If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and declared to be a total loss by the owner or the insurance company, the Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles will brand it with a salvage title.
Generally, a salvage title car cannot be driven on public roads in Georgia until it has been adequately repaired, inspected, rebranded as “rebuilt” or “revived”, registered, and insured.
This page will cover the salvage title process in Georgia, and provide you with tips on how to get a salvage vehicle back on the road.
For official information or questions about your specific situation, please contact your local Georgia DMV office or visit the official DMV website:
What is a Salvage Title in Georgia?
Like many other states, a salvage title in Georgia means that the vehicle has been reported to the DMV to be a total loss, wrecked, or damaged to the point where it is no longer roadworthy.
Salvage brands are given to vehicles that meet one of the following definitions:
- The vehicle is damaged to the point where restoration would require the replacement of 2 or more major components.
- The insurance company has paid a “total loss” claim.
- The vehicle was an import damaged in shipment and was never subject to a retail sale nor issued a title.
- Out-of-state title with a total loss, salvage, fire, flood, or water title brand.
Georgia salvage title cars cannot be driven until they have been repaired and inspected.
How to Get a Salvage Title Cleared in Georgia
If a salvage title has been issued, the vehicle will need to pass a rebuilt inspection and have a rebuilt title issued before it can be registered and driven again.
Repairs will need to be completed by a licensed Georgia rebuilder with a valid rebuilder license’s number.
The inspection will need to be completed before the vehicle has been painted.
To apply for a rebuilt title and clear the salvage brand, you’ll need to submit the following to an approved inspection station:
- The salvage title in your name or that has been properly assigned.
- Photos of damages before the repairs.
- A completed Title and Tag Application (Form MV-1): https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/mv-1-dor-motor-vehicle-titletag-application
- A completed Request for Inspection of a Rebuilt Motor Vehicle (Form T-22R): https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/t-22r-request-inspection-rebuilt-motor-vehicle
- A completed Labor and Parts Certification (Form T-129): https://dor.georgia.gov/documents/t-129-labor-and-parts-certification
- Receipts for all parts used in the rebuild, which include:
- The part names and stock numbers.
- The purchaser’s name (rebuilder or vehicle owner).
- The VIN of the vehicle for any used parts.
- A copy of the Rebuilder’s License.
Salvage vehicles cannot be driven to the inspection. They must be towed.
Register a Salvage Title Car in Georgia
After the vehicle passes inspection, you’ll need to:
- Submit all of the above.
- Submit the completed inspection report.
- Pay the $18 title fee and $100 inspection fee.
These documents and fees can be mailed to:
DOR/Motor Vehicle Division
Attn: Salvage Unit
P. O. Box 740384
Atlanta, Georgia 30374-0384
Once the rebuilt title has been issued, you can provide proof of insurance and pay your registration fees at your local county tag office.
Related Pages:
- What is a Salvage Title?
- What is a Rebuilt Title?
- Salvage Title Insurance
- Buying a Car with a Salvage Title
Next Steps
If you’re in the market to buy, sell, or register a salvage title vehicle in Georgia, VINvaquero.com has the free resources you need to get back on the road.
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