District of Columbia Scrap Metal Laws

Payment Restrictions:

Fingerprinting:

Video Recording:

Tag and Hold:

License Scanning:

Vehicle Descriptions:

Taking Photographs of Materials:

Taking Photographs of Customers Faces:

Notify Law Enforcement:

NMVTIS Reporting:

Legal Mandates

Updated January 2014

State Requirements

There are no regulations for scrap yards or junk yards specific to the District of Columbia.  We suggest that all scrap yards adopt the following standard rules when operating:

In order to sell scrap metal, sellers are generally required to:

         ·            Allow a copy of the seller’s a driver's license or state ID card;

         ·            Sign a statement indicating that they are the owner of or are authorized to sell the metal;

         ·            Sign a statement that they have not been convicted of metal theft 

Buyer’s should:

• Record make, model and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap
• Keep a record of sellers name, address and date of sale
• All sales tickets must have location of sale, date and time of the sale, as well as the initials of the clerk completing the sale.
  • Must also show the weight, quantity and/or volume of the material.
  • Sales tickets must be signed by the seller.  Seller will receive a copy of the receipt and buyer will retain a copy.

         ·            Buyer must report purchased vehicle information to NMVTIS

NOTE:  D. C. regulations do say that “Salvage or junk yards would be considered liable for causing tampering if they sell catalytic converters that have not been tested or do not meet the requirements outlined in the policy and if the converters are subsequently installed by parties named in the Clean Air Act as prohibited from tampering.”

While there are no regulations in D.C. preventing it, it is standard practice that no scrap metal business may purchase or receive beer kegs from anyone except a distributor or manufacturer of beer kegs or licensed brewery.

Keep records, certifications, registrations, etc. on site for 2 years. 

Scrap recyclers must maintain a record of all purchases for a minimum of two years and is subject to inspection by any law enforcement at any time. There is a 10-day tag-and-hold policy when notified by law enforcement to do so.

Links to Other Important Information for Washington D.C. Salvage/Recycling

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling

• Information on Salvage Vehicles and Salvage Titles can be found at http://dmv.dc.gov/serv/dealer/salvagetitles.shtm

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