Salvage Vehicles and Nonrepairable Vehicles - Introduction

The Commonwealth of Virginia has statutes related to salvage and nonrepairable vehicles. These statutes:

• explain how certain vehicles become classified as salvage or nonrepairable
• provide for specific ownership documents for those types of vehicles and title branding
• contain requirements that are applicable to citizens, insurance companies, and the salvage industry
• explain how those involved in the salvage process are licensed
• explain how vehicles progress through the salvage process
• identify a vehicle's history through the salvage process
• assist law enforcement in combating vehicle theft and fraud, and
• inform customers as to a vehicle's status through branding

Citizens, insurance companies, salvage dealers rebuilders, demolishers, salvage pools and vehicle removal operators are required to obtain a salvage certificate, nonrepairable certificate, or certificate of title for each salvage or nonrepairable vehicle in their possession. If the vehicle is demolished or processed by removing parts, the licensee must also notify DMV of this action.

Additional Information

Declaring a Vehicle Salvage
Declaring a Vehicle Nonrepairable
Prohibitions and Allowances
Repaired/Rebuilt Vehicle Examinations
Salvage General Licensing Information
Virginia Salvage Code Sections
Contact Information