Hidden agendas.  It seems a growing number of reporters are carrying them around these days.  And they are hoping you won’t question the angles in their reporting.

The latest example is Kirsten Vala’s sucker punch to the state Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) entitled, “10 Things the DMV Won’t Tell You,” (SmartMoney magazine, October 25, 2007).

Here is what you should know before reading this piece.

I corresponded with Ms. Vala numerous times by email and by phone.  And the facts she attributed to me in her story are, by and large, accurate.  Bravo!  She get’s a B+ for stenography. 

I also went on record with her as the spokesperson for state DMVs in the U.S and Canada.  So, in reality, the article’s title, as clever as it sounds, is an oxymoron.  DMV (in this case, me) told her what she says I wouldn’t tell you.  Huh?

Let me explain.

If DMVs didn't want Ms. Vala or SmartMoney readers to know certain “things,” why did I disclose them to her on record?

Now here’s how the piece could, and should read, point by point.

1.)    Your DMV wants you to leave happy.

Unfortunately, some people fail to get their license on their first visit to DMV because they don’t “get together” the proper credentials prior to coming to the motor vehicle agency.

You can nip this in the bud by visiting your state DMV’s Web site and researching what credentials you need to bring with you.  Remember, a stitch in time saves nine.  Oh, and some DMVs allow you to set appointments too!

Although Vala indicates otherwise, I’m not sure I would depend on the advice of DMV.org.  That site is in no way affiliated with your local DMV.  Perhaps that’s why some of her interviewees for this piece were disgruntled with DMV?

I recommend using either www.aamva.org or www.licenseinfo.org to locate your DMV’s Web page.

2.)  A CarFax report may not uncover all your vehicle’s hidden problems.

CarFax buys its vehicle history data from state motor vehicle agencies in bulk.  This is not real-time data.  So, the information may be up to two months old when viewed by the consumer.  This is time enough for an unscrupulous seller to “re-title” a salvaged vehicle in another state, obtain a clean title and sell the vehicle on to an unsuspecting buyer.

You should also know, in 1998, at the direction of its membership (state DMVs), the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) supported uniform salvage legislation—legislation that would prevent the aforementioned crime known as “title washing.”

3.)  Car theft and vehicle fraud crimes are a national epidemic, DMVs have the antidote!

Vehicle fraud crimes are nothing new.  You can read all about AAMVA’s stance on them.

DMVs could eliminate these crimes if they received the federal funding necessary for 100% state participation in the federally-mandated National Motor Vehicle Title Information System.

4.)  Uniformity is our middle name

The main reason AAMVA exists, is it to help move our varied state motor vehicle laws towards uniformity in how all motor vehicle agencies do business.

Inconsistent and lax licensing laws in one state weaken the entire driver's licensing and vehicle registration fabric for all motorists.

But getting 50 different state legislatures to agree on uniform motor vehicle codes is much easier said than done.  We’re still trying.  And we always will.

Further, state DMV administrators have been sayingf or years (particularly post 9/11) they lack the proper tools to assess a person’s driving record in other states prior to issuing a new state driver’s license.  With the federal highway bill coming up for reauthorization, now is good time to revisit the need for that potentially life-saving capability.

Finally, the association sent a Report to Congress in 2001 that articulated the feasibility of a state to state query process for reviewing a person’s driving history prior to licensure without creating a massive database.

5.)  Customer service is key

Every day, state motor vehicle agencies do the business onpar with a Fortune 500 company.  And DMV employees are human and can make mistakes.

Since Vala has articulated a particular event at a select DMV, I can’t provide much insight here.  Sorry.

But while yelling is never a good thing, what I can say is that in the “name” field on your driver’s license, there is a limitation and a standardization of characters.  This helps to distinguish between Jason D. King and Jason S. King (I was always confused with Jason S. King in junior high school.  He sat behind me in 7th grade.)

6.)  DMVs have fraud, how about you?

I don’t know of any organization today that can say they are 100 percent immune to fraud.  If an organization makes that claim, they probably have their administrative heads buried in the sand.

As I said to Vala (and she was accurate in quoting me),

 “There’s a high demand for valid ID obtained through fraudulent means.  Fraud is a problem on both sides of the DMV counter and the fact that so many employees are being caught shows how committed the DMV is to addressing the problem.”

7.)  DMVs are doing their part to help prevent ID theft.

The old school way of getting a fake ID by taking your older sibling’s birth certificate to DMV is about to become a thing of the past.  Some states, thanks to a federal grant, have begun exchanging digital photos.

But the bigger crime associated with ID theft, according to the Federal Trade Commission, is the theft of someone’s social security number. 

By the way, state DMVs no longer print your social security number on the face of your license.

8.)  Older drivers are some of the safest drivers on the roads.

Today, there is no science to support age-based testing of drivers.  But the state DMVs support additional work in this area.  And right now, AAMVA is leading a research project to identify the best practices in evaluating someone’s fitness to drive.

Keep in mind, as caregivers of older adults; we have a responsibility to report to the DMV any family member whose condition might impair their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.  This includes the old school family physician that might be reluctant to report his or her patient.

 
9.)  Vanity plates are everywhere

This is the first I’ve heard that vanity plates make you a target for criminal activity.  Since I’m not an expert in criminal behavior, I’ll defer to the experts.  But I would be curious to see the statistics behind the rationale, wouldn’t you?

10.)  DMVs can only be as strong as their weakest link.

This became obvious post 9/11 when the public learned how many of the terrorists had multiple licenses from multiple states.

DMVs used this tragedy as an opportunity to raise awareness about the loopholes in driver’s licensing, to ask for federal help and the public’s support and patience.

Now, if SmartMoney really cared about helping and educating its readers, they could have easily written this piece from another angle and retitled it to read conversely and truthfully, “10 Things the DMV Wants You to Know.” 

But, if you’ll excuse the irony, it seems like there is something Vala and SmartMoney don’t want you to know. 

Your DMV wants to help you. 

Until next time, stay safe behind the wheel.

Jason D. King
VP, Public Relations & Information Services
AAMVA
jking@aamva.org