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Salvage Vehicle Inspections: The Ultimate Guide

From average costs, waiting times, and what to expect from your appointment, Wheelsaway brings you the ultimate guide to navigating your salvage vehicle inspection – wherever you are in the U.S.

Contents

How to get a salvage vehicle inspection

U.S. average

Requirements by state

What happens at a salvage vehicle inspection?

What should you bring to a salvage vehicle inspection?

FAQs


In 2025, the number of total loss vehicles in the U.S. rose to 22.8% – but ‘total loss’ doesn’t always mean destined for the junkyard.

Each year, thousands of Americans rebuild their salvage title cars. In most states, salvage vehicle inspections are an essential part of the process, but from endless paperwork to ambiguous requirements, it’s fair to say – it’s not easy.


Luckily for you, we’ve broken it all down state-by-state to bring you the ultimate guide to salvage vehicle inspections!

How To Get a Salvage Vehicle Inspection


If you’ve repaired your salvage title car and want to apply for a rebuilt title, a certified professional may need to inspect it first. If you plan to junk your car, you can skip the inspection.

These inspections, sometimes known as rebuilt title inspections, are performed by your state’s DMV (or equivalent authority), local law enforcement, or a certified inspection facility. 

If you need a salvage vehicle inspection, simply contact your local DMV (or equivalent), complete the required paperwork, and book your salvage title car inspection appointment, or wait for the relevant authority to confirm if your vehicle needs inspecting.

Note: the following states either do not require salvage vehicle inspections to obtain a rebuilt title, do not have a salvage to rebuilt procedure, or follow different inspection procedures to obtain a valid title. 

Applicants must follow the process to obtain a Reconstructed Title, which includes a DMV VIN inspection.

No formal inspection is required. The rebuilder must sign off on the repairs on Affidavit of Reconstruction.

Requires a different inspection process to convert a salvage certificate to a salvage title.

There is no salvage to rebuilt procedure, as your title status is determined by your insurance company.

As of 2025, you may only need an inspection if you are in an emissions county. You will also need insurance before the vehicle can be inspected.

 You cannot convert a salvage vehicle into a rebuilt one.

U.S. Average

GIF showing average time and cost of a salvage vehicle inspection in the U.S.




According to data from Wheelsaway, the average time* to complete a salvage vehicle inspection in the U.S. is 35.2 minutes. The average cost* is $55.07.

The average time and cost are based on Wheelsaway’s internal analysis. These figures do not include variable or estimated ranges and are intended for general informational purposes only. Actual inspection costs may vary depending on location, inspection type, and other factors.

Requirements by State

Explore salvage vehicle inspection costs, providers and inspection times in all other states below.

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Alabama

Motor Vehicle Division Head Office
2545 Taylor Road, Montgomery, AL 36117

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: +1 334-242-9000

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Arizona

ADOT Head Office
1655 W Jackson St, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Opening hours: 7:30am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 602-255-0072

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California

DMV Head Office
2415 1st Ave, Sacramento, CA 95818

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: +1 800-777-0133

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Colorado

DMV Head Office
1881 Pierce St., Lakewood, Colorado 80214

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (303) 205-5600

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Connecticut

  • Connecticut DMV
  • Time: 20-40 minutes
  • Cost: $88 (+ $10 admin fee for older vehicles, if applicable)

DMV Head Office
60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06109

Opening hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 860 263-5281 

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Delaware

If not completed before reconstruction, an additional safety and emissions inspection may be required.

DMV Head Office
303 Transportation Circle, Dover, Delaware 19903

Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Wed: 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Contact number: 302-744-2500

Return to directory

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Florida

FLHSMV Head Office
Neil Kirkman Building, 2900 Apalachee Parkway, MS 58
Tallahassee, FL 32399

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 850-617-2910

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Georgia

DOR Motor Vehicle Division
4125 Welcome All Rd, Atlanta, GA 30349

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (855) 406-5221

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Hawaii

Honolulu DMV Department of Customer Service
869 Punchbowl St, Honolulu, HI 96813

Opening hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri (saturday hours by appointment)
Contact number: 808-768-9100

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Illinois

Secretary of State
213 State Capitol, Springfield, IL 62756

Opening hours: 8am-4:15pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: +1 217-785-3000

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Indiana

BMV Head Office
00 North Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203

Opening hours: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 888-692-6841 

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Iowa

  • Iowa DOT
  • Time: 30-45 minutes
  • Cost: $50

IOWA DOT Headquarters
800 Lincoln Way, Ames, Iowa, 50010

Opening hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 515-239-1101

Return to directory

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Kansas

DOR Driver’s License Office
300 SW 29th St, Topeka, KS 66611

Opening hours: 8am-4:45pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 785-296-3671

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Kentucky

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
200 Mero Street
Frankfort, KY 40622

Opening hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (502) 564 4890

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Louisiana

Office of Motor Vehicles Headquarters
7979 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Opening hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (225) 925-6146

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Maine

May also be subject to additional inspections in line with Maine’s yearly safety inspections, at a cost of $12.50.

Maine BMV Head Office
4 Child St., Augusta, ME 04330

Opening hours: 7:30 am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 207-624-9000

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Maryland

safety inspection required.

MVA Head Office
6601 Ritchie Highway, N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062

Opening hours: Appointment only
Contact number: 1-800-950-1682

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Massachusetts

RMV Head Office
MassDOT, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA 02116.

Opening hours: 8am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat
Contact number: +1 800-858-3926

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Michigan

MDOS Head Office
430 W. Allegan St., Lansing, MI 48918 (Richard H. Austin Building)

Opening hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 1-888-767-6424

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Minnesota

  • Minnesotta Driver and Vehicle Services
  • Time: 30-60 minutes
  • Cost: $35

Department of Public Safety
445 Minnesota St., Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 651-297-3298

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Mississippi

Department of Public Safety Head Office
1900 East Woodrow Wilson Avenue Jackson, MS 39216

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (601) 987-1212.

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Missouri

DOR Motor Vehicle Bureau
Harry S Truman State Office Building, 301 W. High St., Room 370, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm
Contact number: 573-526-3669.

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Montana

Montana MVD Head Office
302 N Roberts, Helena, MT 59620

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (406) 444-1772

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Nebraska

DMV Head Office
301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, Nebraska

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (402) 471-2281

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Nevada

Vehicles will also require a Stage 2 inspection with the Nevada DMV.

DMV Head Office
555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711-0900

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (775) 684-4549

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New Hampshire

DMV Head Office
23 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03305

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (603) 227-4000

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New Jersey

Note: if the vehicle passes inspection, it can be converted to an operable salvage title – not a rebuilt title.

NJMVC Head Office
225 E. State Street, Trenton, New Jersey, 08608

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 1-609-292-6500

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New York

  • DMV
  • Time: 30 minutes
  • Cost: $200

$205 if your proof of ownership is NOT a New York salvage certificate.

DMV Head Office
6 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12228

Opening hours: 8am-4pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 1-518-486-9786

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North Carolina

Cost of safety inspection only. Emissions inspections may be required depending on your location.

NCDMV Head Office
Rocky Mount, NC, at 1417 N Church St., 27804

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 1-919-715-7000

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North Dakota

NDDOT Head Office
608 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0700 

Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 8am-4:30pm, Fri 8am-12pm
Contact number: 701-328-2500

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Ohio

BMV Head Office
1970 West Broad St., Columbus, OH 43223.

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (844) 644-6268

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Oklahoma

Service Oklahoma Tulsa West
3190 W 21st St S, Tulsa, OK 74107, United States

Opening hours: 7am-5:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: +1 405-522-7000

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Oregon

DMV Headquarters
1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri, 9am-4:30pm Thu
Contact number:  +1 503-945-5000

Return to directory

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Pennsylvania

PennDOT Head Office
Riverfront Office Center, 1101 S. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17104

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 717-412-5300

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Rhode Island

  • DMV
  • Time: 30-60 mins
  • Cost: $58.50

DMV Head Office
600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920

Opening hours: 8:30am-3:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (401) 462-4368

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South Dakota

DMV Head Office
445 E. Capitol Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 605-773-3314

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Tennessee

DMV Head Office
312 Rosa L Parks Ave, Nashville, TN 37243

Opening hours: 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: 615-253-2062

Return to directory

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Vermont

  • Local law enforcement
  • Time: 15-30 minutes
  • Cost: based on the official inspection station’s hourly rate or may be a flat-rate fee.

DMV Head Office
120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603-0001

Opening hours: 7:45am-4pm Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, 8:45am-4pm
Contact number: (802) 828-2000

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Virginia

  • DMV
  • Time: 30-60 minutes
  • Cost: $125

DMV Head Office
P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (804) 497-7100

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Washington

Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) Head Office
1125 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Opening hours: 8am-5pm Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri, 9am-5pm Thurs
Contact number: 202-737-4404

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West Virginia

DMV Head Office
5707 MacCorkle Ave SE, 25304

Opening hours: 8:30am-5pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (304) 558-3900

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Wisconsin

  • Certified inspector
  • Time: 30-60 minutes
  • Cost: $10-$50

Costs vary by inspector.

WisDOT Head Office
Hill Farms State Office Building, 4822 Madison Yards Way, Madison, WI 53705

Opening hours: 7:45am-4:30pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (608) 264-7447

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Wyoming

DOT Head Office
5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009-3340

Opening hours: 7:30am-4pm Mon-Fri
Contact number: (307) 777-4375

Return to directory

What Happens at a Salvage Vehicle Inspection?

Salvage vehicle examinations usually involve:

  • Checking the authenticity of the vehicle with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check
  • Assessing the functionality of essential components such as brakes and steering
  • Checking for damage to the structure
  • Verifying that all required components are present and operational

In some states, a salvage vehicle inspection is simply a VIN inspection. These typically take 15-30 minutes and are carried out by local law enforcement, the DMV (or equivalent), or a certified inspector. The inspector checks that the VIN matches the vehicle’s title and registration, and looks for signs of tampering or theft to confirm it isn’t stolen.

You might need a more rigorous safety or emissions inspection after the VIN check to qualify for a rebuilt title. In some states, these inspections are combined, while others split them between a state officer and a certified mechanic.

If you need a separate safety inspection, or your state combines a more in-depth inspection with a VIN check, your inspection may take longer. You may also be required to provide more extensive documentation about your vehicle’s history. 

What Should You Bring to a Salvage Vehicle Inspection?

You may need to provide the following information at your salvage car inspection appointment.

Note: exact requirements for salvage vehicle examinations vary by state. In some cases, this information should be supplied prior to inspection. 

  • Vehicle title, registration, or bill of sale
  • Damage report from insurance company (if relevant)
  • Theft report from local law enforcement (if relevant)
  • Original receipts for replacement parts (to ensure your vehicle does not contain stolen parts)
  • ‘Before’ photos of the vehicle (if you don’t have them, you may need to supply the damage report)

FAQs

Most states require you to book an inspection within 30-60 days of the repairs being made.

It can take anywhere between 2-6 weeks, depending on your state’s specific processing times.

Your car won’t be eligible for a rebuilt title. You may either have to have the vehicle repaired to a higher standard or provide more evidence of the vehicle’s history, depending on the outcome of the inspection.

Sometimes, but it depends on the circumstances. If your state’s rebuilt processes are complicated, you might want to skip the headache and register your car in another state. Unfortunately, you’ll usually need to prove that the car is registered in the state you’re applying for inspection in, and/or prove residency in that state.