As AAMVA’s CEO, I am lucky to hear about the hard work our community does to effect change and improve service. There are moments when progress feels incremental—and others when you can sense it building, gathering speed and direction. This is one of those moments.

Fittingly, in the Chinese zodiac, 2026 is the Year of the Horse, a symbol of momentum, energy and forward motion. From what I see, that momentum is unmistakable. Long-standing systems are being reexamined, new tools are taking shape, and perhaps most importantly, the way we connect with the public is evolving in real time.

In this edition of MOVE, that progress comes into focus through two distinct but deeply connected lenses: the modernization of vehicle titling and the growing role of digital engagement. For decades, vehicle ownership has been tied to a paper document that’s handled, stored and safeguarded—and sometimes lost—throughout a vehicle’s life. It is a system that has endured, but it was never designed for the speed, scale and complexity of today’s marketplace. In our cover story, we hear about the transformative work in electronic titling from Arizona, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. As jurisdictions across North America are demonstrating, the shift to electronic titling is not simply a technological upgrade. It is a rethinking of how ownership itself is established, protected and transferred.

Taken together, these efforts reflect a broader mindset shift. Old systems built around process are making way for systems designed around people.

What makes this transformation especially compelling is how it is unfolding. Jurisdictions are building step-by-step, testing, learning and refining along the way, while bringing stakeholders to the table early and often. Dealers, lenders, technology partners and consumers are not just participants in the system; they are essential to its success. The result is something far more meaningful than digitization alone: a system that is faster, more secure and more transparent, reflecting the realities of modern life while maintaining the trust that has always been at the core of vehicle ownership.

Agencies are also reimagining how they communicate by embracing digital platforms. We learn how California, Colorado and New Hampshire have used various social media platforms to educate, engage and improve public perception of their agencies. Effective communication today is no longer just about delivering information; it is about creating connection. From real-time updates that keep travelers safe to creative campaigns that resonate far beyond their immediate communities, agencies are finding ways to meet drivers where they are. In the process, they inform and even entertain without losing sight of their mission. In doing so, they are strengthening public trust in ways that feel immediate and lasting.

Taken together, these efforts reflect a broader mindset shift. Old systems built around process are making way for systems designed around people. Of course, this kind of progress is not without challenges. Modernizing legacy systems requires time, resources and sustained commitment, while building new capabilities means navigating uncertainty and at times rethinking long-held assumptions. Every organization, even AAMVA, faces the same opportunities and occasional obstacles. While we choose to move forward, we understand that old and new systems will coexist for some time, each playing a role in a complex and evolving landscape. We also realize that success, as always, depends on our teams. Progress in electronic titling and digital services ultimately depends on bringing together people who can bridge policy, technology and stakeholder needs to deliver systems that work in practice, not just in theory.

In my time with AAMVA, I’ve learned progress does not require perfect conditions or waiting for exactly the right moment. It depends on momentum and the willingness to move forward thoughtfully, collaboratively and with a clear sense of purpose. That is why the emphasis on partnership, highlighted throughout both features, is so important.

As you read this issue, I encourage you to consider where you see momentum in your own work. Like the steady acceleration reflected in the Year of the Horse, the progress underway among our jurisdictions is building, gaining strength, expanding reach and opening doors. Together, we are not just adapting to change; we are driving what comes next.