We all know the drill: you accept a trade-in vehicle and want to turn it around to sell, but now you’re waiting on lien payoffs, title release and all the extra requirements that accompany the entire trade-in process. This could take weeks or, at times, even months.

With immediate payoff quotes and nationwide lien payoffs, Accelerated Title™ turns back an expensive, long trade-in process to just 4-6 days, saving time, money and headaches for your staff.

To learn more about how Accelerated Title™ redefines how dealerships manage trade-in and title release and what it can bring to your dealership, reach out to your Account Executive, visit our website or schedule a demo using the link below.

Q. What fees are Nonresident Military personnel exempt from paying?

A. Nonresident Military personnel are exempt from paying:

• Vehicle License Fee (VLF)
• Transportation Improvement Fee (TIF)

This exemption applies to any vehicle or trailer owned and registered in California by Nonresident Military personnel.

Required Form: Submit a completed REG 5045 (or REG 5046 for NATO members) with the standard registration documents.

For more information, visit DMV Memo VIN 2019-19 — NRM TIF Exemption and Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual — NRM Exemption.

‍

Q. Can a military owner's relative sign registration documents?

A. Yes, a relative (such as a spouse or close family member) may sign on behalf of the military owner if:

• The relative countersigns the owner's name and indicates the relationship (e.g., Elizabeth Blake by John Blake, Husband)
• The application is marked “Owner Member of Armed Forces”

Required Form: If applicable, include a Statement of Facts (REG 256) explaining the relationship.

For more information, visit Industry Registration Procedures Manual — Military Personnel signature by relative.

‍

Q. Can a child sign a Power of Attorney (POA) on behalf of their military parent who is overseas to trade in a vehicle?

A. Yes, provided that:

• They sign as the relative (e.g., John Smith by Jane Smith, Daughter)
• A Statement of Facts (REG 256) explaining the relationship is included
• The vehicle is titled in the parent’s name

Required Form: A Statement of Facts (REG 256) is still required for odometer disclosure, unless otherwise exempt.

‍

Q. What fees are due on a sale to California Indian Tribes or tribal members?

A. Vehicles sold or leased to a California Indian tribe or tribal member who lives on a federal Indian reservation or rancheria in California are:

• Exempt from VLF (Vehicle License Fee)
• Subject to all other registration fees

If the vehicle will be operated on or off the reservation or rancheria, the VLF exemption still applies.

Required Form: Include the Indian Certification section of the Miscellaneous Certifications (REG 256A) form, signed by:

• A tribal representative or
• An official of the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

We’re happy to announce that you can now E-File to post fees on a prior California record as a Non-Resident transaction. Historically, users would experience the 0001-error code on these transaction types and there wasn’t a method to bypass this error. The application would simply need to be sent into the field or SPU. However, after making improvements to our system and working alongside the California DMV, this issue has been resolved.

DMVdesk is intuitive enough to notify you when you encounter a record that was previously titled and registered in California. You’ll see a pop-up that asks if you want to post fees as a Non-Resident transaction.

After selecting Yes, follow the prompts to post fees to ensure a smooth transaction. Once posted, you will immediately be able to E-File your transaction as a Non-Resident Resubmit the same day. No need to print and close the Post Fees Only (PFO) bundle first. This procedure depends on the vehicle being successfully titled in another state and returning to California; a vehicle still titled in California, but registered out of state, does not qualify for this practice.

If you have any questions, please contact your Account Executive or our Support Team to review this new procedure — we’re happy to review it with you in real time.

Emergency Report of Sale (RoS) books are to be used in instances where there may be issues that prevent F&I from generating a Report of Sale electronically or others, like a long lasting power outage. In the event that such a situation occurs, it’s very simple to handle so long as you have one of these books on hand. Here’s how.

1. Locate your Emergency RoS book and fill it out.
2. Affix the Temp Tag to the vehicle.
3. Scan a copy of the RoS that was issued to Vitu. We will then report that sale to the DMV.

Vitu’s Business Partner Automation (BPA) program’s annual training course is available for free! All you need to do is access it through DMVdesk. 

1. At the top left of the page, click the Dashboard tab.
2. Under RMP Training on the right side, click CA BPA - Vitu Annual BPA Training (free).
3. Fill out the information required and then click Continue to Checkout, where everything will be finalized, to complete your registration.

For assistance, please contact 877-368-3375 and ask for RMP or send us an email at rmpca@vitu.com.