Section 221.
Cal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 221.
in effect(a)
The term “automobile dismantler” does not include any of the following:
(1)
The owner or operator of any premises on which two or more unregistered and inoperable vehicles are held or stored, or a person who possesses nine or more catalytic converters, if the vehicles or catalytic converters are used for restoration or replacement parts or otherwise, in conjunction with any of the following:
(A)
Any business of a licensed dealer, manufacturer, or transporter.
(B)
The operation and maintenance of any fleet of motor vehicles used for the transportation of persons or property.
(C)
Any agricultural, farming, mining, or ranching business that does not sell parts of the vehicles, except for either of the following purposes:
(i)
For use in repairs performed by that business.
(ii)
For use by a licensed dismantler or an entity described in paragraph (3).
(D)
Any motor vehicle repair business registered with the Bureau of Automotive Repair, or those exempt from registration under the Business and Professions Code or applicable regulations, that does not sell parts of the vehicles, except for either of the following purposes:
(i)
For use in repairs performed by that business.
(ii)
For use by a licensed
dismantler or an entity described in paragraph (3).
(2)
A person engaged in the restoration of vehicles of the type described in Section 5004 or in the restoration of other vehicles having historic or classic significance.
(3)
The owner of a steel mill, scrap metal processing facility, or similar establishment purchasing vehicles of a type subject to registration, not for the purpose of selling the vehicles, in whole or in part, but exclusively for the purpose of reducing the vehicles to their component materials, if either the facility obtains, on a form approved or provided by the department, a certification by the person from whom the vehicles are obtained that each of the vehicles has been cleared for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520, or the facility complies with Section 9564.
(4)
Any person who
acquires used parts or components for resale from vehicles which have been previously cleared for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520.
Nothing in this paragraph permits a dismantler to acquire or sell used parts or components during the time the dismantler license is under suspension.
(b)
Any vehicle acquired for the purpose specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) from other than a licensed dismantler, or from other than an independent hauler who obtained the vehicle, or parts thereof from a licensed dismantler, shall be accompanied by either a receipt issued by the department evidencing proof of clearance for dismantling under Section 5500, or a copy of the ordinance or order issued by a local authority for the abatement of the vehicle pursuant to Section 22660. The steel mill, scrap metal processing facility, or similar establishment acquiring the vehicle shall attach the form
evidencing clearance or abatement to the certification required pursuant to this section.
All forms specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) and in this subdivision shall be available for inspection by a peace officer during business hours.
References
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 5004.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 5500.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 9564.
referencesCal. Vehicle Code - VEH § 22660.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026