6.040 Salvage Vehicles

Definition: A total loss salvage vehicle for which the department has issued a Salvage Certificate (REG 489) as the titling
document.

Notice of Acquisition (REG 42): Not required

Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42): Required

When can the vehicle be dismantled?

Any time after the Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42), evidence of ownership, and license plates or Dismantler’s Notice of License Plate Destruction (REG 42) are delivered to the department.

Documents required to obtain junk status:

Submit to the department:

• Report of Vehicle to be Dismantled (REG 42).
• The California Salvage Certificate (REG 489).
• If the vehicle was purchased from someone other than the registered owner, as shown on the Salvage Certificate, bill(s) of sale to complete the chain of ownership showing the dismantler as the latest owner.

6.030 Nontitle (Goldenrod) California Vehicle

Definition: A nontitle (Goldenrod) California registration is issued when out-of-state titling documents are not submitted at the time of application for California registration. The registration card is marked:

**NO TITLE ISSUED/VEHICLE NOT TRANSFERABLE**

***CONTACT DMV FOR CA TITLE INFO***

Notice of Acquisition (REG 42): Required

Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42): Required

When can the vehicle be dismantled?

• Ten days after the Dismantlers Notice of Acquisition (REG 42) is mailed to the department.
• Any time after the Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42), evidence of ownership, and license plates or Dismantler’s Notice of License Plate Destruction are delivered to the department.

Documents required to obtain junk status:

Submit to the department:

• Report of Vehicle to be Dismantled (REG 42).
• Application for Title and Registration (REG 343 (PDF)) completed in the dismantler’s name.
• California registration card.
• Out-of-state titling documents.
• If the vehicle was purchased from someone other than the registered owner, as shown on the out-of-state title, bill(s) of sale to complete the chain of of ownership showing the dismantler as the latest owner.

6.020 Nonresident Vehicles

Definition: A vehicle that was last registered out of state.

Notice of Acquisition (REG 42): Required

Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42): Required

When can the vehicle be dismantled?

• Ten days after the Dismantlers Notice of Acquisition (REG 42) is mailed to the department.
• Any time after the Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42), evidence of ownership, and license plates or Dismantler’s Notice of License Plate Destruction (REG 42) are delivered to the department.

Documents required to obtain junk status:

Submit to the department:

• Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42)
• Application for Title and Registration (REG 343 (PDF)) completed in the dismantler’s name.
• Verification of Vehicle (reverse side of REG 343 (PDF)) completed by an authorized DMV employee, a licensed vehicle verifier, or a peace officer.
• Out-of state titling documents.
• If the vehicle was purchased from someone other than the registered owner, as shown on the out-of-state title, bill(s) of sale to complete the chain of ownership showing the dismantler as the latest owner.

6.010 California-Titled Vehicles

Definition: A vehicle that was last registered and titled in California.
Notice of Acquisition (REG 42): Required
Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42): Required

When can the vehicle be dismantled?

• Ten days after the Dismantlers Notice of Acquisition (REG 42) is mailed to the department.
• Any time after the Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42), evidence of ownership, and license plates or Dismantler’s Notice of License Plate Destruction (REG 42) are delivered to the department.

Documents required to obtain junk status:

Submit to the department:

• Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled (REG 42).
• The California Certificate of Title, or if the title has been lost, an Application for Duplicate Title (REG 227 (PDF)).
  • Note The legal owner/lienholder’s release signature on an Application for Duplicate Title (REG 227 (PDF)) must be notarized. See Section 4.020 for exceptions.
• If the vehicle was purchased from someone other than the registered owner, as shown on the Certificate of Title, bill(s) of sale to complete the chain of ownership showing the dismantler as the latest owner.

1.090 Inspection and Review of Dismantler Reports

The dismantler reports, as defined in Section 1.060, and all vehicles in the dismantler’s inventory, along with the title and registration documents, may be inspected at any time by a peace officer. Also, DMV investigators may periodically conduct a review of the business operation and records.

1.080 Investigation Service Fee (VC §§9263 and 11520)

An investigation service fee will be charged in the following situations:

• When applicable, a Notice of Acquisition is not mailed or delivered to the department within five calendar days after acquiring a vehicle.
• When applicable, a vehicle is dismantled before ten calendar days have elapsed after mailing the Notice of Acquisition.
• Report of Vehicle to be Dismantled, the evidence of ownership, and the vehicle license plates are not submitted to the department within 90 days after acquiring the vehicle.
• Failure to maintain separate business records of all vehicles acquired for dismantling.

Note In addition to a service fee, violations can result in an administrative action against the dismantler’s license.

1.070 Separation of Businesses and Records (VC §11509[a, 3], 11520[a, 5])

• An automobile dismantler must maintain a clear physical division between the business of dismantling vehicles and any other type of business conducted at the same location.

For example, if a dismantler is also licensed by the department as a dealer, all vehicles held for sale or resale as a dealer must be distinctly separated from those to be dismantled.

• A dismantler must maintain a separate business record of every vehicle acquired for dismantling. The record shall contain:

• The name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired.
• The date the vehicle was acquired.
• The license plate number last assigned to the vehicle.
• A brief description, including make, type, and vehicle identification number.
• Records must be kept separate from any other dismantler’s business records. For example, records showing inventory and vehicles dismantled under the dismantler’s license must be distinctly separated from the records showing the inventory and sales made under the dealer’s license.
• Records must be kept for the current year plus the three years prior.

1.060 Reporting Forms (VC §11505[c])

The Report of Vehicle To Be Dismantled and Dismantlers Notice of Acquisition (REG 42) and other required forms are furnished by the department and remain the property of the department. Dismantler reports may be reviewed by the department at any time.

Refer to Chapter 3 of this handbook for instructions on completing the REG 42 and Section 7.010 for instructions on obtaining additional REG 42 forms.

1.050 Dismantler Plates (VC §11516)

By displaying a dismantler plate, a licensed dismantler who owns or controls a vehicle subject to registration, may operate or move the vehicle upon the highways without subjecting the vehicle to registration or transfer. Dismantler plates must be displayed on the vehicle in addition to any other license plates or permits already assigned to the vehicle. Dismantler plates can only be used to move a vehicle from its location to the dismantler’s place of business or to a scrap processor’s location. The registration card issued for dismantler plates must be with the vehicle bearing the dismantler plates.

Dismantler plates may not be used on work or service vehicles owned by the dismantler. Such vehicles must be properly registered and licensed. Misuse of dismantler plates is a violation of VC §§4000(a) and 11516.

For additional information regarding the issuance and restrictive use of dismantler plates, contact the department’s Occupational Licensing Section at (916) 229-3126.

1.040 Suspension or Revocation (VC §11509)

If it is determined that the holder of a dismantler license is not lawfully entitled to the license or has committed any of the acts listed in VC §11509(a), the department, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke that license.