Nebraska Frequently Asked Questions

We recently updated our Nebraska information site, NEelt.com, with some additional information about the Nebraska ELT program. Some of the questions from our FAQ page:

Are lenders required to participate in the Nebraska ELT program?

No. However, the state does not send paper titles with liens or other confirmation messages to non-ELT participants.

How do I sign up for the ELT program?

You need to complete the "ELT Lender Application" form. Find copies on etitlelien.com.

Are boats included in the ELT program?

Yes. The ELT program applies to anything titled by the DMV. See the Certificate of Title: Motorboat page.

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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.

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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.

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Nebraska Now Supports Converting Paper Titles to ELT

Nebraska DMV sent out an announcement today:

We are now offering to all providers and lenders the opportunity to use the electronic process to convert a paper title to an electronic title or to convert a non-participating electronic title to a participating electronic title.

This would be cool enough in itself (Yay!) but they also thanked us in the announcement for our part in "assisting us with the testing phase of this new process."

Cool!

There is an updated Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide with details about the process on the NE DMV website. Of course, we've made it incredibly easy to use the new conversion in Premier eTitleLien™.

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Alert: Nebraska Will Stop Printing Titles With Liens on Oct 4

We've received an update from the Nebraska DMV on their timetable for implementing their Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program. The single-lender pilot is scheduled to begin October 4, 2010 and will run for two weeks. Other participants will be able to go live at the conclusion of that pilot. DDI customers can expect to begin receiving electronic titles from Nebraska beginning October 18, 2010.

One point of clarification that was not obvious until now is that once the pilot program begins, the state will cease printing paper titles with liens for all lenders. We expect that requests for printed titles with liens that meet the state criteria will be allowed, but the normal process of mailing titles to lienholders at the recordation of their lien will cease.

The Nebraska DMV will stop printing titles with liens as of October 4, 2010.

These dates are subject to change pending the progress toward the initial pilot and resolution required to address any issues that arise during the pilot program.

Just to be clear: After following the DMV process to note a lien, including filing an Application for Certificate of Title, supporting documents, and fee with a Nebraska county Motor Vehicle Office, the Nebraska DMV will *not* send a paper title to the lender. There is no provision for exceptions based on the type of vehicle (in other words mobile homes are not excepted) or the type of lienholder (bank, finance company, individual, bail-bondsman). Currently, the date for that change in process is October 4, 2010.

Other helpful posts about the Nebraska Electronic Lien and Title program:

• Common Questions about the Nebraska ELT Program
• Nebraska: Is New Electronic Liens and Titles Mandatory?
• Nebraska Application to ELT Available

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Are you ready for ELT in Nebraska?

In our press release yesterday, DDI's president Glenn Thames is quoted saying

Nebraska lenders have chosen DDI’s Premier eTitleLien™ because it provides the most cost-effective solution for streamlining their titling processes.

We are pleased that a number of Nebraska lenders have already signed up to participate in Nebraska's ELT program. Some of our Nebraska customers are already receiving electronic titles through their participation in other states like Arizona.

The Nebraska program begins this fall and becomes almost-mandatory in January when the NE DMV stops printing title certificates with liens. Almost-mandatory?

With Nebraska’s ELT program beginning January 1, 2011, vehicle paper titles with liens will no longer be printed and the ELT program provides the sole method for lienholders to obtain electronic titles.

Reference: Nebraska: Is New Electronic Liens and Titles Mandatory?

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Common Questions about the Nebraska ELT Program

Are all lenders required to participate?

No. But you probably want to since lienholders who participate will receive an electronic title through their ELT Service Provider. See this post for more information.

What will change beginning January 1?

The Nebraska DMV will no longer print titles with liens. From the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide:

Upon implementation, Nebraska certificates of title that contain lien information will be stored electronically. No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested.

and

Upon issuance of the certificate of title with the lien noted, the certificate of title is stored electronically on VTR. No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender.

The Electronic Lender Guide says "No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested." Can I just specifically request to have all my titles printed?

No. The guide states:

An electronic certificate of title may be printed, at the request of a lender, if the owner is relocating to another state or for other purposes as approved by the DMV.

The DMV also states in their Provider Questions and Answers:

Question: Are the following purposes approved by the DMV for a paper title request:
a. State Change (owner moving to another state)
b. Name Change (as in the case of marriage)
c. Request for a Correction of Information on the Title
d. Legal Reasons
Are there any other approved purposes?

Answer: Items a, b and d are the only approved purposes at this time.

Can I apply for a lien electronically?

No. The application process will remain the same, with all parts of the application (form, fee, supporting documentation) required. From the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide:

Certificate of title and lien applications will continue to be filed at title issuing offices [local county treasurer office or the DMV, Division of Motor Carrier Services (MCS) for any common, contract or private carrier of property by motor vehicles in interstate commerce].

Is the Nebraska Application for Certificate of Title still required?

Yes, the NE Title Application is still required for lenders applying for a lien. See "Can I apply for a lien electronically?" above.

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Nebraska: Is New Electronic Liens and Titles Mandatory?

Are lenders required to sign up for ELT in Nebraska?

No. But you probably want to.

From the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide:

Lender participation in this program is, at present, optional. However, upon implementation, Nebraska certificates of title that contain lien information will be stored electronically. No printed copy will be produced for mailing to the lender unless specifically requested.

Certificate of title and lien applications will continue to be filed at title issuing offices [local county treasurer office or the DMV, Division of Motor Carrier Services (MCS) for any common, contract or private carrier of property by motor vehicles in interstate commerce]. Upon the notation of a lien, the certificate of title record will be stored electronically on the DMV Vehicle Title and Registration (VTR) database and a participating lender will be electronically notified of the title issuance/lien notation.

At the time of lien satisfaction, a participating lender will electronically notify the DMV of the lien release and the DMV will print and mail the certificate of title to the owner (or other entity as directed by the lender).

To be clear: Lienholders will no longer receive a paper title or any other notification from the DMV when their lien has been recorded. The state "notifies" through the Electronic Lien and Title program.

What changes if a lender does not sign up?

• The lender will not receive a paper title with their lien.
• Lien releases will be handled through a new form (the Non-Participating Lender Lien Release application) that must be submitted to a title issuing office.

What about non-lender situations, such as bail bond companies or a mechanic's lien?

We inquired with the Nebraska DMV about non-traditional lienholders. At this time there are no exceptions for printing titles with liens.

What incentives are there for participating?

• Primo: Lienholders will receive notification that your lien has been recorded. This notification contains the information that normally appears on a title, allowing you to verify that the lien was recorded correctly. (Premier eTitleLien™ makes this very easy.)
• The DMV will assume responsibility for printing a clear title and mailing it to the owner at lien release. That eliminates situations where owners who have lost a title must come to you to request a duplicate.
• Lienholders who participate in the ELT program will release liens electronically. The state will not accept a paper lien release which helps protect the lienholder against fraud.

Book cover from "No Code Required: Giving Users Tools to Transform the Web" - an interesting book that parallels our goal for lenders: No More Paper Titles: Giving Users Tools to Transform Liens and Titles

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Nebraska: ELT Progress Update

Nebraska DMV published updates to the ELT program scheduled for full implementation by January 1, 2011. The updates include some minor changes to the Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide and the ELT Lender Application as well as some updates to the provider questions that are mostly technical in nature.

The DMV also provided us an updated timetable. They are scheduled to begin testing with a single pilot lender on October 4th and expect that testing period to run for four weeks, at which point any other providers and lenders may begin exchanging electronic title information with the DMV.

DDI is currently accepting applications to participate in the Nebraska ELT program. Our goal is to have any lenders concerned about the changes to titles with liens to be ready by the January 1 implementation when Nebraska DMV begins issuing all titles with liens electronically. As of 1/1/2011, the NE DMV will no longer print titles with liens. There is no cost to join the state ELT program and a large number of benefits for lenders.

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Record Growth

Our latest press release (highlighting and links mine):

Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) Reports Record Growth in the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) Marketplace

In the first six months of 2010, Decision Dynamics, Inc. (DDI) experienced record growth in the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) market with its Premier eTitleLien™ product and services offering in the state of Arizona. DDI successfully added more client accounts in Arizona than any other ELT vendor. DDI's president and CEO, Glenn Thames, said "DDI's success is attributed to having the most cost-effective solution in the market, along with a dedicated staff committed to customer service excellence. Through this attention to customer service, DDI has grown to over 800 client accounts in just a few short years, having never lost a customer to a competitive ELT vendor."

Companies that place liens on vehicle titles in Arizona were required to participate in the state's ELT program beginning May 31, 2010. With DDI's Premier eTitleLien™ product and services, lienholders are able to participate in the ELT program and remain in complete control of their title portfolio. Premier eTitleLien™ is a web-based application that allows lienholders to manage their vehicle titles electronically and provides an electronic ownership record in lieu of a paper title. Premier eTitleLien™ interfaces with a state's motor vehicle titling agency's computer systems to receive electronic titles and transmit lien releases for the lienholder. With Premier eTitleLien™, companies have access to their electronic titles and the tools needed to streamline the titling process.

An electronic titling program benefits motor vehicle agencies, lienholders and vehicle owners. Motor vehicle agencies benefit by providing more timely data exchange, improving data accuracy, and reducing and controlling the use of secure forms. Electronic titling benefits lienholders by reducing mailing costs, reducing physical storage requirements, and deterring the inherent fraud associated with duplicate titles and paper title releases. Vehicle owners benefit by receiving clear titles upon the release of the lien on the electronic title.

"With the Premier eTitleLien™ product and associated services, DDI provides the most cost- effective solution in the market with no start-up costs, no monthly minimums, no per-user charges, and no installation or training charges. In addition, DDI's license agreements are lender-friendly, allowing for an opt-out without penalties. DDI is dedicated to continuing to provide the ELT solution of choice for lenders. We are continuing to expand our client base among the existing ELT states and look forward to providing services in the newest ELT state, Nebraska, later this fall," said Thames. DDI is a software technology company that provides electronic titling services for lienholders in the United States.

For more information on electronic titling, visit www.etitlelien.com.

For this Press Release in printable form and other news, please visit http://etitlelien.com/News.aspx.

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Nebraska Application to ELT Available

Nebraska automobile dealers and financial institutions can now sign up for Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) services with Decision Dynamics, Inc. The application form (Application for Enrollment / Change in Electronic Lien and Title System) is available on our website with instructions on how to complete it.

As of January 1, 2011, the NE DMV will no longer print paper titles with liens due to recent legislation directing the DMV to implement ELT. Lienholders need to enroll in the ELT program in order to receive electronic titles.

DDI will be working with the the Nebraska DMV as they implement the program. We'll begin receiving electronic titles for our customers in October, depending on how the pilot program proceeds. DMV expects the program to be out of testing in November.

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Nebraska Electronic Liens and Titles Q&A Updated

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles updated their Electronic Lien and Title Questions/Answers document last week. Most significantly, they reaffirmed the timetable for implementing the ELT program:

• Pilot with 1 service provider - September (4 to 6 weeks);
• Participation open to all service providers - Mid-October;
• Full Implementation of all Service Providers - November;
• Mandated Date for ELT availability - January 1st.

Decision Dynamics is of course ready to go whenever the state is. (We've been pretty impressed by the state's program - more on the specifics later.)

To read the Q&A for yourself: Electronic Lien and Title Questions/Answers on the Nebraska site
and our mirror.

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Nebraska: Electronic Liens and Titles Coming by 2011

Nebraska is getting an ELT program! This is great news for both Nebraska lenders and vehicle owners.

Last year, the Nebraska legislature passed a bill requiring the DMV to implement an Electronic Liens and Titles (ELT) program by January 1, 2011 which they are on track to do. Current plans include having a public inquiry service (which we usually refer to as a title inquiry), a very valuable feature.

The Nebraska DMV invited us to come meet with them and several lender and dealer representatives to discuss how an ELT solution provider like DDI works with lenders and a state electronic lien and title (ELT) program. Our company president, Glenn Thames, encouraged lenders to stay involved in the shaping of the program and to request that the state provide features (like a title inquiry) that are beneficial to lienholders in managing their titles.

We're looking forward to working with Nebraska lenders as the ELT program in Nebraska kicks off.

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