Insurance companies have the authority to declare a vehicle a "total loss", but they are subject to regulation by the State of Connecticut Insurance Department.

If your insurance company has determined that your vehicle is a "total loss" or the word  "Salvage" has been stamped on the title, it is illegal to operate this vehicle upon any road in Connecticut. Technically, the registration on this vehicle has been cancelled. You should have removed the plates from your vehicle.

The DMV is aware of the status of the vehicle, since your insurance company has sent us a copy of the title stamped "Salvage".

The registration and plates on the salvaged vehicle can be transferred to another vehicle.

If you rebuild the salvaged vehicle (parts only; salvages cannot be rebuilt), you must re-title the vehicle. The vehicle cannot, however, be re-titled until it passes a Salvage Inspection.

Please see Salvage Inspection Information Sheet (form B-256) for additional information.

Salvage Inspection Locations:
Salvaged vehicles will be inspected in the following three offices only: Enfield, Hamden and Wethersfield. Wethersfield: Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enfield and Hamden: Tuesday through Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Salvage/composite vehicles must be presented for inspection by 3 p.m., one hour prior to closing). Inspection lanes are closed between noon and 1 p.m.

The DMV will charge an inspection fee of $88 for a regular salvage inspection. This form must be purchased prior to the time of inspection from any DMV Branch office.

In addition to the salvage inspection at DMV, the vehicle will also require a new emissions test performed at an official emissions testing station . Some vehicles may be exempt from emissions testing, please refer to the listing of exempt vehicles.

NOTE: A New York State salvage certificate (form MV907A) is not acceptable by the Connecticut DMV.

Please be sure to bring receipts for major component parts used in the rebuilding. If a part was taken from a used vehicle, the receipt should specify the serial number (VIN) of that vehicle. The major component parts are: engines, cowls, transmissions, frames, doors, trunk lids, front and rear fenders and quarter panels.

A private individual cannot drive or tow the salvaged vehicle to the DMV office. Vehicles may only be brought in on a flat-bed trailer or car carrier (i.e., no wheel of the vehicle may touch the ground). The vehicle can be driven/towed by a bona fide Dealer/Repairer employee with Dealer/Repair Plates only when the dealer is the owner of the vehicle. But if it fails inspection it must be transported away on a flatbed trailer.

Once the vehicle passes the salvage inspection, you can re-register the vehicle with the old plates or obtain new plates. You will be issued a new title (without the "Salvage" stamp on it) with the words "Rebuilt" printed on it. Once the salvage inspection is performed, the inspection slip does not expire.

The owner of a vehicle that has been declared "Salvage" cannot transfer ownership on an Application for Duplicate Title (form H6B). The owner must first obtain a duplicate title from the Title Section which will bear the legend "Salvage".  The owner may then assign the reverse side of the duplicate title to the purchaser.

If the title is branded "Salvage Parts Only" or "Salvage Unrebuildable" or "Salvage Unrepairable", the vehicle cannot be registered or re-titled under any circumstances.

Required Documents:

Salvaged vehicles must have a  Salvaged Vehicle Repair Report (form K-186) completed and presented at the time of vehicle inspection. When a vehicle that has had any major component part replaced in accord with industry standards is presented for inspection by a licensed dealer or repairer, the following procedure is to be followed.

Clear photographs of the repaired/replaced areas of the vehicle are to be presented when inspected. The photographs must clearly:

1. Show the entire vehicle by four photos, one from each vehicle corner i.e. left front, right front, left rear, right rear.

2. Show the damaged area(s) prior to repairs.

3. Show the repaired areas with the new parts/panels installed prior to any seam sealing, painting, or rust proofing.

4. Show how the new parts were attached (welding).

5. Show the area prior to painting and corrosion proofing (if the area is no longer visible).

These photographs must be attached to a DMV Salvage Vehicle Repair Report (form K-186). This form must be completed and signed by the licensee.  All Departmental requirements for invoices/titles/receipts of parts/panels shall apply. The certification for repair of salvage vehicles will be the signed and submitted with the completed Salvage Vehicle Repair Report (form K-186). If the vehicle is equipped with an air bag, a separate Air Bag Certification Statement (form B-303) will be required for air bag repair or replacement. In a situation where a licensee’s vehicle has a questionable repair, the undercoating, sealer or parts may have to be removed at the request of the Inspector.

A copy of the original insurance appraisal causing the vehicle title to be stamped SALVAGE must be presented at time of inspection.

Remember that the major component parts requiring receipts are defined in Connecticut State Law Title 14 Sec. 14-149(a)(2), as the cowl and hinge pillar, the firewall, the engine, the transmission, the roof panel, the left or right axle assembly, the engine support frame or K-frame, the left or right front wheel suspension assembly, the left or right rear wheel suspension assembly, the left or right side body section or door post or rocker assembly, and the floor pan.

Please see Salvage Inspection Information Sheet (form B-256) for additional information.