DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Within the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), BJA has oversight of NMVTIS, and is responsible for reviewing significant operational decisions and ensuring program requirements are met. In addition, BJA is responsible for overseeing both policy and enforcement elements of the NMVTIS program. BJA works in partnership with the system operator, AAMVA, and collaborates with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), state and local law enforcement agencies, and state DMV investigators on enforcement activities.
NMVTIS ADVISORY BOARD
In June 2010, the first NMVTIS Advisory Board (NAB) was convened to provide input and recommendations to BJA regarding the operation and administration of NMVTIS. The NAB represented key stakeholders affected by the program, including states, consumers, insurance carriers, auto recyclers, junk and salvage yards, and law enforcement agencies. The NAB legislative charter expired in September 2016.
The Anti Car Theft Act authorizes the designation of a third-party operator of NMVTIS. Since 1992, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) has acted in this capacity. AAMVA is a nonprofit, tax exempt, educational association representing U.S. and Canadian officials responsible for the administration and enforcement of motor vehicle laws. In addition to acting as the NMVTIS operator, AAMVA supports the Single Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Reporting Service, on of four JSI data consolidator services.
DATA CONSOLIDATORS
AAMVA partners with the private sector to provide multiple reporting methods to meet the business needs of JSI reporting entities. Currently, four reporting methods or services are available, and offer single-VIN and batch reporting options:
- AAMVA Single VIN Reporting Service
- Audatex
- Auto Data Direct, Inc. (ADD)
- Insurance Services Office – ISO ClaimSearch Solutions
STATES
State titling agencies perform title verifications and report title, brand, and state vehicle data to NMVTIS. Each state is required to perform an instant title verification check before issuing a certificate of title for a vehicle that an individual or entity brings into the state.
- States are required to make selected titling information they maintain available for use in NMVTIS. States shall provide information on new titles and any updated title information to NMVTIS at least once every twenty-four hours.
- States are required to pay user fees.
CONSUMERS
NMVTIS information is available to consumers (individual and commercial) in a vehicle history report provided by Approved NMVTIS Data Providers (ANDP). This report provides data on five key indicators associated with preventing auto fraud and theft. Before purchasing a used vehicle, consumers are encouraged to search NMVTIS to review the following information:
- Current and historical state of title with title issue date
- Brand history (see Glossary)
- Odometer reading (see Glossary)
- Total loss history
- Salvage history
APPROVED NMVTIS DATA PROVIDERS (ANDP)
ANDP are companies that agree to provide vehicle history reports which include NMVTIS information to the public consistent with federal legal requirements. This agreement is established through an application process and formal contracts with the system operator. All ANDP are listed on the AAMVA and DOJ NMVTIS websites.
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DMV INVESTIGATORS
Law enforcement and DMV agencies rely on NMVTIS data to improve and enhance their ability to investigate vehicle crimes and combat other criminal activities. Therefore, it is imperative that NMVTIS captures vehicle history information throughout the life cycle of the vehicle. The NMVTIS LEAT provides law enforcement and DMV investigative personnel with vehicle information intended to assist investigations of a variety of crimes including vehicle title and brand fraud, vehicle finance fraud, vehicle theft, crimes against persons, smuggling operations (e.g., human trafficking, narcotics, weapons, and currency), and other criminal activity. Using LEAT, investigators can conduct bulk searches of up to 10,000 VINs in a single query.
JUNK, SALVAGE, AND INSURANCE (JSI) ENTITIES
All individuals and entities meeting the NMVTIS definition for junkyard and salvage yard and handle five or more junk or salvage vehicles per year are required to report to the system monthly. An insurance carrier must report any automobiles of the current model year or any of the four prior model years which it has determined to be a total loss under the law of the applicable state or designated as a total loss by the insurance company under the terms of its policies. By reporting the required information on junk, salvage, and total loss automobiles to NMVTIS, JSI reporting, entities plan an integral role in DOJ’s efforts to help prevent fraud, reduce theft, and save the lives of consumers who might otherwise unknowingly purchase unsafe vehicles.
OTHER
Other entities interested and/or involved in NMVTIS-related activities include industry associations (e.g., salvage pools, recycling, auto auctions, dealers), other federal and foreign agencies (e.g., Environmental Protection Agency, Mexico’s Ministry of Transport), and independent organization focused on consumer protection and reducing vehicle-related crimes.