Greetings and Welcome to the November 2023 MVTA Member News!
We hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends. The fall season has turned quickly into brisk weather! Just around the corner we will all be together again to celebrate many holidays through this coming season. As we prepare this coming month for these moments of celebration, the Board of Directors wants to share exciting news with you about the next phases of our Association. The Board has been working hard to reach out and speak with applying Board Applicants but we still have some space! Please apply here BOARD MEMBER APPLICATION !! There have been updates made to the form so please review again.
The Board of Directors plan to have announcements on new Board Members mid-January. We encourage all to apply as we are making changes to our by-laws to include the ability for other positions within a Motor Vehicle Title Agency to apply, such as a Manager. We are excited for this as over 80% of our current applicants we found are not 10% owners in a company but are very valuable individuals that the Board wants to see serve our members well. The by-law review for 2023 is being shared directly after the release of this newsletter. The deadline to submit comments to review with the Board of Directors is Friday, December 15, 2023 at 6pm. Please submit these comments to beth@mvta.org. We are excited for the future of the MVTA and our membership involvement is #1. Please reach out to us with additional feedback or questions if you have them!
During this holiday season, we also want to express our immense appreciation to our sponsors: Dealertrack, FAST Enterprises, and Chesapeak Shredding. Without Dealertrack’s unwavering support, this event wouldn’t have been possible. Their partnership is essential for the success of our Member’s Tag and Title companies.
Member Survey:
Please keep an eye out the week of December 4th for our MVTA Member Survey for 2023. This survey is a newly developed idea by the Board to help gather what our members want us to stride for in 2024 to help support their Motor Vehicle Title Agencies. Please make sure to pay attention to the company updates needed for a NEW Membership Portal coming in 2024!
MVA Updates:
This past month the Board of Directors and MVA met in person to discuss the changes that are taking place at the Glen Burnie location during construction of Building A and conversions in Building B of onsite processors for the portal. The process of pick up of completed work and special plates/organization tags needing more support when our members arrive to pick up work with a completed confirmation in the portal. Please reach out to us if you are having any issues with your portal work processing at any branches. Each month we meet with the MVA to bring these topics to the source to have a better process established.
During our meeting we discussed the attendance of the Maryland Comptroller at our Annual Meeting this year and the progress that Brooke is working on to modernize the antiquated computer systems. It was requested that Chrissy, Broke, and the MVTA Board meet in Q1 2024 to discuss in detail the comptroller office flagging issues and the process of refunding money to our small businesses. We look forward to these conversations. In the meantime if you have an experience with a refund or flag that you can share with us for live feedback in the meeting, please email to beth@mvta.org.
Change of Address is still in the works and the testing is still being reviewed by MVA. Please use the Change of Address Bulletin found on our website in the meantime while this becomes a stand alone transaction within ERT. In our meeting it was requested that the MVA product tracking be expanded to include Address Change Card Mailings. We will continue to keep you posted on this progress.
There has been review of the MVA Branch receipts and the discussion to include a separate line to document the Excise Tax Collection Fee that is collected by the title agents of Maryland. This correction to the branch receipts is in process and will soon be released so that receipts from the branch are accurate and display all fees which are necessary for bookkeeping management.
As posted each newsletter, here are some useful MVA contacts to have at your fingertips:
Glen Burnie Branch Phone Number: 410.424.3625
Remember to report ERT errors or processing issues to Dealertrack first at 877.357.8725
For Title Agent Services Help at MVA, email mddtts@mdot.maryland.gov
Don’t forget to submit corrections through your MVA Business Portal
VEIP Flag Extensions and Removal Requests:
We’re currently assisting the Vehicle Emissions Unit in processing requests from our members due to limited online access to MVA products. The MVTA is collaborating with the MVA to develop a more efficient method for processing flag releases without delay through the correction of their online links. Please continue sending your requests to: beth@mvta.org.
Are you readyyyy for SCANUARY??
Remember to get ready to make sure that your title clerks are ready to process and upload their documents electronically:
Process Deal – Scan Documents required by MVA- Upload in your Dealertrack ERT system- Select “Submit to State”- Retain at your office the original title, title reassignments, letter of corrections for title errors, odometer statements, and power of attorneys in original paper format for one year and then kept in electronic format for two years before destroying the records.
It’s not hard… you can do it! If you need assistance with scanner options and help with the workflow for scanning and retaining records please reach out to us! Scanuary doesn’t have to be scary!
Fraud Training Schedule Release:
The MVA just released today their 2024 schedule for Fraud Training. If you haven’t attended this training with your staff you are missing out on helpful information to protect your tag and title agency from “Fraudsters”.
January 18th, 2024
March 21st, 2024
May 23th, 2024
July 18th, 2024
September 19th , 2024
November 21st, 2024
CLICK HERE to print this bulletin for your office: https://mva.maryland.gov/businesses/Documents/bulletins/2023/Bulletin%20fraud%20class%20schedule%202024.pdf
Dealertrack Partnership Updates:
Remember if you have an error or transaction problem Dealertrack Customer Support can help. Keep this number saved: 877.357.8725
Change of Address Transaction. Dealertrack has been ready since Q2 of 2023 to launch this transaction type. Once the MVA releases this to go live our Preferred Partner, Dealertrack will be ready to go.
During 2023 the MVTA has been working to develop a partnership with a vendor to provide access to verify LIVE lien release status in all US states. Through our working relationship with Dealertrack we were introduced to Auto Data Direct. This company will offer us the ability to see other state information to further verify the title record as needed. This record will provide the ability to verify if there is an open auto loan or lien on the vehicle title being presented. This tool will help to protect our businesses. Stay tuned for an announcement for sign ups in early 2024.
From membership request, during a recent meeting with the MVA, Dealertrack requested the ability for used mobile home tax exempt in ERT. This update is pending with MVA at this time.
This Spring Dealertrack will be working closely with the MVA during their Spring Modernization project in the works with one of our current sponsors, FAST Enterprises. The testing is expected to take place November 1 – January 21.
AAMVA National Updates:
The month of October was a busy one but, we didn’t forget to submit our feedback to the AAMVA working group on electronic vehicle titling and record keeping survey. This participation was a great opportunity to help provide the perspective of the Maryland Tag and Title Agents. As this working group further develops the Board of Directors will keep you posted.
Upcoming MVTA Events:
Remember to visit our Facebook Page to RSVP for these upcoming events as members. If you have any trouble signing in to our membership page or you do not have access to Facebook please email your RSVP to beth@mvta.org.
12/14/23 @ 11 am- Health Insurance Assistance & Virtual Meeting hosted by Maryland Health Connection Small Businesses Services
2/13/24 @ 7 pm- Member Virtual Q&A with the Board of Directors
3/14/24 @ 1 pm- IRP Training IN PERSON hosted by Kevin Gamble, MDOT IRP Unit & co-hosted by Kim with Truck Enterprises Hagerstown. Location: Anne Arundel County Public Library West Street
5/14/24 @ 7 pm- Member Virtual Q&A with the Board of Directors
We’d like to thank you for your ongoing support and for being part of the Maryland Tag and Titles network on our Facebook Group Page. It’s a fantastic resource included with your membership. If you haven’t already requested access, click here now: Join MVTA Facebook Group.
Sincerely,
The MVTA Board of Directors
Beth Caro, Chairman beth@mvta.org
Lisa Thompas, Vice Chairman lisa@mvta.org
Dawn Mathis, General Member dawn@mvta.org
Wendy May, Executive Director info@mvta.org