Nebraska Application to ELT Available

Nebraska automobile dealers and financial institutions can now sign up for Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) services with Decision Dynamics, Inc. The application form (Application for Enrollment / Change in Electronic Lien and Title System) is available on our website with instructions on how to complete it.

As of January 1, 2011, the NE DMV will no longer print paper titles with liens due to recent legislation directing the DMV to implement ELT. Lienholders need to enroll in the ELT program in order to receive electronic titles.

DDI will be working with the the Nebraska DMV as they implement the program. We'll begin receiving electronic titles for our customers in October, depending on how the pilot program proceeds. DMV expects the program to be out of testing in November.

Image from Visit Nebraska

Filing for a Lien in Georgia from Out of State

We recently had a question from one of our customers wishing to file a lien in Georgia.

We had our rep try and walk the MV1 form and title through the local DMV but they required a copy of the customer’s driver’s license, a note from us on company letterhead & notarized, the power of attorney in his name, and another form - it was a mess. So we decided to just mail it in. The local DMV said that we need to mail a copy of the customer’s driver’s license along with the MV1 Form, Title and $18 fee. I was surprised that we need to mail a copy of the customer’s driver’s license - we hadn’t heard of that until today. Just checking.

Our answer:

1. A copy of the owner’s DL is not required when you mail in an MV-1 unless the owner is not a GA resident and does not have a valid GA issued ID or DL.
2. They will accept out-of-state checks when you mail in your MV-1.
3. When the owner has to get a duplicate, the only required field on the MV-1 is the VIN. They must present a valid ID when requesting the duplicate.

As part of being the *definitive* ELT provider [definitive: authoritative and complete :-) ], we build good relationships with each state DMV to be able to get clarifications to questions like these. (More information about the ELT program in Georgia)

Image from Georgia Animal Rescue and Defense, where they also take applications from "Out of State"

DDI Receives Approval to Sign Up Lenders in Washington State

We received official approval to begin signing up lenders in Washington State! We're looking forward to offering ELT services for our customers in Washington and other states. We're looking forward to helping other local lenders in Washington in addition to providing a single portal for title management for lenders across the nation.

For more information on the Washington ELT program, contact DDI at info@etitlelien.com. (Washington does not provide online information about their program.)

To sign up for the ELT program, visit our site at http://www.etitlelien.com/eltWa.aspx.

Image entitled "The Washington State Seal" from the Washington State Coloring Book

Mandatory ELT: The New Trend

Here at Decision Dynamics' headquarters, we've been noticing a trend in electronic lien and title (ELT) programs. Not only are more states developing or revamping their programs, but the number of states requiring participation is on the rise.

• Pennsylvania: July 2008
• Louisiana: January 2010 (grace period ended June 30, 2010)
• Arizona: May 31 2010
• Nebraska: January 2011 (participation not mandatory, but no titles with liens will be printed)
• California: January 2012

In addition, both South Carolina and Massachusetts had mandatory-ELT legislation introduced in 2009-2010 that has not yet passed.

In April, Automotive news published a story by Jim Henry on this issue headlined "E-titles and e-liens slowly e-liminating paper docs". I'm quoted:

Not only is it more convenient, but also in past, electronic made everybody nervous. "If I've got it on paper it's real." But the way we store data now there's an electronic trail and it's more reliable than paper titles.

The mandatory participation requirement for ELT is also forcing lenders from across the nation to participate. With more states poised to require participation, this trend will continue to gain momentum. And that's good.

Image entitled "Never Easy Going Up" by Lachlan McDonald

Changes to the Repossession Process in Florida

To: Florida ELT Participants

Please read about these important changes to the repossession process in Florida. To assist ELT participants in complying, the FL DHSMV has asked us to solicit feedback concerning the possibility of enhancing the ELT system to process repossession applications and fees. Let me know if you are interested in being able to process repossession applications electronically. DDI is committed to providing all the electronic features the states make available to streamline all aspects of your title processing and is eager to provide these services in Premier eTitleLien™.

Ann Gunning
Chief Information Officer
Decision Dynamics, Inc.

From FL DHSMV:

------------------------

HB 971 passed during the 2010 session and is effective July 1, 2010. It amends the Florida Statutes by providing that any lienholder who has repossessed a motor vehicle in Florida in compliance with the provisions of section 319.28, Florida Statutes must apply to a Tax Collector’s office in Florida or to the department for a certificate of repossession or for a certificate of title pursuant to section 319.323, Florida Statutes. Any person found guilty of violating any requirements of the law shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in section 775.082, section 775.083 or section 775.084, Florida Statutes. The department requests your assistance by notifying the lienholders under contract with you of this law change and its ramifications. Please send them the attached Memo from Director Ford and HB 971.

Pursuant to section four of the Electronic Lien and Title Program Memorandum of Understanding between Third Party Providers, Business Partners and the Department, these agreements are subject to any restrictions, limitations or conditions enacted by the Florida Legislature. If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Titles and Registrations at 850-617-3001.

Gary Elmore
Motorist Services, Strategic Support Services
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Director Ford Memo
HB 971

Nebraska Electronic Liens and Titles Q&A Updated

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles updated their Electronic Lien and Title Questions/Answers document last week. Most significantly, they reaffirmed the timetable for implementing the ELT program:

• Pilot with 1 service provider - September (4 to 6 weeks);
• Participation open to all service providers - Mid-October;
• Full Implementation of all Service Providers - November;
• Mandated Date for ELT availability - January 1st.

Decision Dynamics is of course ready to go whenever the state is. (We've been pretty impressed by the state's program - more on the specifics later.)

To read the Q&A for yourself: Electronic Lien and Title Questions/Answers on the Nebraska site
and our mirror.

Arizona Mandatory ELT Program Impacting Lenders In All States

When the Arizona program went mandatory this past May 31, 2010, two things happened:

1. The Arizona DOT Motor Vehicle Division stopped printing titles with liens
2. MVD and 3rd party offices began requiring lienholders to be active participants in the ELT program before they would accept a Title and Registration Application listing that lender as the lienholder.

The only exceptions to this program are for mobile home liens and for individuals desiring to be lienholder.

We did expect the broad impact this has had, from traditional lenders (banks and credit unions) to dealers providing financing and even non-lenders like bail bond companies. Arizona has been very consistent in enforcing participation in the ELT program.

In addition to the large number of Arizona lenders, we have been getting calls from around the country. I spoke with callers just today from Illinois, New York, and Maine. Any lender with a customer in or moving to Arizona is being required to sign up with an ELT service provider like DDI.

Reactions to the news that they have to find a provider and register as a lienholder varies. Some lenders are so unhappy with having to comply with something new they refuse to offer loans on vehicles titled in Arizona. (Bad news if you're transferred there and your lender won't let you title your car.) Others seem unfazed.

ELT is increasing in popularity, not decreasing, as more states implement new programs and require participation.

Image: Cactus4 by Fishing Cactus