A System for All Stakeholders

Beth Caro, President & CEO, National Independent Vehicle Title Agents Organization (NIVTA)

E-titling is transforming how we handle vehicle titles and registrations, and I’ve had a front-row seat to this evolution as the president and CEO of NIVTA. Our organization was formed to support vehicle title agents in the private sector—those working in tag agencies and car dealerships across the country. At NIVTA, we created a space to discuss new technology initiatives to promote innovation and collaboration on policy among agents, third-party agents and motor vehicle departments.

Currently, jurisdictions across the U.S. are adopting e-tilting at different rates. Some states still rely heavily on paper processes, while others have steered away from paper, integrating multiple electronic methods to now include the lienholders and financial institutions. While this transition toward electronic processes can streamline functions, all systems must work in unison.

At NIVTA, we’re focused on supporting agents through these changes within and outside their jurisdictions—like during cross-border sales—ensuring they’re proficient in system functions. The pivot to e-titling requires technological adaptability. I’ve found that using tools like dealer management and custom resource management systems can assist in automating processes while effectively fulfilling the client’s demands in both a tag agency and dealership setting.

Suppose an office is not currently using electronic filing, resource management and communication tools. In that case, I’d recommend acclimating to those functions before following through with an e-titling transition.

“E-titling is more than just a technological shift—it’s a step toward a more efficient, accurate and secure future for vehicle title processing.”

Beth Caro
President & CEO, NIVTA

Although some jurisdictions and organizations are actively integrating e-titling into their daily functions, I expect another five to 10 years before e-titling is adopted into certain systems nationwide. While many states are making strides, interstate communication remains a hurdle due to data-sharing limitations. Yet, AAMVA has been instrumental in developing programs to navigate reporting data, like the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) program. Jurisdictions can look to AAMVA for resources and toolkits that break down the necessary steps for modernization to overcome common challenges throughout the transition. By thoroughly understanding the new process and what it entails, more effort can be spent addressing remaining funding and government approval hurdles.

E-titling is more than just a technological shift—it’s a step toward a more efficient, accurate and secure future for vehicle title processing. Through collaboration and innovation, we can make this transition seamless for everyone involved.

The Next Electronic Transition

Tony Hall, Head of Policy, Title and Registration Modernization, Carvana

The electronic processing of titles and registration is immensely important, not just to Carvana, but to the industry at large, which has much to gain from anything that can be accomplished electronically. In my role as the head of policy, title and registration modernization for Carvana, advocating for efficient processes and solutions is my primary focus. Carvana sees the long-term value in modernizing automotive title and registration processes for consumers, industry and DMVs.

Dealers and other industry participants are going to see benefits from the adoption of electronic processes. They handle most of the title and registration work today. Removing extensive paperwork and numerous manual verifications and implementing electronic processes, including e-titling, significantly reduces errors and saves time.

For consumers, the benefits may be less direct, but still impactful, with the potential to see faster processing times, fewer errors and less back and forth. This efficiency translates directly to better customer experiences and facilitates smoother backend operations, establishing a win-win scenario for both the industry and its clients.

“Our ambitious vision for the future of e-titling involves the complete eradication of paper titles.”

Tony Hall
Head of Policy, Title and Registration Modernization, Carvana

It’s worth noting that the time savings and error reduction are also beneficial to DMVs, which are always making careful judgment calls about how to deploy resources. Time savings for department staff are extremely valuable.

Looking to the future, the horizon for e-titling is both promising and laden with challenges, the most immediate being state adoption. Electronic processes and e-titling require DMVs to adopt adequate and updated policies, and in some cases, legislation. Before implementing electronic processes and systems, jurisdictions must consider how collaboration between user groups will be affected and engage with stakeholders.

Our ambitious vision for the future of e-titling involves the complete eradication of paper titles and supporting documents, ushering in a new era of seamless electronic transfers where there’s only an electronic record. This transition would streamline processes for individual consumers and simplify operations for industries intertwined with vehicle ownership. I’m hopeful we will begin to see this become more of a reality across the country over the next decade.

In essence, e-titling signifies a substantial evolution in how vehicle records management is conducted, delivering palpable benefits such as cost reductions and increased convenience. Despite the challenges, the strides made thus far are encouraging, and my hope remains high for the continued advancement and widespread adoption of electronic processes and e-titling.

At Carvana, our commitment to championing these innovations is unwavering, as we fully recognize their potential to fundamentally transform vehicle ownership management. This commitment is exemplified by our involvement as a founding member of the Electronic Secure Title and Registration Transformation (eSTART) Coalition, where we collaborate and partner with participants from across the automotive industry to modernize title and registration processes.

Lowering the Stack of Paper

Bruce Anderson, President, Iowa Automobile Dealers Association

E-titling delivers a transformative impact on the automotive industry, removing and easing the burdens of traditional paperwork. When first introduced, e-titling was a major innovation promising fundamental improvements in how dealers manage the titling and registration processes.

In Iowa, it’s standard for automobile dealers to assist their customers in navigating the complex processes of titling and registering motor vehicles. Historically, these tasks were labor-intensive with mountains of paperwork, often resulting in more room for error. However, the digital shift to e-titling has been a remarkable improvement for all parties involved. Automating these functions has not only simplified the workflow for dealerships but has also elevated the experience for customers, simplifying their involvement.

Now Iowa is committed to the adoption of proven and innovative solutions that shorten the stack of paperwork on a dealer’s desk. In fact, the Iowa Department of Transportation has been proactive in integrating automated processes. They’ve developed solutions for lien perfection, temporary tags, title and registration application submissions, and fee payments. This progress is the result of a collaborative effort among various stakeholders, including dealers, lenders and law enforcement agencies, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.

The immediate benefits of e-titling are both clear and practical. By minimizing data entry mistakes and speeding up processes from lien perfection to plate issuance, e-titling has streamlined operations significantly. Iowa dealers must track paper transactions across 99 different counties. Modern advancements allow dealers to track and monitor those transactions through a centralized web-based platform when submitted electronically. This enhanced efficiency also extends to law enforcement agencies: Officers benefit from quicker access to ownership information earlier in the registration process, improving their ability to serve and protect the community.

Nonetheless, transitioning to e-titling has presented its own set of challenges. I’ve found that user acceptance and cost management for the transitions are two of the more prominent ones. This reminds me of the early days of electronic tax filing. Initial resistance was high, yet gradually, the system gained acceptance due to its undeniable benefits like efficiency and reliability.

Looking forward, I see a future where e-titling becomes as common and essential as electronic tax returns. A growing number of early adopters are already benefiting from this shift. I envision e-titling and electronic submissions as the future industry standard, becoming mandatory after their full potential is understood.

To those considering the adoption of e-titling, I offer this advice: begin the transition as soon as possible. Although no system is flawless, ongoing improvements can always be made. By gradually enhancing the process, stakeholders can ensure they are not only keeping pace with technological advancement but also harnessing its full potential.