FAQs

• How does ELT and PeTL benefit lenders?
• How does ELT benefit states?
• How does ELT benefit consumers?
• In which states are you currently working?
• What do I need in order to use PeTL?
• How much does it cost?
• What do I need to do to get started?
• Why do I need this or anyone other than the state?
• How does the process change with ELT vs traditionally (paper)?
• What is Title Check?
• What is an expedited title?

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eTitles - Frequently Asked Questions

How does ELT and Premier eTitleLien™ benefit lenders?

1. No more paper titles! This means you no longer have to open the title, match to existing loan (returning it to the DMV if it does not match), compare for accuracy, update suspense codes, scan, file, store, retrieve, handwrite the release, or mail to the customer.
2. Reduced Errors. DDI verifies VINs, looks up vehicle details, researches titles, performs vehicle value inquiries with NADA and Blackbook, generates PDF versions of title applications, verifies title information is correct when it arrives, and logs everything.
3. No more paper titles and fewer errors mean real cost savings. Our users estimate up to 50% reduction in time spent by title operations.
4. Reduced fraud. Benefits vary by state, but include:
   1. ELT titles are perfected faster.
   2. DDI’s Lien Alert verifies that no other participating lender is in process of applying for a lien on the same vehicle.
   3. DDI works with several states to allow verification of title details before issuing a loan.
   4. This same "title check" also allows title operations to research potential problems.
   5. Some states prevent the paper release of ELT titles, eliminating one possible avenue for fraud.
   6. Premier eTitleLien™ tracks titles and alerts title operations and loan officers when a title has not been received in the expected timeframe.
5. Enhanced service to your customers – they receive a clear title when you release the lien.
6. An opportunity to implement another "green" initiative: reducing waste while reducing costs.
7. Support when you need it: as experts in titling issues, we provide support and advice both for our product and for any titling issue that comes up.

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How does ELT benefit states?

1. Reduction in the number of titles printed.
2. Reduction in occurrence of fraud.
3. Fewer errors.
4. Greater control over the lien release process (lenders often don’t inform the state).

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How does ELT benefit consumers?

You own a car. You have a loan. Your lender has your title. Why it benefits you that they are using ELT:

1. Once your loan is paid off, you get a clean title (no lien) mailed to you from the DMV.
2. If you lose that title, a duplicate title is available from the DMV. Without ELT, you have to go back to the lender to have them get you a new title.
3. In the unfortunate case that your lender has closed or merged, you’ll have to work with the successor organization.
4. Less expensive: if you did want to get a clean title, you'd have to apply for a new one.
5. The title comes faster. DMV processes ELT transactions electronically. Your title gets printed and mailed quicker.
6. Several states offer a means to pick up a title on demand or the following day.
7. Your lender can help ensure that the DMV has your correct address; no more titles getting lost in the mail.

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In which states are you currently working?

We work with the ELT program of nine states: AZ, FL, GA, LA, OH, PA, SC, TX and VA. We are working as closely as possible with other states that offer ELT programs.

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What do I need in order to use Premier eTitleLien™?

Premier eTitleLien™ requires an Internet connection and Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser. There is normally no local installation.

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How much does it cost?

DDI charges on a per-transaction basis - contact us for further details. There are:

• No start-up costs.
• No monthly minimums.
• No charges for tracking of paper titles.
• No per-user charges.
• No installation requirements.
• No long-term, locked-in contract obligations. You can opt-out with 30 days notice and no termination fee.

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What do I need to do to get started?

Each state requires an application form. Contact us and we'll send you details about those forms. Additional information can be found here.

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Why do I need this or anyone other than the state?

Some states do not allow lenders to participate in ELT and work directly with their DMV - using an ELT solution provider (sometimes called a "third-party provider") gives you access. Additionally, Premier eTitleLien™ offers a number of benefits not offered by the state (see "How does ELT and Premier eTitleLien™ benefit lenders?").

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How does the process change with ELT vs traditionally (paper)?

The process itself is not all that different – the benefit comes from the electronic nature of the information and the tools available.

This terse example is written with Title Check and expedited title details for SC, see questions about those services for details in other states.

Steps	Paper	Electronic
Verify clear title	Contact the DMV.  $6 per VIN.	Title Check lookup checks for liens, vehicle brands (stolen, flood, etc.), and provides owner information.  Currently $0 but $1.50 planned.  Also verifies that no other lender is in process of placing a lien (limited to DDI customers).
Validate VIN typed correctly	Not available	Automatic
Preparing a Form 400	Manually or with certain document prep systems	Form 400 data entry form, information stored, Form 400 pdf saved as part of activity history.
Submitting to DMV	Mail or carry to DMV office	Mail or carry to DMV office
Waiting for a title	Tickler file or exception list.  Verify title status by contacting DMV.  $6.00.	Automatically alerts if title is late.  Title Check verifies recorded lien.  Currently $0 but $1.50 planned.
Receiving a title from DMV	Open and receipt title.   Scan title.  Look up loan based on Owner information, verify title information is correct by comparing to copy of Form 400	Information from title compared to information from Form 400 and differences noted.  Loan number already associated with VIN.
Releasing a title	Retrieve title from file, sign title, mail to customer	Release on screen and specify mail-to address. DMV mails title to customer.  In case of immediate need for title, title can be picked up from DMV office.
Customer loses title	Request duplicate title from DMV, sign title, mail to customer	Lender not involved as lien has already been released at DMV.

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What is Title Check?

Title Check is a part of Premier eTitleLien™ and is a powerful tool in title management.  It is designed to incorporate data provided by each state into our VIN Research product in order to:

1. Provide details prior to issuing a loan (valid title, no vehicle brands, odometer mileage not below previous title, owner name)
2. Check on the status of a lien (waiting for perfection, released as expected)

Current capabilities of Title Check by state:

State	Available	Description	Cost	Available without ELT
FL	Current	Provides detailed title information without owner name	Free	Yes.  DDI enhances the state product.
GA	In process	Lienholder can verify that he has a lien or does not have a lien on a given VIN.	Free	No.
LA	In process	Provides detailed title information.	$1.00	Yes. Some Public Tag Agents (PTAs) offer a Title Check without ELT. DDI enhances the PTA product.
OH	Current	Provides detailed title information including title history	Free	Yes.  DDI enhances the state product.
PA	In process	Lienholder can verify that he has a lien or does not have a lien on a given VIN.  PA Title Checks are issued in batch, so results are not available until the next day.	Free	No.
SC	Current	Provides detailed title information including title history	$1.50	Possibly.  $6. DDI enhances the state product.
TX	Current	Provides detailed title information	$.50	Possibly.  DDI enhances the state product.

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What is an expedited title?

All states make the lien release process very efficient for vehicle owners.  Typically releases are processed as follows:

• Monday: Lienholder releases the lien.  Message is sent to DMV that night.
• Tuesday: DMV processes message and prints title for mailing.
• Wednesday: DMV puts title in USPS mail.
• Thursday or Friday: USPS delivers title to owner.

South Carolina and Virginia have a special expedited message that gets sent to the DMV enabling the title to be printed from a DMV office.  Florida offers a similar service for next day pick up.

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