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NMVTIS Dealer Compliance Overview
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is the only federally authorized vehicle history database in the United States, operated under the U.S. Department of Justice. NMVTIS helps prevent title fraud, flags branded/unsafe vehicles (salvage, flood, rebuilt, junk), and surfaces total-loss risks before a sale.
For auto dealers, NMVTIS is a legal requirement in some states and a best practice everywhere:
- California (AB 1215) and Oregon (SB 840) explicitly require dealers to pull and disclose an NMVTIS report before completing a retail used-car sale.
- States including Virginia, Texas, and Arizona enforce branded-title disclosure rules that commonly rely on NMVTIS data.
- Many other states leverage NMVTIS inside DMV title systems, even if dealers aren’t named directly.
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What is NMVTIS?
- A national database overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Data sources: state DMVs, insurance carriers, auto recyclers, junk/salvage yards, and auctions.
- Tracks:
- Title brands (salvage, flood, rebuilt, junk)
- Total-loss events and related insurance activity
- Odometer readings (where reported)
- Historical title transfers and junk/salvage auction status
Why it matters: NMVTIS is the baseline source of truth for branded and unsafe vehicles. How dealers must use it varies by state law. For a plain-language explainer, see What Is NMVTIS?
Why NMVTIS Dealer Compliance Matters
- Consumer Protection — Stops title washing and ensures buyers see branded-title disclosures.
- Legal & Financial Risk — States like California and Oregon impose fines, administrative actions, and license consequences for non-compliance.
- Reputation & Trust — NMVTIS-backed disclosures reduce disputes, returns, and chargebacks.
- DMV Alignment — Many DMVs use NMVTIS behind the scenes; pre-sale checks prevent titling surprises.
Dealer NMVTIS Compliance Checklist
Download the printable Dealer Compliance Checklist.
State Compliance Overview (At a Glance)
| State | Law / Code | Requirement Type | Effective | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | AB 1215 | Explicit NMVTIS mandate | 2012-07-01 | Report + disclosure required before retail sale. |
| Oregon | SB 840 | Explicit NMVTIS mandate | 2026-01-01 | Modeled on CA; plan ahead for 2026 compliance. |
| Virginia | Title disclosure statute | Branded-title disclosure | Active | Written buyer notice; NMVTIS commonly used. |
| Texas | Admin. rules | Branded-title disclosure | Active | Flood/salvage identification emphasized. |
| Arizona | Title branding statute | Branded-title disclosure | Active | NMVTIS-aligned verification. |
| Florida / Illinois / Georgia / Nevada | DMV systems | DMV-integrated NMVTIS | Active | Title workflows query NMVTIS under the hood. See FL, IL, GA, NV. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all states require dealers to run an NMVTIS report?
Not yet. California (AB 1215) and Oregon (SB 840, effective Jan 1, 2026) explicitly mandate NMVTIS reports and disclosures before retail sale. Other states enforce branded-title disclosures or verify NMVTIS via DMV systems. Best practice: run NMVTIS for every used-vehicle transaction.
When should a dealer run NMVTIS in the sales process?
Before you list or finalize a sale—early enough to disclose any title brands (salvage, rebuilt, flood, junk) to the buyer and to apply any required warning labels where mandated.
How long should we keep NMVTIS reports and disclosures?
Plan to retain records for 2–4 years (or longer) depending on your state’s rules. Keep the NMVTIS report and the buyer’s signed disclosure in the deal jacket for audit readiness. See the Dealer Compliance Checklist.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Penalties vary by state and can include administrative fines, deal unwinds, and license suspension or revocation. Failing to disclose known brands may also trigger consumer-protection actions. Review the state pages and Dealer Compliance FAQs.
Is NMVTIS the same as Carfax or AutoCheck?
No. NMVTIS is the federally authorized system focused on title brands, total-loss, and junk/salvage data from DMVs, insurers, and recyclers. Private history reports can complement—but do not replace—NMVTIS where law requires it. See What is NMVTIS?
Do online or out-of-state sales change my NMVTIS obligations?
Obligations follow the state law governing the sale and title work. If your buyer is in a state with explicit NMVTIS rules (e.g., CA or OR), you must comply before sale. Also, NMVTIS helps carry forward brands when vehicles cross state lines, preventing “title washing.”
Do I need a branded-title sticker or window label?
Some states require conspicuous labels for vehicles with branded titles (e.g., Oregon SB 840 requires a red “Branded Title Vehicle” sticker). Check your state page and keep labels consistent with your disclosures.
How can VinAudit help dealers comply?
VinAudit.com is a DOJ-approved NMVTIS data provider with tools for reports, batch processing, and API integration. Create a dealer account on VinAudit for Dealers to operationalize NMVTIS across your DMS workflow.
What if I only have a license plate, not the VIN?
Use the License Plate Lookup to map the plate to a VIN (where available) and retrieve the same NMVTIS-backed report details. Always verify plate state and format.
Official Resources & Next Steps
Helpful tools: Quick VIN search via License Plate Lookup. New here? Start at the VinAudit Homepage.
Set up VinAudit for your dealership
Create a dealer account to access official NMVTIS reports, batch tools, and API options.
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