(a) Prior to the issuance of a rebuilt certificate of title for a vehicle on which a salvage title has been issued, a representative of the department shall inspect the vehicle at a place and time to be designated by the commissioner. The person inspecting the vehicle shall certify the identity of the vehicle. The inspection shall include bills of sale, identification of source of parts used, and an affidavit by the applicant that the vehicle has been repaired in accordance with manufacturer's requirements and department rules. The commissioner, for good cause shown, may waive the inspection requirement for any given vehicle or particular class of vehicle. The commissioner, if the commissioner determines that a vehicle inspection is unsatisfactory or that the requirements of this section have not been met, shall refuse to issue a certificate of title of any kind on such motor vehicle.(b) The commissioner, or representative of the department, shall have all powers and authority granted under § 55-5-108(a) to inspect at any time during regular business hours any vehicle for which a permit to dismantle has been issued under this section and §§ 55-3-120(c), 55-3-202(b), 55-3-205 and d under § 55-5-108(a) to inspect at any time during regular business hours any vehicle for which a permit to dismantle has been issued under this section and §§ 55-3-120(c), 55-3-202(b), 55-3-205 and 55-3-207 in order to determine the source of the vehicle and parts.(c)(1) In addition to the fee required by § 55-3-205, the commissioner shall charge a reasonable fee not to exceed seventy-five dollars ($75.00) for each conversion of a vehicle salvage document to a rebuilt title in an amount calculated to cover the cost of adequate staffing and other operation costs of a program to enforce the motor vehicle title and salvage laws and anti-theft inspection of rebuilt vehicles.(2) There shall be a unit established called the anti-theft unit whose primary function shall be as outlined in subdivision (c)(1).(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, all moneys collected pursuant to this subsection (c) shall be deposited in the state general fund and credited to a separate account for the cost of operating this program.(4) Disbursements from this account shall be made solely for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred in the implementation and enforcement of the program.(5) None of cost of operating this program.(4) Disbursements from this account shall be made solely for the purpose of defraying expenses incurred in the implementation and enforcement of the program.(5) None of these expenses shall be paid from any other state funds.(6) Funds remaining in the account at the end of any fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund but shall remain available for expenditure in accordance with law.Acts 1987, ch. 443, § 6; T.C.A., § 55-3-135; Acts 1991, ch. 361, §§ 1, 2; 1996, ch. 552, § 5; 1996, ch. 839, § 3; 2005, ch. 130, § 1; 2007, ch. 484, § 31.
Tennessee Legal Code