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HomeVehicle CodeDiv. 5Ch. 3§ 11519 Salvage Vehicle Registration Requirements

§ 11519 Salvage Vehicle Registration Requirements

Vehicle Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 11519 Salvage Vehicle Registration Requirements

This law says that if a car is badly damaged or wrecked and called a 'total loss,' you can't register it again until you fix it and show proof it's safe.

Key Takeaways

  • •If your car is wrecked and called a 'total loss,' you can't register it again until it's fixed.
  • •You need to show the DMV a bill of sale, an application, and proof the car is safe.
  • •The car must pass a pollution check and other safety tests before it can be registered again.

Example

Your car gets in a bad crash and the insurance company says it's a 'total loss.'

You can't drive it again until you fix it, get it checked for safety, and show the DMV all the right papers.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 11519 Salvage Vehicle Registration Requirements

(a) A vehicle that has been reported as a total loss salvage vehicle or dismantled vehicle may not be subsequently registered until there is submitted to the department all of the following: (1) The prescribed bill of sale. (2) An appropriate application. (3) A vehicle safety systems certificate of compliance issued pursuant to Article 6.5 (commencing with Section 9888.5) of Chapter 20.3 of Division 3 of the Business and Professions Code, except that a fleet owner of motor trucks of three or more axles that are more than 6,000 pounds unladen weight, and a fleet owner of truck tractors, may instead submit certification for their own rebuilt vehicle if the fleet owner operates an inspection and maintenance station licensed by the commissioner under subdivision (b) of Section 2525. (4) With respect to a motor vehicle subject to Part 5 (commencing with Section 43000) of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code, a valid certificate of compliance from a licensed motor vehicle pollution control device installation and inspection station indicating that the vehicle is properly equipped with a motor vehicle pollution control device that is in proper operating condition and is in compliance with Part 5 (commencing with Section 43000) of Division 26 of the Health and Safety Code. (5) Any other documents or fees required under law. (b) The department may not register a vehicle that has been referred to the Department of the California Highway Patrol under subdivision (b) of Section 5505 or that has been selected for inspection by that department under subdivision (c) of that section, until the applicant for registration submits to the department a certification of inspection issued by the Department of the California Highway Patrol and all of the documents required under subdivision (a). (Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 681, Sec. 24. (AB 1263) Effective January 1, 2024.)

Last verified: January 9, 2026

Key Terms

total loss salvage vehicledismantled vehiclevehicle safety systems certificate of compliancecertificate of compliancecertification of inspection

Related Statutes

  • § 11540 Salvage Pool Vehicle Records
  • § 10750 Vehicle Identification Protection
  • § 10751 Altered Vehicle Identification Numbers
  • § 10752 Vehicle Serial Number Fraud
  • § 10753 Catalytic Converter Marking Tampering

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Vehicle Code. Section 11519.
View Official Source