8-135c. Nonrepairable vehicle certificate; definitions; requirements; application; penalties.

8-135c

Chapter 8.--AUTOMOBILES AND OTHER VEHICLES
Article 1.--GENERAL PROVISIONS

      8-135c.   Nonrepairable vehicle certificate; definitions; requirements; application; penalties. (a) The provisions of this section shall be a part of and supplemental to the provisions of article 1 of chapter 8 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated, and as used in this section, the words and phrases defined by K.S.A. 8-126, and amendments thereto, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them therein.

      (b)   As used in this section:

      (1)   "Nonrepairable vehicle" means any motor vehicle which: (A) Has been damaged, destroyed, wrecked, burned or submerged in water to the extent that such motor vehicle is incapable of safe operation for use on roads or highways and has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap only; or (B) the owner irreversibly designates as a source of parts or scrap;

      (2)   "nonrepairable vehicle certificate" means a motor vehicle ownership document issued by the division designating that vehicle a nonrepairable vehicle.

      (c) (1)   Except as otherwise provided by this section, the owner of a vehicle that meets the definition of a nonrepairable vehicle shall apply to the division for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate before the ownership of the motor vehicle is transferred. In no event shall such application be made more than 30 days after the vehicle is determined to be a nonrepairable vehicle.

      (2)   Every insurance company, which pursuant to a damage settlement, acquires ownership of a vehicle that has incurred damage requiring the vehicle to be designated a nonrepairable vehicle, shall apply to the division for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate within 30 days after the title is assigned and delivered by the owner to the insurance company, with all liens released.

      (3)   Every insurance company which makes a damage settlement for a vehicle that has incurred damage requiring such vehicle to be designated a nonrepairable vehicle, but does not acquire ownership of the vehicle, shall notify the vehicle owner of the owner's obligation to apply to the department for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate for the motor vehicle, and shall notify the division of this fact in accordance with procedures established by the division. The vehicle owner shall apply to the division for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate within 30 days after being notified by the insurance company.

      (4)   The lessee of any vehicle which incurs damage requiring the vehicle to be designated a nonrepairable vehicle shall notify the lessor of this fact within 30 days of the determination that the vehicle is a nonrepairable vehicle.

      (5)   The lessor of any motor vehicle which has incurred damage requiring the vehicle to be titled as a nonrepairable vehicle, shall apply to the division for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate within 30 days after being notified of this fact by the lessee.

      (6)   Every person acquiring ownership of a motor vehicle that meets the definition of a nonrepairable vehicle, for which a nonrepairable vehicle certificate has not been issued, shall apply to the division for the required document prior to any further transfer of such vehicle, but in no event, more than 30 days after ownership is acquired.

      (7)   Failure to apply for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate as provided by this subsection shall be a class C nonperson misdemeanor.

      (d) (1)   Upon notification of a vehicle's designation as a nonrepairable vehicle, the division shall issue a nonrepairable vehicle certificate.

      (2)   Each nonrepairable vehicle certificate shall contain the same identifying information and comply with format, size and security requirements applicable to certificates of title under K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, and shall be conspicuously labeled with this designation on the face of the certificate.

      (3)   Each application for a nonrepairable vehicle certificate shall be accompanied by the fee required for an original certificate of title under K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, and if the application is not made within the time prescribed by subsection (c), an additional fee of $2.

      (e) (1)   No motor vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle certificate has been issued shall be titled or registered by the division for use on the roads or highways of this state.

      (2)   Ownership of the motor vehicle for which a nonrepairable vehicle certificate has been issued may only be transferred once.

      (3)   Any motor vehicle transferred through the use of a nonrepairable vehicle certificate shall be dismantled, disassembled or recycled and may not be sold as a unit at retail.

      When the nonrepairable vehicle has been crushed, dismantled, disassembled or recycled and such vehicle is sold to a scrap processor for recycling after the salvageable parts have been removed, the owner shall surrender the nonrepairable vehicle certificate to the division with the word recycled written or stamped across its face and no certificate of title of any type shall be issued nor any registration allowed again for such vehicle.

      (4)   A nonrepairable vehicle certificate may be used to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle 10 or more model years of age, in accordance with this section, when the owner does not have a certificate of title in the owner's possession.

      (f)   The secretary of the department of revenue may adopt rules and regulations as the secretary deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.

      History:   L. 2000, ch. 73, § 1; L. 2009, ch. 63, § 1; July 1.