Kansas Statutes § 8-198 Nonhighway and salvage vehicles exempt from registration; nonhighway certificates of title, salvage titles and dealer inventory-only titles; permit for temporary operation; rebuilt or restored salvage vehicle; rebuilt salvage title; notice attached to rebuilt vehicle; penalties; all-terrain vehicles; work-site utility vehicles; travel trailers; no-fault insurance law inapplicable, exception.

8-198. Nonhighway and salvage vehicles exempt from registration; nonhighway certificates of title, salvage titles and dealer inventory-only titles; permit for temporary operation; rebuilt or restored salvage vehicle; rebuilt salvage title; notice attached to rebuilt vehicle; penalties; all-terrain vehicles; work-site utility vehicles; travel trailers; no-fault insurance law inapplicable, exception. (a) A nonhighway or salvage vehicle shall not be required to be registered in this state, as provided in K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, but nothing in this section shall be construed as abrogating, limiting or otherwise affecting the provisions of K.S.A. 8-142, and amendments thereto, which make it unlawful for any person to operate or knowingly permit the operation in this state of a vehicle required to be registered in this state. (b) Upon the sale or transfer of any nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle, the purchaser thereof shall obtain a nonhighway certificate of title or a salvage title, whichever is applicable, or a dealer inventory-only title in the following manner: (1) If the vehicle dealer, as defined in K.S.A. 8-2401, and amendments thereto, obtains ownership of a used vehicle that is an all-terrain vehicle, work-site utility vehicle, recreational off-highway vehicle or motorcycle and such vehicle would qualify as a nonhighway vehicle pursuant to K.S.A. 8-197, and amendments thereto, the vehicle dealer shall make application to the county treasurer of such county for a dealer inventory-only title. Each application for a dealer inventory-only title shall be accompanied by a fee of $10 and either a bill of sale or certificate of title with the application for the vehicle. All moneys received under this paragraph shall be remitted as a certificate of title in accordance with K.S.A. 8-145(b), and amendments thereto. (2) If the transferor is a vehicle dealer, as defined in K.S.A. 8-2401, and amendments thereto, and a certificate of title has not been issued for such vehicle under this section or under the provisions of K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, such transferor shall make application for and assign a nonhighway certificate of title or a salvage title, whichever is applicable, to the purchaser of such nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle in the same manner and under the same conditions prescribed by K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, for the application for and assignment of a certificate of title thereunder. Upon the assignment thereof, the purchaser shall make application for a new nonhighway certificate of title or a salvage title, as provided in subsection (c) or (d). (3) Except as provided in K.S.A. 8-199(b), and amendments thereto, if a certificate of title has been issued for any such vehicle under the provisions of K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, the owner of such nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle may surrender such certificate of title to the division of vehicles and make application to the division for a nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title, whichever is applicable, or the owner may obtain from the county treasurer's office a form prescribed by the division of vehicles and, upon proper execution thereof, may assign the nonhighway certificate of title, salvage title or the regular certificate of title with such form attached to the purchaser of the nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle. Upon receipt of the nonhighway certificate of title, salvage title or the regular certificate of title with such form attached, the purchaser shall make application for a new nonhighway certificate of title or a salvage title, whichever is applicable, as provided in subsection (c) or (d). (4) If the transferor is not a vehicle dealer, as defined in K.S.A. 8-2401, and amendments thereto, and a certificate of title has not been issued for the vehicle under this section or a certificate of title was not required under K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, the transferor shall make application to the division for a nonhighway certificate of title or a salvage title, whichever is applicable, as provided in this section, except that in addition thereto, the division shall require a bill of sale or such transferor's affidavit, with at least one other corroborating affidavit, that such transferor is the owner of such nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle. If the division is satisfied that the transferor is the owner, the division shall issue a nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title, whichever is applicable, for such vehicle, and the transferor shall assign the same to the purchaser, who shall make application for a new nonhighway certificate of title or a salvage title, whichever is applicable, as provided in subsection (c) or (d). (c) Every purchaser of a nonhighway vehicle, whether assigned a nonhighway certificate of title or a regular certificate of title with the form specified in subsection (b)(3) attached, shall make application to the county treasurer of the county where such person resides for a new nonhighway certificate of title in the same manner and under the same conditions as for an application for a certificate of title under K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto. Such application shall be in the form prescribed by the director of vehicles and shall contain substantially the same provisions as required for an application under K.S.A. 8-135(c)(1), and amendments thereto. In addition, such application shall provide a place for the applicant to certify that the vehicle for which the application for a nonhighway certificate of title is made is a nonhighway vehicle and other provisions the director deems necessary. Each application for a nonhighway certificate of title shall be accompanied by a fee of $10, and if the application is not made to the county treasurer within the time prescribed by K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, for making application for a certificate of title thereunder, an additional fee of $2. (d) (1) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the owner of a vehicle that meets the definition of a salvage vehicle shall apply for a salvage title before the ownership of the motor vehicle or travel trailer is transferred. In no event shall such application be made more than 60 days after the vehicle is determined to be a salvage vehicle. (2) Every insurance company that, pursuant to a damage settlement, acquires ownership of a vehicle that has incurred damage requiring the vehicle to be designated a salvage vehicle, shall apply for a salvage title within 60 days after the title is assigned and delivered by the owner to the insurance company, with all liens released. In the event that an insurance company is unable to obtain voluntary assignment of the title after 30 days from the date the vehicle owner enters into an oral or written damage settlement agreement where the owner agrees to transfer the title, the insurance company may submit an application on a form prescribed by the division for a salvage title. The form shall be accompanied by an affidavit from the insurance company stating that: (A) The insurance company is unable to obtain a transfer of the title from the owner following an oral or written acceptance of an offer of damage settlement; (B) there is evidence of the damage settlement; (C) that there are no existing liens on the vehicle or all liens on the vehicle have been released; (D) the insurance company has physical possession of the vehicle; and (E) the insurance company has provided the owner, at the owner's last known address, 30 days' prior notice of such intent to transfer and the owner has not delivered a written objection to the insurance company. (3) Every insurance company that makes a damage settlement for a vehicle that has incurred damage requiring such vehicle to be designated a salvage vehicle, but does not acquire ownership of the vehicle, shall notify the vehicle owner of the owner's obligation to apply for a salvage title for the motor vehicle or travel trailer, and shall notify the division of this fact in accordance with procedures established by the division. The vehicle owner shall apply for a salvage title within 60 days after being notified by the insurance company. (4) The lessee of any vehicle that incurs damage requiring the vehicle to be designated a salvage vehicle shall notify the lessor of this fact within 30 days of the determination that the vehicle is a salvage vehicle. (5) The lessor of any motor vehicle or travel trailer that has incurred damage requiring the vehicle to be titled as a salvage vehicle, shall apply for a salvage title within 60 days after being notified of this fact by the lessee. (6) Every person acquiring ownership of a motor vehicle or travel trailer that meets the definition of a salvage vehicle, for which a salvage title has not been issued, shall apply for the required document prior to any further transfer of such vehicle, but in no event, more than 60 days after ownership is acquired. (7) Every purchaser of a salvage vehicle, whether assigned a salvage title or a regular certificate of title with the form specified in subsection (b)(3) attached, shall make application to the county treasurer of the county where such person resides for a new salvage title, in the same manner and under the same condition as for an application for a certificate of title under K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto. Such application shall be in the form prescribed by the director of vehicles and shall contain substantially the same provisions as required for an application under K.S.A. 8-135(c)(1), and amendments thereto. In addition, such application shall provide a place for the applicant to certify that the vehicle for which the application for salvage title is made is a salvage vehicle, and other provisions the director deems necessary. Each application for a salvage title shall be accompanied by a fee of $10 and if the application is not made to the county treasurer within the time prescribed by K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, for making application for a certificate of title thereunder, an additional fee of $2. (8) Failure to apply for a salvage title as provided by this subsection shall be a class C nonperson misdemeanor. (e) A nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title shall be in form and color as prescribed by the director of vehicles. A nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title shall indicate clearly and distinctly on its face that it is issued for a nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle, whichever is applicable. A nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title shall contain substantially the same information as required on a certificate of title issued under K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, and other information the director deems necessary. (f) (1) A nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title may be transferred in the same manner and under the same conditions as prescribed by K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto, for the transfer of a certificate of title, except as otherwise provided in this section. A nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title may be assigned and transferred only while the vehicle remains a nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle. (2) Upon transfer or sale of a nonhighway vehicle in a condition that will allow the registration of such vehicle, the owner may assign the nonhighway certificate of title to the purchaser, and the purchaser may obtain a certificate of title and register such vehicle as provided in K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto. No regular certificate of title shall be issued for a vehicle for which there has been issued a nonhighway certificate of title until there has been compliance with K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto. (3) (A) Upon transfer or sale of a salvage vehicle that has been rebuilt or restored or is otherwise in a condition that will allow the registration of such vehicle, the owner shall assign the salvage title to the purchaser, and the purchaser shall obtain a rebuilt salvage title and register such vehicle as provided in K.S.A. 8-135, and amendments thereto. No rebuilt salvage title shall be issued for a vehicle for which there has been issued a salvage title until there has been compliance with K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto, and the notice required in subsection (f)(3)(B) has been attached to such vehicle. (B) As part of the inspection for a rebuilt salvage title conducted under K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto, the Kansas highway patrol shall attach a notice affixed to the left door frame of the rebuilt salvage vehicle indicating the vehicle identification number of such vehicle and that such vehicle is a rebuilt salvage vehicle. In addition to any fee allowed under K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto, a fee of $5 shall be collected from the owner of such vehicle requesting the inspection for the notice required under this paragraph. All moneys received under this paragraph shall be remitted in accordance with K.S.A. 8-116a(e), and amendments thereto. (C) Failure to apply for a rebuilt salvage title as provided by this paragraph shall be a class C nonperson misdemeanor. (g) The owner of a salvage vehicle that has been issued a salvage title and has been assembled, reconstructed, reconstituted or restored or otherwise placed in an operable condition may make application to the county treasurer for a permit to operate such vehicle on the highways of this state over the most direct route from the place such salvage vehicle is located to a specified location named on the permit and to return to the original location. No such permit shall be issued for any vehicle unless the owner has motor vehicle liability insurance coverage or an approved self-insurance plan under K.S.A. 40-3104, and amendments thereto. Such permit shall be on a form furnished by the director of vehicles and shall state the date the vehicle is to be taken to the other location, the name of the insurer, as defined in K.S.A. 40-3103, and amendments thereto, and the policy number or a statement that the vehicle is included in a self-insurance plan approved by the commissioner of insurance, a statement attesting to the correctness of the information concerning financial security, the vehicle identification number and a description of the vehicle. Such permit shall be signed by the owner of the vehicle. The permit shall be carried in the vehicle for which it is issued and shall be displayed so that it is visible from the rear of the vehicle. The fee for such permit shall be $1 and shall be retained by the county treasurer. (h) A nonhighway vehicle or salvage vehicle for which a nonhighway certificate of title or salvage title has been issued pursuant to this section shall not be deemed a motor vehicle for the purposes of K.S.A. 40-3101 through 40-3121, and amendments thereto, except when such vehicle is being operated pursuant to subsection (g). Any person who knowingly makes a false statement concerning financial security in obtaining a permit pursuant to subsection (g), or who fails to obtain a permit when required by law to do so is guilty of a class C misdemeanor. (i) (1) A salvage vehicle pool, or a salvage vehicle dealer, as both are defined and licensed to operate in this state pursuant to K.S.A. 8-2401 et seq., and amendments thereto, may apply for an ownership document with the division of vehicles without forwarding the certificate of title to the division for a vehicle that is the subject of an insurance claim when: (A) At the request of an insurance company, the salvage vehicle pool or salvage vehicle dealer obtains possession of the vehicle; (B) the insurance claim for the vehicle has been closed without payment or denied by the insurance company; and (C) the vehicle has remained unclaimed at the salvage vehicle pool's or salvage vehicle dealer's facility for more than 30 days. (2) An application made pursuant to this subsection shall provide sufficient evidence that at least two written notices were delivered by certified mail to the address provided by the division of vehicles' ownership verification, or through another courier service that provides proof of delivery, to the owner of the vehicle and any lienholder of the vehicle identified in the division of vehicles' records requesting that the vehicle be removed from the salvage vehicle pool's or salvage vehicle dealer's facility. A salvage vehicle dealer shall also provide sufficient evidence to the division of the request by the insurance company to obtain possession of the vehicle. Such written notice shall specify that the owner of the vehicle and any lienholder of the vehicle identified in the division of vehicles' records has at least 30 days from the receipt of the notice to remove the vehicle. If the salvage vehicle pool or salvage vehicle dealer does not receive proof of delivery for the notices, the salvage vehicle pool or salvage vehicle dealer shall cause notice of the application for an ownership document to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the vehicle is located. (3) If the most recent ownership document for the vehicle was not issued by this state, the application shall also include evidence of an inspection of the vehicle completed pursuant to K.S.A. 8-116a, and amendments thereto. The application shall also indicate whether a salvage title or a nonrepairable vehicle certificate shall be issued for the vehicle. (4) Upon receipt of the application and all information required by this subsection, the division shall issue to the salvage vehicle pool or salvage vehicle dealer a salvage title or a nonrepairable vehicle certificate free and clear of all liens, security interests and encumbrances. History: L. 1975, ch. 31, § 3; L. 1976, ch. 45, § 1; L. 1976, ch. 41, § 2; L. 1980, ch. 38, § 1; L. 1980, ch. 39, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 35, § 1; L. 1984, ch. 25, § 10; L. 1988, ch. 44, § 1; L. 1990, ch. 35, § 4; L. 1993, ch. 176, § 9; L. 1996, ch. 260, § 7; L. 1998, ch. 154, § 1; L. 1999, ch. 114, § 8; L. 2000, ch. 73, § 5; L. 2002, ch. 134, § 10; L. 2003, ch. 30, § 7; L. 2004, ch. 132, § 3; L. 2006, ch. 135, § 3; L. 2012, ch. 130, § 5; L. 2014, ch. 58, § 1; L. 2016, ch. 49, § 2; L. 2021, ch. 73, § 2; L. 2025, ch. 37, § 1; July 1.