, you have to get a salvage title first. You must then make any repairs necessary to meet vehicle standards before applying for a rebuilt title at your local DMV. A rebuilt title costs $14.

If a car’s repairs would cost more than its actual cash value following an accident, your insurance company may declare it a “total loss.” After that, the car usually finds a new home at a salvage yard where it may be sold for parts. However, that’s not always the end.

Sometimes totaled cars—which get saddled with a salvage title—are purchased by repair shops to flip into functional cars again. In this case, the newly repaired vehicle is given a

rebuilt title

Getting a rebuilt title isn’t always straightforward, though.

Here, we’ll answer all your biggest questions, like what a rebuilt title is, when you need one, and how to get one in the Gem State.

Are you overpaying for your car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Compare Rates Now

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees

4.717k Ratings

5M+Drivers Joined

7M+Cars Garaged

What is a rebuilt title?

Once a salvage vehicle has been properly repaired and passes all the necessary safety inspections in Idaho, the vehicle is eligible for a

rebuilt title

, which is a kind of

branded title

. A rebuilt title means your car is street-legal again, but it also indicates to any future buyers that the car was once significantly damaged.

Before you can get a rebuilt title for a totaled vehicle in Idaho, you’ll have to get a salvage title.

Does my car need a rebuilt title?

If you plan on driving or selling a salvaged vehicle in Idaho, you’ll have to have a rebuilt title.

Used-car buyers are warned against considering vehicles with salvage titles, so you may have trouble getting insurance for one of these vehicles. They’re also next to impossible to sell.

You’ll never be able to turn a salvage title into a clean title, but a rebuilt title is the next best thing. A rebuilt title indicates that the car has been repaired and returned to operating condition, so it’s a lot more likely to sell.

How to get a rebuilt title in Idaho

Getting a rebuilt title in Idaho is pretty straightforward as long as you make the necessary repairs, which can be expensive depending on how badly the vehicle is damaged. Luckily, the process to get a rebuilt Idaho title is easier and cheaper than in most other states.

Below we list the three main steps you’ll need to take to get your Idaho rebuilt title.

Apply for a salvage title

We know you have to have a salvage title before you can get the rebuilt title—but how do you get the salvage title? In Idaho, all you need to do is complete a

Salvage Certificate of Title Application

(Form ITD 3312) and pay a $14 fee. If you bought the salvaged car from your insurance company, you’ll also have to include the use/sales tax in your fee payment.

If the vehicle title was issued in a different state, you’ll also need to have a completed

Vehicle Identification Number Inspection Certification

and the vehicle’s prior title (or another ownership document).

Once you fill out the required forms and have your payment ready, stick it all in an envelope and mail it to the following address:

Idaho Transportation Department

Attn: Vehicle Services Section

Salvage Desk

P.O. Box 34

Boise, ID 83731

If you have questions about the process or requirements, give the Idaho Transportation Department’s Salvage Unit a call at (208) 334-8485.

Make the necessary repairs

After you get your salvage title, you can start the repair process, which is the next step in getting your rebuilt title and hitting the road. If you’re confident in your mechanical skills, you can make these repairs yourself—or you can just enlist the help of a qualified mechanic.

Make sure you’re familiar with the

motor vehicle equipment standards

outlined in the Idaho code for your type of vehicle so you know if your repairs are hitting the mark.

Apply for the rebuilt title

When your vehicle has been repaired and returned to its former glory, you’re ready to apply for the rebuilt title. For this one, you’ll have to apply in person at your

local DMV

. Here’s what you’ll need when you go:

Your Idaho salvage certificate

A completed

Salvage Vehicle Statement

(Form ITD 3311)

Payment for the $14 fee

Be prepared to provide the following additional information if required:

Your vehicle’s color, make, model, and vehicle identification number (VIN)

The details of why the car was originally declared salvage

A comprehensive summary of the car’s repair history

Depending on your specific case, you might need to fill out other forms—especially if you want to also register your car in Idaho at the same time.

Out-of-state salvage vehicles

The rules and process differ a bit if you’re bringing a salvage vehicle into Idaho from out of state.

If you bought a salvage car in a different state that doesn’t require that you surrender the title, you have to apply for a salvage title in Idaho within 30 days of acquiring the out-of-state title.

If your car is titled in Idaho but it becomes salvage within a different state, you or your insurance company has to contact the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) to see what your next steps are. It’ll depend on the specific circumstances, but in general, you’ll either have to apply for a salvaged certificate or rebuilt title.

How long does a rebuilt title take in Idaho?

The entire process of getting a rebuilt title depends on how long the repair process takes, but after you apply for the car title, you can expect to get your title within about two weeks.

If you’re feeling antsy waiting for your rebuilt title, you can

check the status of your title

on IDT’s website.

MORE:

Idaho car insurance laws

“I honestly didn’t think I could be so satisfied with a car insurance service, but
Jerry
easily saved me $125/month. I was looking for Progressive and Jerry found a great plan for me!” —Brianna L.

RECOMMENDED

Compare auto insurance policies

No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms

ZIP Code

Find insurance savings

FAQs

Is a rebuilt title bad in Idaho?

Not necessarily. Rebuilt titles are usually a good way to buy a used car at a more affordable price. That being said, they may be more difficult or expensive to insure since insurance companies deem them to be higher risk. As with all branded titles, purchasing a rebuilt salvage vehicle is a buyer beware.

How much does it cost to get a rebuilt title in Idaho?

The DMV fees for both a salvage title and rebuilt title are $14 each, or $28 total. If you factor in the costs of repairs and labor, though, the total price can get pretty expensive.

Are you overpaying for car insurance?

Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.

Try Jerry