How To Get a Rebuilt Title in New Hampshire
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You must get a rebuilt title to drive or sell a significantly damaged car in New Hampshire.
First, you must obtain a Salvage Certificate, which means the insurance company says the car is a total loss. You must also pay fees and give some papers to show that your damaged car is okay now.
Let’s look at everything you need to know about how to get a rebuilt title in New Hampshire. We will talk about what documents you need and what you must do to get your title rebuilt in New Hampshire.
Table of Contents
Rebuilt Title vs. Salvage Title
A rebuilt title is issued to a motor vehicle previously declared a salvage but has undergone the necessary repairs and passed a salvage inspection, making it roadworthy again.
It signifies that the vehicle has been restored to a functional and safe condition. In contrast, a salvage title is assigned to an automobile deemed a total loss by an insurance company due to significant damage or theft.
Cost of a Rebuilt Title in New Hampshire
To get a salvage car title, you need to pay a fee of $10. But if you want to restore the vehicle and get a rebuilt title, there are additional expenses.
First, you need to pay a $50 inspection fee. After that, you'll have to pay the rebuilt title fee and the registration costs.
The amount of these fees depends on the type of vehicle you have and the license plates you choose.
How To Get a Rebuilt Title in New Hampshire
Obtaining a rebuilt title in New Hampshire requires fulfilling the following requirements and following the state's regulations:
1. Apply for a New Hampshire Salvage Title
When an insurance company decides that a car can't be fixed and is totally damaged, they must send some papers to the Title Bureau at the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles in Concord.
Here are the things they have to give:
- Application for a Salvage Certificate Form.
- A payment of $10.00 can be made by check or money order. It should be made payable to the "State of NH-DMV."
- The car's original title must be transferred correctly to the right person.
Once all these papers are sent, the DMV will give a "Salvage Title" certificate. They will send it to the insurance company or the car owner.
2. Fix the Car to Road Safety Standards
After you receive the salvage title for your vehicle, it's essential to start making the necessary repairs.
Follow the laws and safety standards in New Hampshire to fix the vehicle to meet all the required specifications. This will ensure your car is safe and can legally drive.
Record the restoration process, including receipts of the parts bought.
3. Go for Salvaged Vehicle Inspection
Once you have finished fixing your salvaged car, inspect it before getting a rebuilt title in New Hampshire.
You must take your repaired car to an authorized salvage inspection place that the state approves.
You can either tow it using a flatbed truck or drive it if you have a temporary license plate.
Temporary plates are valid for 20 days, and you should contact your local NH DMV office to get one.
The inspection has three primary purposes:
- To check that the car's identification number (VIN) is real.
- To ensure the repairs match what the insurance adjuster said needed fixing.
- To confirm that the car meets the required safety and legal standards.
During the inspection, you must prove you own the car, usually the salvaged title. But sometimes, the NH Division of Motor Vehicles may give you a letter instead.
The insurance adjuster's report shows the damages and the costs of fixing them. You must show evidence that the necessary repairs were completed, like invoices from a certified mechanic or receipts for buying replacement parts.
You must also show any other documents that prove the car was declared a total loss and that the repairs were done correctly.
In addition, you will pay a fee of $50 for the inspection by check or money order, payable to the "State of NH-DMV."
After the salvage inspection, the inspector will give you the Salvage Vehicle Identification Number Verification Form (Form DSMV 547). Keep this document safe because you'll need it when you apply for a rebuilt title.
Remember that a salvage inspection is different from a safety inspection. Even after getting the rebuilt title and registering your car, you must do a separate safety inspection.
4. Apply for a Rebuilt Title and Registration
After the salvage inspection, you can apply for a rebuilt title and registration at the New Hampshire DMV.
Getting a rebuilt title and registering a salvage vehicle is similar to getting a new one. The only difference is that your application must include the Salvage Vehicle Identification Number Verification Form (Form DSMV 547) and the salvage title.
Once you have the rebuilt title and registration, getting a safety inspection for your vehicle within ten days is vital. Remember, this safety inspection is separate from the salvage inspection.
5. Undergo a Post Title Safety Inspection
The Division of Motor Vehicles says you must get a safety inspection within ten days of registering it in New Hampshire.
To do this, you should go to an authorized inspection station where an inspector will carefully check your car. The New Hampshire DMV lists authorized salvage inspection facilities on its website. You can also contact the DMV for information on approved inspection locations.
They will ensure essential things are working correctly and meet the legal and safety requirements.
They will check the following parts:
- License plates.
- Wipers.
- Lights and reflectors
- Vehicle steering
- Fuel system.
- Wheels and tires.
- Brakes.
If your car is from 1996 or newer, they will also test its emissions using On-Board Diagnostics (OBD).
Before going for the safety inspection, reading the New Hampshire DMV's guide about inspections and emissions is a good idea. This will help you be prepared and avoid returning for another inspection.
After the safety inspection, the inspector will give you a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Keep this report in your car as proof that your vehicle meets the DMV's standards.
