Title and registration services proposed for car dealers

Car dealers could electronically provide titling and registration services under a bill heard by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee Feb. 7.

LB263, introduced by the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee, would require the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to create an electronic dealer services system. The system would allow dealers to provide titling and registration services following the sale of a vehicle, in addition to collecting title and registration fees, sales taxes and motor vehicle taxes.
Dealer participation would be voluntary.

According to the bill’s statement of intent, the DMV currently is introducing a new vehicle and title registration (VTR) computer system. The bill would enhance the effectiveness and efficiency that the system, once implemented, will bring to the titling and registration process.

DMV Director Rhonda Lahm said the current VTR system was built with outdated technology.

“The process to modernize the VTR system has been in the works for several years,” she said. “As part of the modernization process, LB263 removes old statutory language that hinders customer service.”

No one testified in opposition to the bill and the committee took no immediate action on it.