According to the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) of the Alabama Department of Revenue, a vehicle deemed a total loss by an insurance company results in the issuance of a salvage title for the vehicle. It becomes a salvage vehicle and cannot be driven on the highways or have a valid license plate. It can be sold (as is) to an automobile rebuilder to be used either for parts or to be restored (rebuilt). If restored, it must be inspected and ultimately a rebuilt title can be issued for the vehicle. A rebuilt vehicle with a rebuilt title can be driven on the highways.

The AL MVD goes on to say that if a salvage vehicle is retained by the owner, the owner must:

1. Obtain a rebuilder's license so that he/she can legally restore the vehicle;
2. Restore/rebuild the salvage vehicle "to the condition that existed before" the damage that totaled it; and
3. Have it inspected by the Department of Revenue Automobile Inspection Section to make sure that the salvage vehicle is completely restored and that it contains no stolen parts.

Under Alabama law, only an Alabama licensed rebuilder may apply for an inspection of a rebuilt vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle must be restored in Alabama and not in another state. You can apply for a rebuilder's license, by Alabama Department of Revenue License Tax Section.

It would appear that you applied and obtained your rebuilders license so that you could restore the vehicle yourself and that you also have had the vehicle inspected per AL law requirements.

The AL MVD states that upon satisfactory completion of the inspection, a rebuilt identification plate should be permanently affixed to the vehicle and a rebuilt title will be issued. Until then, the salvage vehicle cannot be used on the highways, except for repairs/restoration or to take it for the inspection.

So if you took the vehicle to the DOR for the inspection and it was cleared than from the information the MVD explained to us than your car should have had an identification plate that shows it has been rebuilt attached to your vehicle and also had a rebuilt title issued to you.

You can read more about what is required to get a rebuilt title under Section 32-8-87 of the Code of Alabama 1975. Is you went through all the steps above and were not issued a rebuilt title or told how to proceed to apply for one after the inspection than you should contact Alabama DOR's Motor Vehicle Division to find out now what steps to take to exchange your salvage title for a rebuilt title so that you can take your restored vehicle back on the roadway.

With a rebuilt title it can be hard to find auto insurance but CarInsurance.com can offer an insurance policy on salvage and rebuilt titles with Progressive.

All you have to do is enter your zip code here and get a quote. At the end of your quote, select Progressive and we will ask all the necessary questions to determine eligibility and get you a policy for your Alabama rebuilt titled vehicle.