The Emerging Vehicle Registration Digital Landscape

While the world has been moving to digitization for decades, the vehicle registration process has lagged behind—only to be given a big nudge during the pandemic era. With that impetus, the next few years promise to be ones of rapid changes for the better. 

This is exciting news, but from an efficiency perspective, what are the requirements and where are the pain points? How will this help our processing time and efficiency? The changes are still emerging within most states, but what can we expect? To begin, we will see the compliance process more streamlined and accurate. States are starting to assess the process along with their electronic transition—take Texas as an example.

Texas VIR (Vehicle Inspection Reports) Inspections

The most impactful change is coming in the next 12 months from Texas and the elimination of VIR Inspections beginning in 2025. In reviewing registration requirements, the state concluded that these inspections no longer serve a larger purpose. Prior to this change, every vehicle in Texas had to have a VIR inspection within 90 days of the vehicle expiring or before the issuance of a temp tag could be completed. Eliminating VIR will reduce the total number of renewals with a mandatory requirement from approximately 17% down to 9% across our entire database of fleets. Texas is a good example of states reviewing procedures at the beginning of the year and determining what needs to stay in place and what really should change.

In addition to process changes, there will be many electronic tools implemented in the near future.

Electronic Plates and Document Verification

The adoption of digital plates continues to grow as states such as California, Arizona, Michigan, and Texas are testing the use of electronic plates and digital registration cards. This will revolutionize the way states communicate and share registration data throughout the nation. By eliminating traditional mail delays and enabling quick plate transfers, this technology could allow for a more streamlined and efficient process – and enable digital registration cards. While this feature is still in the testing and development stage, we are closely monitoring its progress and will keep you informed. 

Integration with Other Systems 

In the future, drivers could potentially upload required documents, such as proof of insurance, vehicle inspections, or ownership records, directly through online platforms, enhancing convenience and efficiency and sharing information across jurisdictions. Integration with insurance databases, vehicle inspection systems, or law enforcement databases would enhance accuracy, compliance, and data management.

Development of State Portals

Interaction with state sites have been emerging over the past few years and are available to varying degrees among many jurisdictions. So far, the availability and functionality vary from state to state, but holds a great deal of potential. Where available, Wheels uses these options for ease of processing allowing for greater connection with the jurisdictions leading to an improved driver experience. 

Mobile Apps

Mobile solutions already provide us with a world of convenience. The Wheels mobile app includes features such as the glovebox with digital images of the current and past registration documents, title, and insurance cards. Registration renewal status and requirement reminders inform the driver of important dates and actions to ahead of the registration expiration date.

Going forward, driver apps will provide the ability to manage real-time data changes and the ability to load key documents. 

Remote Transactions

Remote transactions are under development for such functionality as registration completion, permits, and fee payment. This will reduce reliance on traditional, in-person methods and enhancing accessibility, and convenience. 

Wheels’ New Dashboard for IT&R (Initial Title and Registration) Plating Process

Initial title and registration is the final step in the new vehicle delivery process. To provide visibility to this process, Wheels has recently rolled out our new IT&R dashboard, which will provide our clients with a line of sight to the status of the new vehicle paperwork, client & driver requirements, and ETA of new plate delivery by jurisdiction. Customers should schedule reports to retain oversite of vehicles pending documents to complete processing. 

The Future

By listening to and anticipating the needs of our clients, our goal is to help fleets attain a compliant fleet. We will continue to watch these exciting changes and continue to report what we’re seeing via additional articles. Contact us to learn how you can streamline your vehicle registration process.