Official NCDMV: Vehicle Title Special Cases

Titling requirements for vehicles that are bonded, leased, salvaged, abandoned or in a trust differ from requirements for titling most other vehicles.

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Bonded vehicles

An individual who does not have proof that they own a vehicle can title it using an indemnity bond – a security bond written by an insurance company – or a cash bond.

To obtain a vehicle title using a bond, the title applicant must:

Submit required documents
Have the vehicle inspected by the N.C. State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit
Have the vehicle appraised
Acquire an indemnity bond
Have the vehicle undergo an emissions inspection
Pay relevant taxes and fees

Required documents

To obtain a vehicle title using a bond, the following documents in the table below must be submitted and requirements met.

Document	Notes
Requirements for Obtaining Title by Filing an Indemnity Bond (MVR-92A)	Requirements list
Odometer Reading	Required if vehicle is less than 10 years old
Inspector's Report	Report from North Carolina State Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit
Title Application (MVR-1)	All liens must be declared and the title application must be notarized
Indemnity Bond (MVR-92D)
Affidavit of Facts to Accompany Indemnity Bond (MVR-92H)

Vehicle inspection

To apply for a vehicle title using a bond, an inspector with the N.C. State Highway Patrol's Investigative Services Unit must inspect the vehicle being titled.

A Title Application (MVR-1) and Affidavit of Facts (MVR-92H) are required at the time of inspection.

NCDMV will not issue a registration until the vehicle has been deemed operable and an operable title application has been submitted. If the vehicle is not in operable condition at the time of the inspection, then an Inoperable Title will be issued.

Emissions inspection

The vehicle must pass an emissions inspection by an authorized inspection station before a license plate is issued.

Vehicle appraisal

A vehicle appraisal is necessary to obtain a vehicle title using a bond.

The vehicle's value is determined from the current Value Schedule and can be obtained by visiting a license plate agency or by calling the NCDMV Customer Service at 919-715-7000.

For mobile homes and vehicles not listed in the Value Schedule, two appraisals from different North Carolina dealers are required. The appraisals must be on the dealers' letterhead.

Acquiring an indemnity bond

An indemnity bond can only be written by an insurance company licensed to write Surety Bonds in North Carolina. The bond must be for one and one-half times the value of the vehicle (with a minimum of $100).

The bond will remain on file with NCDMV for three years.

Bonds are not acceptable:

On abandoned vehicles
For mechanics and storage liens
If there is an outstanding lien and a cancellation cannot be issued
If litigation is pending
For vehicles not housed in North Carolina
For non-North Carolina residents when the vehicle is not registered in North Carolina
For vehicles branded parts-only, non-rebuildable or declared junked
For vehicles declared a total loss by an insurance company and never titled in the insurance company's name (G.S. 20-109.1)
For vehicles declared a total loss by an insurance company and sold without a title

Fees & taxes

A Certificate of Title fee and taxes must be paid on the vehicle. View list of current vehicle fees.

Leased vehicles

In cases in which a vehicle is being leased in North Carolina, the vehicle's owner and operator share the responsibilities of titling and registering the vehicle.

Leased vehicles are titled in the name of the lessor – the legal owner of the vehicle. The license plate, however, can be issued to the lessor or the lessee – the individual leasing the vehicle – depending on who carries the liability insurance.

To title and register a leased vehicle, the title applicant must:

Submit required documents
Have the vehicle undergo an emissions inspection
Pay relevant vehicle registration and license plate fees

Requirements & documents

The required documents to obtain a title for a leased vehicle depend on whether:

The vehicle is to be licensed in the lessor's name
The vehicle is to be licensed in the lessee's name
The lessee is moving to North Carolina

Vehicle to be licensed in lessor's name

If a vehicle is to be licensed in the name of the legal owner of the vehicle (the lessor), the documents in the table below are required.

Document	Notes
Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin	Assigned to lessor
Title Application (MVR-1)	All liens must be declared and the title application must be notarized
Odometer Disclosure Statement (MVR-180)	Must be completed if the vehicle is less than 10 years old
Gross Receipt Declaration (MVR-608)	Required if lessor wants to pay highway-use tax directly to the North Carolina Department of Revenue

Vehicle to be licensed in lessee's name

If a vehicle is to be licensed in the name of the individual leasing the vehicle (the lessee), the documents in the following table are required.

Document	Notes
Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin	Assigned to lessor
Title Application (MVR-1)	All liens must be declared and the title application must be notarized
Odometer Disclosure Statement (MVR-180)	Must be completed if the vehicle is less than 10 years old
Application for a Registration Plate or Plate Transfer (MVR-330)	For initial registration or transfer of license plate
Gross Receipt Declaration (MVR-608)	Required if lessor wants to pay highway-use tax directly to the North Carolina Department of Revenue

Lessee is moving to North Carolina

If the individual leasing the vehicle (the lessee) is moving to North Carolina, the documents in the following table are required.

Document	Notes
Out-of-state title	A photocopy is acceptable
Odometer reading	Required if vehicle is less than 10 years old
Title Application (MVR-1)	All liens must be declared and the title application must be notarized
Application for a Registration Plate or Plate Transfer (MVR-330)	For initial registration or transfer of license plate
Gross Receipt Declaration (MVR-608)	Required if lessor wants to pay highway-use tax directly to the North Carolina Department of Revenue

Emissions inspection

The vehicle must pass a state emissions inspection by an authorized inspection station before a North Carolina license plate is issued. Emissions inspection is not required for out-of-state or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin title processes.

Fees & taxes

A Certificate of Title fee and taxes must be paid on the vehicle as well as applicable license plate fees. View a list of current vehicle fees.

Salvaged vehicles
A salvaged vehicle is any motor vehicle damaged in a collision or other occurrence to the extent that the repairs (including parts and labor) to make the vehicle safe for use on public roadways would exceed 75 percent of its fair market value.
When an insurance company or authorized agent has paid a claim on a salvaged vehicle, the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles must be notified within 10 days if the damage occurred in North Carolina and the transfer of title occurred in North Carolina.
If the salvaged or damaged vehicle is six model years old or newer, the title applicant must obtain an anti-theft inspection by the State Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit.
NCDMV advises consumers to be careful when purchasing a salvaged vehicle and to have it thoroughly inspected by the State Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit before buying it.
Abandoned vehicles
There are several options available to an individual when a vehicle has been abandoned on their property.
- Local law enforcement may be contacted to identify if the vehicle is reported stolen.
- After seven days, the property owner may contact a tow company to remove the vehicle.
- If the vehicle remains on the property unclaimed for 30 days, it is considered abandoned and the property owner may begin the process to sell the vehicle.
For additional information about abandoned motor vehicles, contact the State Highway Patrol Investigative Services Unit at 919-757-0753.

Other vehicle classifications

Vehicle Classification	Description
Reconstructed vehicle	A motor vehicle required to be registered that has been materially altered from original construction due to the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts (including glider kits and custom assembled vehicles).
Flood vehicle	A motor vehicle that has been submerged or partially submerged in water to the extent that damage to the body, engine, transmission or differential has occurred.
Salvage rebuilt vehicle	A salvage vehicle that has been rebuilt for title and registration.
Junk vehicle	A motor vehicle which is incapable or operation or use upon the highways and has no resale value except as a source of parts or scrap. The vehicle shall not be titled or registered. For more information regarding salvage or gray market vehicles, call 919-615-8511.

Vehicles in a trust

A trust is a separate legal entity capable of owning property through a trustee – the individual charged with managing the property held by a trust.

The identity of the owner and the trustee may be the same regarding the trust, however they are two separate entities. When property is transferred, legal ownership has changed.

Registering a vehicle to a trust

When registering a vehicle to a trust, individuals must complete the Title Application (MVR-1). All liens must be declared and the title application must be notarized.

Transferring a vehicle registration to a trust

The documents listed in the table below are required to transfer a vehicle registration to a trust.

Document	Notes
Vehicle title	Notarization required
Trust document	Front and back pages of trust document required
Title Application (MVR-1)	All liens must be declared and the title application must be notarized

Fees & taxes

A Certificate of Title fee and taxes must be paid on the vehicle. View a list of current vehicle fees.

5/18/2026 4:11 PM