Three States Join the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

WASHINGTON -- June 30, 2014: The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs' (OJP) today announced a significant milestone for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). With today's announcement, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas are joining 41 states in submitting title and brand data to the system, which now includes 96 percent of the U.S. vehicle population. Overseen by OJP's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), NMVTIS provides vehicle history information to prospective used car buyers, protecting them from concealed vehicle histories. A NMVTIS Vehicle History Report provides information to consumers that can potentially warn them of a vehicle's prior condition, such as "salvage" or "flood" indicating that it may be unsafe.

"BJA is extremely pleased with the tremendous efforts made by all governors and Department of Motor Vehicle administrators to support NMVTIS. This additional state data represents a significant accomplishment for the NMVTIS Program. Despite state budget constraints and competing priorities, having 96 percent of the U.S. vehicle population represented in NMVTIS is a huge win for enhancing consumer protection and public safety." said BJA Director Denise E. O'Donnell.

States in greater numbers are advancing NMVTIS goals. California passed Assembly Bill 1215 resulting in making better use of NMVTIS data to enhance consumer protection. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) revised its website to encourage its residents to obtain a NMVTIS Vehicle History Report prior to purchasing a used car.

Since 2008, BJA has worked closely with the system operator—the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators—to make key vehicle history information affordable and accessible to consumers. States, insurance carriers, and junk and salvage yards are required by federal law to report to NMVTIS, which is the only vehicle history database in the nation. Currently, NMVTIS contains over 72 million salvage records that have been submitted by reporting entities nationwide. Law enforcement agencies rely on NMVTIS data to improve their ability to identify vehicle theft rings and help combat other criminal enterprises involving vehicles.

Consumers can obtain a NMVTIS Vehicle History Report by visiting NMVTIS Vehicle History and contacting one of the approved NMVTIS data providers. For a nominal fee, they can retrieve the most recent odometer reading, title and brand history, and nationwide salvage and total loss history. For more information about NMVTIS and a list of approved NMVTIS data providers, visit Vehicle History.

The Office of Justice Programs, headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking. .