A vehicle with a certificate of salvage, issued by Maryland or any other state, must undergo a salvaged vehicle inspection if the vehicle has been repaired and the owner wants to title and register the vehicle in Maryland (i.e., return it to the road). If the vehicle does not have a certificate of salvage, the owner must first apply for one.

A state approved salvage inspector, who is usually a Maryland State Police (MSP) employee, must perform the salvaged vehicle inspection.  The inspection is intended to ensure that the vehicle and/or its parts have not been stolen.  Note that the vehicle still must undergo a safety inspection before it can be registered.

What are the procedures involved in a salvaged vehicle inspection?

First, schedule the inspection through the inspection facility by phone.  Almost all of the Maryland State Police (MSP) barracks perform salvage inspections.  In addition, the MSP Automotive Safety Enforcement Division conducts inspections, by appointment only at the MVA Glen Burnie garage, which is located adjacent to the Glen Burnie MVA office.  Note that you must be a Maryland resident to schedule a salvaged vehicle inspection. 

On the inspection date, be sure to take to the inspection site:

• your personal identification (e.g., Maryland driver’s license);
• the vehicle’s certificate of salvage (MVA form #VR-108 or document issued by another state except New York);
• other proof of ownership (bill of sale, etc.); and
• the salvaged vehicle.

The salvage inspector will first review your personal identification and salvage certificate or other ownership documents.  If everything is in order and the vehicle appears to be road worthy, he then will check the vehicle for vehicle identification numbers (VIN). 

When the inspection is successfully completed, the inspector will stamp your certificate of salvage and sign it to indicate approval.

What must I do next to get my vehicle back on the road?

After your vehicle passes the salvaged vehicle inspection, you can apply to the MVA to title the vehicle and obtain a thirty (30) day temporary registration that will permit you to drive the vehicle to an authorized inspection station for a safety inspection.  If it passes, then you should be able to register the vehicle.  For information about safety inspections, see Vehicle Safety Inspection.  For information about how to title and register your vehicle, check the infoMVA homepage for the applicable process descriptions.

Fees:

• No fee is collected at the time of the salvage inspection.  However, the MVA does collect a fee when the vehicle is titled and registered.

Contact Information:

Maryland State Police
Automotive Safety Enforcement Division (ASED)
6601 Ritchie Highway, NE
Glen Burnie, MD 21062

For Telephone Questions:

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