Salvage Dealer License

A salvage dealer is engaged in the business of buying, selling, repairing, or rebuilding salvage motor vehicles and nonrepairable motor vehicles.

You must be licensed as a GDN or a salvage dealer if you:

• buy or sell more than five salvage or nonrepairable motor vehicles in a calendar year; or
• rebuild more than five salvage motor vehicles in a calendar year.

You do not need a salvage dealer license if you:

• buy five or fewer salvage or nonrepairable motor vehicles in a calendar year; or
• rebuild five or fewer salvage motor vehicles in the same calendar year.
  
  Note — if you wish to engage in the business of selling rebuilt vehicles, obtain a used car dealer (GDN) license.

• You must have a business location for your salvage operation that is not a residence or apartment complex. Salvage dealers can only operate at their licensed business location.
• Your business location must have a sign and office indicating where you will maintain the salvage dealer records.
• You are required to comply with all city, county, and state laws. Compliance with city, county, and state laws governing the salvage business is not only a requirement to obtain a license, but compliance with these laws is required to maintain the license. Check with your local government to determine if there are any special restrictions for operating a salvage business in that jurisdiction.
• You must register for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) program. All salvage dealers are required under federal law to report their vehicle transactions by using NMVTIS. The U.S. Department of Justice is the enforcing agency for the NMVTIS program. TxDMV requires that an applicant provide their NMVTIS number at the time of application and maintain registration during the period of the license. For more information, please visit the NMVITIS website.
• You must obtain certificates and permits to legally operate in Texas:
  • Assumed Name Certificate: If you plan on using an assumed name, obtain an assumed name certificate from the proper authority, which is the Texas Secretary of State if you are a corporation or from your county clerk if you are a sole proprietor (individual) or partnership.
  • Texas Sales and Use Tax Permit: Photocopy of account status issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
  • Certificate of Incorporation, Organization, or Partnership: If you are a Corporation or LLC, attach the Certificate of Filing issued by the Texas Secretary of State (SOS), showing that the entity has been formed and approved. Please do not submit your filing documents. Or if your business was formed in another state, attach the Certificate of Authority issued by the Texas SOS showing that the entity has the right to conduct business in Texas.
  • Franchise Tax Account Status: If you are a Corporation or LLC, provide a photocopy of current account status issued by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

Salvage dealer licenses are issued for a two-year term. The initial salvage dealer license fee is $190 for a two-year term license and $170 upon renewal.

Effective September 1, 2019, only one Salvage license will be required to conduct business as a Salvage dealer for all current endorsement functions (such as salvage rebuilder, used salvage vehicle dealer, salvage pool operator etc.). Instead of renewing an individual endorsement, existing license holders will apply for one new comprehensive Salvage license at expiration of the first endorsement.

• House Bill 1667 was passed during the recent 86th legislative session. Beginning 9/1/2019, a GDN Motor Vehicle, Motorcycle, Travel Trailer, or Utility Trailer/Semi-Trailer license holder will be able to operate at the same locations as a Salvage Vehicle Dealer/Rebuilder without a separate Salvage license.

If you do not submit a renewal application by the end of the grace period, you will have to apply for a new license to resume operations.

If you are selling salvage/nonrepairable motor vehicles without repairing them, then the purchaser submits title paperwork to the county tax office.

Disclosure of Non-repairable Motor Vehicle

Disclosure of Salvage Motor Vehicle

Notice of Non-repairable Titled Motor Vehicle

Notice of Salvage Titled Vehicle

If you are selling rebuilt motor vehicles, you need a GDN license to properly submit title paperwork to the county tax office on behalf of the purchaser.

For more information on title brands, see tab: Title Brands & What They Mean

Title Brands & What They Mean

If you are selling used car parts you may need licensing from Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). More information about the Used Automotive Parts Recycler license and TDLR is available by calling: 800-803-9202 (toll-free in Texas) or 512-463-6599 (locally) or visit: http://www.tdlr.texas.gov/parts/apr.htm