The state of California and the Blumenfield Assembly Bill 1215 would require a vehicle history report from an authorized NMVTIS provider (i.e. RigDig for Commercial Motor Vehicles) for used vehicles offered for sale, by dealers, in California beginning July 1, 2012.  Introduced by Assembly Member Blumefield in February 2011, the bill has quickly gained support.  There are two main components to this bill:

1.  Electronic Processing of Documents: Titling and Registration

This bill would require a motor vehicle sold or leased by a new motor vehicle dealer to be registered by the dealer using electronic programs.  The intention is to eliminate the paper processing, improve efficiency, and reduce cost.

2. Vehicle History Reports from Federally Mandated NMVTIS Database

The electronic National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a national federally mandated vehicle history database maintained by the United States Department of Justice to ensure that states, law enforcement agencies, and consumers have access to vehicle titling, branding, and other information that enable them to verify the accuracy and legality of motor vehicle titles before transfer or registration of the vehicle occurs.

Under this new bill, a dealer shall not display or offer for sale at retail a used vehicle, unless the dealer first obtains a NMVTIS vehicle history report from a NMVTIS data provider (i.e. RigDig) for the vehicle identification number of the vehicle.  If the vehicle history report for a used vehicle indicates that the vehicle is or has been a junk automobile or a salvage automobile or the vehicle has been reported as a junk automobile or a salvage automobile by a junk yard, salvage yard, or insurance carrier a dealer would be required to post a “Warning” and provide the purchaser with a copy of the report upon request.

Read the entire AB 1215 bill (last amended July 12, 2011).

CNCDA Letter of Support

The California New Car Dealers Association (“CNCDA”), who represents the interests of over 1100 franchised new car and truck dealer members, supports California Bill AB 1215.  This bill would implement a first in the nation requirement that dealers post a notice on vehicles that have been identified by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) as junk or salvage automobiles or as having title brands.  Read the full letter of support.