PURPOSE
To advise of a new VIN error detection program and to ask for assistance in reducing title transactions that are returned due to VIN errors.

DETAILS
To reduce the number of titles issued recording incorrect VINs the Vehicle Titles and Registration Division (VTR) recently began utilizing a new mainframe program that identifies invalid 17-character VINs. The program analyzes the VINs on all title transactions and generates a report for the Title Control Systems (TCS) Branch. As even obvious data entry errors cannot be corrected by TCS, all title transactions identified with an incorrect VIN are being returned to the county tax offices for additional handling/correction.

COUNTY ACTION
Verify the VIN shown on the respective transaction documents on VIN error returns and correct as prescribed. If the VIN shown on the application agrees with the surrendered evidence, the correction should be made according to the applicable procedures as explained in Chapter 7 of the Motor Vehicle Title Manual.

As with data entry of any long number/letter combination, there is a potential for error when entering VIN’s. It would be helpful if you would remind your staff to stop and verify the VIN when the Registration and Title System (RTS) does not:

• automatically populate the vehicle descriptive information or
• when prompted by the "Confirm Action" notation box (refer to RTB #080-04).

In an effort to quickly serve customers there may be a tendency to ignore these prompts and continue on in order to reduce customer wait times. However, any effort involved in confirming and reentering the correct VIN at initial processing will significantly lessen the time, effort, and possible customer frustration involved in correcting the VIN later.

We respectfully encourage and appreciate your assistance in reducing the number of identified VIN errors on title transactions.

CONTACT
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your local VTR Regional Office. Thank you very much.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please email your request with the RTB number to VTR Info Request/Open Records. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies. A subscription service is also available for an annual fee of $250. Subscribers will automatically receive all RTB mailings as they are issued.