5505
. (a) This section applies to any vehicle reported to be a
total loss salvage vehicle pursuant to Section 11515 and to any
vehicle reported for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520.
(b) Whenever an application is made to the Department of Motor
Vehicles to register a vehicle described in subdivision (a), that
department shall inspect the vehicle to determine its proper identity
or request that the inspection be performed by the Department of the
California Highway Patrol. An inspection by the Department of Motor
Vehicles shall not preclude that department from referring the
vehicle to the Department of the California Highway Patrol for an
additional inspection if deemed necessary.
(c) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall inspect,
on a random basis, those vehicles described in subdivision (a) that
have been presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles for
registration after completion of the reconstruction process to
determine the proper identity of those vehicles. The vehicle being
presented for inspection shall be a complete vehicle, in legal
operating condition. If the vehicle was originally manufactured with
a "supplemental restraint system" as defined in Section 593, the
reconstructed vehicle shall also be equipped with a supplemental
restraint system in good working order that meets applicable federal
motor vehicle safety standards and conforms to the manufacturer's
specifications for that vehicle. The inspection conducted pursuant to
this subdivision shall be a comprehensive, vehicle identification
number inspection.
(d) A salvage vehicle rebuilder, as defined in Section 543.5, or
other individual in possession of a vehicle described in subdivision
(a), who is submitting the vehicle for registration as described in
subdivision (b), shall have available, and shall present upon demand
of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, bills of sale,
invoices, or other acceptable proof of ownership of component parts,
and invoices for minor component parts. Additionally, bills of sale
and invoices shall include the year, make, model, and the vehicle
identification number of the vehicle from which the parts were
removed or sold, the name and signature of the person from whom the
parts were acquired, and his or her address, and telephone number. To
assist in the identification of the seller of new or used parts, the
number of the seller's driver's license, identification card, social
security card, or Federal Employer Identification Number shall be
provided by the seller to the buyer on the bills of sale and invoice.
The seller of a salvage vehicle, or the agent of the seller, shall
inform the purchaser of the vehicle that ownership documentation for
certain replacement parts used in the repair of the vehicle will be
required in the inspection required under this section.
(e) As used in this section, the term "component parts for
passenger motor vehicles" includes supplemental restraint systems,
the cowl or firewall, front-end assembly, rear clip, including the
roof panel, the roof panel when installed separately, and the frame
or any portion thereof, or in the case of a unitized body, the
supporting structure that serves as the frame, each door, the hood,
each fender or quarter panel, deck lid or hatchback, each bumper,
both T-tops, replacement transmissions or transaxles, and a
replacement motor.
(1) As used in this subdivision, "front-end assembly" includes all
of the following: hood, fenders, bumper, and radiator supporting
members for these items. For vehicles with a unitized body, the
front-end assembly also includes the frame support members.
(2) As used in this subdivision, "rear clip" includes the roof,
quarter panels, trunk lid, floor pan, and the support members for
each item.
(f) As used in this section, "major component parts for trucks,
truck-type or bus-type vehicles" includes the cab, the frame or any
portion thereof, and, in the case of a unitized body, the supporting
structure which serves as a frame, the cargo compartment floor panel
or passenger compartment floor pan, roof panel, and replacement
transmissions or transaxles, and replacement motors, each door, hood,
each fender or quarter panel, each bumper, and the tailgate. All
component parts identified in subdivision (e), common to a truck,
truck-type or bus-type vehicle, not listed in this section, shall be
considered as included in this section if the part is replaced.
(1) "Major component parts for motorcycles" includes the engine or
motor, transmission or transaxle, frame, front fork, and crankcase.
(2) "Minor component parts for motorcycles" includes the fairing
and any other body molding.
(g) If the vehicle identification number, year, make, or model
required under subdivision (d) cannot be determined, the Department
of the California Highway Patrol may accept, in lieu of that
information, a certification on a form provided by that department,
signed by the person submitting the vehicle for inspection, that the
part was not obtained by means of theft or fraud.