According to a spokesperson from the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the process would significantly lessen the time it takes for residents to receive a new title or vehicle registration.
“Historically, West Virginia’s titling process has been very time- and labor-intensive. Switching to an electronic system provides a more accurate and efficient titling process for customers, dealers and the DMV. What once might take 4 to 8 weeks to turn a title around can now be done in a week,” a spokesperson said via email.
Through this new electronic system, West Virginians can access and keep their vehicle title online or on their smartphone like they would an airline boarding pass, according to a release from the governor’s office.
Residents can also carry out all title and registration-related transactions remotely through the new online portal provided by NIC West Virginia and Champ Titles, Inc.
However, one of the challenges in bringing this project to fruition is ensuring that all digital titles and vehicle registrations are recognizable and compatible across other states.
“The biggest challenge is being the first at wanting a fully digital process,” the spokesperson said. “We must work in a way that other states will be able to integrate or transfer to or within as they adopt a digital title as well.”
“With just the dealer rollout already in full swing, we are experiencing a significant reduction in turnaround time for title work. What used to take months is now taking days,” the DMV spokesperson said. “When this system is fully implemented, we will have a fully digital title, a complete system for the individual to handle any vehicle transaction in the citizen portal, and more electronic management of internal DMV services such as dealer licensing and inspections and fleet renewals, to name a few.”
As for when this new project will officially launch, the spokesperson said the DMV is currently working with third-party vendors to test and launch these features as soon as possible.
