Got a Salvage Title Vehicle in California? Here’s What to Know About Transfers

Let’s be real — dealing with DMV stuff is rarely fun, and when you throw a salvage title into the mix, it can feel like a whole new level of confusion. If you’ve got a car with a salvage title here in California and you’re trying to figure out how to transfer it properly, you’re definitely not alone.

At DMV Tags, we help people with this kind of paperwork every single day. So, let’s break it down in simple terms — no confusing jargon, just what you actually need to know.

So, first things first: a salvage title means the car was damaged — usually from an accident, flood, fire, or even theft — and the insurance company considered it a total loss. Sometimes, though, the damage isn’t as bad as it sounds. The car might be completely fixable (and even drive great after repairs), but because the repair costs were too high, it was written off. That’s when it gets labeled as “salvage.”

If you bought one of these cars or had it fixed up and now want to make it road-legal and transfer the title, there are some things you’ve got to do. For starters, you’ll need to get the car repaired properly and pass a Brake and Light Inspection. A Smog Check may be required too — depends on the car’s age and type.

Once that’s done, you’re diving into paperwork land.

For Salvage Title Transfer in California you’ll need:

  • The original salvage title

  • A bill of sale (if you bought the car)

  • Repair receipts

  • DMV forms like REG 343 and REG 488C

Honestly, it’s easy to miss a step or forget a form. The DMV isn’t exactly known for making things easy — and that’s where DMV Tags comes in. We take the guesswork out of salvage title transfers. You just bring us what you’ve got, and we’ll walk you through the rest.

No long lines.  Stress-free  and no worry if you forgot something. Just real people helping real people.

We know cars can be a passion or sometimes just a necessity — either way, if you’ve got one with a salvage title, we’ll help you get the paperwork sorted so you can hit the road with peace of mind.

Also,  we also offer service for vehicle title transfer. We understand the process can be overwhelming . Therefore, Our team handles all the paperwork, inspections, and DMV submissions. Let us handle it for you—no stress, no long lines, just a smooth transfer.

Similarly ,if you need to bring a vehicle into California from another state? We make out-of-state title transfers quick and hassle-free. Learn how the process works and get your paperwork sorted without the DMV wait.

Got questions?

Give us a shout or stop by. We’ve done this hundreds of times — you’re in good hands.