News in 2014

NMVTIS Salvage Reporting FAQs

on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 by Sarah Kathryn Wright

ADD has put together a comprehensive list of their most frequently asked questions about NMVTIS salvage reporting and compliance. **

I report salvage/derelict vehicles to my state. Does this cover my federal

NMVTIS reporting obligations?**

All businesses that buy, sell, or control junk, salvage and total loss vehicles must report to NMVTIS independent of state reporting. NMVTIS reporting of junk, salvage and total loss vehicles is a federal requirement separate from state requirements or processes. Georgia is currently the only state that offers consolidated state/federal reporting for auto recyclers and secondary metals recyclers in that state. Consolidated Georgia reporting must be done through Auto Data Direct. ADD is the only approved portal for Georgia recyclers to meet both state and federal reporting requirements. Vehicles reported through a system other than ADD’s Georgia Salvage Reporting system will not satisfy both Georgia and federal regulations.

**I am a wrecker operator. Do I have to report when I tow a salvage

automobile?**

Towing companies and wrecker operators must report when they obtain and sell junk, salvage or total loss automobiles. Merely transporting a junk or salvage vehicle does not necessarily trigger the requirement to report.

If a towing company or wrecker operator asserts a lien, takes possession of or sells a junk, salvage or total loss vehicle, they must report to NMVTIS in the same manner as a junk yard, salvage yard or salvage auction. For example, a salvage vehicle that is towed and subsequently sold or auctioned to satisfy towing and storage charges must be reported.

Do car dealers need to report vehicles bought at an auction?

Any business that buys or sells five or more vehicles that meet the NMVTIS definitions for junk or salvage automobiles within a year, regardless of the title status or type, must report to NMVTIS.

**What do I report if the VIN is unreadable and title documents are not

available?**

Under the NMVTIS Regulations a salvage yard has an obligation to perform a visual inspection of the complete vehicle and to review the title documents to determine the VIN. A salvage yard is encouraged to make a good faith effort to obtain the VIN, including inspecting all locations where the vehicle VIN may be found such as at the front of the engine block, on the car frame, in a rear wheel well, inside the driver-side doorjamb, on the driver-side doorpost or underneath the spare tire storage.

If it is impossible to obtain the VIN, from the vehicle or the title documents, the vehicle cannot be reported. DO NOT report the VIN as “UNKNOWN” or “BURNED” or “DERBY CAR.” These are not valid VINs and should not be submitted.

**I don’t have any information on who I received a car from. How do I

report the “obtained from” information?**

If you are unable to identify from whom an automobile was obtained, you should report to NMVTIS the owner of the vehicle at the time the report is being made. If you own the vehicle, this is your business name.

**I haven’t been reporting and now I need to upload a large number of

vehicles; do I have to submit them one at a time? Can I use my management system?**

For businesses interested in batch reporting, ADD offers several different batch and management system options with a Full Service account.

  • Management System Upload - Most management systems have export modules or utilities built in that will create a batch file for upload to ADD. If your management system does not offer this option, feel free to contact ADD, and we can reach out to your provider about adding this functionality.
  • Batch (Spreadsheet) Upload - Users without management systems can download a batch template from ADD that allows users to upload batches of vehicle information collected on an Excel spreadsheet. Industry-specific upload templates can be found on the Batch Entry page under Spreadsheet Upload after log-in.
  • Business-to-Business Upload - For business with IT staff, ADD offers reporting via a webservice that allows batch reporting for larger entities uploading high volumes of information. Businesses interested in this option should contact ADD for more information.

**What if I report a vehicle and later discovered that the VIN or other

piece of information was incorrect?**

ADD users have the ability to report records submitted in error. This function is available through the Record Manifest in the Full Service Account or using the record ID returned with each Basic Account record. Submission of an error report requires the user to provide a short explanation explaining the nature of the error.

How do I see a list of all the records I’ve reported?

ADD’s Full Service account includes a Record Manifest to monitor and track each record from submission to transmission to acceptance in a searchable archive of reported vehicles. You can also use the Record Manifest to create custom reports for export into a spreadsheet.

With Basic Service , when you submit a record, you will receive a printable receipt and an email. You will receive another email when the record has been accepted by the national database. Basic service users are responsible for maintaining records receipts.

**I got a letter from law enforcement. How do I prove that I am reporting

to NMVTIS?**

All ADD users can print confirmation of their NMVTIS reporting ID under My Account after log-in. The printable letter lists the business name and address, the business’s NMVTIS ID and the date the ID was assigned.

Users have the option to access a printable NMVTIS Compliance Report, which lists a count of the unique VINs reported by month, for each NMVTIS ID associated with the ADD account.

Finally, Full Service users can print individual vehicle receipts and export lists of records reported from the Record Manifest. Basic Service can print the individual vehicle receipts they are emailed for records submitted.

For more information about NMVTIS reporting, compliance checks or ADD’s services, email ADD or give us a call at 855-300-3455 .