§30503 — Title 49 Transportation | U.S. Code

Summary

States must let the national motor vehicle title database use their car title records. Before giving a new title to someone who says they bought a car from a person or business in another state, the State must do an instant title check. That check must send the car’s VIN, the State that last issued the title, and the name on that title to the database’s operator, and let the operator return the search results. By January 1, 1994, the Attorney General had to review State title systems and figure each State’s cost to make records available. The Attorney General may give grants to help States. By October 1, 1998, the Attorney General must tell Congress which States complied and explain any reasons a State did not.

Title 49, §30503

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(a)Each State shall make titling information maintained by that State available for use in operating the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System established or designated under section 30502 of this title.

(b)Each State shall establish a practice of performing an instant title verification check before issuing a certificate of title to an individual or entity claiming to have purchased an automobile from an individual or entity in another State. The check shall consist of—

(1)communicating to the operator—

(A)the vehicle identification number of the automobile for which the certificate of title is sought;

(B)the name of the State that issued the most recent certificate of title for the automobile; and

(C)the name of the individual or entity to whom the certificate of title was issued; and

(2)giving the operator an opportunity to communicate to the participating State the results of a search of the information.

(c)(1)In cooperation with the States and not later than January 1, 1994, the Attorney General shall—

(A)conduct a review of systems used by the States to compile and maintain information about the titling of automobiles; and

(B)determine for each State the cost of making titling information maintained by that State available to the operator to meet the requirements of section 30502(d) of this title.

(2)The Attorney General may make reasonable and necessary grants to participating States to be used in making titling information maintained by those States available to the operator.

(d)Not later than October 1, 1998, the Attorney General shall report to Congress on which States have met the requirements of this section. If a State has not met the requirements, the Attorney General shall describe the impediments that have resulted in the State’s failure to meet the requirements.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30503(a)15:2043(a)(1).Oct. 25, 1992, Pub. L. 102–519, § 203, 106 Stat. 3391. 30503(b)15:2043(a)(2). 30503(c)15:2043(b). 30503(d)15:2043(c). In subsection (a), the words “for use in operating . . . established or designated” are substituted for “for use in establishing . . . established” for clarity and for consistency with the source provisions restated in section 30502 of the revised title. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words “The check” are substituted for “Such instant title verification check” to eliminate unnecessary words. In subclauses (A) and (B), the words “of the automobile” are substituted for “of the vehicle” for consistency in the revised chapter. In subsection (c)(1)(B), the words “section 30502(d) of this title” are substituted for “subsection (b)” to reflect the apparent intent of Congress. In subsection (c)(2)(A), before subclause (i), the words “is not more than the lesser of” are substituted for “does not exceed . . . whichever is lower” for clarity. In subclause (i), the words “paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection” are substituted for “subsection (d)(1)(B)” to reflect the apparent intent of Congress. In subsection (c)(2)(B), the word “fair” is omitted as being included in “reasonable”.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–102 amended directory language of Pub. L. 104–152, § 2(c). See 1996 Amendment note below. 1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–152, § 2(c), as amended by Pub. L. 105–102, substituted “National Motor Vehicle Title Information System” for “National Automobile Title Information System”. Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 104–152, § 3(a), substituted “Attorney General” for “Secretary of Transportation”. Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 104–152, § 6(a), amended par. (2) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows: “The Secretary may make grants to participating States to be used in making titling information maintained by those States available to the operator if— “(A) the grant to a State is not more than the lesser of— “(i) 25 percent of the cost of making titling information maintained by that State available to the operator as determined by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection; or “(ii) $300,000; and “(B) the Secretary decides that the grants are reasonable and necessary to establish the System.” Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–152, §§ 2(b), 3(a), substituted “

October 1, 1998” for “

January 1, 1997” and substituted “Attorney General” for “Secretary” in two places.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1997 Amendment Pub. L. 105–102, § 3(b), Nov. 20, 1997, 111 Stat. 2215, provided that the amendment made by section 3(b) is effective July 2, 1996. Amendment by Pub. L. 105–102 effective as if included in the provisions of the Act to which the amendment relates, see section 3(f) of Pub. L. 105–102, set out as a note under section 106 of this title.

§30503 State participation