2006 Code of Virginia § 46.2-1605 - Vehicles repaired or rebuilt for highway use; examinations; branding of titles

46.2-1605. Vehicles repaired or rebuilt for highway use; examinations;branding of titles.

Each salvage vehicle that has been repaired or rebuilt for use on thehighways shall be examined by the Department prior to the issuance of a titlefor the vehicle. The examination shall include a review of all documentationfor the parts and labor used for the repair of the salvage vehicle and averification of the vehicle's identification number, confidential number, andodometer reading. The Commissioner shall ensure that, in scheduling andperforming examinations of salvage vehicles under this section, singlevehicles owned by private owner-operators are afforded no lower priority thanexaminations of vehicles owned by motor vehicle dealers, salvage dealers,demolishers, rebuilders, salvage pools, or vehicle removal operators. TheCommissioner may charge a fee of $125 per vehicle, for the examination ofrepaired and rebuilt vehicles.

Any salvage vehicle whose vehicle identification number or confidentialnumber has been altered, is missing, or appears to have been tampered withmay be impounded by the Department until completion of an investigation bythe Department. The vehicle may not be moved, sold, or tampered with untilthe completion of this investigation. Upon completion of an investigation bythe Department, if the vehicle identification number is found to be missingor altered, a new vehicle identification number may be issued by theDepartment. If the vehicle is found to be a stolen vehicle and its owner canbe determined, the vehicle shall be returned to him. If the owner cannot bedetermined or located and the person seeking to title the vehicle has beenconvicted of a violation of 46.2-1074 or 46.2-1075, the vehicle shall bedeemed forfeited to the Commonwealth. Each such vehicle shall be sold atpublic auction and the proceeds thereof, after satisfaction of any liens,returned to the state treasury for use by the Department. If the Department'sexamination of a repaired or rebuilt salvage vehicle indicates noirregularities, a title and registration may be issued for the vehicle uponapplication therefor to the Department by the owner of the salvage vehicle.The title issued by the Department and any subsequent title thereafter issuedfor the repaired or rebuilt vehicle shall be permanently branded to indicatethat it is a repaired or rebuilt vehicle. All repaired and rebuilt vehiclesshall be subject to all safety equipment requirements provided by law. Notitle or registration shall be issued by the Department for any vehicle forwhich a nonrepairable certificate has ever been issued.

(1979, c. 401, 46.1-550.10; 1986, c. 161; 1989, c. 727; 1992, c. 148; 1994,c. 73; 1996, cc. 21, 843; 2003, c. 304; 2006, c. 615.)