ELT Program Recommendations

Decision Dynamics, Inc. is very interested in seeing each US State implement an Electronic Lien and Title program.  We monitor active ELT programs, states working on developing ELT (such as Iowa, Indiana, and Maryland), and changes to state laws to allow ELT (as in Colorado), implement a new program (as we mentioned about Nevada and North Carolina), or make changes to their existing ELT program (such as Texas).

We have experience in joining ELT programs, working with states as they bring on a new ELT program, and trying to meet our customers' needs in ELT states and non-ELT states through the DDI Title Center.  Whenever we can, we present details from our experiences to the states (as we did with South Dakota).

AllAboutTitles.com is designed to gather that kind of state-relevant information about Electronic Liens and Titles.  We recently updated our Best Practices for ELT Programs document which contains a number of brief suggestions and feedback (pros and cons) about existing state programs.

Image above is State Greetings (a collection of post cards from the 50 US States) by Hoch Sollst Du Leben.

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Louisiana Considering ELT Improvements

Louisiana House Bill 470 (search for it) has passed the house and is now before the LA Senate. The bill specifically allows for an expedited title process (eliminating the need to wait on a title to be mailed from the OMV) and reduces the cost of converting a title from paper to an electronic title. These would mean significant improvements to the Louisiana Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program.

Decision Dynamics, Inc. participates in a group of lenders to promote positive changes to state titling program. As a group, we drafted a letter of support for the bill:

As a lender writing consumer auto loans and leases in the State of Louisiana, we’d like to express our support for House Bill 470 which was recently referred to the Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works.

While we are very supportive of Louisiana’s Electronic Lien and Title program, there are many reasons why the lienholder needs rapid access to a paper title, including repossession, bankruptcy or other legal situations. Additionally, we find that in order to adequately support a consumer moving to another state, a paper title is required. As you can image, changing their title and registration is often the last thing a consumer considers during their relocation, so obtaining their title often becomes an emergency situation.

We also support the reduction of the cost associated with the conversion of a paper title to an electronic title. The current $26 cost makes it unreasonable for a lender receiving a paper title rather than an e-title to convert that paper title. From an efficiency standpoint, a consistent process for managing titles benefits us as lienholder as well as the consumer and the state.

Image above is Members of the Louisiana State University Tigers Cheerleaders cheer for the crowd before playing the University of Louisiana-Lafatette Ragin' Cajuns at Tiger Stadium on September 19, 2009 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. by Chris Graythen/Getty Images North America.

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Filing for a Lien in Georgia from Out of State

We recently had a question from one of our customers wishing to file a lien in Georgia.

We had our rep try and walk the MV1 form and title through the local DMV but they required a copy of the customer’s driver’s license, a note from us on company letterhead & notarized, the power of attorney in his name, and another form - it was a mess. So we decided to just mail it in. The local DMV said that we need to mail a copy of the customer’s driver’s license along with the MV1 Form, Title and $18 fee. I was surprised that we need to mail a copy of the customer’s driver’s license - we hadn’t heard of that until today. Just checking.

Our answer:

1. A copy of the owner’s DL is not required when you mail in an MV-1 unless the owner is not a GA resident and does not have a valid GA issued ID or DL.
2. They will accept out-of-state checks when you mail in your MV-1.
3. When the owner has to get a duplicate, the only required field on the MV-1 is the VIN. They must present a valid ID when requesting the duplicate.

As part of being the *definitive* ELT provider [definitive: authoritative and complete :-) ], we build good relationships with each state DMV to be able to get clarifications to questions like these. (More information about the ELT program in Georgia)

Image from Georgia Animal Rescue and Defense, where they also take applications from "Out of State"

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Recommendations when Applying for a Lien in South Carolina

Based on feedback from customers plus our own experience and interaction with the SC DMV, we've put together some suggestions for lenders when applying for a lien on a title in South Carolina.

1. Instead of having the customer directly sign the Form 400 (SC's title application), obtain a limited Power of Attorney. This will help in case resubmissions (lost mail?) are required.

2. Carry your paperwork to a DMV office. You will get either immediate (if you wait on the paperwork) or generally next-day response to your application. Problems with the application are reported to you immediately. There is no faster way to get a lien recorded.

For absolute best results, take your title application(s) to one of the five dealer central SC DMV locations. These are the ideal places to turn in paperwork and generally provide better service for ELT transactions. Transactions can be provided in a batch with a cover sheet listing the individual vehicle numbers (VINs). From the list of office locations (http://www.scdmvonline.com/DMVNew/offloclist.aspx) choose Dealer Central from the Services dropdown.

Several of our customers use a courier service to deliver title applications to a DMV office.

3. Mail your paperwork to Blythewood using a tracking number. Any kind of minimal delivery confirmation will allow you to be certain your application was received by the DMV. Consider recording the tracking number as part of the lien history in Premier eTitleLien™.

4. If you don't (or can't) take a title application to a DMV office and don't (or can't) use some delivery confirmation, keep track of the mailing date and delivery method (including who posted it). Consider recording these details as part of the lien history in Premier eTitleLien™.

At our last quarterly meeting with the DMV, they told us they would begin providing receipts for items that had been received at the Blythewood office. This would bring the feedback provided there in line with the feedback you get at a field office. DDI will continue to work with them to improve document tracking.

Image: The Palmetto State Glove Box Guide to Bar-B-Que

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