Okla. Stat. tit. 47, § 47-1111

This is the official text of Okla. Stat. tit. 47, § 47-1111, part of Oklahoma’s Stat. tit. 47, — part of the compiled statutory law of Oklahoma, published by the state as "Stat. tit. 47,." Browse the sections below, each linked to its official government source.

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Salvage title - New title

Official statutory text

A. As used in this section:

1. “Loss” means the cost, in dollars, to repair or replace a

vehicle which has been damaged by collision or other occurrence.

The amount paid by an insurer to a holder of the certificate of

title for repair of a damaged vehicle shall be prima facie evidence

of the amount of the loss. The amount paid by an insurer to a

holder of the certificate of title for replacement of a damaged

vehicle less the resale value of the damaged vehicle shall be prima

facie evidence of the amount of the loss;

2. “Fair market value” means the value of a vehicle as listed

in the current National Auto Dealers Association guidebook or other

similar guidebook or the actual cash value, whichever is greater;

3. “Resale value” means the amount, in dollars, paid to the

holder of a certificate of title by a willing buyer for a vehicle

damaged by collision or other occurrence or recovered from theft;

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 47. Motor Vehicles Page 1133

4. “Total loss” means a loss which is equal to the fair market

value of the vehicle immediately prior to the damage to or theft of

the vehicle; and

5. “Vehicle” means a vehicle, as defined in paragraph 40 of

Section 1102 of this title, manufactured within the last ten (10)

model years.

B. Any insurance company that pays a total loss on a claim for

any vehicle including, but not limited to, a flood-damaged vehicle

or recovered-theft vehicle, any junk dealer who receives a motor

vehicle which is to be used for junk or for parts, or any other

person permanently dismantling or junking a vehicle shall receive

the certificate of title from the current holder of the certificate

of title, shall detach the license plate from the vehicle, and shall

return the license plate and the certificate of title to Service

Oklahoma or a licensed operator within thirty (30) days from receipt

of the certificate, or insurance companies may provide alternate

documentation within thirty (30) days pursuant to subsection P of

Section 1105 of this title. Service Oklahoma shall cancel the

certificate of title to the vehicle used for junk or parts and shall

preserve the vehicle identification numbers on the certificate of

title in the computer files for at least five (5) years. No

certificate of title may be reissued on a junked vehicle as defined

in Section 1105 of this title, unless reissued pursuant to paragraph

3 of subsection C of this section. Service Oklahoma shall transfer

ownership of a stolen vehicle, not recovered from theft at the time

of transfer, by salvage or unrecovered-theft title to the insurer.

Service Oklahoma shall transfer ownership of a vehicle damaged by

flooding or other occurrence to the insurer by an original title,

salvage title, or junked title, as may be appropriate, based upon an

estimate of the amount of loss submitted by the insurer. All

license plates surrendered to Service Oklahoma shall be destroyed.

C. 1. If an insurance company pays a claim for a loss which is

less than a total loss but the cost of repairing the vehicle for

safe operation on the highway exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the

fair market value of the vehicle, or if any vehicle not insured is

damaged to the extent that the cost of repair for safe operation on

the highway exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the fair market value of

the vehicle, any holder of the certificate of title for the vehicle

shall return the certificate of title to Service Oklahoma or a

licensed operator within thirty (30) days from receipt of payment

for the loss.

2. Upon receipt of the certificate, Service Oklahoma or the

licensed operator shall issue a salvage title for the vehicle. The

title for any vehicle damaged by flooding shall be stamped with the

words “Flood Damaged”, and for any such vehicle which was recovered

from a theft, the salvage title or rebuilt title shall be stamped

with the words “Recovered Theft”. A licensed dealer subject to the
2. Upon receipt of the certificate, Service Oklahoma or the

licensed operator shall issue a salvage title for the vehicle. The

title for any vehicle damaged by flooding shall be stamped with the

words “Flood Damaged”, and for any such vehicle which was recovered

from a theft, the salvage title or rebuilt title shall be stamped

with the words “Recovered Theft”. A licensed dealer subject to the

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 47. Motor Vehicles Page 1134

provisions of the Automotive Dismantlers and Parts Recycler Act,

Section 591.1 et seq. of this title, shall not be required to pay

registration fees, excise taxes, back taxes, or penalties on a

vehicle as a prerequisite to obtaining a salvage title.

3. If the actual documented cost of repairing the vehicle for

safe operation on the highway does not exceed sixty percent (60%) of

the fair market value of the vehicle as defined in this section, the

certificate of title shall be reissued to the holder and the vehicle

shall not be subject to inspection as required under this section.

The actual documented cost of repairing the vehicle pursuant to this

paragraph shall be certified by the insurance company paying the

loss.

D. If a motor vehicle with a salvage title is placed in

operative condition, application shall be made to Service Oklahoma

or a licensed operator for a rebuilt title. A visual inspection of

the vehicle and examination of the vehicle identification numbers

shall be conducted prior to the issuance of a rebuilt title. At the

time of issuance, the salvage title shall be returned to Service

Oklahoma by the owner, or by the licensed operator if the licensed

operator issues the rebuilt title. A visual inspection shall also

be made of any out-of-state vehicle to be registered and titled in

this state if the vehicle is within the class of vehicles for which

a rebuilt title is required and a similar inspection has not been

conducted by another state. The certificate of title for the

rebuilt vehicle shall be stamped with the words, “This Rebuilt

Vehicle Has Been Inspected by the Appropriate State Official.”

E. 1. The visual inspections and examination of vehicle

identification numbers shall include, but not be limited to:

a. comparison of the vehicle identification numbers with

the number recorded on the ownership records,

b. inspection of the vehicle identification numbers and

the VIN plate to detect possible alteration or other

fraud,

c. interpretation of the vehicle identification number

recorded on the ownership documents to assure that it

accurately describes the motor vehicle in question,

and

d. inspection of the odometer of the vehicle to detect

rollback or alteration.

2. All vehicle damage shall be repaired before the examination

is conducted. The following paperwork shall be presented to the

licensed operator: the salvage title and original receipts for all

parts placed on the vehicle. Components such as doors, motor, and

transmission shall indicate the serial number or the vehicle

identification number (VIN) of the auto the part was purchased from

or removed from.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 47. Motor Vehicles Page 1135

F. The visual inspection and vehicle identification numbers

examination shall be performed by a licensed operator at the

location designated by the licensed operator. If the location of

the inspection is not the place of business of the rebuilder, the

licensed operator shall issue a permit authorizing the applicant to

operate the vehicle upon the public streets, roads, and highways in

route to and from the designated location for the inspection. The

inspection and examination shall be performed within ten (10)

working days after the owner of the vehicle requests the inspection

and examination. Requests shall be made by completing the request

form prescribed and provided by Service Oklahoma.

G. Inspection and examination of a rebuilt vehicle shall be
roads, and highways in

route to and from the designated location for the inspection. The

inspection and examination shall be performed within ten (10)

working days after the owner of the vehicle requests the inspection

and examination. Requests shall be made by completing the request

form prescribed and provided by Service Oklahoma.

G. Inspection and examination of a rebuilt vehicle shall be

performed by a person employed by a licensed operator.

H. The fee for the examination by the licensed operator shall

be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00), which shall be paid at the time of

issuance of the certificate of title for the rebuilt vehicle. The

licensed operator shall retain Five Dollars ($5.00) and shall remit

Twenty Dollars ($20.00) to the Tax Commission which shall retain Ten

Dollars ($10.00) and transmit Ten Dollars ($10.00) to the State

Treasurer for deposit in the Department of Public Safety Revolving

Fund through December 31, 2022. Beginning January 1, 2023, through

June 30, 2026, the licensed operator shall retain Five Dollars

($5.00) and shall remit Twenty Dollars ($20.00) to the Tax

Commission which shall retain Ten Dollars ($10.00) and transmit Ten

Dollars ($10.00) to the State Treasurer for deposit in the Service

Oklahoma Revolving Fund. Beginning July 1, 2026, the licensed

operator shall retain Five Dollars ($5.00) and shall remit Twenty

Dollars ($20.00) to Service Oklahoma which shall retain Ten Dollars

($10.00) and transmit Ten Dollars ($10.00) to the State Treasurer

for deposit in the Service Oklahoma Revolving Fund. The licensed

operator and its employees and agents may not be sued for and shall

not be liable for any damages allegedly arising out of the

inspection of a vehicle or any acts or omissions in the performance

of the inspection. The licensed operator may be held liable for any

damages to the vehicle caused by the negligent acts or omissions in

the performance of the inspection. Any person may be liable for any

damages to a vehicle caused by the intentional acts or omissions in

the performance of the inspection.

I. The rebuilt title and any subsequent transfers of such title

shall also reflect that the vehicle was a salvage vehicle, flood-

damaged vehicle or recovered-theft vehicle, if applicable, and also

shall include the salvage date.

J. Any title for a motor vehicle issued pursuant to the laws of

any other state which reflects that such vehicle is a salvage

vehicle, a rebuilt vehicle or a junked vehicle or has any other

brand or classification notation by that state shall be retained on

the new title issued by Service Oklahoma unless the actual

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 47. Motor Vehicles Page 1136

documented cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation on the

highway does not exceed sixty percent (60%) of the fair market value

of the vehicle as provided by this section.

K. When the insurance company pays a loss on a vehicle which is

registered at the time of mishap, accident, burning, or flooding,

the appropriate certificate of title shall be issued without the

payment of additional registration fees or excise taxes, upon the

submission of a police report or insurance adjuster’s report and a

declaration by the insurer that the vehicle is held for sale to a

dealer. If the owner of the vehicle or other insured retains

ownership of the damaged vehicle, Service Oklahoma shall notify the

owner or insured of the requirements of this section.

L. Any insurance company that pays a claim for a loss where the

cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation on the highway

exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the market value of the vehicle or

pays a claim for a flood-damaged vehicle as defined in Section 1105

of this title shall notify, in writing, the holder of the

certificate of title of the requirements of this section and shall

notify Service Oklahoma of the payment of such claim. The notice
re the

cost of repairing the vehicle for safe operation on the highway

exceeds sixty percent (60%) of the market value of the vehicle or

pays a claim for a flood-damaged vehicle as defined in Section 1105

of this title shall notify, in writing, the holder of the

certificate of title of the requirements of this section and shall

notify Service Oklahoma of the payment of such claim. The notice

shall include the estimated total damage percentage determination of

the actual cash value made by the insurance company to repair the

vehicle for safe operation on the highway. The insurance company

shall also send a copy of the notification to the holder of the

title. Service Oklahoma shall provide notice to the owner of the

vehicle in writing requiring the owner to surrender the title along

with the fee to Service Oklahoma or one of its licensed operators

within thirty (30) days from the receipt of notice for the issuance

of the appropriate title based on the amount of loss. Service

Oklahoma shall reissue the appropriate title with the words “Flood

Damaged” on the face of the title in the case of a flood-damaged

vehicle; provided, no insurance company shall pay a claim for less

than the amount to which the holder of the certificate of title is

rightfully entitled in order to avoid compliance with this section.

M. Except as provided for in subsection N of this section, any

person, firm, corporation, or other legal entity convicted of

violating any provision of this section shall be guilty of a

misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than Three

Hundred Dollars ($300.00) or by incarceration in the county jail for

not more than six (6) months, or by both the fine and incarceration.

N. Any owner of a titled vehicle who has knowledge that the

title is not the proper type for the vehicle and, with intent to

misrepresent the vehicle, fails to make the appropriate title

changes, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person who has

knowledge that the title is not the proper type for the vehicle, and

with intent to misrepresent the vehicle, buys or receives any

vehicle for which the appropriate title changes have not been made

as required by the Oklahoma Vehicle License and Registration Act

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 47. Motor Vehicles Page 1137

shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Any person found guilty in

accordance with the provisions of this subsection shall be punished

by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) for the

first offense or Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for the second or

subsequent offense, or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term

not exceeding six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment.

O. Any owner of a salvage or junked vehicle shall submit the

certificate of title to Service Oklahoma or the licensed operator

for issuance of an appropriate title. Any holder of a certificate

of title issued by this state, to a vehicle which no longer exists,

shall surrender the certificate of title to Service Oklahoma for

cancellation. The vehicle identification number on the canceled

certificate of title shall be preserved in the computer of Service

Oklahoma for at least five (5) years.

Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the

transfer of ownership of a vehicle by assignment of the title to a

used car dealer, wholesale used car dealer, or a licensed automotive

dismantler or parts recycler.

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

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About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.