Are you ready for ELT in Nebraska?

In our press release yesterday, DDI's president Glenn Thames is quoted saying

Nebraska lenders have chosen DDI’s Premier eTitleLien™ because it provides the most cost-effective solution for streamlining their titling processes.

We are pleased that a number of Nebraska lenders have already signed up to participate in Nebraska's ELT program. Some of our Nebraska customers are already receiving electronic titles through their participation in other states like Arizona.

The Nebraska program begins this fall and becomes almost-mandatory in January when the NE DMV stops printing title certificates with liens. Almost-mandatory?

With Nebraska’s ELT program beginning January 1, 2011, vehicle paper titles with liens will no longer be printed and the ELT program provides the sole method for lienholders to obtain electronic titles.

Reference: Nebraska: Is New Electronic Liens and Titles Mandatory?

Photo is of the Eagle Fruit Store and Capital Hotel, Lincoln, Nebraska, c 1942.

Heading to Iowa: Helping a New ELT State

The Iowa DOT Motor Vehicle Division has invited us to discuss their upcoming ELT program scheduled to be implemented in 2011. From Iowa Senate File 2273:

It is the intent of the general assembly to establish a uniform statewide system to allow electronic transactions for the initial registration and titling of motor vehicles, including electronic applications, electronic issuance of titles, electronic registration, electronic transfer of funds, electronic perfection of liens, and issuance of secure and individually identifiable temporary registration cards, by January 1, 2012.

As we did with Nebraska, on Monday, August 16th DDI's CIO Ann Gunning will make a presentation to the MVD about what we offer as an ELT service provider and our ELT solution, Premier eTitleLien&trade. We want to encourage the MVD to consider the input of Iowa lenders and dealers. We'll also share some of the best things about the way ELT has been implemented in other states.

Our expectation is that Iowa will complete their study of the electronic title and registration features by the end of 2010, including a plan for implementation in 2011.

Reference: Senate File 2273 at the Iowa Legislature site and our mirror.

Photo above is of an Iowa Interstate (IAIS) engine by Tom McNair.

Changes to the South Carolina Title Application

In Premier eTitleLien™ we support the generation of title application forms for our ELT states and keep them up to date with changes implemented by the state. South Carolina recently changed their Title Application form (SC Form 400) as follows:

1. Section numbers have been replaced with section letters so as not to confuse requirements listing with the numbers at the top of the form.
2. Applicants may indicate whether the transaction should be expedited at the top of the form.
3. Expedited applications can be requested if the transaction needs to be completed within three (3) business days. This is not required for expedited electronic Release or Request Paper Title transactions.
4. The Primary Owner’s address was added before RESIDENCE STREET ADDRESS.
5. In the lien holder’s address section, indicate if the lien holder is a ELT lien holder by checking the appropriate checkbox beside the lien information. This is automatically checked for Form 400s printed through Premier eTitleLien™.
6. If there is no lien on the vehicle, enter None in the lien section.
7. The lien release has been eliminated from the back of the form. Financial institutions must submit the lien release on company letterhead with the vehicle’s description, or use Form 450, Satisfaction of Lien.
8. Owners must certify by signature for the Sales Tax Exemption in Section G;
9. Owners must certify the sales prices by initialing Section I; and
10. The Federal Motor Carrier Services acknowledgement statement has been added to the signature line statement (Section L).
    

Image is a Lexus SC430 from "Ever Seen a Carolina Herrera SC430? Wow!!!"

Common Questions about the Nebraska ELT Program

Are all lenders required to participate?

No. But you probably want to since lienholders who participate will receive an electronic title through their ELT Service Provider. See this post for more information.

What will change beginning January 1?

The Nebraska DMV will no longer print titles with liens. From the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide:

Upon implementation, Nebraska certificates of title that contain lien information will be stored electronically. No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested.

and

Upon issuance of the certificate of title with the lien noted, the certificate of title is stored electronically on VTR. No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender.

The Electronic Lender Guide says "No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested." Can I just specifically request to have all my titles printed?

No. The guide states:

An electronic certificate of title may be printed, at the request of a lender, if the owner is relocating to another state or for other purposes as approved by the DMV.

The DMV also states in their Provider Questions and Answers:

Question: Are the following purposes approved by the DMV for a paper title request:
a. State Change (owner moving to another state)
b. Name Change (as in the case of marriage)
c. Request for a Correction of Information on the Title
d. Legal Reasons
Are there any other approved purposes?

Answer: Items a, b and d are the only approved purposes at this time.

Can I apply for a lien electronically?

No. The application process will remain the same, with all parts of the application (form, fee, supporting documentation) required. From the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide:

Certificate of title and lien applications will continue to be filed at title issuing offices [local county treasurer office or the DMV, Division of Motor Carrier Services (MCS) for any common, contract or private carrier of property by motor vehicles in interstate commerce].

Is the Nebraska Application for Certificate of Title still required?

Yes, the NE Title Application is still required for lenders applying for a lien. See "Can I apply for a lien electronically?" above.

Image entitled "Everywhere Questions"

Nebraska: Is New Electronic Liens and Titles Mandatory?

Are lenders required to sign up for ELT in Nebraska?

No. But you probably want to.

From the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide:

Lender participation in this program is, at present, optional. However, upon implementation, Nebraska certificates of title that contain lien information will be stored electronically. No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested.

Certificate of title and lien applications will continue to be filed at title issuing offices [local county treasurer office or the DMV, Division of Motor Carrier Services (MCS) for any common, contract or private carrier of property by motor vehicles in interstate commerce]. Upon the notation of a lien, the certificate of title record will be stored electronically on the DMV Vehicle Title and Registration (VTR) database and a participating lender will be electronically notified of the title issuance/lien notation.

At the time of lien satisfaction, a participating lender will electronically notify the DMV of the lien release and the DMV will print and mail the certificate of title to the owner (or other entity as directed by the lender).

To be clear: Lienholders will no longer receive a paper title or any other notification from the DMV when their lien has been recorded. The state "notifies" through the Electronic Lien and Title program.

What changes if a lender does not sign up?

• The lender will not receive a paper title with their lien.
• Lien releases will be handled through a new form (the Non-Participating Lender Lien Release application) that must be submitted to a title issuing office.

What about non-lender situations, such as bail bond companies or a mechanic's lien?

We inquired with the Nebraska DMV about non-traditional lienholders. At this time there are no exceptions for printing titles with liens.

What incentives are there for participating?

• Primo: Lienholders will receive notification that your lien has been recorded. This notification contains the information that normally appears on a title, allowing you to verify that the lien was recorded correctly. (Premier eTitleLien™ makes this very easy.)
• The DMV will assume responsibility for printing a clear title and mailing it to the owner at lien release. That eliminates situations where owners who have lost a title must come to you to request a duplicate.
• Lienholders who participate in the ELT program will release liens electronically. The state will not accept a paper lien release which helps protect the lienholder against fraud.

Book cover from "No Code Required: Giving Users Tools to Transform the Web" - an interesting book that parallels our goal for lenders: No More Paper Titles: Giving Users Tools to Transform Liens and Titles

Nebraska: ELT Progress Update

Nebraska DMV published updates to the ELT program scheduled for full implementation by January 1, 2011. The updates include some minor changes to the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide and the ELT Lender Application as well as some updates to the provider questions that are mostly technical in nature.

The DMV also provided us an updated timetable. They are scheduled to begin testing with a single pilot lender on October 4th and expect that testing period to run for four weeks, at which point any other providers and lenders may begin exchanging electronic title information with the DMV.

DDI is currently accepting applications to participate in the Nebraska ELT program. Our goal is to have any lenders concerned about the changes to titles with liens to be ready by the January 1 implementation when Nebraska DMV begins issuing all titles with liens electronically. As of 1/1/2011, the NE DMV will no longer print titles with liens. There is no cost to join the state ELT program and a large number of benefits for lenders.

Image from WeddingCars.sg

Record Growth

Our latest press release (highlighting and links mine):

Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) Reports Record Growth in the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Marketplace

In the first six months of 2010, Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) experienced record growth in the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) market with its Premier eTitleLien™ product and services offering in the state of Arizona. DDI successfully added more client accounts in Arizona than any other ELT vendor. DDI's president and CEO, Glenn Thames, said "DDI's success is attributed to having the most cost-effective solution in the market, along with a dedicated staff committed to customer service excellence. Through this attention to customer service, DDI has grown to over 800 client accounts in just a few short years, having never lost a customer to a competitive ELT vendor."

Companies that place liens on vehicle titles in Arizona were required to participate in the state's ELT program beginning May 31, 2010. With DDI's Premier eTitleLien™ product and services, lienholders are able to participate in the ELT program and remain in complete control of their title portfolio. Premier eTitleLien™ is a web-based application that allows lienholders to manage their vehicle titles electronically and provides an electronic ownership record in lieu of a paper title. Premier eTitleLien™ interfaces with a state's motor vehicle titling agency's computer systems to receive electronic titles and transmit lien releases for the lienholder. With Premier eTitleLien™, companies have access to their electronic titles and the tools needed to streamline the titling process.

An electronic titling program benefits motor vehicle agencies, lienholders and vehicle owners. Motor vehicle agencies benefit by providing more timely data exchange, improving data accuracy, and reducing and controlling the use of secure forms. Electronic titling benefits lienholders by reducing mailing costs, reducing physical storage requirements, and deterring the inherent fraud associated with duplicate titles and paper title releases. Vehicle owners benefit by receiving clear titles upon the release of the lien on the electronic title.

"With the Premier eTitleLien™ product and associated services, DDI provides the most cost- effective solution in the market with no start-up costs, no monthly minimums, no per-user charges, and no installation or training charges. In addition, DDI's license agreements are lender-friendly, allowing for an opt-out without penalties. DDI is dedicated to continuing to provide the ELT solution of choice for lenders. We are continuing to expand our client base among the existing ELT states and look forward to providing services in the newest ELT state, Nebraska, later this fall," said Thames. DDI is a software technology company that provides electronic titling services for lienholders in the United States.

For more information on electronic titling, visit www.etitlelien.com.

For this Press Release in printable form and other news, please visit http://etitlelien.com/News.aspx.

Image from Wikipedia: "Cutaway of a nautilus shell showing the chambers arranged in an approximately logarithmic spiral"