Salvage or Abandoned Cars

When buying a new vehicle, it is crucial for drivers to be informed of any vehicle designations that have been previously put on a vehicle of interest. There are many different kinds of vehicle designations with the main ones in Alabama being salvage cars and salvage rebuilt cars. Each designation describes the condition a vehicle is in at the time of purchase. Additionally, each has a specific procedure you must follow in order to get a car title in Alabama. It is strongly encouraged for car buyers of used vehicles to know the history of the vehicle in order to avoid any future discrepancies. In order for you to understand a vehicle’s history, you must have a clear understanding of what each vehicle designation means.

When purchasing new vehicles, it is crucial for drivers to be informed of any vehicle designations that have been previously put on a vehicle of interest. There are many different kinds of vehicle designations with the main ones in Alabama being salvage cars and salvage rebuilt cars. Each designation describes the condition a vehicle is in at the time of purchase. Additionally, each has a specific procedure you must follow in order to obtain a car title in Alabama. It is strongly encouraged for car buyers of used vehicles to know the history of the vehicle in order to avoid any future discrepancies. In order for you to understand a vehicle’s history, you must have a clear understanding of what each vehicle designation means.

In the sections below, you will find specific information on what each of these vehicle designations signify and how to obtain a salvage car title:

• Salvage Vehicles and Salvage Rebuilt Vehicles
• How to Obtain a Salvage Rebuilt Car Title
• Required Documents to Get a Salvage Rebuilt Car Title

Salvage Vehicles and Salvage Rebuilt Vehicles

In Alabama, a salvage vehicle is a vehicle that has been deemed a total loss by an insurance company. This kind of vehicle is not allowed to legally operate on public highways or have a valid license plate. If the car is restored, it must be properly inspected and the owner must obtain a rebuilt car title from the Alabama Department of Revenue so that it may be considered a salvage rebuilt vehicle. In order for the AL DOR to issue a salvage vehicle with a rebuilt car title, it must have been restored within Alabama state borders. A salvage-rebuilt vehicle must have a rebuilt title before it can be legally driven on roadways.

Required Documents to get a Salvage Rebuilt Car Title

Drivers interested in obtaining a salvage rebuilt vehicle title in Alabama must complete and submit a certain amount of required documents to the Department of Revenue, which include:

• An INV 26-15 Form (Application for Inspection of a Salvage Vehicle).
• An INV 31-1 Form (Remittance Advice).
• The original salvage title properly assigned to the owner.
• Specific sections of the Bill of Sale including:
  • Notarized Bills of Sale of all major component parts.
  • Bills of sale of all minor component parts.

How to Obtain a Salvage Rebuilt Car Title

To obtain a salvage rebuilt vehicle title, the owner is required to:

• Restore the vehicle to its prior condition.
• Have the vehicle inspected by the AL Department of Revenue Automobile Inspection section.
  • The AL DOR Automobile Inspection section will ensure that the vehicle is restored to state law standards and that no stolen car parts were used to restore it.
• Submit the required documents.
• Pay the $90 fee.
• Provide a copy of the current registration prior to salvage title
  • If copy of registration is unavailable, the owner must contact the local licensing official’s office to obtain a copy.
• Provide a copy of their state-issued driver ID.

Once all the aforementioned steps have been completed and all the required documents have been gathered, you can mail the package to the AL Department of Revenue at the following address in order to officially be issued a salvage rebuilt car title:

Department of Revenue Automobile Inspection Unit P.O. Box 327641, Montgomery, Alabama 36132-7641