salvage vehicles<\/span> under this section, single vehicles owned by private owner<\/span>-operators are afforded no lower priority than examinations of vehicles owned by motor vehicle<\/span> dealers, salvage pools<\/span>, licensed auto recyclers<\/span>, or vehicle removal operators<\/span>. The Commissioner<\/span> may charge a fee of $125 per vehicle, for the examination of rebuilt vehicles<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> The examination described in subdivision 1 shall not be required for a rebuilt vehicle<\/span> if (i) the person rebuilding the vehicle has been licensed under this chapter for at least 10 years and has not incurred any penalties pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; (ii) the rebuilt vehicle<\/span> is at least 10 years old but does not qualify as an antique motor vehicle<\/span>; and (iii) the resale value of the rebuilt vehicle<\/span> is less than $10,000. Any rebuilder<\/span> who sells a rebuilt vehicle<\/span> without an examination, as authorized by this subdivision, shall be required to maintain all required records for rebuilt vehicles<\/span> described in subdivision 1 for inspection upon request of the Department<\/span> or any law<\/span>-enforcement official. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any salvage vehicle<\/span> whose vehicle identification number or confidential number has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been tampered with may be impounded by the Department<\/span> until completion of an investigation by the Department<\/span>. The vehicle may not be moved, sold, or tampered with until the completion of this investigation. Upon completion of an investigation by the Department<\/span>, if the vehicle identification number is found to be missing or altered, a new vehicle identification number may be issued by the Department<\/span>. If the vehicle is found to be a stolen vehicle and its owner<\/span> can be determined, the vehicle shall be returned to him. If the owner<\/span> cannot be determined or located and the person seeking to title the vehicle has been convicted of a violation of § 46.2-1074<\/a> or 46.2-1075<\/a>, the vehicle shall be deemed forfeited to the Commonwealth and said forfeiture shall proceed in accordance with Chapter 22.1 (§ 19.2-386.1<\/a> et seq.) of Title 19.2. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> If the Department<\/span>’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle<\/span> indicates no irregularities, a title and registration may be issued for the vehicle upon application therefor to the Department<\/span> by the owner<\/span> of the salvage vehicle<\/span>. The title issued by the Department<\/span> and any subsequent title thereafter issued for the rebuilt vehicle<\/span> shall be permanently branded to indicate that it is a rebuilt vehicle<\/span>. All rebuilt vehicles<\/span> shall be subject to all safety equipment requirements provided by law<\/span>. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no title or registration shall be issued by the Department<\/span> for any rebuilt vehicle<\/span> that has not first passed a safety inspection or for any vehicle for which a nonrepairable certificate<\/span> has ever been issued. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> If the Department<\/span>’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle<\/span> reveals irregularities in the required documentation or obvious defects, the Department<\/span> shall identify to the owner<\/span> the irregularities and defects that must be corrected before the Department<\/span>’s examination can be completed. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Notwithstanding § 46.2-1550<\/a>, a licensed salvage dealer<\/span> or rebuilder<\/span> who is also licensed as a motor vehicle dealer pursuant to Chapter 15 (§ 46.2-1500<\/a> et seq.) may use dealer’s license plates<\/span> for the sole purpose of transporting a rebuilt salvage vehicle<\/span> to and from an official safety inspection station. Such dealer’s license plates<\/span> may not be used on any vehicle not owned by the licensed salvage dealer<\/span> or rebuilder<\/span>. For all other rebuilt salvage vehicles<\/span>, when necessary and upon application, the Department<\/span> shall issue<\/span> temporary trip permits in accordance with § 46.2-651<\/a> for this purpose. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nVEHICLES REBUILT FOR HIGHWAY USE; EXAMINATIONS; BRANDING OF TITLES (\u00a7\n46.2-1605)\n\nA. Each salvage vehicle that has been rebuilt for use on the highways shall be\nsubmitted for a state safety inspection in accordance with § 46.2-1157. The\ninspection shall be conducted by an inspector wholly unaffiliated with the\nperson requesting the inspection of the vehicle.\n\nB. 1. Upon passage of a state safety inspection, each rebuilt vehicle shall be\nexamined by the Department prior to the issuance of a title for the vehicle. The\nexamination by the Department shall include a review of video or photographic\nimages of the vehicle prior to being rebuilt, if available; all documentation\nfor the parts and labor used for the repair of the salvage vehicle; and\nverification of the vehicle’s identification number, confidential number,\nodometer reading, and engine, transmission, or electronic modules, if\napplicable. This inspection shall serve as an antitheft and antifraud measure\nand shall not certify the safety or roadworthiness of the vehicle. The\nCommissioner shall ensure that, in scheduling and performing examinations of\nsalvage vehicles under this section, single vehicles owned by private\nowner-operators are afforded no lower priority than examinations of vehicles\nowned by motor vehicle dealers, salvage pools, licensed auto recyclers, or\nvehicle removal operators. The Commissioner may charge a fee of $125 per\nvehicle, for the examination of rebuilt vehicles.\n\n 2. The examination described in subdivision 1 shall not be required for a\n rebuilt vehicle if (i) the person rebuilding the vehicle has been licensed\n under this chapter for at least 10 years and has not incurred any penalties\n pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; (ii) the rebuilt vehicle is at\n least 10 years old but does not qualify as an antique motor vehicle; and (iii)\n the resale value of the rebuilt vehicle is less than $10,000. Any rebuilder\n who sells a rebuilt vehicle without an examination, as authorized by this\n subdivision, shall be required to maintain all required records for rebuilt\n vehicles described in subdivision 1 for inspection upon request of the\n Department or any law-enforcement official.\n\nC. Any salvage vehicle whose vehicle identification number or confidential\nnumber has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been tampered with may\nbe impounded by the Department until completion of an investigation by the\nDepartment. The vehicle may not be moved, sold, or tampered with until the\ncompletion of this investigation. Upon completion of an investigation by the\nDepartment, if the vehicle identification number is found to be missing or\naltered, a new vehicle identification number may be issued by the Department. If\nthe vehicle is found to be a stolen vehicle and its owner can be determined, the\nvehicle shall be returned to him. If the owner cannot be determined or located\nand the person seeking to title the vehicle has been convicted of a violation of\n§ 46.2-1074 or 46.2-1075, the vehicle shall be deemed forfeited to the\nCommonwealth and said forfeiture shall proceed in accordance with Chapter 22.1\n(§ 19.2-386.1 et seq.) of Title 19.2.\n\nD. If the Department’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle indicates\nno irregularities, a title and registration may be issued for the vehicle upon\napplication therefor to the Department by the owner of the salvage vehicle. The\ntitle issued by the Department and any subsequent title thereafter issued for\nthe rebuilt vehicle shall be permanently branded to indicate that it is a\nrebuilt vehicle. All rebuilt vehicles shall be subject to all safety equipment\nrequirements provided by law. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, no\ntitle or registration shall be issued by the Department for any rebuilt vehicle\nthat has not first passed a safety inspection or for any vehicle for which a\nnonrepairable certificate has ever been issued.\n\nE. If the Department’s examination of a rebuilt salvage vehicle reveals\nirregularities in the required documentation or obvious defects, the Department\nshall identify to the owner the irregularities and defects that must be\ncorrected before the Department’s examination can be completed.\n\nF. Notwithstanding § 46.2-1550, a licensed salvage dealer or rebuilder who\nis also licensed as a motor vehicle dealer pursuant to Chapter 15 (§\n46.2-1500 et seq.) may use dealer’s license plates for the sole purpose of\ntransporting a rebuilt salvage vehicle to and from an official safety inspection\nstation. Such dealer’s license plates may not be used on any vehicle not\nowned by the licensed salvage dealer or rebuilder. For all other rebuilt salvage\nvehicles, when necessary and upon application, the Department shall issue\ntemporary trip permits in accordance with § 46.2-651 for this purpose.\n\nHISTORY: 1979, c. 401, \u00a7 46.1-550.10; 1986, c. 161; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 148;\n1994, c. 73; 1996, cc. 21, 843; 2003, c. 304; 2006, c. 615; 2011, c. 824; 2012,\ncc. 283, 756; 2015, cc. 33, 177; 2017, c. 277; 2020, c. 867.","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}}