National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) / NMVTIS & Canada
Title II of the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992 required the establishment of a National Motor Vehicle Title Information System no later than January 1996. The electronic interchange of title information between states provided by this bill gives us the single most important administrative weapon to deter auto theft and to reduce the tremendous financial loss that results from auto theft. The pilot evaluation of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) with seven states participating showed that the information system demonstrates the effectiveness required by the Anti Car Theft Act of 1992.
This project will focus on maintaining and enhancing the current production system; add new states to participate; continue coordination of the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) and title processes needed for states to verify the validity of these documents; and meet the brand reporting requirements of junk yards, salvage yards, and insurance carriers. States, law enforcement, prospective purchasers, and insurance carriers can access the system by VIN for title and registration data, brand history information, detailed vehicle data, and to determine if a vehicle is reported stolen.
This project will also study the feasibility of establishing a bridge between NMVTIS and the Canadian Inter-Provincial Records Exchange (IRE) as well as develop a prospective purchaser inquiry pilot and law enforcement pilot to implement procedures for law enforcement interaction with NMVTIS. Also, this project will continue discussions with U.S. Customs regarding the inclusion in the system of import/export information on a vehicle.
Vehicle Document Examiner Certification (VDEC)
The objective of this project is to develop a certification program for the purpose of professionalizing and upgrading positions in the titling and registration areas.
Jurisdictions have individual specialized training and development programs for employees in the title and registration areas, however, there are no standards or certification processes in place. A certification program should add credibility to positions and provide support for upgrading. A model certification program should include, but not be limited to the following areas:
- Detecting fraud in title and registration documents
- Recognizing possible violations in odometer disclosure
- Identifying attempts to title or register in other jurisdictions to avoid certain taxes or fees
- Understanding federal requirements
- Training in the use of standard resource material such as NADA publications and Polk manuals
- Training on home statutes, policies and procedures
- Use of Web sites as a source of information
- Customer service training
Vehicle Brands
Since federal salvage legislation stalled due to lack of uniform salvage laws, the VRT Discipline developed this project to study ways to establish uniform procedures to carry forward brands and title salvage, non-repairable and flood vehicles.
A “Branding Best Practices” procedures document has been developed for use by jurisdictions regarding ownership documents, electronic systems (e.g. NMVTIS), vehicles and training. A brand information table will be developed and incorporated into the “Best Practices,” to assist jurisdictions in defining and carrying forward brands from other jurisdictions.