Establishes a 15 day waiting period for the transfer, destruction or dismantling of junk and salvage vehicles for which holder does not possess a certificate of title

BILL NUMBER:S2770

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the transfer of junk and salvage vehicles

Purpose or general idea of bill

Establishes a 15 day waiting period for the transfer, destruction or dismantling of junk and salvage vehicles for which the holder does not possess a certificate of title

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1: Amends subdivision 2 of section 429 of the vehicle and traffic law by adding new paragraph (d).

Justification

When junk and salvage business entities are presented with vehicles valued at less than $1,250 to be used for junk or scrap, a seller without the vehicle's title may present an MV-35 Department of Motor Vehicles form. If the vehicle is stolen, this form can be forged and used to sell the vehicle without title. When the junk or scrap business entity purchases the vehicle, they are required to submit the MV-35 form and all related documents, including the seller's government issued identification, to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 15 days of the transaction.

Because of this 15 day delay, criminals have a window to sell stolen vehicles before the paperwork is on file and red flags can be raised by the DMV.

Simply because a vehicle is valued at less than $1,250 does not mean it is not of great value to its owner. Delaying the actual scrapping of the vehicle until after the forms have been submitted to the DMV allows for the potential recovery of a stolen vehicle that can be returned to its owner.

Prior legislative history

New Bill.

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.