Junked | Motorhome Requirements | Salvage Titles | Special Notes
Title Brands | Motorhome Conversions | Title Requirements

A reconstructed vehicle is one that has been materially altered from the original construction. This alteration may consist of the removal, addition, or substitution of essential parts. Essential parts are chassis/frame, body and engine. Replacement of only the engine does not constitute a reconstructed vehicle. Incomplete vehicles may NOT be issued a title. An incomplete vehicle is one that has not been reconstructed to a fully operational vehicle.

The vehicle identification number (VIN) used in the reconstruct process is always that of the chassis/frame. The make and year of a reconstructed vehicle is that which is most visually recognizable. For example, if the vehicle looks like a 1971 Chevrolet the title will reflect that. If the make and year cannot be determined by appearance, use REC for the make and use the year in which the reconstruction was completed.

If the VIN on the body is different than the VIN on the chassis, see T-120 for the procedures to obtain a duplicate VIN to match that of the chassis.

All reconstructed vehicles must be inspected in Alaska by a DMV representative (Form 829) or a law enforcement officer. If the VIN cannot be determined because it has been altered, removed, or defaced, the inspection should be performed by a law enforcement officer, if possible. When a VIN cannot be determined, see T-120 to assign a VIN for the vehicle.

TITLE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Application for Title and Registration (Form 812) completed and signed by the applicant.
2. Notarized Reconstructed Vehicle Affidavit (Form 829) completed and signed by the applicant. For Frame, Body and Engine, the customer should write “original” for items that were not replaced. This form should be completed by the person that reconstructed the vehicle if that person is the owner. If not, it needs to be completed by the person who contracted the work to be done. The title should go in their name before it is resold.
3. The title(s) of all vehicles used in the reconstruction. When DMV records indicate that the title was surrendered to DMV, a bill of sale is accepted in place of the title.
4. Bill of sale and invoice(s) for major parts used in the reconstruction.
5. Lien release(s) for vehicle(s) showing a lien in DMV records when the title has not been surrendered.
6. Odometer statement(s), if applicable. (T-25)

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Special Notes:

• The MODEL of all reconstructed vehicles is always REC for “reconstructed.”  Send an e-mail if ALVIN will not accept this code.  (Same procedure used to request a make code.)
• "Reconstructed Vehicle" will be printed on all vehicle registrations and titles with a model code of REC.
• The registration month in which application for reconstruction is made is used, and full biennial fees are due at time of registration. Exception: Vehicle owners who retain the salvage rights to their vehicle retain the same month/year as before the reconstructed title was issued, provided the registration is current.
• A specially constructed (SPCN) vehicle is one that is not constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles and is not materially altered from its original construction. The make is always SPCN and the year the construction was completed is used.

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JUNKED VEHICLES:

A person who wrecks, dismantles, or destroys a vehicle is required to immediately surrender the title, registration and plates to DMV. The title should have “junked,” “wrecked,” or “dismantled” written across the face of it. A DMV employee or agent may do this if the owner has not done so.

Dismantled means the taking, removing, or stripping of parts from a vehicle so that the vehicle cannot be used for its primary function without substantial repair or reconstruction.

Wrecked or Junked means a vehicle which is so disabled that the whole vehicle cannot be used for its primary function without substantial repair or reconstruction.

If a vehicle is to be rebuilt for use on the road it is be titled according to the procedures for any reconstructed vehicle. When the title is surrendered to DMV the vehicle is treated much the same as any ordinary vehicle part and may be sold using a bill of sale.

Offices receiving a junked vehicle title should enter the information using the “Update Individual Status” function. The status code is “J.” A notation in the comment section regarding whether or not the title was surrendered is necessary for any future title action on that vehicle. (T-4) A coversheet and the surrendered title or other document used to enter the JUNK status are placed in front of the title and registration documents. (A coversheet is available on the employee website).

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TITLE BRANDS:

Some of the most common title brands used by other states are:

Salvage: A title issued by some states designating a motor vehicle as a salvage vehicle.

Rebuilt Salvage: A title issued by a state for a vehicle previously designated as a salvage vehicle with required procedures having been followed to obtain a new title. Very much like Alaska’s “Reconstructed Vehicle” brand.

Non-Repairable Vehicle: A vehicle which is incapable of safe operation and has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap only or which the owner irreversibly designates as a source of parts or scrap.

Flood Vehicle: A vehicle that has been submerged in water to the point that rising water has reached over the door sill and has entered the passenger or trunk compartment.

Volume II of the Polk Motor Vehicle Registration Guide has a summary section in the front of the book which indicates which states issue salvage or branded titles as well as the brands and notations that a particular state may reflect on its title. It is important to refer to the Polk Manuals because “salvage” in one state may not mean the same as “salvage” in another state.

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SALVAGE TITLES:

Many states issue a salvage title for a vehicle that has been damaged, destroyed, wrecked or submerged in water. They require the regular title be surrendered before a salvage title is issued. The purpose of a salvage title is to prevent the fraud that occurs when the titles of wrecked vehicles are used to transfer stolen vehicles. This can occur when an unsuspecting buyer does not check the VIN on the vehicle with the VIN on the ownership document.

Alaska law does not address salvage titles nor does Alaska issue a salvage title. A vehicle with a salvage title is treated the same as a reconstructed vehicle and the salvage title is treated the same as the proof of ownership for the chassis/frame. Quite often the body of a vehicle will need to be replaced to restore the vehicle to operating condition. Inspection requirements are the same as the reconstructed vehicle procedure.

Bills of sale are acceptable with salvage titles to transfer ownership. When a title is surrendered to a DMV and that state issues a salvage title the vehicle becomes a “non-vehicle” and bills of sale are permissible to transfer ownership.

NOTE: Some states issue a title with the salvage BRAND on it after the vehicle has been reconstructed. It is important to check the Polk II manual to verify this.

When an insurance company notifies the DMV that a vehicle is “JUNKED,” any titles issued for that vehicle subsequent to the notification will be titled following the reconstruct vehicle process.

SPECIAL NOTE: Surrendered “junked” titles are submitted with your batch. Place these titles on the very top and do not staple them to anything. In offices with multiple batches, all such titles should be gathered and clipped together. Place on the top of the office’s complete batch work with a coversheet to the Microfilm Unit.

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MOTOR HOME CONVERSIONS:

A bus or other vehicle converted to a motor home is not necessarily considered a reconstructed vehicle because the body and frame are original. Only the interior of the vehicle has been altered.

A motor home is defined as “A vehicular unit, designed to provide temporary living quarters, built into as an integral part of, or permanently attached to, a self-propelled motor vehicle chassis or van.” The vehicle must contain permanently installed independent life support systems and provide at least four of the following items:

1. Facilities - cooking, refrigeration or icebox
2. Self-contained toilet
3. Heating and/or air conditioning systems for the motor home unit.
4. Potable water supply system including a faucet and sink
5. Separate 110-125 volt electrical power supply and/or an LP gas supply.

Title Requirements:

1. Application for Title and Registration (Form 812) completed and signed by the applicant. The applicant must write a statement in the affidavit section of the application, as follows: This vehicle has been permanently converted to a motor home by installation of: (must list four of the above items required.)
2. The original title to the vehicle.

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Notes:

• The year of the vehicle is as identified on the MCO, foreign title or previous Alaska title. When a MCO is provided for both the chassis and the unit, use the year of the unit.
• The serial number is always that of the chassis/frame, NOT the number of the unit attached. The unit number may be entered as a secondary serial number.
• The body style code is MH.
• When a school bus is converted to a motor home, the color must be changed.
• Regular Sleeper Cabs – Cannot be converted to motorhomes.
• A truck-tractor pulling a commercial trailer cannot be classed as a motorhome. The trailer can be classed as a travel trailer.

Cross Reference:

HISTORY:

7/1/06 - Regulation change from 13 AAC 70.110 to 02 AAC 92.080. Began stamping titles with REC stamp in addition to the registration.

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