The Request for Examination of Rebuilt Salvage Vehicle (Form LES 022A) is the form you mail to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to ask the agency to inspect a wrecked-and-repaired car so it can be retitled with a “REBUILT” brand and legally driven again. Anyone in Virginia who has repaired a salvage vehicle and wants a clear, registerable title must file this form, pay the fees, and pass an in-person exam by a DMV Special Agent.
Getting this form right matters because Virginia law bans you from registering or driving a salvage vehicle until it passes this exam, and the examination fee is $125 per vehicle under Code of Virginia § 46.2-1605. Filers who skip the safety inspection, send one combined check, or forget their before-repair photos often get the whole packet mailed back, adding weeks or months to a process that already moves slowly. This guide walks you through every box, every fee, and every step so your packet clears the first time.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 How to fill out every field on Form LES 022A, line by line, in plain language.
- 💵 Exactly which fees and separate checks the Vehicle Branding Work Center expects, and why bundling them fails.
- 🛠️ Which documents, photos, and old parts to bring to your in-person exam.
- 🚫 The 10 most common mistakes that get rebuilt-vehicle packets rejected and delayed.
- ✅ How three real filers handle three different title situations from start to finish.
What Form LES 022A Is and Who Must File It
Form LES 022A is Virginia’s official request to have a rebuilt salvage vehicle examined for safe operating condition and to confirm that none of its parts were stolen. The form carries a revision date of 06/2018, so check the bottom corner of your copy against the current PDF on the DMV site before you write anything. The agency that receives and processes the form is the DMV Vehicle Branding Work Center in Richmond, and a roaming DMV Special Agent performs the actual inspection.
You must file this form if you own a vehicle that holds a salvage certificate or salvage title and you want to put it back on the road. A salvage vehicle is one an insurance company or owner declared a total loss, usually because repair costs topped a large share of its value. Until the vehicle passes the LES 022A exam, Virginia will not issue a registerable title, and you cannot legally drive it.
The statute behind the form is Code of Virginia § 46.2-1605, which authorizes the Commissioner to charge the $125 exam fee and requires a passed state safety inspection first. The penalty for ignoring the process is steep: driving an unexamined salvage vehicle exposes you to citations, and titling it without the exam is simply not possible. A common misconception is that a salvage certificate alone lets you sell or drive the car; it does not, because a salvage certificate is only a record of ownership of a wreck, not a license to operate it.
There is also a narrow dealer exception. A rebuilt vehicle examination is not required if all three conditions are met: the rebuilder has been licensed under the salvage chapter for at least 10 years with no penalties, the vehicle is at least 10 years old but not an antique, and the resale value is under $10,000. Most individual rebuilders do not qualify, so plan on the exam unless you are a long-licensed dealer.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every item below before you open the form, because a missing piece is the top reason packets bounce back from Richmond. The DMV cross-checks your paperwork against your form, so a gap here turns into a delay there.
- Your salvage certificate or salvage title. This proves you own the wreck; without it, DMV cannot tie the exam to a vehicle record and will reject the request.
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). You copy this onto the form and the agent verifies it in person; a wrong digit triggers a stolen-parts flag.
- Your driver license number or FEIN. The form requires it to confirm the requester’s identity, and a blank here stalls processing.
- A bill of sale (if the title is not yet in your name). This sets the purchase price that drives your sales tax, and missing it blocks the tax calculation.
- Original parts receipts. You bring these to the exam to prove parts were bought, not stolen; no receipts can mean a failed exam.
- A photograph of the vehicle before repairs. The agent compares damage to repairs, and no photo weakens your case at inspection.
- Proof of a passed Virginia safety inspection done after repairs. The form requires you to initial that this is complete, and skipping it is an automatic stop.
- Old component parts that carry a VIN (if available). These help the agent confirm the car’s identity, and having them speeds the exam.
- Your fees as separate checks. You need the $125 exam fee and the $15 title fee, plus sales tax when the title is not in your name.
- A rebuilder license number (only if you are a licensed rebuilder). You must be licensed to have two or more salvage vehicles examined within any 12-month period.
Set a reminder that the vehicle must be fully rebuilt before you submit the form, though painting is optional. Trying to schedule an exam on a half-finished car wastes your fee, because a no-pass forces a brand-new LES 022A and a fresh $125.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only place you should get Form LES 022A is the Virginia DMV itself, so you know you have the current 06/2018 version with the correct mailing address printed on it. Download the official LES 022A form directly from the DMV forms library and print it on plain white paper. You can also pick up a paper copy at a DMV customer service center if you prefer to write by hand.
If your title is not yet in your name, you will also need the Salvage Certificate Application (VSA 56), which travels with your LES 022A in the same envelope. Read the full process page, Rebuilt Vehicle Examinations, before you mail anything so you match the right document list to your situation.
You may fill the form out by typing into the PDF fields on a computer, which produces clean, readable entries that the work center prefers. If you print it blank and write by hand, use black ink and print in clear block letters, because the agent and the clerk both read your VIN and contact details from this page. Have questions while filling it out? Call DMVDirect at (804) 497-7100, the number printed on the form itself. A misconception is that you can email or upload this form; the rebuilt exam packet goes by mail to the P.O. Box in Richmond, not through an online portal.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form LES 022A Line by Line
The form has four working areas: Parts Repaired/Replaced, Requester’s Information, Repairer’s Information, and Vehicle Information, plus a Requirements block and a Certification block. Fill them in the order below, and use the exact field names printed on the form so your entries land in the right boxes.
1. Parts Repaired/Replaced Checklist
This grid asks which parts of the car you fixed and whether you repaired or replaced each one. You check the matching box next to each listed part, such as Front Bumper, Hood, Frame/Unibody, Engine, Transmission, or Air Bags, marking the REPAIRED or REPLACED column for each. For example, Carlos checks “REPLACED” next to Front Bumper and Hood, and “REPAIRED” next to Right Fender on his rear-ended sedan.
If a damaged part is not on the list or the car had flood damage, write it in the Water Damaged or Not Listed / Specify Repairs line. A nuance many miss: if you replaced a Pickup Cab or Frame, the form warns the vehicle is now reconstructed and may need a brand-new VIN assigned, which is a different and longer process. The most common mistake here is leaving the grid blank because it “seems obvious,” and the direct consequence is a rejected packet, since the form states this section must be completed. A misconception is that you only list replaced parts; you list repaired ones too, because the agent inspects both.
2. Requester’s Information — Name and ID
This block asks who is asking for the exam. You print the Individual/Company Name in last, first, middle, suffix order, then enter your Driver License Number or FEIN if you are a business. For example, Aisha Bello prints “Bello, Aisha, M” and writes her Virginia driver license number beside it.
Enter the name exactly as it appears on your title and license, because DMV cross-checks it against its records and a mismatch holds up the title release. A nuance: a company rebuilding the car uses its FEIN instead of a personal license number. The common mistake is using a nickname or married name that differs from the title, which triggers a name-mismatch hold. A misconception is that any household member can sign as requester; the person titling the vehicle should be the requester so the title issues to the right name.
3. Requester’s Information — Address and Contact
This part asks where you live and how the agent can reach you. You enter your Street Address (no P.O. Box), City, State, and Zip Code, then your Telephone Number, Cell Phone Number, Email Address, and Best Time to Contact You. For example, Marcus enters his Roanoke street address, his cell number, and writes “weekday mornings” as the best contact time.
The form bars a P.O. Box in this field because the agent may need a physical location, so use a real street address. If the car sits somewhere else, fill in the separate Vehicle Location Address lines so the agent knows where to drive for the inspection. The most common mistake is entering a P.O. Box or leaving the phone blank, and the consequence is that the Special Agent cannot reach you to schedule, stalling the whole exam. A misconception is that contact details are optional; the agent contacts you by phone, so accurate numbers are essential.
4. Requester’s Information — License Numbers
This area asks for special license numbers that only apply to dealers and rebuilders. You complete the Rebuilder License Number, License Expiration Date, NMVTIS ID Number, and Independent Dealer Number only if you hold them. For example, Janet, a private owner fixing one car, leaves all four of these boxes blank because she is not a licensed rebuilder.
You must be licensed as a rebuilder to have two or more salvage vehicles examined within any 12 consecutive months, so a regular owner doing one car skips these lines. A nuance: if you plan to rebuild cars regularly, you need this license first, or DMV will refuse repeat exams. The common mistake is a dealer leaving the rebuilder number blank, which can flag an unauthorized multi-vehicle request. A misconception is that everyone must enter something here; private one-time filers correctly leave it empty.
5. Repairer’s Information (If Someone Else Did the Work)
This block asks who actually fixed the car if you did not do it yourself. You enter the repairer’s Individual/Company Name (last, first, middle, suffix) and their Street Address (no P.O. Box), City, State, and Zip Code. For example, because Diego paid Lee’s Body Shop to do the work, he writes “Lee’s Body Shop” and the shop’s street address here.
You only complete this if you were not involved in the actual repairs. A nuance: if you did all the work yourself, leave this section blank, since duplicating your own name here adds confusion. The common mistake is hiding that a shop did the work, and the consequence is a credibility problem at the exam when receipts name a shop you never listed. A misconception is that listing a shop shifts liability; you, the titling owner, still certify the form and answer for its accuracy.
6. Vehicle Information
This section asks the DMV to identify the exact car being examined. You enter the Year, Make, Model, Body Type, full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), number of Axles, and Color. For example, Carlos enters “2019,” “Toyota,” “Camry,” “4-Door Sedan,” the 17-character VIN, “2” axles, and “Silver.”
Copy the VIN exactly from the dash plate or title, character by character, because the agent physically verifies it and any mismatch reads as a possible stolen vehicle. A nuance: if you replaced the cab or frame, the VIN issue from Section 1 applies and the car may get a new assigned number. The most common mistake is a single transposed VIN digit, and the consequence is a failed identity check that can stop the exam cold. A misconception is that the make and model are enough; the VIN is the field DMV truly relies on.
7. Requirements for Vehicle Examination — Safety Inspection Initial
This block confirms the car passed a Virginia safety inspection after repairs and before the exam. You read the requirement and initial the line stating the state safety inspection is complete, as required by Code § 46.2-1605. For example, Marcus gets his repaired truck inspected at a licensed station, then initials “M.W.” on this line.
The vehicle must be rebuilt before you submit, and painting is optional, but the safety inspection is not optional. A nuance: you can pull a temporary trip permit to legally drive the unregistered car to and from the inspection station. The common mistake is initialing this line before the inspection is actually done, and the consequence is a failed exam plus a new fee, since the agent checks for proof. A misconception is that the rebuilt exam and the safety inspection are the same; they are two separate steps at two different places.
8. Certification and Signatures
This final block is your sworn statement that everything on the form is true. All owners must sign, so each owner prints their Owner/Authorized Agent Name, signs the Owner/Authorized Agent Signature line, and writes the Date (mm/dd/yyyy). For example, co-owners Aisha and her husband each print their names, sign, and date “06/03/2026.”
You make this certification under penalty of perjury, so read it before signing. A nuance: if two people are on the title, both must sign, not just one. The most common mistake is one co-owner signing for both, and the consequence is a returned form, since DMV requires every owner’s signature. A misconception is that the signature is a formality; knowingly making a false statement on this form is a criminal violation, so accuracy protects you.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three filers cover the most common title situations Virginia rebuilders face. Each follows one person through the form so you can match your case to theirs.
Scenario 1 — Carlos already holds a Virginia salvage title in his name. Carlos bought and totaled his own 2019 Camry, holds the Virginia salvage certificate in his name, and rebuilt it himself.
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Parts Repaired/Replaced | Checks REPLACED for Front Bumper and Hood; REPAIRED for Right Fender |
| Requester Name | Garcia, Carlos, A with his VA driver license number |
| Requester Address | His home street address in Richmond, cell phone, “weekday evenings” |
| Rebuilder License lines | Left blank (private owner) |
| Repairer Information | Left blank (did the work himself) |
| Vehicle Information | 2019 / Toyota / Camry / 4-Door / 17-digit VIN / 2 axles / Silver |
| Safety Inspection Initial | C.G. after passing the post-repair state inspection |
| Documents and Fees | VA salvage title, LES 022A, $15 title fee, $125 exam fee |
Scenario 2 — Aisha bought a Virginia salvage vehicle assigned to her. Aisha purchased a wrecked 2017 Honda from a seller who signed over the Virginia salvage title.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Parts Repaired/Replaced | REPLACED for Left Front Door and Air Bags; REPAIRED for Roof |
| Requester Name | Bello, Aisha, M with her VA driver license number |
| Requester Address | Her Norfolk street address, cell phone, “weekday mornings” |
| Repairer Information | Lee’s Body Shop and the shop’s street address |
| Vehicle Information | 2017 / Honda / Civic / 4-Door / 17-digit VIN / 2 axles / Blue |
| Safety Inspection Initial | A.B. after the post-repair inspection |
| Certification | Aisha and her co-owner spouse both sign and date |
| Documents and Fees | LES 022A, VSA 56, bill of sale, 4.15% sales tax (min $75), $15 title, $125 exam |
Scenario 3 — Marcus bought an out-of-state salvage truck. Marcus, a Roanoke buyer, picked up a 2015 pickup carrying a salvage title from another state.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Parts Repaired/Replaced | REPLACED for Frame/Unibody (notes possible new VIN needed) |
| Requester Name | Wells, Marcus, T with his VA driver license number |
| Requester Address | His Roanoke street address, cell phone, “weekday mornings” |
| Repairer Information | Left blank (rebuilt it himself) |
| Vehicle Information | 2015 / Ford / F-150 / Pickup / 17-digit VIN / 2 axles / Red |
| Safety Inspection Initial | M.W. after the post-repair inspection |
| Documents and Fees | LES 022A, out-of-state title, VSA 56, bill of sale, sales tax, proof of any tax paid elsewhere, $15 title, $125 exam |
| Certification | Marcus signs and dates 06/03/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Virginia processes the rebuilt exam packet by mail, so you assemble your form, documents, and fees and send them to one address. There is no online portal for this packet, which surprises many first-time filers.
Mail your completed packet to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Vehicle Branding Work Center, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269-0001, the address printed on the DMV rebuilt examinations page. What you include depends on your title situation:
- Virginia salvage title already in your name: the original Virginia salvage certificate, the completed LES 022A, a $15 title fee, and a $125 exam fee.
- Virginia salvage title assigned to you: the completed LES 022A, the VSA 56 application, a bill of sale, 4.15% sales tax or a minimum of $75 (whichever is greater), the $15 title fee, and the $125 exam fee.
- Out-of-state salvage title (in your name or assigned to you): the completed LES 022A, the out-of-state title, the VSA 56, a bill of sale (if not in your name), 4.15% sales tax (min $75), proof of any sales tax paid in another state, the $15 title fee, and the $125 exam fee.
Pay by check or money order payable to DMV, and many filers write separate checks so a single line item is easy to track. Keep a photocopy of your entire packet and your mailing receipt as proof of filing, because mail can go astray. After the work center processes your packet, a DMV Special Agent contacts you by phone to schedule the in-person exam, where you bring proof of the passed state inspection, a photocopy of your LES 022A, original parts receipts, a before-repairs photo, and any old VIN-bearing parts.
What Happens After You File
Once your packet reaches the Vehicle Branding Work Center, the staff reviews it and routes your request to a Special Agent in your region. The agent then calls you using the phone number on your form to set a date and place for the physical inspection, which is why a correct number matters so much. Real-world wait times vary, and some filers report the scheduling step taking several weeks, so mail early and answer unknown calls.
At the exam, the agent verifies the VIN, checks your receipts and before-photo, and confirms the car is in safe operating condition with no stolen parts. If the vehicle passes, the agent notifies the work center to release and mail your certificate of title branded “REBUILT.” This brand is permanent and carries forward to every future title for the life of the car, so it follows the vehicle even when you sell it.
If the vehicle fails the exam, or if you miss your scheduled appointment, you must start over with a new LES 022A and pay the fees again. That is why showing up prepared, with a fully rebuilt and inspected car, protects your $125. After you receive the branded title, allow 48 hours before visiting a DMV customer service center or DMV Select to register the vehicle, so the record can update.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has sent a rebuilt-vehicle packet back to its sender, costing weeks. Read them before you seal the envelope.
- Leaving the Parts Repaired/Replaced grid blank. The form says it must be completed, so a blank grid means automatic rejection.
- Initialing the safety inspection line before the inspection happens. The agent checks for proof, so a false initial leads to a failed exam.
- Entering a P.O. Box in the address field. The form bars it, so the packet bounces and your contact info is unusable.
- Transposing a VIN digit. A wrong character reads as a possible stolen vehicle and stops the exam.
- Only one co-owner signing. DMV requires all owners to sign, so a missing signature returns the form.
- Bundling all fees into one unclear payment. Unclear amounts slow processing and can trigger a request for resubmission.
- Forgetting the bill of sale when the title is assigned. Without it, DMV cannot set your sales tax and holds the packet.
- Skipping the VSA 56 on an assigned or out-of-state title. The application is required, so omitting it stalls titling.
- Submitting before the car is fully rebuilt. A half-finished car fails the exam and forces a new fee.
- Using a name that differs from the title. A name mismatch triggers a hold while DMV reconciles records.
- Not bringing parts receipts to the exam. Missing receipts can read as stolen parts and fail the inspection.
- Forgetting the before-repairs photo. Without it, the agent cannot judge the original damage, weakening your case.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules keep your packet clean and your exam on track.
Do:
- Do download the current 06/2018 LES 022A so your address and fees match what DMV expects.
- Do get the Virginia safety inspection first, because the exam requires proof it passed.
- Do write separate checks so each fee is easy for the clerk to confirm.
- Do keep a full photocopy of your packet as proof of filing.
- Do answer unknown phone calls, since the Special Agent calls to schedule.
- Do bring receipts, the before-photo, and old VIN parts to the exam.
Don’t:
- Don’t drive the car on public roads before it passes, since that is unlawful for a salvage vehicle.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box in the requester address field.
- Don’t sign for a co-owner; every owner signs personally.
- Don’t guess the VIN; copy it character by character.
- Don’t skip the VSA 56 when the title is assigned or out of state.
- Don’t submit a partly finished car to “save time,” because it will fail.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Many owners file LES 022A themselves, while others hire a licensed rebuilder or title service. Here is how the two paths compare.
Pros of filing on your own:
- You save money by avoiding service fees on top of the $125 exam fee.
- You control the timeline, mailing the packet the moment your car is ready.
- You learn the process, which helps if you rebuild again later.
- You keep your documents, with no third party handling your title.
- You communicate directly with the Special Agent at the exam.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You absorb every mistake, and a rejected packet costs weeks.
- You handle the safety inspection logistics, including the trip permit.
- You cannot do multiple cars without a rebuilder license.
- You risk a failed exam if you misjudge what “safe operating condition” requires.
- You repay the $125 fee if the car fails or you miss the appointment.
| Filing It Yourself | Using a Licensed Rebuilder or Service |
|---|---|
| Lowest out-of-pocket cost, just the DMV fees | Added service cost on top of DMV fees |
| You manage every form and deadline | The pro manages forms and scheduling |
| Limited to one vehicle without a license | Can handle multiple vehicles legally |
| You carry the risk of a rejected packet | Experience lowers the rejection risk |
| Direct contact with the DMV Special Agent | The pro often coordinates the exam for you |
FAQs
Do I have to pass a state safety inspection before the rebuilt exam?
Yes. Code § 46.2-1605 requires the vehicle to pass a Virginia state safety inspection after repairs and before the DMV exam, and you initial the form to confirm it.
Can I drive my salvage vehicle to the inspection station?
Yes. You can pull a temporary trip permit from DMV to legally move the unregistered vehicle to and from a Virginia state safety inspection facility.
Do I write replaced parts only in the Parts Repaired/Replaced grid?
No. You mark both repaired and replaced parts, checking the matching column for each listed part, because the agent inspects both kinds of work.
Can I enter a P.O. Box in the requester address field?
No. The form bars a P.O. Box there and asks for a street address, because the Special Agent may need a physical location for the exam.
Do both owners need to sign Form LES 022A?
Yes. The certification block states all owners must sign, so each owner prints, signs, and dates the form personally under penalty of perjury.
Is the rebuilt examination the same as the state safety inspection?
No. They are two separate steps; the safety inspection happens first at a licensed station, and the DMV rebuilt exam happens later with a Special Agent.
Do I leave the Rebuilder License Number blank if I am a private owner?
Yes. Private owners fixing one vehicle leave the rebuilder and dealer license lines blank, since those apply only to licensed dealers and rebuilders.
Can I file this form online?
No. The rebuilt exam packet must be mailed to the Vehicle Branding Work Center in Richmond; there is no online submission for LES 022A.
Will my title still say “REBUILT” after it passes?
Yes. A passed vehicle gets a title permanently branded “REBUILT,” and that brand carries forward to every future title for the life of the vehicle.
Do I need the VSA 56 if the title is already in my name?
No. If you hold the Virginia salvage title in your name, you skip the VSA 56; it is required only when the title is assigned to you or out of state.
Can I have two salvage vehicles examined without a rebuilder license?
No. You must be licensed as a rebuilder to have two or more salvage vehicles examined within any 12 consecutive months.
Do I pay the $125 exam fee again if my vehicle fails?
Yes. A failed exam or a missed appointment forces you to submit a new LES 022A and pay the necessary fees again, including the $125 exam fee.
Is sales tax required when the title is assigned to me?
Yes. When the title is assigned or out of state, you pay 4.15% sales tax or a $75 minimum, whichever is greater, along with the title and exam fees.
Does the dealer exception apply to most individual rebuilders?
No. The exception needs a 10-year license, a vehicle at least 10 years old, and resale value under $10,000, so most individual rebuilders still need the exam.
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