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An “e-title” is an electronic title record that incorporates “an electronic reassignment form or process containing the disclosures required by [the federal odometer regulations] facilitating transfers between transferors and transferees who do not take title to the vehicle” with the NIST Level 2 identity assurance level.

Note: Often e-title is used to reference an electronic record of a title that does not result in a printed, paper title. However, to be a true e-title, functionality to facilitate the electronic transfer of ownership with the required federal odometer disclosure and identity verification is required.

“E-titling” is the act of creating, storing, and transmitting an electronic record of vehicle ownership (the e-title) created and maintained by a state with the ability to electronically transfer the record with a federally compliant odometer disclosure process including identity verification at the NIST Level 2 identity assurance level.

A true, fully functioning e-titling solution encompasses:

1. An E-Title

   the creation of an electronic record containing the necessary title data elements (vehicle, ownership, odometer, and brand information);

2. Electronic Odometer Disclosure Process

   the ability to complete an electronic assignment and reassignments (including the odometer disclosure and acknowledgement when required); and

3. Identity Management

   verification, validation, and authentication of the transferee and transferor in compliance with Federal Odometer Disclosure Requirements during a transfer of ownership (in-person verification or NIST Level 2 identity assurance.

In short: The ability to electronically transfer an e-title, inclusive of an electronic odometer disclosure process with the required identity verification.

As of June 2024, e-titling exists only in very limited and controlled situations in only a few states. As a practical matter, “e-titling” does not exist in any meaningful, practical manner.

An “electronic lien and title (ELT)” system or program is a paperless method that allows a state’s motor vehicle titling agency and a financial institution to exchange vehicle title information electronically. The title record is sent electronically, and the lienholder stores the electronic record instead of a paper certificate of title. The electronic record is created and held by DMV in the state motor vehicle database. These electronic records are often call “e-titles” because no paper title is printed; however, they are not a true e-title since they do not contain the functionality to be transferred with the required federal odometer disclosure and identity verification.

An ELT system or program is a component of e-titling but is not “e-titling” since there is no mechanism to facilitate a transfer of these records electronically. In almost all cases, the electronic record of title must be converted to a printed paper title in order to facilitate any sort of activity, such as a transfer of ownership.

“Electronic vehicle registration (EVR)” typically refers to a process or system whereby an end user, such as a licensed automobile dealer, can submit the necessary data to a state’s motor vehicle agency for processing of a temporary registration card or temporary (paper) plate. These systems may capture and transmit additional title transfer related data but do not include the transmission of scanned documents. The title and registration paperwork must be physically remitted to the state’s motor vehicle agency for review, processing, and/or approval.

“Electronic registration and title (ERT)” or electronic vehicle registration and title (EVRT) typically refers to a process or system whereby an end user, such as a licensed automobile dealer, can submit the necessary title and registration data to a state’s motor vehicle agency for processing. These systems facilitate transmission of scanned completed title and registration paperwork. Depending on the state’s motor vehicle agency, the title and registration paperwork may or may not be required to be physically remitted to the state’s motor vehicle agency or an approved service provider for review, processing, and/or approval.

A “digital title” is a visual representation of an e-title (or at least the most important data elements from the e-title), like an airplane boarding pass, that can be stored in Apps or digital wallets. They are digital assets that can be used to facilitate action, such as transfer of ownership. As of June 2024, West Virginia is the only state to issue a digital title.

“Digital titling” is an enhanced or elevated type of electronic registration and titling (ERT). The ERT process involves the digitizing (scanning) of completed paper documents for electronic submission with applicable data to a state’s motor vehicle titling agency.

Digital titling is refined or elevated with enhanced system integrations, such as through APIs, and may eliminate the need for paper scans altogether of title and registration documents. Traditional ERT systems and functionality typically require manual data entry or offer only limited integrations with other systems, such as dealer management systems (DMS). Digital titling also automates the completion of necessary title and registration documentation by taking data inputs, applying those to appropriately to necessary documents, and applying electronic signatures.

Digital titling solutions and systems may also automate and streamline the state’s motor vehicle administration’s review, such as through use of optical character reader (OCR) technology.

Digital titling, like ERT, may result in a paper title or e-title output; however, digital titling solutions are most often associated with an e-title output.

Common parlance results in the use of "electronic signature" or "e-signature" to describe any type of signature which is captured electronically and is not wet ink. However, some motor vehicle agencies make a distinction between the terms "digital" and "electronic" signature; therefore, it is important to understand the context of the conversation, as a motor vehicle agency may not allow "electronic signatures" but may allow "digital signatures."

In motor vehicle transaction terms:

-- "Digital signatures" are an electronic copy of the person’s actual signature and is a signature that is captured by the physical motion of a person's hand via a digital medium (e.g., a stylus and pad).

-- "Electronic signatures" (e-signatures) are an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a document and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the document. Some notation, such as a confirmation (e.g., "electronically signed", their typed (plain text or cursive) name initials, or some other non-physically captured, handwritten signature.