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If a vehicle has been involved in an accident and declared to be a total loss by the owner or the insurance company, the New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles will brand it with a salvage title. 

Generally, a salvage title car cannot be driven on public roads in New Jersey until it has been adequately repaired, inspected, rebranded as “rebuilt” or “revived”, registered, and insured. 

This page will cover the salvage title process in New Jersey, 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 New Jersey DMV office or visit the official DMV website:

What is a Salvage Title in New Jersey?

Like many other states, a salvage title in New Jersey 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. 

If you need to apply for a salvage title, you’ll need to make an appointment with your local Vehicle Center: https://telegov.njportal.com/njmvc 

Or contact the Special Title Unit at (609) 292-6500 for details about requesting a salvage title by mail. 

You’ll need the following documents:

New Jersey salvage title cars cannot be driven until they have been repaired and inspected. 

How to Get a Salvage Title Cleared in New Jersey

In order to convert a salvage title so the vehicle can be driven again, you’ll need to make the necessary repairs and pass an inspection. 

Before you begin to make repairs on the car, you’ll need to take before photos of the following:

  • At least 1 color photo of the entire front and left side of the vehicle. 
  • At least 1 color photo of the entire back and right side of the vehicle. 

After the repairs have been completed, take the same photos again. 

You’ll also need to gather:

  • Bills of sale and receipts for all major components and parts used in the rebuild. 
  • A completed Salvage Inspection Application (Form OS/SS-3): https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/about/OS-3.pdf 
  • Payment for the inspection fee:
    • Motorcycles: $100.
    • Motor vehicles: $200. 
  • Your salvage title. 
  • Work orders for all repairs. 
  • VINs for all new and used parts used in the repairs.

First, you’ll need to submit your Salvage Inspection Application and payment to: 

NJ MVC
225 E. State Street
P.O. Box 017
Trenton, NJ, 08666-0017

Next, you’ll need to call your local inspection site to schedule an appointment. 

Once the inspection has been scheduled, you should fax a copy of your NJ Salvage Title and a copy of the OS/SS-3 form to the inspection site you will be going to. 

On your inspection day, you’ll need to bring:

  • Your Salvage title. 
  • A copy of your OS/SS-3 form. 
  • Bills of sale, receipts, VINs, and work orders for all parts used and repairs made. 
  • Before and after photos of the vehicle. 

The salvage inspection takes about 1 hour to complete. You are not permitted to observe the inspector or bring children to the inspection site. 

For more details, please refer to the Salvage Vehicle Information Sheet: https://www.state.nj.us/mvc/pdf/about/OS-4.pdf 

After the vehicle passes inspection, you’ll be eligible to apply for a rebuilt title. 

To do so, visit your local MVC office with the salvage inspection documents, your salvage title, and an application for a new title. 

Register a Salvage Title Car in New Jersey

After the rebuilt title has been issued, you’ll be able to re-register the car again. 

Be sure to have a current liability insurance policy, and be prepared to pass any necessary vehicle inspections. 

Related Pages:

Next Steps

If you’re in the market to buy, sell, or register a salvage title vehicle in New Jersey, VINvaquero.com has the free resources you need to get back on the road. 

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