How To Get a Rebuilt Title in Kentucky
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Do you have plans to buy a vehicle with a rebuilt title in Kentucky? You must learn the entire process of getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky and what you will need to achieve this.
Getting a rebuilt title isn’t an entirely difficult process; however, different laws apply to different states. This makes it important that you are familiar with the process of getting a rebuilt title in any state of your choice. The paperwork, fees, and registration processes are always peculiar to each region.
To get a rebuilt title in Kentucky, you’ll need to submit your application, attach affidavits of the related vehicle, and provide receipts detailing your expenses. You’ll need to notarize some of the forms you will submit, and there might be a need to offer the signature of your insurance company, depending on the extent of the damages.
Here’s all you need to know about getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky.
Table of Contents
What Does a Rebuilt Title Mean in KY?
In Kentucky, a rebuilt title is issued after a vehicle that was restored after it was initially wrecked, destroyed, and damaged to the extent that the cost of repairs goes beyond 75% of the market value.
These vehicles are initially declared ‘loss’ and ‘salvage’ because the cost of getting them running on the road again is far above the car’s market value.
You must understand that not all damaged vehicles can qualify for a rebuilt title, and not all rebuilt vehicles will pass inspection. The crux of Kentucky’s inspection of rebuilt vehicles is to ensure that they are roadworthy and not stolen vehicles.
Aside from the need to ensure that these rebuilt cars are safe to hit the roads again, there have been growing concerns about the chances of smuggling in stolen vehicles disguised as salvage cars.
This has made Kentucky’s Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing (DMVL) administrators thoroughly scrutinize every rebuilt car that is booked for inspection. This includes confirming where the car was titled, confirming purchases of parts used, and ensuring that the overall titling practices met the required standard.
You will even need the signature, name, and details of the person that performed the restoration repairs on the rebuilt vehicles, and these signatures must be notarized.
This implies that the process of getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky is not limited to seeing that the vehicle is roadworthy again but also ensuring that it is not stolen.
Can You Get a Rebuilt Title in Kentucky?
Yes. You can get a rebuilt title in Kentucky. This is as long as you meet the requirements. However, while it is true that you can get a rebuilt title in Kentucky, it is important to mention that you cannot change a rebuilt title to a clean title in Kentucky.
To get a rebuilt title in Kentucky, you just have to follow due process. Here are summarized steps on how to get a rebuilt title in Kentucky.
- Get and Submit a Salvage Title.
- Complete all necessary repairs and keep your receipts.
- Submit affidavits.
- Book an inspection.
Getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky doesn’t entirely stop here. You have some notarizations to do and fees to pay. The circumstances surrounding the damage will determine the level of documentation that will be done. Sometimes you will need a statement from an insurance company.
The process of getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky will demand information about the vehicle’s condition, sale price, and details of the owner.
How To Get a Rebuilt Title In Kentucky
Here are simple steps on how to get a rebuilt title in Kentucky.
1. Get and sign the affidavits.
The first thing to do to get a rebuilt title in Kentucky is to complete the TC 96-215 affidavit of motor vehicles assembled from wrecked or salvaged motor vehicles. Here are some of the details that you will need to provide on the affiliate;
- Your name and address
- Type of Vehicle, Vehicle Identification Number, and make and model.
- Details of replacement parts gotten from other cars.
Upon completion of the form, you will need to notarize it. Notarizing the affidavits increases their authenticity, reduces fraud, and ensures verification.
It is important to mention that the details that you provide in the affidavit must be true and accurate. Manipulations and false information are crimes to the tune of second-degree forgery.
2. Get and submit an original salvage title.
After completing the affidavit, the next that you will have to do is submit the original salvage. Before you are even allowed to get a rebuilt title, you’ll need to first get a salvage title. Before a car is declared rebuilt, it first passes as a salvage car.
You’ll need to provide the original salvage title. In scenarios where the car is from out of state or within the state, you only have a registration form. The original copies of the title registration form can serve. Photocopies are not allowed!
3. Complete the application and registration.
Now that you are done with submitting your original salvage title, you’ll need to complete your application and registration. You will begin by submitting the completed TC-96-182 form.
The TC 96-182 form will provide your personal and vehicle details, but at the same time, it will include the details of whosoever is inspecting your car. You will also need to notarize this form, and only original copies are accepted.
The TC 96-182 form is for the certificate of title or registration, and approval will come after it is confirmed that the information provided is true and that the inspector’s claim of roadworthiness is true.
4. Submit all receipts.
The next step to getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky is to submit all receipts pertaining to all purchased parts used in the restoration process of the salvage vehicle.
Here’s a list of receipts that you will provide to get a rebuilt title;
- Receipts if you used several parts from different vehicles.
- Receipts specifying the parts that were acquired and purchased with clear descriptions of the vehicles the parts were gotten from, citing the vehicle identification number.
- Include the TC 96-353 form to specify the exact repairs that were made on the vehicle according to the KRS 186A.520 laws.
In the event that you used original parts to fix the damage on the salvaged vehicle, you will need to provide original invoices from the manufacturer or parts supplier. After initializing the parts used, your original invoice will be returned.
If you sourced (purchased or got) the replacement parts from an individual and not a business, you will need to clearly state their names, address, and phone number.
5. Change your license plate.
After submitting receipts and forms for inspection, you will need to remove the license plate of your rebuilt vehicle. You are mandated by Kentucky law to remove your license plates, even if it hasn’t passed their expiration date.
After removal, submit the removed license plate to the county clerk’s office. The metal plate must read ‘Rebuilt Vehicle,’ and dealers must boldly specify ‘THIS IS A REBUILT VEHICLE’ at the top section of the title application. This ensures that a buyer doesn’t mistakenly buy a rebuilt title with the assumption of a clear title.
6. Confirm termination with a lienholder.
To get a rebuilt title, you will need a lien termination statement from a lienholder. This is not applicable if the title has a lien. You will need to submit the termination statement to the county clerk.
7. Final application completion.
The final application to get your rebuilt title includes fees and authorization. You might also need to provide liability insurance. The authorization statement from the Kentucky Department of Transportation will enable registration and issue you the rebuilt title for the vehicle.
Here’s a list of fees that you will need to pay to get your rebuilt title;
- Title fee: $9.00 ($25.00 for speed title)
- Clerk fee: $3.00
- Plate fee: $21.00 paid annually
- Inspection: $5.00 (can rise to $15.00 if the inspector comes to you)
The total cost of getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky is $38. This includes the cost of inspection, license plates, title, and clerk fees.
You must understand that there’s a slightly different case if you want a rebuilt motorcycle title. For a motorcycle, you’ll need pencil tracings that detail the frame and motor numbers of the motorcycle. And in the situation that the motor was replaced, you will need to provide the frame number of the motorcycle that offered the replacement.
There are certain exceptions for certain vehicles when it comes to getting a rebuilt title in Kentucky.
For instance, if the vehicle is less than 10 years, you will need to obtain a federal odometer disclosure statement, especially if the odometer reading is not captured on the TC 96-182 application form for Kentucky Title and Registration. This also applies to odometer readings that are not on a properly completed title.
You must understand that Kentucky only approves rebuilt titles for vehicles that have up to 75% damage. However, if the damage on the ‘salvaged’ vehicle is not up to 75%, you’ll need to get a statement from an insurance company. The statement’s letterhead must clearly state the damage to the vehicle.
This insurance is usually required when a vehicle sustained some damages due to flood, fire, or hail or was recovered from theft, but the damage isn’t so much to describe it as ‘junk.’ Your original receipt could suffice for an insurance statement if the salvaged vehicle was bought during an auction.
Conclusion
A lot of drivers opt for rebuilt titles because of the cheaper cost of acquisition. However, you must put into account the difficulty surrounding insurance schemes and even confirm states that will allow you to get a rebuilt title. Rebuilt title laws are different in all states.
Sufficient information will save you a lot of stress and embarrassment. Remember that mutilations, erasing, and scratching are not allowed on your rebuilt title applications.
