What Is an Electronic Car Title?
An electronic car title, also known as an electronic title, or e-title, is a vehicle title represented only in electronic form in the database of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Electronic titles act in the same way as paper titles, declaring the owner of a motor vehicle, mobile home or other mobile entity. Whenever any changes are made to an electronic title, the updates are automatically registered in the DMV's database.
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History
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Electronic titles were only recently made available. In fact, the program is so new that most states cannot agree on what to call it. For instance, Wisconsin calls it the Electronic Title and Registration Program, whereas other states refer to it as the Electronic Lien and Title System.
Benefits
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Electronic titles eliminate your need to maintain and store paper titles. This decreases the likelihood of lost or stolen titles, which can be costly to replace. Also, you can buy your title online through the DMV's website, so you don't have to spend time waiting in lines at the DMV.
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Availability
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Because the electronic title system is such a recent development, only certain states have this option available. Florida, Virginia and Ohio are just a few states that offer electronic title programs. Check on your DMV's website to find out if the program is available in your state.
Disadvantages
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It is not possible to transfer an existing paper title to an electronic one. So, if you already have a paper title, then the electronic version is not an option. Other concerns include potential title fraud and DMV mistakes. Showing proof of mistakes that are made in the electronic system will be challenging without a paper copy to refer to.
Fees
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In 2010, most states charge anywhere from $24 to $30 for electronic title registration. The cost will depend on the state you live in, so check with your DMV for specifics.
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References
- Photo Credit computer image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
