Make sure it's safe to drive with all documentation for parts and repairs.

It is and I have the receipt from the mechanic for the work they did. I also am having them sign the forms the state requires. Do they jerk you around at the inspection or is it a simple, it brakes, the lights work, the tires aren’t bald, etc?

Pretty much a safety inspection

https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/vehicle-services/get-vehicle-inspection

Thanks, do you know if you can drive off once it passes?

https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/vehicle-services/get-vehicle-inspection/salvaged-totaled-vehicles?language=en_US

I saw that but it doesn’t really make it clear in next steps:

“Once the vehicle passes the salvage inspection, you can re-register the vehicle with the old plates or get new plates. You will be issued a new title (without the "salvage" stamp on it) with the words "Rebuilt" printed on it. Once the salvage inspection is performed, the inspection slip does not expire.”

So can that be done right then and there?

Probably get a temp plate but i could be wrong. We have done this but have a dealer plate so immediate registration isn't required just procurement of title.

I still have the regular plates on the car and the title marked salvage. Hopefully they let me drive away lol

Just ran into the same situation with my car, luckily the insurance company let me buy it back for $250 and they left it registered and they cut me a check for the difference of the total loss. I was planning on buying it for salvage and bringing it for inspection. I spoke with a few mechanics and they all told me it’s a difficult process and almost everyone fails there 1st time. Make sure you review there rules before heading up there. Good luck, let me know how you make out.

I had no idea it was such a process and my insurance didn’t inform me (thanks USAA). I didn’t even know that I wasn’t supposed to be driving it until I got the letter from the DMV today.

There’s a pdf on the states web site somewhere and there’s a lot of information about the process

You have to have the air bags inspected and certified, it does not matter if they went off or not

It has to be towed to inspection, no tires can touch the ground

They go through the whole car, not just the part that was in the accident

I’ll have all the forms filled out and the car brought by AAA. Do you know how anal they tend to be with the inspection? Also do you know if you can just drive off if you pass the inspection?

Extremely. They go over anything.

I knew one guy who got failed because a TPMS sensor was reporting a low battery, wasn't even non-functioning, just throwing a light for low battery.

All of my electronics are functioning, the only thing is the door is slightly dented and I haven’t replaced it yet because the body shop hasn’t found a replacement in the same color. It’s totally safe and closes just fine, will that likely cause it to fail?

I don't think they would have an issue there, but you need to look at everything else they would look for if we still had safety inspections, they will look for worn suspension, brakes, tires, wipers, horn, handbrake, seatbelts make sure every single bulb works, including the plate light....etc..

Ok we’re all good there, tires are new, suspension was replaced about a year ago. Might have to check the wipers lol but I know they function just fine. Do you know if you can drive off if you pass inspection? Thanks for the tips!

I honestly don't know, every time I've been with or around it happening, they trailer it in and out again simply because they brought the car on the trailer and still need to get everything back.

Thanks, do you know if can drive it off the trailer there? I’m having AAA bring it it and I don’t want to kept the driver there longer than he had to lol

The vehicle has to be towed there for the inspection. You drive, they will fail you.

Yeah I’m getting it taken on a flat bed by AAA. Can you drive off if it passes inspection?