News

NMVTIS compliance audits have begun in conjunction with the CARS program, and the Department of Justice has mailed out thousands of letters explaining the mandatory reporting requirements for businesses that handle junk, salvage and total loss vehicles. Learn how to verify your compliance, and make sure your NMVTIS reports being received by the national database.

Using a single source to access motor vehicle inquiry information from multiple states can streamline business processes and help keep costs low, which is why ADD is working to expand its real-time state motor vehicle inquiries across the southeast and beyond. ADD currently offers tow companies access to motor vehicle inquiries for Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Arkansas and New York. Within the next few weeks, North Carolina, Tennessee and New Mexico will be available. By the end of the year, we hope to have South Carolina, Idaho, Kansas, Nebraska and Virginia available as well. If your towing company currently has real-time inquiry access through ADD, no additional paperwork or account agreement is required to pull vehicle inquiries from the new states.

How do I print a list of all my NMVTIS records? Why does the SCRAP report for a VIN still appear in my Record Manifest after I have reported it with a disposition of CRUSH? How can I find all vehicles obtained from a specific company or individual? ADD’s wonderful customer service staff answers some common questions about ADD’s NMVTIS reporting tools.

CARS program administrators have indicated that each Cash for Clunkers vehicle should be reported twice , once as SCRAP and once as CRUSH, even if the vehicle was crushed the day it was received. If a vehicle was reported only once with a disposition of CRUSH, a SCRAP report should be made retroactively. ADD has added a function to the Record Manifest that will sort previously reported Cash for Clunkers vehicles and list VINs that have not yet been reported with a disposition of either SCRAP or CRUSH.

NEW LAW AFFECTS FEES CHARGED BY THE FLORIDA DHSMV ON MOTOR VEHICLE INQUIRIES For many years, Florida tax collectors have had the ability to provide a motor vehicle record to qualified entities without collecting a statutorily mandated $0.50 fee (FS 320.05). Businesses, including Auto Data Direct and its customers, have benefited from this because several tax collectors have opted not to collect the $0.50 fee. In its need for additional revenue, the Florida Legislature has closed this loophole.

Florida’s new temporary metal plate transfer system adds some new features that will benefit dealers, including the ability to void a transfer and restore a previous registration, under certain circumstances. When determining if a temporary metal plate transfer is necessary, the first thing to consider is the number of days left on the registration. If the registration being temporarily transferred has 30 or more days remaining , dealers can process a temporary transfer of a metal plate. If the registration being temporarily transferred has less than 30 days remaining , a temporary tag must be issued.

In mid-July 2010, all Florida auto dealers will be required by law1 to electronically report the transfer of a metal license plate as it is being moved from one vehicle to another. The electronic report will create a temporary registration in the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) database, and should be completed prior to a customer driving off the lot. This is a change for dealers who have been issuing a temporary tag to notify the DHSMV of the transfer while the permanent metal plate reassignment is processed. Now, dealers can move a customer’s metal plate to the purchased vehicle on the spot and electronically report that transfer to the DHSMV without issuing a paper tag.

New Vehicle Storage Facility (VSF) Release Form Now Required The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has revised and combined what were previously five separate forms into a single VSF release form, the VSF011-1. The new form replaces the Affidavit of Right of Possession (VSF009), the Notice of Right of Possession for Salvage or Repair (VSF 006), Specific Power of Attorney (VSF007), the Proof of Loss Claim Form (VSF008) and Appointment of Authorized Representative for Inspection of Motor Vehicle (VSF 005).

On average, 42 million used cars are sold in the United States every year, and today’s used car buyers are turning to the internet to research potential purchases. With the help of the recently launched National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), consumers have more information at their fingertips than ever before.

In 2008, more than 5.2 million citations were issued to Florida’s 14 million licensed drivers. That averages out to a citation apiece for around 37% of the population. For business owners, especially businesses that require employees to drive as a part of their job, a driver license history can give owners peace of mind before handing over the keys to a company vehicle. Auto Data Direct (ADD) offers Florida driving history reports direct from the DMV, without the hassle. ADD’s reports are printed in an easy-to-read format that explains the codes and citations to provide the information you want, when you want it.