Florida Title History

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles offers a number of different ways to find out information about a vehicle title.

• Online through the Florida Vehicle Information Check. This service is free and looks up vehicle title record information by VIN or title number. It does not include owner name or address information.
• By mail using the Form HSMV 90510 - Driver License, Motor Vehicle/Vessel Records Request. The title record request is approximately $1.00 per page and includes a complete vehicle history with owner names and addresses. This is not a public service - access to title information is protected by Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA)
• Lenders who participate in the (now mandatory) Florida ELT program automatically receive title information directly from the state. Premier eTitleLien™ formats that title record information and compares it to existing information on file to note differences as they arrive.

Image above is "Florida Coast" from Florida's History Lives on the Internet.

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New Florida ELT Law Can Save You Money

If you are a lienholder in Florida, your liens will now be recorded through a progressive new program required by your state:  ELT. If your institution does not currently enjoy the benefits of this exciting new program, Decision Dynamics, Inc. has the right tools for you.

 

Founded in 1998, Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) is a leading national software company offering a secure and reliable electronic title and lien software service. Using the latest technology, DDI offers personalized customer service and always has with the lender’s best interest in mind.

 

Although the Florida legislature now requires lienholder participation in an ELT program, signing up for ELT with DDI can save time and money.

 

“The ELT process can also help lienholders by reducing fraud with other outstanding liens and streamline workload,” Glenn Thames, president and CEO of DDI, says. “But, finding the right vendor is key. You want to find a vendor, like DDI, that charges only the transactions you process with the DMV.”

 

To learn more about DDI and ELT, visit etitlelien.com. DDI is happy to answer any questions as you discover the benefits of ELT.

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Easy Transition to ELT in Georgia with DDI's Help

It can take time to implement new programs in the workplace, but Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) makes its customers' transitions to Premier eTitlelien™ simple and easy.

As the New Year began, DDI once again smoothly transitioned customers to its electronic lien and title program (ELT) in Georgia, Florida, and California in accordance with their new state laws.

Even more Georgia lenders will discover the benefits of electronic lien and title programs by July 1 of this year. At that time, lenders with 200 or more security interests or liens must have an ELT program in place according to Georgia law. By January 1, 2014, lenders with five or more security interests will also need to be enrolled in an ELT program.

To learn more about what DDI, ELT, and its Premier eTitlelien™ program can do for your business, go to etitlelien.com.

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DDI and ELT in 2012: Year in Review

 

2012 was full of positive growth and change for ELT states and Decision Dynamics, Inc.

With DDI’s support, California, Florida, and Georgia, spent the year preparing for mandatory ELT. (In 2013, these states will require lienholders, with the exception of smaller Georgia lienholders, to participate in an ELT program.)

Wisconsinbegan expanding its ELT programs in July, and in October, South Dakotaimplemented its own ELT system. As an approved ELT provider for South Dakota, DDI worked closely with the state’s Department of Revenue as they developed their system.

In September, DDI’s 2,000^th customer signed up for ELT services, and the following month the Georgia Banker’s Association renewed its partnership with the company.

What will 2013 bring for ELT? Check back before the New Year to learn more.

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California, Florida, and Georgia mandatory ELT deadline Jan. 1

 

Lenders in California, Florida, and Georgia have approximately three more weeks to enroll in an electronic lien and title program to meet the Jan. 1, 2013 mandatory ELT deadline. DDI has been working closely with lenders in these states and across the country to ensure all are prepared for these deadlines.  To learn more about each state’s program, visit the websites listed below.

 

California: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/eltp.htm

Florida: http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/elt.html

Georgia: http://motor.etax.dor.ga.gov/motor/Elien.aspx

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Florida approves mandatory use of Electronic Lien and Title (ELT)

The Florida Legislature unanimously approved HB 1223, a bill that requires the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles electronically transmit vehicle liens and titles to lien holders through its ELT program beginning in 2013.

The money-saving measure will continue to streamline and simplify the state’s electronic titling process. Not only will the bill save taxpayer money by cutting associated paper, storage and mailing costs, but the mandatory shift to electronic titles will also reduce title fraud.

Individuals and lien holders that do not finance vehicles are exempt from participation. However, the bill requires all other lien holders participate by submitting liens and lien satisfactions in the prescribed electronic format. Likewise, the DHSMV will electronically send liens to the first lien holders and notify the holders of additional liens on motor vehicles, mobile homes or vessels.

DDI is already working with Florida banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions to ensure they are ready when the mandatory program begins. 

image is of the Florida State Flag

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Florida ELT Mandatory in January 2013

Florida House Bill 1223 (CS/CS/HB 1223) titled Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles was implemented into law by the Florida legislature and Approved by the Governor on 4/27/2012. The bill changes the language of the Florida statues to require participation:

Section 22. Subsection (8) of section 319.24, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
319.24 Issuance in duplicate; delivery; liens and encumbrances.—
(8) Notwithstanding any requirements in this section or in s. 319.27 indicating that a lien on a motor vehicle or mobile home shall be noted on the face of the Florida certificate of title, if there are one or more liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or mobile home, the department shall may electronically transmit the lien to the first lienholder and notify the first lienholder of any additional liens. Subsequent lien satisfactions shall may be electronically transmitted to the department and must shall include the name and address of the person or entity satisfying the lien.

and

Section 23. Subsection (7) is added to section 319.27, Florida Statutes, to read:
319.27 Notice of lien on motor vehicles or mobile homes; notation on certificate; recording of lien.—
(7) The department shall establish and administer an electronic titling program that requires the electronic recording of vehicle title information for new, transferred, and corrected certificates of title. Lienholders shall electronically transmit liens and lien satisfactions to the department in a format determined by the department. Individuals and lienholders who the department determines are not normally engaged in the business or practice of financing vehicles are exempt from the electronic titling requirement.

DDI attended a presentation by the Florida HSMV in May 2012. They made it clear that the law would be implemented on January 1, 2013 without a grace period. They have not yet released a list of exempt lenders but are unlikely to make exceptions for anyone normally engaged in lending. This requirement means that the HSMV will reject applications for liens from lenders who have not yet enrolled in the ELT program.

I'd like to encourage lenders not to wait until the end of the year to enroll. Florida does not charge an enrollment fee. The application process for ELT was taking 2-3 weeks, but has increased lately to 3-4 weeks because of the increase in applications to Florida.

For more information about our product, Premier eTitleLien™, and instructions on enrolling in Florida, please visit www.etitlelien.com.

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Florida ELT Program Questions

As we anticipate Florida's ELT program becoming mandatory, I thought it might be helpful to answer a few questions for lenders.

How will ELT change what we do today?
The primary change is that you will no longer receive a paper title. (There is a long list of reasons why this is good.) The forms you use today ("Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration" (FL 82040) and the "Application for Notice of Lien / Reassignment of Lien" (FL 82139)) and the fees and documentation required for the forms do not change.

How do I release an ELT lien?
All electronic liens must be released (satisfied) electronically. Florida provides this instruction to vehicle owners:

A title has an electronic lien, but the owner brings in a lien satisfaction from the lienholder. Can a paper title be printed for the $10 fast title fee at a Tax Collector's Office?
No. The ELT lienholder must satisfy the lien electronically.

How long will it take the DMV to print a title when a "release" is issued?
Florida normally does not print titles, preferring to leave them as electronic titles. Premier eTitleLien™ offers lenders the ability to request that a printed title be sent to the owner, they may leave it up to the owner to request a printed copy when needed. Once requested, titles "are generally mailed within two (2) days of receipt of the request."

What is required (technology-wise) for a lender to participate?
An ELT provider (such as DDI) will provide all necessary software for the lender. DDI's solution is Premier eTitleLien™, a web-based application that does not require any special installation.

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Prepare now for Mandatory ELT in Florida!

Prepare now for Mandatory ELT in Florida!

Legislation for Mandatory ELT in Florida has been passed by both the House and the Senate, and now is awaiting signature from Governor Scott. This bill is expected to be accepted as law, and will require all Florida lienholders to participate in the FL ELT program as of January 1, 2013. To ensure you are compliant with the latest statute, please contact Jessica.Shand@dditechnology.com

Image above is Winds of Change by Cecilia Lueza donated to the Florida Department of State art collection.

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States Planning to Compel Participation in ELT

A series of questions in which our writer attempts to answer simple-sounding questions without saying things like "Well, yes, they do have ELT but..." Let the reader understand that these are simplified answers. ;)

See the other posts in this short series: Electronic Title States, Upcoming Electronic Title States, States Compelling Participation in ELT, and States Planning to Compel Participation in ELT (this post).

Which states have said they intend to compel participation?

• Florida
• Massachusetts
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Texas

Florida has indicated to us in person as well as through legislation that their long-term plan has been to require participation. See a further explanation on States Compelling Participation in ELT post.

Although the MA RMV has indicated to us that they do not have plans to make their ELT program mandatory, the Massachusetts legislature has (at least twice) introduced legislation requiring participation.

South Carolina has had legislation introduced twice to allow the DMV to require participation. The South Carolina DMV has indicated that it intends to make the program mandatory only after developing a plan with industry stakeholders.

In our discussions with South Dakota about their new (2012) ELT program, they mentioned that their plans are to make the SD ELT program mandatory from the beginning using a no-printed-titles-with-liens policy.

Texas passed legislation in 2011 that allows the DMV to make the program mandatory. They have indicated to us in person that they intend to gather feedback from industry partners before implementing any requirements.

If you are a lender and would like a greater explanation of these differences, please contact DDI. If you are a state or would like more technical details, you may also visit our AllAboutTitles.com site.

Image above is from Kazoobie Kazoos.

Continue reading States Planning to Compel Participation in ELT

States Compelling Participation in ELT

A series of questions in which our writer attempts to answer simple-sounding questions without saying things like "Well, yes, they do have ELT but..." Let the reader understand that these are simplified answers. ;)

See the other posts in this short series: Electronic Title States, Upcoming Electronic Title States, States Compelling Participation in ELT (this post), and States Planning to Compel Participation in ELT.

Which states compel participation in their ELT program?

• Arizona
• California
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Nebraska
• Pennsylvania
• Wisconsin

This is one of the most complicated questions to answer, and the wording for the question was chosen carefully to accurately include all the states above. We intentionally did not phrase the question "What are the Mandatory ELT states?" or even "Which states never print titles with liens?"

There are four basic methods that States are currently using to "compel" participation:

• Mandatory ELT: by law lenders must participate in the program. This applies to PA, LA, CA, and AZ. Each state allows for certain exemptions, particularly for individuals listed as lienholders. Arizona required immediate participation and would not process lien applications without enrolling in the program. Pennsylvania (the first state to make ELT mandatory) used a gradual enforcement process. Louisiana, while always maintaining that ELT participation is required, is also gradually enforcing their law. California's law went into place in 1/1/2012 but the law allowed them to determine schedule and exemptions. At this point we are expecting them to implement the ELT participation mandate in September 2012 as Arizona did, requiring participation to even file a lien.
• Phase out the paper title: Florida is the author and authority of this method which basically involves changing policies to make vehicle transactions easier without a paper title - the paper title just becomes obsolete. Florida is not on our list above because they do not require participation in ELT nor do they restrict the printing of paper titles. They do intend to require participation in the near future.
• Fees for non-electronic processing: Wisconsin charges lenders fees for not participating. There is always an extra $5 processing fee for manual transactions. In addition, "if a financial institution is not exempt, it will be assessed a $20 surcharge for each application submitted to DMV for processing that can be completed electronically...."
• No paper titles with liens: Nebraska and Kansas both leave it to the lender's preference about participating in their ELT programs, but do not print and mail titles with liens as part of their normal process.

If you are a lender and would like a greater explanation of these differences, please contact DDI. If you are a state or would like more technical details, you may also visit our AllAboutTitles.com site.

Image above is titled "Constitution and Playing Rules of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs. Official 1876.".

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Electronic Title States

A series of questions in which our writer attempts to answer simple-sounding questions without saying things like "Well, yes, they do have ELT but..." Let the reader understand that these are simplified answers. ;)

See the other posts in this short series: Electronic Title States (this post), Upcoming Electronic Title States, States Compelling Participation in ELT, and States Planning to Compel Participation in ELT.

Which states currently have an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program?

• Arizona
• California
• Florida
• Georgia
• Hawaii
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Utah
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin

Please note the following:

• The Kansas Electronic Lien and Title program does not currently accommodate direct interaction with service providers like DDI.
• In New York, the program is known as the Electronic Lien Transfer (ELT) Program, since there is no electronic title. Even with liens, owners retain titles in New York state.
• The Utah E-Liens (Electronic Lien Transfers) program does not currently accommodate direct interaction with service providers like DDI.
• The Wisconsin program does not currently meet our definition for a full ELT program, since as in New York, owners retain the paper title and the state does not electronically notify lenders when the lien has been recorded. However, they do require lenders to participate in their lien recording program, e-MV Agent. Wisconsin DOT expects to change to a full ELT program in the Summer of 2012. ("On July 1, 2012, Wisconsin will become an electronic title state.")

If you are a lender and would like a greater explanation of these differences, please contact DDI. If you are a state or would like more technical details, you may also visit our AllAboutTitles.com site.

Image above is United States Map Bookshelf.

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Mandatory ELT Legislation Proposed in Florida

Florida has been making steady progress in simplifying and streamlining their processes related to vehicle titles. Florida already provides one of the best public title inquiry services for getting information about your vehicle. Recent bill introduced in the Florida Senate will allow the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Administration to take their next steps forward with the ELT program, including requiring participation. From the bill text:

...requiring that the department establish and administer an electronic titling program that requires the recording of vehicle title information for new, transferred, and corrected certificates of title; requiring that lienholders electronically transmit liens and lien satisfactions to the department; providing exceptions; amending s. 328.16, F.S.; requiring that the department electronically transmit a lien to the first lienholder and notify such lienholder of any additional liens; requiring that subsequent lien satisfactions be electronically transmitted to the department; amending s. 328.30, F.S.; authorizing the department to issue an electronic certificate of title in lieu of printing a paper title; authorizing the department to collect electronic mail addresses and use electronic mail for the purpose of providing renewal notices in lieu of the United States Postal Service; amending s. 713.78, F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; providing effective dates.

Image above is titled "Old School" taken at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum by Jo Jakeman.

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Florida ELT Program continues to grow

The Florida Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program continues to grow. As part of a recent note updating us with HSMV contact information, they mentioned:

Through the years we have expanded the number of personnel that assist with the ELT program.

The state of Florida ELT information page lists 419 different lender accounts (as of 5/23/2011) compared to only 250 in January 2009. There's good reasons for the expansion, too - it's a great program. (I know - we're biased.) I updated our FL ELT information site with some common questions about ELTs in Florida, including:

I paid off my loan and my lender has released the lien on my car. Where is my title?
Florida generally keeps all titles electronically, including titles without liens. The Florida DHSMV notes: "If the lien on your vehicle has been satisfied and the title is electronically maintained, the Department is encouraging owners to maintain their titles electronically." Lenders can request that a title be mailed to the owner (assuming all liens are satisfied). There is an additional fee for this. Owners can request a printed paper title from a tax collector's office or from the DHSMV web site.

Can I verify that my lien has been removed (released)?
Florida offers a free public title inquiry service called either "Vehicle Information Check" or "Motor Vehicle Check". This search, which requires either a title number or VIN, reports any liens that may exist. For lenders, Premier eTitleLien™ integrates with the title check, combining it with other tools for validating loans, researching issues, and performing audits.

Image above is by Emmanuelle Bourgue: Please grow into key limes!!!

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Changes to the Repossession Process in Florida

To: Florida ELT Participants

Please read about these important changes to the repossession process in Florida. To assist ELT participants in complying, the FL DHSMV has asked us to solicit feedback concerning the possibility of enhancing the ELT system to process repossession applications and fees. Let me know if you are interested in being able to process repossession applications electronically. DDI is committed to providing all the electronic features the states make available to streamline all aspects of your title processing and is eager to provide these services in Premier eTitleLien™.

Ann Gunning
Chief Information Officer
Decision Dynamics, Inc.

From FL DHSMV:

------------------------

HB 971 passed during the 2010 session and is effective July 1, 2010. It amends the Florida Statutes by providing that any lienholder who has repossessed a motor vehicle in Florida in compliance with the provisions of section 319.28, Florida Statutes must apply to a Tax Collector’s office in Florida or to the department for a certificate of repossession or for a certificate of title pursuant to section 319.323, Florida Statutes. Any person found guilty of violating any requirements of the law shall be guilty of a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in section 775.082, section 775.083 or section 775.084, Florida Statutes. The department requests your assistance by notifying the lienholders under contract with you of this law change and its ramifications. Please send them the attached Memo from Director Ford and HB 971.

Pursuant to section four of the Electronic Lien and Title Program Memorandum of Understanding between Third Party Providers, Business Partners and the Department, these agreements are subject to any restrictions, limitations or conditions enacted by the Florida Legislature. If you have any questions, please contact the Bureau of Titles and Registrations at 850-617-3001.

Gary Elmore
Motorist Services, Strategic Support Services
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Director Ford Memo
HB 971

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