Odometer Disclosure Requirements, 52664-52704 [2019-20360]

Agencies

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52664-52704]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20360]



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Vol. 84

Wednesday,

No. 191

October 2, 2019

Part III





Department of Transportation





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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration





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49 CFR Part 580





Odometer Disclosure Requirements; Final Rule

Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 191 / Wednesday, October 2, 2019 / 
Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 580

[Docket No. NHTSA-2019-0089]
RIN 2127-AL39


Odometer Disclosure Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule is issued to fulfill a requirement in the 
Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 (MAP-21) that 
NHTSA establish regulations permitting states to adopt schemes that 
allow electronic odometer disclosure statements in conjunction with 
electronic titling systems associated with the transfer of interests in 
motor vehicles. Amendments in this final rule allow odometer 
disclosures in an electronic medium while maintaining and protecting 
the existing system(s) ensuring accurate odometer disclosures and aid 
law enforcement in prosecuting odometer fraud. To accomplish this goal, 
the final rule amends prior regulations governing transactions made on 
paper titles and similar documents allowing odometer disclosures to be 
made in a purely electronic environment or through using paper 
documents that are scanned and converted into electronic form and 
stored in a state data system. This final rule also adds new sections 
containing specific additional requirements only applying to electronic 
disclosures to ensure the secure creation and maintenance of electronic 
records. NHTSA is also amending the mileage disclosure exemption to 
vehicles that are 20 years old or older.

DATES: 
    Effective date: This rule is effective December 31, 2019.
    Petitions for reconsideration: Petitions for reconsideration of 
this final rule must be received not later than November 18, 2019.
    Incorporation by Reference: The incorporation by reference of 
certain publications listed in the standard is approved by the Director 
of the Federal Register as of December 31, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Petitions for reconsideration of this final rule must refer 
to the docket and notice number set forth above and be submitted to the 
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    For policy and technical issues: Mr. David Sparks, Director, Office 
of Odometer Fraud, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 
New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-5953. 
Email: [email protected].
    For legal issues: Mr. Thomas Healy, Office of the Chief Counsel, 
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue 
SE, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-7161.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents

I. Executive Summary
    A. Summary of Requirements of the Final Rule
    B. Costs and Benefits
II. Background
    A. MAP-21
    B. FAST Act Amendments
    C. The Cost Savings Act, the Truth in Mileage Act and Subsequent 
Amendments
    1. The Cost Savings Act
    2. The Truth in Mileage Act
    3. Amendments Following the Truth in Mileage Act and the 1994 
Recodification of the Cost Savings Act
    D. Overview of NHTSA's Odometer Disclosure Regulations
    E. Previous State Petitions for Approval of Electronic Odometer 
Disclosure Schemes
    F. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    G. Summary of Comments to the NPRM
    1. Scope of the Final Rule
    2. Definitions
    3. Identity of Parties to a Motor Vehicle Transfer and Security 
of Signatures
    4. Document or Record Security and System Security
    5. Odometer Disclosures
    6. Requirements for Electronic Transactions
    7. Leased Vehicles
    8. Document Retention
    9. Power of Attorney
    10. Exemptions
    11. Miscellaneous Amendments
    12. Other Comments
III. Final Rule and Response to Comments
    A. Summary of the Final Rule
    B. Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    C. Scope of the Final Rule
    D. Definitions
    E. Identity of Parties to a Motor Vehicle Transfer and Security 
of Signatures
    F. Document or Record Security and System Security
    G. Odometer Disclosures
    H. Requirements for Electronic Transactions
    I. Leased Vehicles
    J. Document Retention
    K. Power of Attorney
    L. Exemptions
    M. Miscellaneous Amendments
    N. Other Comments
    O. New Technologies
IV. Effective Date
V. Costs and Benefits
VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

I. Executive Summary

A. Summary of Requirements of the Final Rule

    On Friday, March 25, 2016, NHTSA published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) specifying potential amendments to part 580 allowing 
states and other jurisdictions to establish electronic odometer 
disclosure schemes allowing odometer disclosures required by the Motor 
Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act (Cost Savings Act) to be made 
electronically (81 FR 16107). The odometer disclosure laws and 
regulations protect purchasers of motor vehicles from odometer fraud. 
See Public Law 92-513, 86 Stat. 947, 961-63 (1972).
    The NPRM discussed the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st 
Century Act of 2012's (MAP-21, or Pub. L. 112-141) direction that NHTSA 
promulgate regulations permitting written odometer disclosures and 
statements to be made electronically. To provide background and context 
for the proposed rules, the NPRM examined the history and development 
of existing odometer statutes and regulations from their inception in 
the Cost Savings Act of 1972 (Pub. L. 92-513, 86 Stat. 947, 961-63 
(1972)) through the Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA) and subsequent 
amendments.\1\ The NPRM also noted that Sec.  24111 of the Fixing 
America's Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (FAST Act, or Pub. L. 114-
94), allows states to adopt electronic odometer disclosure systems 
without prior approval of the Secretary (``the Secretary'') of the 
Department of Transportation until the effective date of the final rule 
addressed by this notice. Id.
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    \1\ Public Law 100-561 sec. 40, 102 Stat. 2805, 2817 (1988) 
added Section 408(d)(2)(C) allowing use of secure power of attorney. 
In 1990, Congress amended section 408(d)(2)(C) of the Cost Savings 
Act. The amendment addressed retention of powers of attorneys by 
states and provided that the rule adopted by the Secretary not 
require a vehicle be titled in the state in which the power of 
attorney was issued. See Public Law 101-641 sec. 7(a), 104 Stat. 
4654, 4657 (1990). The Cost Savings Act, as amended by TIMA, was 
repealed in 1994 and reenacted and recodified without substantive 
change. Public Law 103-272, 108 Stat. 745, 1048-1056, 1379, 1387 
(1994).
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    The salient provisions of the odometer disclosure regulations, 49 
CFR 580.5, 580.7 and 580.13, were described in the NPRM, including the 
requirement that odometer disclosures must be made on the title 
(Section 580.5(c)), the attestation made when executing the

[[Page 52665]]

disclosure (Sec.  580.5(e)), as well as security features incorporated 
into titles and other documents to guard against tampering and 
counterfeiting (Section 580.4). Recordkeeping requirements, which are 
critical for effective detection and prosecution of odometer fraud, 
were also addressed. As the NPRM proposed modifying exemptions from 
disclosure in Sec.  580.17, the existing provisions of this section 
were also described.
    Because of their instructive value, the NPRM examined the petition 
process by which states may seek approval of alternative odometer 
disclosure schemes (Sec.  580.11) and petitions from Virginia, 
Wisconsin, Florida, New York, and Texas seeking approval of electronic 
disclosure systems. The NPRM observed such systems must minimize or 
eliminate disclosures made on paper, provide adequate means for 
verifying identities, link or merge disclosures with the record title, 
and preclude duplicate electronic and paper titles. Additionally, the 
NPRM stated electronic odometer disclosure systems must meet special 
conditions involved in vehicle leasing, provide for adequate 
recordkeeping and record retrieval, and accommodate interstate 
transactions between electronic and paper title jurisdictions.
    The NPRM observed the purpose of the odometer disclosure provisions 
of the Cost Savings Act, as amended, is to protect consumers by 
ensuring they receive valid representations of a vehicle's actual 
mileage at the time of transfer. The Agency noted an additional purpose 
of creating a system of records and a paper trail to facilitate 
detection and prosecution of odometer fraud. Proposals set forth in the 
NPRM sought to preserve these attributes while allowing jurisdictions 
maximum flexibility in developing and deploying electronic titling and 
odometer disclosure schemes. The NPRM proposed changing part 580 to 
recognize physical and electronic documents by amending Sec.  580.1 to 
add the option of electronic disclosures; Sec.  580.3 to add new 
definitions and amend existing definitions to accommodate physical and 
electronic filings; Sec.  580.4 to clarify separate requirements for 
the security of physical disclosures and electronic disclosures; Sec.  
580.5 to clarify methods of disclosure for physical and electronic 
systems; Sec.  580.7 to add provisions allowing for the option of 
electronic disclosures for leased motor vehicles; Sec.  580.8 to 
include electronic copies among forms of disclosures that must be 
retained and general requirements for that retention; Sec. Sec.  580.13 
and 580.14 to allow use of a power of attorney to address interstate 
transfers and added a new Sec.  580.6 (previously reserved), which 
would contain unique requirements for electronic odometer disclosures. 
Other amendments proposed in the NPRM sought to correct a typographical 
error, update NHTSA's address, strike obsolete text in Sec.  580.12 and 
extend the disclosure exemption in Sec.  580.17 from 10 years to 25 
years.
    After careful consideration of all available information, including 
public comments submitted in response to the NPRM, the agency decided 
to adopt amendments proposed by the NPRM for Sec. Sec.  580.1, 580.10, 
580.11 and 580.12 without substantive change. Remaining amendments in 
this final rule differ from proposals in the NPRM. Some of these 
changes are minor. For example, the final rule replaces the word 
``his'' with ``their'' and makes other modifications for gender 
neutrality. Similarly, to enhance clarity, the final rule establishes 
as definition of ``jurisdiction'' that encompasses states and 
territories and replaces ``state'' wherever formerly used in part 580 
with ``jurisdiction.'' This final rule also adopts additional 
amendments to enhance clarity and accuracy. Section 580.2 is amended to 
better describe the status of a vehicle upon termination of a lease, 
and the term ``purchasers'' has been replaced with the more accurate 
and less restrictive term ``transferees.'' Consistent with the former 
amendment, the term ``dealer'' in Sec.  508.13(g) has been changed to 
``transferee'' to reflect that those receiving ownership may include 
persons or entities who are not dealers.
    This final rule also implements significant changes to proposals 
contained in the NPRM. Broad definitions of physical documents and 
electronic documents NHTSA proposed have been discarded. Commenters 
rightly observed these proposed definitions were not apt. The final 
rule therefore contains new definitions for ``Access,'' ``Electronic 
Power of Attorney,'' ``Electronic Title,'' ``Jurisdiction,'' and 
``Printed Name,'' and revises ``Original Power of Attorney,'' ``Sign or 
Signature,'' and ``Transferor.'' These more precise definitions are 
applied throughout part 580 to facilitate transactions with physical 
and electronic titles and powers of attorney. In contrast to the NPRM, 
which did not provide for an electronic power of attorney but allowed 
electronic reassignments, this final rule authorizes both under certain 
circumstances. The definition of ``Sign or Signature'' has been 
modified from our earlier proposal in that requirements for an 
electronic signature require a National Institute of Standards (NIST) 
level 2 authentication system rather than NIST Level 3. The final 
rule's requirements for electronic titles and electronic powers of 
attorney also diverge from the NPRM in allowing authorized 
modifications to electronic records. In addition, the final rule more 
clearly recognizes electronic titles and odometer disclosures may take 
many forms, from scanned copies of paper documents to database entries. 
Recognizing technologies such as ``pen pads'' may be used in electronic 
titling and odometer disclosure systems and paper documents may, in 
some jurisdictions, be employed in an electronic odometer disclosure 
system, the final rule removes the NPRM's proposal to delete printed 
names from electronic transactions. The final rule also modifies 
requirements for scanning documents to allow document conversion in 
black and white at a resolution of 200 dot per inch (dpi). 
Recordkeeping requirements of Sec. Sec.  580.8 and 580.9 are changed 
from our earlier proposal to allow more options for transferees and to 
streamline the proposed rules for auctions. NHTSA has now adopted 
provisions allowing electronic and paper powers of attorney when a 
title is unavailable to a transferor because the title is lost, 
physically held by a lienholder, electronically controlled by a 
lienholder, or when an electronic title is inaccessible. Our NPRM also 
proposed changing the exemption from mileage disclosure in Sec.  580.17 
for cars 10 years old or older to 25 years old or older. The final rule 
adopts an exemption for cars 20 years old or older and explicitly sets 
out how this modified exemption will be applied.

B. Costs and Benefits

    As discussed in Section V of this notice, the agency only performed 
a detailed cost benefit analysis for the exemption amendments of this 
final rule. With the exception changing the exemption from mileage 
disclosure from 10 to 20 years this final rule imposes no mandatory 
requirements. Amendments to part 580 simply allow jurisdictions the 
option of adopting electronic title and odometer disclosure systems 
without seeking prior approval from NHTSA. To the extent provisions in 
this final rule may affect existing electronic title and odometer 
disclosure systems in the small number of jurisdictions with such 
schemes, the agency believes provisions of this final rule are 
sufficiently flexible requiring little or no change. Since the FAST 
Act's temporary suspension of the requirement that states must petition 
NHTSA for

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approval of alternative electronic odometer disclosure schemes ends on 
the effective date of this final rule, states seeking to adopt such 
schemes after that date must either comply with the provisions of this 
final rule or petition the agency for approval of alternative 
procedures.
    To the limited extent this final rule impacts states and other 
jurisdictions with electronic titles systems, the agency believes that 
there is the potential for significant cost savings to be realized 
through issuance of this final rule. These savings would first be 
manifested through avoidance of legal and administrative costs to 
prepare and submit petitions to NHTSA seeking approval of electronic 
title systems. Moreover, by establishing uniform rules for electronic 
title systems, this final rule facilitates adoption of electronic 
disclosures and titles and the use of these mechanisms in vehicle 
transactions. Currently, NHTSA estimates that there are at least 40 
million odometer disclosures made every year in the United States. 
Since the agency believes that electronic disclosure will be less 
costly than paper disclosures, even a minor cost savings per disclosure 
could lead to large societal savings. However, the agency does not have 
any data on the extent to which this rule will incentivize their 
existing practices. Certainly, this rule will make it far easier to 
adopt electronic disclosures as states will no longer need to petition 
NHTSA if the requirements of this final rule are met. It is reasonable, 
then, to expect that more states will adopt this practice, but the 
agency does not now have sufficient data to determine how this general 
expectation will translate into quantifiable cost savings.
    The final rule's modification of the vehicle age-based exemption 
from odometer disclosure will impose costs and produce benefits. The 
total cost of the change to the exemption in this final rule is 
estimated to be from the minimum of $0.7 million in 2020 to the maximum 
of $5.4 million in 2029 and later. If the rule can deter 5 percent of 
rollbacks from affected vehicles the rule would eliminate $1.5 million 
in annual consumer losses in 2020 and $7.5 million in such losses from 
2029 forward.

II. Background and Summary of Final Rule

A. MAP-21

    This document is being issued pursuant to the Moving Ahead for 
Progress in the 21st Century Act of 2012 (MAP-21, or Pub. L. 112-141), 
which amended Section 32705 of Title 49, United States Code. The 
amendments required the Secretary to prescribe regulations permitting 
any written disclosures or notices and related matters to be provided 
electronically not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of 
the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2012. Section 
31205, 126 Stat. 761 (2012).

B. FAST Act Amendments

    Section 24111 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act of 
2015 (FAST Act, or Pub. L. 114-94), signed into law December 4, 2015, 
allows states to adopt electronic odometer disclosure systems without 
prior approval of the Secretary. Any such system must comply with 
applicable state and federal laws regarding electronic signatures under 
15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq., meet requirements of 49 U.S.C. 32705 and 
provide for ``appropriate authentication and security measures,'' 
Public Law 114-94 section 24111. States may only adopt electronic 
odometer systems without prior approval of the Secretary until the 
effective date of rules proposed in this notice. Id.
    In providing states with the opportunity to implement electronic 
odometer disclosure systems until the effective date of this final 
rule, FAST Act amendments do not alter existing statutory odometer 
disclosure requirements or their intent. Effective odometer disclosure 
systems are essential to protecting consumers from odometer fraud and 
must reduce or eliminate opportunities for such fraud to the greatest 
practicable extent. Federal and state governments have an interest in 
preventing such fraud.
    This final rule and NHTSA's prior responses to state petitions for 
approval of alternative disclosure schemes (discussed below) contain 
guidance on potential strengths and weaknesses of electronic odometer 
disclosure schemes.

C. The Cost Savings Act, the Truth in Mileage Act and Subsequent 
Amendments

1. The Cost Savings Act
    In 1972, Congress enacted the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost 
Savings Act (Cost Savings Act) to, among other things, protect 
purchasers of motor vehicles from odometer fraud. See Public Law 92-
513, 86 Stat. 947, 961-63 (1972).
    To assist purchasers in knowing the true mileage of a motor 
vehicle, Section 408 of the Cost Savings Act required the transferor of 
a motor vehicle to provide written disclosure to the transferee at the 
time of the transfer of ownership of the vehicle. See Public Law 92-
513, 408, 86 Stat. 947 (1972). Section 408 required the Secretary to 
issue rules requiring the transferor to provide a written disclosure to 
the transferee in connection with the transfer of the vehicle. 86 Stat. 
962-63. The written disclosure was to include the cumulative mileage 
registered on the odometer, or disclose the actual mileage is unknown, 
if the odometer reading is known to the transferor to be different from 
the number of miles the vehicle has traveled. The rules were to 
prescribe the way information is disclosed under this section and in 
which such information is retained. Id. Section 408 further stated if 
any transferor violated any rules under this section or knowingly gave 
a false statement to a transferee in making any disclosure required by 
such rules is a violation. Id. The Cost Savings Act also prohibited 
disconnecting, resetting, or altering motor vehicle odometers. Id. The 
statute subjected violators to civil and criminal penalties and 
provided for federal injunctive relief, state enforcement, and a 
private right of action.
    Despite these protections, there were shortcomings in odometer 
provisions of the Cost Savings Act. In some states, the odometer 
disclosure statement was not on the title; instead, it was a separate 
document that could easily be altered or discarded and did not travel 
with the title. Titles were not on tamper-proof paper, and mileage 
disclosures could be easily altered. Problems were compounded by title 
washing through jurisdictions with ineffective controls. In addition, 
there were considerable misstatements of mileage on vehicles that had 
formerly been leased vehicles, as well as on used vehicles sold at 
wholesale auctions.
2. The Truth in Mileage Act
    In 1986, Congress enacted the Truth in Mileage Act (TIMA), which 
added provisions to odometer provisions of the Cost Savings Act. See 
Public Law 99-579, 100 Stat. 3309 (1986). TIMA amendments expanded and 
strengthened Section 408 of the Cost Savings Act.
    Among other requirements, TIMA precluded the licensing of vehicles 
unless several requirements were met by the transferee and transferor. 
Titles must be printed by a secure printing process or other secure 
process and must indicate the mileage and contain space for the 
transferee to disclose the mileage in a subsequent transfer. The 
transferee, when applying for a title, is required to provide the 
transferor's (seller's) title, and if that title contains a space for 
the

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transferor to disclose the vehicle's mileage, that information must be 
included, and the statement must be signed and dated by the transferor.
    As to lease vehicles, TIMA stated NHTSA must publish rules 
requiring the lessor of vehicles to advise its lessee(s) that the 
lessee is required by law to disclose the vehicle's mileage to the 
lessor upon the lessor's transfer of ownership of the vehicle. 
Additionally, TIMA required auction companies establish and maintain 
records on vehicles sold at the auction, including the name of the most 
recent owner of the vehicle, the name of the buyer, the vehicle 
identification number, and the odometer reading on the date the auction 
took possession of the vehicle.
    As amended by TIMA, section 408(f) (1) of the Cost Savings Act 
provided its provisions on mileage statements for licensing of vehicles 
(and rules involving leased vehicles) apply in a state, unless the 
state has in effect alternate motor vehicle mileage disclosure 
requirements approved by the Secretary. Section 408(f)(2) stated 
``[t]he Secretary shall approve alternate motor vehicle mileage 
disclosure requirements submitted by a State unless the Secretary 
determines that such requirements are not consistent with the purpose 
of the disclosure required by subsection (d) or (e), as the case may 
be.''
3. Amendments Following the Truth in Mileage Act and the 1994 
Recodification of the Cost Savings Act
    In 1988, Congress amended section 408(d) of the Cost Savings Act to 
permit the use of a secure power of attorney in circumstances where the 
title was held by a lienholder. The Secretary was required to publish a 
rule to implement the provision. See Public Law 100-561 Sec.  40, 102 
Stat. 2805, 2817 (1988), which added Sec.  408(d)(2)(C). In 1990, 
Congress amended Sec.  408(d)(2)(C) of the Cost Savings Act. The 
amendment addressed retention of powers of attorneys by states and 
provided the rule adopted by the Secretary not require a vehicle be 
titled in the state in which the power of attorney was issued. See 
Public Law 101-641 Sec.  7(a), 104 Stat. 4654, 4657 (1990).
    Because of the 1994 recodification of various laws pertaining to 
the DOT, the Cost Savings Act, as amended by TIMA, was repealed, 
reenacted, and recodified without substantive change. See Public Law 
103-272, 108 Stat. 745, 1048-1056, 1379, 1387 (1994). The statute is 
now codified at 49 U.S.C. 32705 et seq. In particular, section 408(a) 
of the Cost Savings Act was recodified at 49 U.S.C. 32705(a). Sections 
408(d) and (e), which were added by TIMA (and later amended), were 
recodified at 49 U.S.C. 32705(b) and (c). Provisions pertaining to 
approval of state alternate motor vehicle mileage disclosure 
requirements were recodified at 49 U.S.C. 32705(d).

D. Overview of NHTSA's Odometer Disclosure Regulations

    The implementing regulations for the odometer provisions of the 
Cost Savings Act, as amended, are found in part 580 of title 49 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). These regulations establish minimum 
requirements for odometer disclosure, the form of certain documents 
employed in disclosures, and the security of title documents and power 
of attorney forms. The regulations also set rules for transactions 
involving leased vehicles, set recordkeeping requirements including 
those for auctions, and authorize the use of powers of attorney in 
limited circumstances. Additionally, part 580 contains provisions 
exempting certain classes of vehicles from disclosure regulations and 
provides a petition process by which a state may obtain approval of 
alternate disclosure requirements. The following paragraphs summarize 
important aspects of the regulations.
    Odometer disclosures must be made on a secure title, reassignment 
document, or power of attorney when a vehicle is transferred to a new 
owner. Section 580.5(c) requires a transferor to sign, and to print 
his/her name on an odometer disclosure statement with the following 
information: (1) The odometer reading at the time of transfer (not to 
include tenths of miles); (2) the date of transfer; (3) the 
transferor's name and current address; (4) the transferee's name and 
current address; and (5) the identity of the vehicle, including its 
make, model, year, body type, and VIN. The transferor must also, under 
Sec.  580.5(e), certify whether the odometer reading reflects the 
vehicle's actual mileage, disclose whether the odometer reading 
reflects mileage in excess of the odometer's mechanical limit or, if 
the odometer does not reflect the actual mileage, must state the 
odometer reading should not be relied on. The transferee must 
acknowledge the reading by signing the statement. Each title, at the 
time it is issued to the transferee, must contain the mileage disclosed 
by the transferor.
    To ensure vehicles subject to leases of four months or more have 
accurate odometer readings executed on titles at the time of transfer, 
Sec.  580.7(a) requires lessors to provide written notice to the lessee 
of the lessee's obligation to disclose the mileage of the leased 
vehicle and penalties for failure to disclose the information. Before a 
change in ownership of a leased vehicle, lessees are required by Sec.  
580.7(b) to provide disclosures comparable to those required by Sec.  
580.5(c) and (e), noted above, to the lessor along with the date the 
lessor notified the lessee of disclosure requirements. Additionally, 
the lessor must state the date the lessor received the lessee's 
completed disclosure statement and must sign it. Under Sec.  580.7(d) a 
lessor transferring ownership of a vehicle (without obtaining 
possession) may indicate the mileage disclosed by the lessee on the 
vehicle's title unless the lessor has reason to believe the lessee's 
disclosure is inaccurate.
    When a title is physically held by a lienholder or has been lost, 
Sec.  580.13(a) allows a transferor to give the transferee a power of 
attorney to execute the mileage disclosure on the title once it is 
obtained by the transferee. Section 580.13(b) and (d) provide that the 
transferor must disclose information identical to that required by 
Sec.  580.5(c) and (e) on part A of the secure power of attorney form. 
The transferee is required to sign the power of attorney form part A 
and print his/her name. Id. In turn, Sec.  580.13(f) requires the 
transferee, upon receipt of the transferor's title, to make on the 
title exactly the mileage disclosure as disclosed by the transferor on 
the power of attorney.
    After part A of the power of attorney form has been used, part B 
may be executed when a vehicle addressed on part A is resold. Part B of 
the secure power of attorney form allows a subsequent transferee to 
give a power of attorney to his transferor to review the title and any 
reassignment documents for mileage discrepancies, and if no 
discrepancies are found, to acknowledge disclosure on the title, while 
maintaining the integrity of the first seller's disclosure. The 
disclosure required to be made by the transferor to the transferee for 
this transaction on part B of the power of attorney form tracks 
information required to be made by the transferor to the transferee on 
the title when ownership of a vehicle is transferred on a title under 
49 CFR 580.5. Among other things, the power of attorney must contain a 
space for the transferor to disclose the mileage to the transferee and 
sign and date the form, and a space for the transferee to sign and date 
the form.
    To ensure disclosures made through a power of attorney are 
accurate, Sec.  580.15 requires the person exercising the power of 
attorney to certify, on part C of the form, that disclosures made on a 
title or

[[Page 52668]]

reassignment document on behalf of the original seller are identical to 
those found on part A of the power of attorney. This section also 
requires a certification, when part B is used, that the mileage 
disclosed and acknowledged under part B is greater than the mileage 
disclosed in part A.
    Titles, reassignment documents, and the power of attorney form must 
be protected against counterfeiting and tampering by a secure printing 
process or other secure process (Sec.  580.4). These titles, 
reassignment documents, and powers of attorney must contain a statement 
referring to federal odometer law and a warning that failure to 
complete the form or providing false information may result in fines or 
imprisonment. See Sec.  580.5(d). For a leased vehicle, the lessor is 
obligated to provide the lessee with written notice of the obligation 
to make a mileage disclosure, and that notice must contain the same 
warnings (Sec.  580.7(a)). Except in the limited context of the proper 
use of the power of attorney forms, no person shall sign an odometer 
disclosure statement as the transferor and transferee in the same 
transaction (Sec.  580.5(h)).
    Part 580 establishes minimum requirements for record retention, 
ensuring a paper trail sufficient to support detection and prosecution 
of odometer fraud. Section 580.8(a) requires motor vehicle dealers and 
distributors, who are required to issue an odometer disclosure, to 
retain copies of each odometer statement they issue and receive for 
five years. Lessors of leased vehicles must retain the odometer 
statement they receive from their lessee for five years from the date 
they transfer ownership of the leased vehicle (Sec.  580.8(b)). If a 
power of attorney authorized by Sec. Sec.  580.13 and/or 580.14 has 
been used, dealers must retain copies of the document for five years 
(Sec.  580.8(c)). Section 580.9 requires auction companies to retain 
the name of the most recent owner on the date the auction took 
possession of the motor vehicle, the name of the buyer, the vehicle 
identification number, and the odometer reading on the date the auction 
company took possession of the motor vehicle for five years from the 
date of sale. States are required, under Sec.  580.13(f) to retain the 
original copy of the power of attorney authorized by Sec.  580.13(a) or 
(b) and the title for a period of three years or a time period equal to 
the state's titling record retention period, whichever is shorter.
    Other sections of part 580 establish a petition process by which 
states may seek assistance in revising their odometer laws (Sec.  
580.10), may seek approval of alternative odometer disclosure schemes 
(Sec.  580.11), and establish exemptions from the disclosure 
requirements of Sec. Sec.  580.5 and 580.7 (Sec.  580.17). Exemptions 
in 580.17 apply to transfers or leases for: (1) Vehicles with a Gross 
Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 16,000 pounds; (2) vehicles that are 
not self-propelled; (3) vehicles manufactured in a model year beginning 
10 years before January 1 of the calendar year in which the transfer 
occurs; (4) certain vehicles sold by the manufacturer to any agency of 
the United States; and (5) a new vehicle prior to its first transfer 
for purposes other than resale.

E. Previous State Petitions for Approval of Electronic Odometer 
Disclosure Schemes

    The Cost Savings Act, as amended by TIMA in 1986, contains a 
specific provision on approval of state alternative odometer disclosure 
programs. Subsection 408(f)(2) of the Cost Savings Act (now recodified 
at 49 U.S.C. 32705(d)) provides NHTSA shall approve alternate motor 
vehicle mileage disclosure requirements submitted by a state unless 
NHTSA determines such requirements are not consistent with the purpose 
of the disclosure required by subsection (d) or (e) as the case may be. 
(Subsections 408(d), (e) of the Costs Savings Act were recodified to 49 
U.S.C. 32705(b) and (c).)
    Virginia, Wisconsin, Florida, New York, Texas, and Arizona filed 
petitions with NHTSA seeking approval of electronic alternative 
odometer programs under 49 U.S.C. 32705(d)). NHTSA has approved, in 
whole or in part, five of these six petitions and not taken final 
action on the Arizona petition, which was made moot by the passage of 
section 24111 of the FAST Act and Arizona's adoption of a disclosure 
system under that provision. Review of the systems proposed in these 
petitions and the terms of NHTSA's actions in response to them, 
illustrates the variations in schemes between jurisdictions and the 
concerns raised by electronic odometer disclosure.
    Petitions filed by three states, Virginia, Texas, and Wisconsin, 
shared certain characteristics. In each case, the proposed alternative 
odometer disclosure schemes applied only to intrastate transactions. 
Each of the three proposals also relied on multi-factor authentication 
to ensure the identity of persons executing the odometer disclosures. 
All three proposals relied on substituting electronic versions of the 
paper odometer disclosure form by maintaining the electronic form on 
state-controlled systems. These systems also held data elements 
comprising the electronic title.
    Virginia petitioned NHTSA in December 2006 seeking approval of 
electronic odometer disclosure for intrastate transfers of vehicles not 
subject to liens. Virginia proposed using a paperless system where 
users would enter the information and attestations found on paper 
odometer disclosures into a state electronic system. The petition 
stated unique personal identification numbers (PIN) and unique customer 
numbers sent by conventional U.S. mail would be used with the 
customer's date of birth (DOB) to create a verified account and 
signature. Dealer users would provide lists of employees authorized to 
make disclosures, and these individuals would get PINs by conventional 
mail to verify their identity. In dealer sales, the employee PIN and a 
dealer number would be used. Disclosures would be made in the same way 
a paper disclosure would be made. The seller or transferor would fill 
out an electronic form identical to the paper form and sign it 
electronically. The buyer or transferee would examine the disclosure 
and either accept it or reject it. Once accepted, the disclosure would 
be linked to the electronic title, and the transferor would be 
instructed to mail any paper title to the state.
    A June 2008 petition by Texas sought approval of alternative 
odometer disclosure requirements for intrastate transactions between 
residents transferring vehicles not subject to liens. Texas proposed to 
eliminate paper titles (except as requested), create electronic titles 
and require in-state vehicle transfers to be made electronically. 
Users, who would have to be Texas residents holding a valid state 
identification credential, would be verified by matching four personal 
data elements and two forms of identification against a state database. 
Odometer mileage disclosures would be made by requiring both parties to 
separately log into a secure website, make required disclosures and 
verification of the mileage, and accept or reject the transaction. The 
seller or transferor would then mail the paper title to the state for 
destruction. The title and odometer disclosure would remain as an 
electronic record, and the transferee could receive a secure paper 
title on request.
    Wisconsin filed a petition in September 2009 proposing an 
electronic odometer disclosure scheme limited to intrastate 
transactions where at least one party would be a motor vehicle dealer. 
Identity verification would be based on customers entering a minimum of 
three personal identifiers--name, address,

[[Page 52669]]

date of birth, product number, Driver License/ID number, and a Federal 
Employer Identification Number or partial Social Security Number--in 
the state system. Once verified, the user could begin the title 
transaction. As with the Virginia and Texas petitions, Wisconsin's 
proposal linked electronic odometer disclosures to the title record in 
the state's database. Similarly, a title could not be transferred 
unless the electronic odometer disclosure had been properly completed. 
Again, if a paper title was needed, the Wisconsin DMV would print it on 
secure paper with the odometer disclosure statement in the proper 
location and format under existing rules.
    Finding that the Virginia scheme would properly verify user 
identities, provide security equivalent to the paper system, and create 
an adequate system of records, NHTSA granted Virginia's request on 
January 7, 2009 (74 FR 643). NHTSA granted the Texas petition on April 
22, 2010 (75 FR 20925) after that state clarified the Texas system 
allowed transferees to obtain a paper copy of the title meeting TIMA, 
required dealers to retain copies of odometer disclosures, and required 
disclosure of the brand (the brand states whether the odometer reflects 
the actual mileage, reflects mileage in excess of the designated 
odometer limit or differs from the actual mileage and is not reliable.) 
Id. at 20928. NHTSA also noted since Texas would require persons with 
an electronic title to submit any paper titles to Texas for 
destruction, the proposal would prevent potential mischief caused by 
duplicate titles. Id. at 20929. In a final determination published on 
January 10, 2011, 76 FR 1367, the agency approved the Wisconsin 
proposal based on its user verification scheme, the linkage of a 
properly executed odometer disclosure to the electronic title, and the 
existence of safeguards preventing the simultaneous existence of an 
electronic and paper title.
    Petitions filed by two other states, Florida and New York, differed 
from other petitions as systems proposed relied, to differing degrees, 
on the use of paper forms for executing the odometer disclosures. These 
paper forms, which were not titles, reassignment documents or a power 
of attorney specified under part 580, were employed to transmit 
information either before entry into an electronic system or to 
facilitate interstate transactions. Because paper documents are 
employed in conjunction with an electronic system, these odometer 
disclosure schemes can be referred to as ``hybrid'' systems because of 
their reliance on paper and electronic information storage.
    In December 2009, Florida proposed a hybrid electronic disclosure 
system in December 2009 wherein the actual data entry into the state 
system would be made by authorized tag agents using data terminals. For 
private sales, authorized tag agents required transferors and 
transferees to fill out odometer disclosures on paper forms. These 
paper forms would be executed by both parties at the tag agent's 
facility after each had verified their identity to the tag agent. The 
tag agent would enter the data into Florida's system and create an 
electronic title for the transferee, or upon request, provide the 
transferee with a paper title. For dealer transactions, Florida 
proposed transferors with e-title would complete a secure reassignment 
form with odometer disclosure. When the dealer transferred that vehicle 
to another transferee, both parties would complete another secure 
reassignment form with an odometer disclosure. The dealer would take 
both secure reassignment forms to a tag agency. The tag agent would 
enter the disclosures, and the data needed to create an electronic 
title or provide the transferor with the option of obtaining a paper 
title. Similarly, a lessee of a leased vehicle with an e-title would 
bring the vehicle to a dealership and make the odometer disclosure on a 
secure physical document. The lessor would then sign a secure physical 
power of attorney to the dealer authorizing the dealer to execute the 
odometer disclosure on its behalf. The dealer would then sign a 
physical secure reassignment form agreeing with the odometer 
disclosure. When the dealer sold the vehicle to another buyer, the 
dealer would take the various physical documents (bill of sale, 
reassignment document, and power of attorney) to the tag agency, where 
the tag agent would enter the required data and either create an 
electronic title in Florida's system or have a paper title provided for 
the buyer.
    New York filed a petition with NHTSA in November 2010, seeking 
conversion of the existing paper process for dealer transactions to an 
electronic one. A transferor's odometer disclosure would be made on the 
title and then recorded in New York's system by a specific dealer 
employee whose identity had been verified. If that dealer sold a 
vehicle to another licensed New York dealer, the selling dealer would 
enter the current odometer reading, vehicle and seller and purchaser 
information. The purchasing dealer would subsequently sign on, review 
the selling dealer's odometer disclosure, and other data and accept or 
reject the transaction. Subsequent New York dealer transfers would be 
recorded in the same manner.
    New York proposed that when a vehicle owned by a New York dealer is 
sold to a retail purchaser, salvage dealer, out-of-state buyer, or 
other non-New York dealer purchaser, the selling dealer would access 
its system, enter odometer and other information, including the seller 
and purchaser. A two-part sales receipt/odometer statement would be 
created, and if correct, would be accepted by the buyer. The dealer 
would then print a two-part sales receipt with a disclosure statement 
on each part. The dealer would retain one part, and the purchaser would 
be given the other, along with the original title acquired by the 
dealer upon vehicle purchase.
    NHTSA granted the Florida petition in part and denied it in part, 
approving provisions for private party transactions but denying 
proposed terms for dealer and leased vehicle transactions. 77 FR 36935 
(June 20, 2012). Among other things, NHTSA observed dealer transactions 
relied on odometer disclosures being made on documents other than the 
title itself. This, in the agency's view, is inconsistent with TIMA's 
command that disclosures be made on the title and not on a separate 
document. Further, the Florida dealer transaction scheme allowed 
issuance of new registrations after submission of a disclosure 
statement on a physical reassignment document rather than on the title 
itself, thereby violating the statutory requirement that a title with 
an odometer statement must be submitted prior to registering the 
vehicle. Florida's proposed requirements for leased vehicles were 
denied on similar grounds because of the numerous times disclosures had 
to be made on documents other than the title that did not meet security 
and content thresholds. Finally, the use of a power of attorney, where 
the lessor had access to the title, was inconsistent with TIMA.
    NHTSA's initial determination denied New York's petition because it 
used a non-secure receipt for odometer disclosure in transfers between 
New York dealers and out-of-state buyers and was, therefore, 
inconsistent with federal odometer law. 76 FR 65487, 65491 (Oct. 21, 
2011). New York subsequently amended its proposal by replacing the non-
secure document with a secure state-issued paper, New York State MV-50 
(Retail Certificate of Sale) form. The result of this change was a 
consumer purchasing a vehicle from a dealer would then receive the 
original title and odometer statement executed by the owner, who sold 
the vehicle to the dealer, and the secure MV-50 form with

[[Page 52670]]

an odometer disclosure. Additionally, the mileage disclosed at the time 
of the sale to the dealer and the mileage disclosed at the time the 
dealer sold the vehicle to the subsequent retail purchaser would be 
recorded in New York's system and available for viewing through a web 
portal. The agency's final determination, 77 FR 50381 (Aug. 12, 2012), 
granted the New York petition as amended. NHTSA found the employment of 
the secure state-issued and numbered MV-50 form, in conjunction with 
the odometer disclosure on the original seller's title and the 
recording of these disclosures in New York's electronic system, met the 
purposes of TIMA.
    Processing foregoing petitions illuminated concerns relevant to 
this final rule. Any electronic odometer disclosure system must follow 
TIMA's command that odometer disclosures must be made on the title 
itself, the electronic equivalent of that title, or a selectively 
narrow set of tightly controlled secure documents. While jurisdictions 
should be accorded a degree of flexibility in designing and executing 
electronic titling and odometer disclosure schemes, an electronic 
odometer disclosure system should minimize or eliminate odometer 
disclosures on documents other than the title. Other concerns include 
methods of transmitting secure paper documents, the means for verifying 
the identity of transferors and transferees, the potential for the 
simultaneous existence of paper and electronic titles and the problems 
posed by interstate transactions between states with traditional and 
electric systems.
    NHTSA's experience with petitions filed by Virginia, Texas, 
Florida, New York, and others demonstrates states choose to create a 
paperless system where all parties to a transaction make direct entries 
into the system or may employ a ``hybrid'' scheme where paper forms are 
employed as part of the process. As discussed below, some commenters 
responding to the NPRM believed amendments proposed by NHTSA did not 
adequately address the characteristics of such hybrid systems. An 
additional concern raised by commenters, particularly states that had 
previously had alternative odometer disclosure systems approved through 
the petition process, was the applicability of provisions in the final 
rule to those systems. The agency believes provisions of this final 
rule are sufficiently flexible to minimize potential conflicts with 
terms of our prior approvals of alternative odometer disclosure 
schemes.

F. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on March 25, 2016 
(81 FR 16107). This notice explained the Moving Ahead for Progress in 
the 21st Century Act of 2012 (MAP-21, or Pub. L. 112-141) directed 
NHTSA to prescribe regulations permitting any written odometer 
disclosures or notices to be provided electronically. See section 
31205, 126 Stat. 761 (2012). The proposed amendments sought to allow 
odometer disclosures in an electronic medium while maintaining accurate 
odometer disclosures and aiding law enforcement in prosecuting odometer 
fraud. To accomplish this end, the proposal addressed electronic 
signatures and identity verification, security concerns, record 
retention, leased vehicle transfers, and interstate transactions 
between jurisdictions with electronic and paper titles. The NPRM 
proposed modifying odometer disclosure exemptions for transfers of ten 
year old vehicles to transactions involving 25 year old vehicles. Other 
proposed amendments addressed restructuring of part 580, corrections to 
typographical errors and updating NHTSA's address.
    Although Congress had directed that NHTSA promulgate regulations 
allowing electronic odometer disclosures and, through the FAST Act 
amendment discussed above, facilitated state adoption of electronic 
odometer disclosure systems until the effective date of this final 
rule, few jurisdictions have implemented schemes for electronic titles 
and electronic odometer disclosure, either in whole or in part. Given 
the nascent state of electronic titling and odometer disclosures, as 
well as variations in existing title systems in states and territories, 
the NPRM asked for comments on how prescriptive NHTSA's approach should 
be. While more prescriptive requirements might better protect vehicle 
buyers and force a degree of uniformity in future electronic systems, 
such an approach by NHTSA could limit or hinder adoption of electronic 
titling and odometer disclosure system. Additionally, a highly 
prescriptive approach could be interpreted to be inconsistent with the 
direction in MAP-21 to promulgate regulations that simply permit 
electronic disclosures. The foregoing concerns prompted NHTSA to 
specifically request comments in the NPRM on whether it should adopt a 
minimalist approach or a more prescriptive set of rules.
    NHTSA chose to propose modifications to the existing structure of 
part 580 to accommodate electronic odometer disclosure schemes. 
Accordingly, the NPRM sought to add new definitions in part 580.3 for 
the terms ``Electronic Document,'' ``Physical Document,'' and ``Sign or 
Signature.'' As proposed, ``Electronic Document'' would mean ``a title, 
reassignment document or power of attorney that is maintained in 
electronic form by a state, territory or possession that meets all the 
requirements of this part.'' The NPRM proposed defining a ``Physical 
Document'' as ``a title, reassignment document or power of attorney 
printed on paper that meets all the requirements of this part.'' The 
proposed definition of ``Sign or Signature'' encompassed both hand 
written and electronic signatures and, for the electronic signature, 
also specified that a valid electronic signature must incorporate an 
identity authentication scheme equivalent to or greater than a NIST 
Level 3 system. This definition also specified a valid electronic 
signature must be made by the specific individual whose identity had 
been verified, regardless of whether the person was signing as in 
individual or as a representative of a business. The NPRM specifically 
requested comments on the propriety and appropriateness of these 
proposed definitions. In addition, the NPRM asked for comments on 
implementation of identity verification for transferors and transferees 
in electronic transactions, including what level of NIST verification 
should be appropriate, whether car dealers should provide secure 
computing services, and what security measures should be mandatory for 
such services.
    In contrast to a written signature, which through handwriting 
analysis can be used to identify an individual even in the event of 
forgery, an electronic signature is, without sufficient verification 
and other safeguards, anonymous. Because of this, NHTSA proposed that a 
valid electronic signature must be made by an individual. The NPRM also 
asked for comments on whether any other requirements are necessary to 
ensure investigators can back trace an electronic ``signature'' to 
identify the individual and/or computer used in the electronic 
equivalent of a paper trail or whether the proposed requirements could 
be used to identify individuals making unauthorized alterations to 
disclosure statements.
    Consistent with its approach of modifying existing provisions of 
part 580 to allow electronic odometer disclosures, NHTSA also proposed 
amending Sec.  580.4, which governed security features of printed 
forms, by creating a new paragraph (a) for paper documents and new 
paragraph (b) for

[[Page 52671]]

electronic records. The requirements for paper documents remained 
unchanged while the proposed paragraph (b) requirements set forth that 
electronic titles, power of attorney forms, and reassignment documents 
must be maintained in a secure environment and protected from 
unauthorized modification, alteration, or disclosure. Paragraph (b) 
also proposed that the system storing title and odometer disclosure 
information must record dates and times when documents are created, 
when odometer disclosures contained are signed, when documents are 
accessed, and when any attempt is made to alter or modify documents. 
The NPRM asked for comment on these proposals, including the degree to 
which the security and authenticity requirements for electronic 
documents appropriately matched those for paper documents.
    The NPRM also addressed a bedrock concern of any electronic system 
creating and maintaining records having financial import--system 
security. Rather than attempt to specify security requirements, the 
NPRM explained the agency made a tentative determination that such an 
effort would be inappropriate given the comparatively slow pace of 
rulemaking in comparison to the rapidly evolving and changing landscape 
of cyber security. Just as software and hardware are constantly 
evolving and improving, cyber-attacks and efforts to undermine the 
security of electronic data systems are also changing rapidly and 
frequently. Moreover, the NPRM noted potential risks to property 
interests and commerce presented by insecure vehicle titling and 
odometer disclosure systems would be addressed by the jurisdictions 
creating these systems. The jurisdictions doing so would be better 
positioned to assess security risks and craft appropriate responses. 
The NPRM nonetheless requested comments on whether NHTSA should 
establish minimum security requirements, including hardware and natural 
disaster specifications, and if such security requirements should be 
modeled on the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) 
framework.
    Section 580.5 of part 580 dictates the content and manner of 
odometer disclosure. The NPRM proposed adding the phrase ``whether a 
physical or electronic document'' in Sec.  580.5(a) so the disclosure 
requirements specified in Sec.  580.5 would apply to paper and 
electronic transactions. Similarly, the NPRM also proposed amending 
Sec.  580.5(c), governing the specific disclosures that must be made 
when transferring title, by adding the phrase ``physical document'' in 
instances of paper title transfers and ``electronic form incorporated 
into the electronic title.'' to Sec.  580.5(c) for instances of 
electronic title transfers. The agency also added a requirement that 
disclosures in the case of electronic titles must be on an electronic 
form incorporated into that title, that the electronic disclosure must 
be incorporated into the electronic title, and, in jurisdictions with 
electronic titles, reassignment documents could not be used in lieu of 
making the odometer disclosure electronically. The agency also asked 
for comments on the proposal that disclosures be made on an electronic 
form incorporated into the electronic title.
    Under Sec.  580.5(d), paper forms used to make odometer disclosures 
must contain certain legal notices and warnings intended to ensure 
those executing the forms are aware of their responsibilities and 
potential liability when doing so. The NPRM proposed extending these 
requirements to electronic disclosures transfers by amending Sec.  
580.5(d), specifying that in instances of electronic transfer, the 
required information must be displayed on the screen, and acknowledged 
as understood by that party, before any signature can be applied to the 
transaction. NHTSA also proposed amending Sec.  580.5(f), requiring 
transferees to print their name on the disclosure and return a copy to 
the transferor, to restrict its application to paper transactions only. 
Because Sec.  580.5(f) also requires transferees to provide transferors 
with a copy of the executed disclosure statement, the agency also 
proposed electronic disclosure systems provide a means for parties 
involved with the transaction to access copies of the disclosure. 
Although this proposal expanded the paper requirement from making a 
copy available to one party to both parties, NHTSA believed the burden 
of making an electronic copy of the disclosure statement to both 
parties rather than one would be minimally burdensome. The NPRM sought 
specific comments on these proposed amendments.
    Section 580.5(g) of part 580 addresses the situation in which a 
vehicle has not been titled or where the existing paper title does not 
have sufficient space for making an odometer disclosure. As explained 
in the NPRM, NHTSA tentatively believed this provision should only 
apply in jurisdictions where paper titles and odometer disclosures are 
used. The agency thought any electronic titling system would have the 
capability to accept disclosures for multiple transactions and could be 
configured to accept an odometer disclosure immediately prior to 
creation of the first electronic title. Accordingly, the NPRM proposed 
limiting application of Sec.  580.5(g) to transactions employing paper 
documents in jurisdictions without electronic title systems. The NPRM 
asked for comments specifically addressing this proposal.
    The NPRM also proposed adding a new Sec.  580.6 to part 580 to 
create requirements resolving unique concerns posed by electronic 
odometer disclosures. To ensure systems creating and maintaining 
records provided a minimum level of security and certainty, the NPRM 
sought to add Sec.  580.6(a)(1) requiring electronic records to be 
retained in a format that cannot be altered and, further, that 
indicates any attempts to alter it. As it is critical that parties to a 
transaction are who they claim to be for ownership and law enforcement 
purposes, the NPRM proposed in Sec.  580.6(a)(2), a requirement that 
any electronic signature identify an individual. The section also 
proposed if an individual is acting in a business capacity or otherwise 
on behalf of any other individual or entity, that the business or 
entity also be identified as part of that unique electronic signature. 
Because the requirement to maintain or provide copies of paper 
documents exists in various places within part 580, the NPRM proposed 
accommodating these requirements in electronic disclosure systems by 
establishing, in Sec.  580.6(a)(3), that any requirement in part 580 to 
disclose, issue, execute, return, notify, or otherwise provide 
information to another person is satisfied when a copy of the 
electronic disclosure or statement is electronically transmitted or 
otherwise electronically accessible to the party required to receive 
the disclosure. Although the NPRM noted NHTSA discouraged the continued 
use of paper documents in electronic disclosure jurisdictions, the 
agency proposed accommodating ``hybrid'' systems such as those seen in 
the Florida and New York petitions by creating Sec.  580.6(a)(7) 
requiring that any physical documents used to make electronic 
disclosures comply with the security and other requirements applicable 
to paper documents in part 580.
    The advent of electronic titles would not eliminate the demand for 
paper titles, particularly because paper titles are likely to be 
essential to completing interstate transactions between electronic and 
paper jurisdictions. Moreover, paper titles will need to be accounted 
for when electronic title systems are created. Since the

[[Page 52672]]

simultaneous existence of an electronic and a paper title would provide 
fertile ground for odometer fraud, the NPRM proposed, in Sec.  
580.6(a)(4) that any physical title replaced by an electronic title 
must be destroyed after creation of the electronic title. The proposed 
text of this section further provided that an electronic copy of the 
physical title be recorded and maintained for five years and that the 
electronic copy be retained in a format that cannot be altered and that 
indicates any attempts to alter it. If a paper title needed to be 
created from an electronic record, the NPRM proposed, in Sec.  
580.6(a)(6), that only states or their authorized surrogates could 
produce a secure paper title from an electronic record and that this 
paper title must meet the security requirements applicable to paper 
titles. Additionally, the proposed Sec.  580.6(a)(6) stated that 
issuance of a paper title in an electronic title state must be 
memorialized by a record stating the electronic title has been 
superseded by a paper document that is the official title. As suggested 
by the Texas petition seeking approval of alternative odometer 
regulations, NHTSA also believed electronic title systems might have a 
means of making a paper document available to vehicle owners who would 
attest to the existence of an electronic title maintained by their 
jurisdiction. The NPRM proposed adding a provision in Sec.  580.6(a)(5) 
permitting jurisdictions to issue such a document if they chose to do 
so. Because NHTSA anticipated electronic title and odometer disclosure 
systems would rely on scanned documents at various times and under 
various conditions, including interstate transactions from paper 
jurisdictions to electronic jurisdictions, the NPRM proposed adding 
Sec.  580.6(a)(7) specifying that any conversion of physical documents 
to electronic documents must preserve the security features of the 
physical document and be scanned at a resolution of not less than 600 
dots per inch (dpi). Again, the NPRM sought specific comments on the 
foregoing proposals.
    The agency also proposed several amendments to Sec.  580.7, which 
governs odometer disclosures for leased vehicles. Leased vehicles 
present challenges to the ordinary scheme for odometer disclosures 
because lessors usually hold the title to the vehicle but seldom have 
physical control over it. When a vehicle lease is terminated, the 
lessee typically surrenders the vehicle to a dealer while the lessor is 
responsible for making the required odometer disclosures on the title. 
To facilitate transactions associated with terminating the lease, Sec.  
580.7(a) required lessors to provide lessee with a written notice 
explaining that the lessee must provide the lessor with an odometer 
disclosure statement and that failure to do so, or to do so in 
conformance with federal law, exposes them to criminal liability. 
Section 580.7(b) and (c) state lessees must execute an odometer 
disclosure statement with any transfer of ownership and provide this 
disclosure statement to the lessor. In turn, the lessor is required by 
Sec.  580.7(d) to execute the disclosure statement on the vehicle title 
in conformance with the lessee's disclosure unless the lessor has 
reason to believe the lessee's disclosure is inaccurate. The NPRM 
proposed amending Sec.  580.7(a) to allow lessors to provide notices to 
lessee electronically, proposed deletion of a printed name requirement 
for electronic odometer disclosures by lessees in Sec.  580.7(b) and 
proposed adding a new Sec.  580.7(e) stating an electronic system 
maintained by a lessor must meet the proposed security requirements in 
Sec.  580.4(b). The NPRM also requested comments on whether leased 
vehicle electronic disclosures should be a required part of the 
electronic system established by a jurisdiction or are best developed 
by individual leasing companies.
    Sections 580.8 and 580.9 include requirements for odometer 
disclosure record retention by motor vehicle dealers and distributors 
and by auction companies, respectively. Section 580.8(a) specifies 
dealers and distributors must retain a ``Photostat, carbon copy or 
other facsimile copy of each odometer mileage statement which they 
issue and receive.'' Under both sections, records must be stored for 
five years in a manner and method so they are accessible to NHTSA 
investigators and other law enforcement personnel. The records must 
also be stored so they are difficult or impossible to modify. The NPRM 
proposed adding requirements in a new Sec.  580.8(d) and Sec.  580.9 
that electronic odometer disclosure records kept by motor vehicle 
dealers, distributors, and auction companies must be stored in a format 
that cannot be altered and that indicates any attempts to alter the 
document, consistent with the standards set forth in proposed Sec.  
580.4(b). NHTSA requested comment on whether this requirement would be 
sufficient to allow law enforcement to detect altered documents.
    The agency also proposed modifications to the power of attorney 
provisions in Sec.  580.13(a) and (b), to allow an individual with a 
vehicle titled in an electronic title state to use a power of attorney 
to sell a vehicle in a paper title state. This proposed expansion of 
the use of a power of attorney, in conjunction with the agency's view 
that the power of attorney provisions applicable to lost titles or 
titles held by lienholders would no longer be needed in electronic 
title jurisdictions, led the agency to propose adding the word 
``physical'' in multiple places in Sec. Sec.  580.13(f), 580.14(a), 
(e), and (f), and in 580.15(a) to restrict application of various 
provisions to paper title jurisdictions. The NPRM asked commenters to 
specifically address the need for the proposed power of attorney and if 
an electronic power of attorney would also be needed or feasible.
    Because Sec.  580.17(a)(3) exempts any vehicle, which is more than 
10 years old from the odometer disclosure requirements and the average 
age of the United States vehicle fleet has been trending upward to 11.5 
years, the NPRM proposed raising the exemption to 25 years. The NPRM 
also requested comments on whether the exemption should be eliminated.
    Another group of amendments in the NPRM were proposed to correct 
address changes and typographical errors as well as removing obsolete 
provisions and providing redesignations needed to complete the final 
rule.

G. Summary of Comments to the NPRM

    NHTSA received 28 comments in response to the NPRM. Six comments 
were filed by state motor vehicle departments: The Motor Vehicle 
Division of the Arizona Department of Transportation (Arizona), the 
California Department of Motor Vehicles (California), the Florida 
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (Florida), the Oregon 
Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (Oregon), the Texas Department of 
Motor Vehicles (Texas), and the Virginia Department of Transportation 
(Virginia). State concerns were also addressed in comments from the 
American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). Dealer 
and auctioneer concerns were voiced by comments from the National 
Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), the National Independent 
Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA), the National Auto Auction 
Association (NAAA), the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association (OADA), 
Copart Inc. (Copart), Dealertrack Inc. (Dealertrack), and Insurance 
Auto Auctions Inc. (IAA). Several trade associations acting on behalf 
of lenders also submitted comments, including the National

[[Page 52673]]

Association of Federal Credit Unions (NAFCU), National Title Solutions 
Forum of the American Financial Services Association (NTSF), the Credit 
Union National Association (CUNA), the Credit Union Coalition of Texas 
(CUCTX), and the Heartland Credit Union Association (HCUA).
    Comments were also filed by insurance companies and insurance trade 
associations: Allstate Corporation (Allstate), the Property Casualty 
Insurers Association of America (PCIA), the American Insurance 
Association (AIA), Liberty Mutual (Liberty), and the National 
Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMI). Other organizations, 
such as the Electronic Signature and Records Association (ESRA), the 
National Odometer and Title Fraud Enforcement Association (NOTFEA), and 
the National Salvage Vehicle Reporting Program (NSVRP) also filed 
comments. An individual, Thaddeus Lopatka, filed comments as well.
    The commenters all favored regulatory changes that would allow 
states to implement electronic odometer disclosures as part of an 
electronic title system. The comments, however, differed in how this 
goal should be achieved. While some comments did not address the 
specifics of NHTSA's proposed amendments, others provided detailed 
analyses of the regulatory text contained in the NPRM. The comments 
also diverged on the extent to which NHTSA should exercise its 
regulatory authority. While some commenters urged NHTSA to leave as 
much as possible to the discretion of individual states, others felt 
the agency should compel creation of a national electronic title and 
odometer disclosure system by a specified date and impose penalties for 
non-compliance. The agency's proposed modification of the ten-year 
exemption was supported by most commenters and vociferously opposed by 
others. For commenters who specifically addressed the agency's proposed 
requirement that individual identities be established by NIST level 3 
authentication, opposition was universal. Some commenters also voiced 
reservations about the structure of the proposed amendments, which, in 
their view, appeared to adopt an unduly narrow vision of how electronic 
odometer disclosure and electronic titling systems would function. For 
these commenters, NHTSA's proposal did not adequately address the 
potential adoption of hybrid systems employing a mixture of paper 
documents and electronic processes.
    Two commenters, NADA and NAAA, suggested NHTSA issue an SNPRM prior 
to issuing a final rule while two, NAMIC and Texas, suggested NHTSA 
delay issuance of a final rule. NADA stated an SNPRM might be needed 
because of the complex array of potential motor vehicle transfers and 
potential variations between state systems that NHTSA needs to explore. 
NAAA stated an SNPRM might be required to explore the effect of any 
delays inherent in producing paper titles on exporting vehicles. Texas 
stated the proposals put forward in the NPRM indicated an apparent 
misunderstanding of current title processes and urged the agency to 
work with stakeholders to draft clearer, more meaningful language. 
NAMIC suggested delay so NHTSA could convene an assembly of state 
officials with the goal of forging a national electronic titling and 
odometer disclosure system.
1. Scope of the Final Rule
    NHTSA's March 25, 2016, NPRM stated the agency's view that the 
directive in MAP-21 to promulgate rules allowing electronic odometer 
disclosure was intended only to facilitate this change without imposing 
additional requirements on stakeholders (81 FR 16114). Nonetheless, the 
NPRM requested comments on whether the proposals therein should be 
extended to prevent, or limit, variation among the various state 
systems.
    Comments submitted in response to this solicitation were generally 
split into two opposing positions. Several commenters urged creation of 
a uniform national electronic title and disclosure system while others 
urged the agency take a minimalist approach. Insurers favored the 
former approach while most states embraced the latter. The AIA 
contended allowing both paper and electronic disclosures complicated an 
already cumbersome process. AIA urged NHTSA to require electronic 
titling and odometer disclosure and warned the co-existence of 
electronic and paper title and disclosure systems will inevitably lead 
to fraud, title washing, errors, the inability to find the owner for 
recalls, and a lack of consumer understanding of the process.
    The organization further urged NHTSA to establish a date certain by 
which all states must move to an electronic title and disclosure system 
and establish penalties for jurisdictions not meeting this deadline. 
NAMIC offered similar concerns about the potential complexity of co-
existing paper and electronic systems as well as potential issues 
caused by incompatible state databases. As noted, NAMIC urged NHTSA to 
convene meetings with states and other stakeholders to formulate a plan 
for a more uniform electronic system. Although Texas adopted a position 
that NHTSA's rulemaking should not be prescriptive and should grant 
states as much leeway as possible in developing electronic title and 
odometer disclosure systems and encouraged NHTSA to explore the use of 
the U.S. Department of Justice's National Motor Vehicle Title 
Information System (NMVTIS) as a national system to facilitate the 
transfer of electronic titles. According to Texas, leveraging this 
existing system would assist with mitigating any costs associated with 
implementing a national electronic title transfer system and aid the 
rate of adoption while easing the implementation process.
    Among state commenters, Virginia stood alone in supporting an 
expanded scope for the final rule. Virginia's concerns included the 
possibility of broad variations among state systems that would hinder 
interoperability and preclude the consistency required to allow 
consumers to conduct interstate transactions. While Virginia advocated 
rules to enforce consistency in security standards, its comments also 
decried the proposed NIST authentication and minimum dot per inch 
standards as well as the inability of traditional rulemaking to keep 
pace with rapidly changing technologies. Texas, California, and Florida 
offered comments stating the scope of the NPRM proposals should not be 
expanded. Texas stated each jurisdiction should be able to facilitate 
the electronic process for signatures as it determines appropriate. 
California contended that initially, each state must be able to 
implement an electronic odometer scheme within its own environment. 
Florida echoed this sentiment while opining that flexibility is needed 
as states first implement intrastate systems. AAMVA stated few states 
had developed electronic title systems, and even fewer could support 
fully electronic transactions or odometer disclosures. In AAMVA's view, 
imposing restrictive requirements before all states have had the 
opportunity to evaluate their existing systems and determine what such 
a transition could look like would be premature. ESRA's comments also 
endorsed a less restrictive regulatory approach stating the NPRM 
proposals were sufficiently broad to enhance the adoption of e-odometer 
and e-titling systems, and some level of variation would be acceptable 
if state systems are technologically neutral and promote 
interoperability.

[[Page 52674]]

2. Definitions
    NHTSA proposed several changes to definitions found within Sec.  
580.3 to accommodate electronic odometer disclosures within the 
existing framework of part 580. The NPRM proposed new definitions for 
the terms ``Electronic Document,'' ``Physical Document,'' and ``Sign or 
Signature,'' where an electronic document is a title, reassignment 
document, or power of attorney maintained in an electronic form; a 
physical document is a paper document as used prior to the advent of 
electronic disclosures, and sign or signature may either be a hand 
written signature or an electronic sound, symbol, or process using an 
authentication system to verify the signer's identity. As noted, the 
NPRM sought comments on the appropriateness of the proposed 
definitions.
    One insurer, Liberty Mutual, four associations, AAMVA, NADA, CUCTX, 
and HCUA, and three states, California, Virginia, and Texas, offered 
comments in response to the definitions contained in the NPRM. 
California voiced concerns the definition of electronic document 
inappropriately inferred that electronic titles exist only as an 
electronic image of a paper document when an electronic title may only 
be a set of data elements maintained in a state database and not 
necessarily a form. AAMVA also stated ``Electronic Record'' would be 
more appropriate than ``Electronic Document'' and opined the proposed 
definition of ``Electronic Document,'' and ``Physical Document,'' 
should both refer to lease disclosures required by Sec.  580.7. HCUA 
stated the proposed definition should clarify that a database record 
could serve as the title, disclosure, and audit trail. California 
further noted the proposed definition included ``reassignment 
document'' and ``power of attorney,'' which appears to conflict with 
proposed language for Sec.  580.15, limiting powers of attorney to 
paper transactions, which California also opposed. California suggested 
Electronic Document should include or be restated as ``titling record'' 
and ``paperless or electronic title.''
    Virginia believed the definition of ``sign or signature'' is 
insufficient to address handwritten signatures on paper, handwritten 
signatures captioned electronically on a pen pad, electronic signatures 
for individuals, and electronic signatures for organizations verified 
through authentication measures. NADA offered similar comment, stating 
many of its dealer members used ``pen pads'' to capture signatures 
electronically. CUCTX noted the proposed definition of ``Sign or 
Signature'' applied only to electronic disclosure statements and should 
be expanded to include other electronic documents to capture powers of 
attorney as well.
    Texas, which provided a ``redline'' version of part 580 along with 
its written comments, suggested the definitions proposed in the NPRM be 
expanded by adding a definition of ``Access'' encompassing the means of 
entering, displaying and modifying previously stored data, ``Agent'' as 
person appointed by a power of attorney or authorized to act for an 
entity, ``Electronic title'' for electronic titles incorporating an 
electronic reassignment format or process, ``Jurisdiction'' meaning a 
state, territory, or possession of the United States of America, 
``Mileage'' meaning the actual distance a vehicle has traveled, 
``Printed Name'' meaning either the clear and legible name on a 
physical document or an equivalent electronic record and ``Sign or 
Signature'' meaning either a traditional hand-written signature on a 
paper disclosure or an electronic sound symbol or process either 
incorporating an authentication process or performed before an 
authorized employee or agent of the jurisdiction. Liberty Mutual 
suggested adding a definition for an electronically signed document 
used specifically for title transfers for total loss vehicles.
    NADA offered a similar comment to that provided by Texas and urged 
NHTSA to add a clarifying definition of the term ``State'' to read 
``any jurisdiction of the United States that issues motor vehicle 
titles, and the authorized agent(s) for any such jurisdiction.''
3. Identity of Parties to a Motor Vehicle Transfer and Security of 
Signatures
    The definition of ``Sign or Signature'' proposed in the NPRM 
specified a valid electronic signature must identify a specific 
individual. This requirement stems from NHTSA's concern the comparative 
anonymity of an electronic signature to a written signature could 
frustrate identification of perpetrators of odometer fraud. This 
proposed requirement also appeared in Sec.  580.6(a)(2) of the proposed 
amendments. The agency received many comments in response to this 
proposed requirement, and these comments are discussed below.
    As proposed in the NPRM, the definition of ``sign or signature'' 
for an electronic document included an electronic sound, symbol, or 
process using an authentication system equivalent to or greater than 
Level 3 as described in NIST Special Publication 800-63-2, Electronic 
Authentication Guideline, which identifies a specific individual. NHTSA 
proposed incorporating the NIST Level 3 requirement into the definition 
of an electronic signature because of agency concerns that electronic 
odometer disclosures could easily be made by someone other than the 
actual transferor or transferee involved in the transaction. The NPRM 
requested comments on the appropriate NIST level as well as other forms 
of verification and security, including whether dealers should be 
required to provide secure computing services to transferors and 
transferees.
    Commenters addressing the issue uniformly opposed the proposed 
requirement that identity verification for electronic odometer 
disclosures must meet NIST Level 3. California noted NIST Level 3 
authentication went beyond what is required for current paper 
transactions. In California's view, prescribing a NIST Level 3 identity 
authentication, which, among other things, could entail verification of 
a government ID, such as a driver license, and a financial or utility 
account, is unnecessary. California argued a Level 3 process would be 
burdensome and impractical, if not impossible, to implement. California 
contended the manner of identity verification be left to states at a 
level strong enough to reasonably identify the signing party and should 
not be set above NIST Level 2. Florida contended the cost and 
complexity of implementing a Level 3 system may prohibit many states 
from being able to provide electronic titles and odometer disclosures. 
Further, Florida argued a Level 2 solution would still provide greater 
security than the existing paper process. Virginia asked if use of pen 
pad for electronic transactions done in person before a state employee 
or agent--essentially replicating the present paper process--met NIST 
Level 2 requirements.
    Texas, like California, argued against any NIST level requirement 
because jurisdictions should be responsible for the secure electronic 
process just as they are for the existing security provisions for paper 
documents. According to Texas, states have an interest in the security 
of vehicle and odometer transactions equal to that of the federal 
government and are more familiar with their jurisdiction's business 
needs and those of its customers. Should NHTSA specify a NIST level, 
Texas urged that it not be set above NIST Level 2. AAMVA noted the NPRM 
proposal did not distinguish between electronic signatures being made 
in the presence of a state employee or agent and remote

[[Page 52675]]

transactions. The association also urged the agency to not require NIST 
Level 3 authentication and observed attaining this level of security 
would be very difficult because of the requirement that all elements of 
the system meet NIST Level 3. Further, AAMVA argued an attempt to force 
all potential participating parties to comply with a standard set at 
NIST Level 3 would ultimately lead to a common inability to do so. 
Compared to the existing paper signature process, AAMVA stated NIST 
Level 2 would be achievable and provide suitable assurance of identity.
    Other stakeholders also argued against NIST Level 3 authentication. 
Dealer groups OADA, NAAA, NIADA, and NADA stated obtaining and 
maintaining a NIST Level 3 system would require significant investment 
by states and dealers. This burden is not, in the view of these 
commenters, necessary when compared to the benefits achievable with a 
Level 2 system. These organizations also believe costs of Level 3 
authentication would prevent states from attempting to employ 
electronic title and odometer disclosure systems. Lender associations 
and other entities also opposed the proposal to require Level 3 
authentication. HCUA stated Level 2 authentication should be sufficient 
while the NTSF argued Level 3 authentication was not required. In 
NTSF's view, as supported by the ANSI X9. l 17-2012 ``Secure Remote 
Access Mutual Authentication'' authentication framework, vehicle 
transfers are relatively low risk transactions that do not require the 
security provided by NIST Level 3. Further, NTSF observed the NIST 
Standards are applicable to federal government computer systems and 
should not be applied in this context. Finally, given the costs of 
Level 3 for states and others, NTSF recommended the final rule replace 
Level 3 with Level 2. ESRA observed the threat of financial loss 
presented by fraudulent odometer disclosures is commensurate with Level 
2 authentication and this level is adequate for odometer disclosures.
    The NPRM also requested specific comments on whether dealers should 
be required to provide secure computing services to transferors and 
transferees. NIADA and IAA responded, noting NHTSA should be mindful 
vehicle transfers are processed by many entities with different 
resources and are not limited to dealers. In the view of these 
commenters, imposing the foregoing requirement on a wide range of 
potential parties to a transfer would be unduly burdensome.
    NHTSA also asked for comments on whether any requirements beyond 
those proposed in the NPRM would be needed or desired given the need 
for an odometer disclosure system to provide an adequate paper trail to 
identify the signer of an electronic odometer disclosure. Florida 
stated electronic odometer disclosure systems provide more security 
than the paper process. According to Florida, paper transactions do not 
involve verifying signatures and titles or other reassignment documents 
are often given to the transferee without being filled out so the 
incomplete forms are filled out by the transferee. Because electronic 
systems would require completeness and allow more frequent and accurate 
mileage reporting, Florida argued NHTSA should not adopt more stringent 
requirements in the Final Rule.
4. Document or Record Security and System Security
    Prior to the issuance of this final rule, Sec.  580.4 set forth the 
requirements for security features incorporated into paper documents 
employed to perform odometer disclosures. These security features are 
intended to prevent modification of existing disclosures and deter the 
use of counterfeit documents. The NPRM proposed amending this section 
through addition of new requirements for electronic documents or titles 
intended to provide the same level of security for electronic records 
as exists in secure paper documents. The proposed language would 
require electronic titles, powers of attorney, and reassignment 
documents to be maintained in a secure environment protecting the 
record for unauthorized modification. This environment would be part of 
a system that records when the document or record is created, when the 
odometer disclosures within are signed, when documents are accessed, 
and the date and time any attempt is made to alter the documents as 
well as any alterations made in the document.
    The NPRM first sought comment on whether the proposal appropriately 
matched the security and authenticity requirement for electronic 
documents to the existing requirements, which apply to paper documents. 
While the NPRM contained a discussion outlining why the agency was not 
proposing specific security standards for these storage systems, NHTSA 
also asked for comment on whether the final rule should incorporate 
more specific security requirements for systems used to create and 
maintain electronic titles and odometer disclosures.
    With the caveat that many commenters noted that the proposed 
language referred to an electronic ``document'' when reference to an 
electronic ``record'' would be more appropriate, this portion of the 
proposed rule enjoyed general support with many commenters strongly 
endorsing the agency's decision not to impose specific security 
standards for electronic title and odometer disclosure systems. NAAA 
and IAA noted the proposal required protection against unauthorized 
changes but did not address how entry errors are to be corrected. NTSF 
stated the requirement to track when records are accessed seemed to be 
unduly burdensome given the nature of the records involved. ESRA 
recommended NHTSA take an ``agnostic'' approach to electronic records 
storage by allowing states to store electronic data and documents in 
their secure data systems and to employ reasonable efforts to prevent 
such records from being altered.
    Some commenters believed the proposal was too prescriptive. 
California noted paper documents should not be compared to an 
electronic process and that it would be unnecessary to prescribe 
anything more than maintaining electronic titling and odometer 
disclosure information in a secure system or environment. Texas stated 
the proposed requirements are more cumbersome than those for physical 
documents, and jurisdictions should be given the same latitude for 
electronic and physical documents. Virginia objected to the requirement 
that attempts to alter or modify records be tracked. Virginia noted the 
proposal did not distinguish between authorized and unauthorized 
modification and that any unauthorized attempt at access should result 
in denial of access and not creation of a record. AAMVA stated most 
systems track dates and times on who accessed certain records and asked 
NHTSA to exercise caution so requirements do not interrupt titling 
agency business.
    Comments supporting NHTSA's decision to not adopt specific system 
security requirements were submitted by insurers, dealer associations, 
lender groups, states, and others. Allstate stated that states should 
have the flexibility to assess systems requirements that ensure 
information security. Dealer groups NADA, OADA, and NIADA agreed with 
NHTSA's approach, as did Dealertrack, stating that technology moved too 
rapidly for effective regulation by rules. NADA and NTSF opined that 
specific system security requirements would be counterproductive for 
the same reason. ESRA recommended only general security standards and 
safeguards be adopted to prevent obsolescence and to empower states 
adopt systems they determine are most appropriate. CUCTX

[[Page 52676]]

also noted states have been, and should be, responsible for maintaining 
secure electronic title records. Arizona stated specific security 
standards would be too inflexible. Virginia urged any security 
requirements be technology neutral to keep pace with changing threats. 
Texas questioned the need for any security requirements given the 
strong interest any jurisdiction would have in maintaining the security 
and integrity of public records. AAMVA also questioned the need for 
systems security requirements based on the history of states securely 
maintaining data for many years. In AAMVA's view, specific system 
security requirements would hinder states in their ability to protect 
this data rather than enhance it.
5. Odometer Disclosures
    NHTSA proposed several changes to Sec.  580.5, Disclosure of 
odometer information, to accommodate electronic odometer disclosures. 
The proposed amendments sought to ensure the content required in the 
paper-based disclosure system would be carried forward into an 
electronic environment. Therefore, where information was required to be 
entered on the title under the paper system, the NPRM proposed, in 
580.5(c), that the same information be entered in ``an electronic form 
incorporated into the electronic title.'' Similarly, where notices of 
potential liability for failing to meet certain requirements are 
required on paper documents, 580.5(d) of the NPRM proposed the same 
warnings be provided electronically for electronic transactions. At the 
same time, differences between an electronic and a paper-based 
transaction led the agency to propose differing requirements for the 
two regimes. A requirement that a printed name be affixed to the 
disclosure on a paper title in Sec.  580.5(f) was not carried forward 
into the agency proposal for electronic transactions as sufficient 
means independent of a hand-written signature should be available to 
identify individuals executing electronic disclosures. Where the paper 
based system requires the transferee to sign the executed disclosure 
statement and return a copy to the transferor, Sec.  580.5(f) of the 
NPRM proposed an electronic system make copies of the executed 
documents available to the parties.
    Comments addressing this portion of the agency's proposal supported 
the proposed changes. These commenters nonetheless offered observations 
and corrections, which they believed would better reflect the 
characteristics of electronic odometer disclosure and electronic title 
systems and clarify the proposals made in the NPRM. The proposal's 
directive in 580.5(c) that an odometer disclosure be made on an 
``electronic form incorporated into the electronic title'' led some 
commenters to observe this nomenclature was inconsistent with any form 
of electronic disclosure and electronic title system save those that 
relied on scanning images of documents and storing these documents 
electronically.
    AAMVA observed NHTSA's approach seemed to transform a paper-based 
disclosure process into an electronic disclosure by simply scanning 
current documentation--the title, the reassignment, or the power of 
attorney. The organization stated any reliance on a physical document, 
whether scanned or not, does not constitute an electronic disclosure 
system and should not provide the basis for an electronic disclosure 
system. Instead, AAMVA noted, an electronic disclosure and title record 
would be data fields making up an electronic record. HCUA offered 
similar views, urging NHTSA to clarify that database records can be 
substituted for scanned images of paper titles by state DMVs. NTSF also 
stated it is important to note states maintain electronic title records 
as database records and not scanned images of paper titles. The 
organization contended the proposed rules wrongly indicated title and 
disclosure documents must exist as embedded replicas of the 
corresponding paper documents when the actual electronic record would 
be an actual secure electronic database record of the transaction, 
including the metadata supporting the authentication of the individual 
executing the signature, as well as a full audit trail of transactional 
data. ESRA offered similar comments about the nature of electronic 
titles and recommended replacing the term ``form'' with the term 
``statement'' when referring to electronic disclosure documents, and 
using the term ``record'' instead of ``form'' when referring to 
electronic titles. Texas argued it is paramount that NHTSA recognizes 
what an electronic process is and allow latitude in their development.
    Other comments focused more narrowly. California stated electronic 
and paper titles will only resemble each other to the extent they 
contain the same information. Florida and Virginia simply stated they 
supported the agency proposal to incorporate the odometer disclosure 
into the electronic title. Texas strongly supported requiring odometer 
disclosures to be made ``on'' the electronic title while noting it did 
not support allowing a separate ``electronic'' or physical reassignment 
apart from the electronic title. Because there would be unlimited 
``space'' for mileage disclosure entries in an electronic title system, 
Texas contended a reassignment process that is not specifically 
attached to an electronic title should be prohibited. Arizona stated 
requirements in Sec. Sec.  580.5(c) and 580.6(a)(7) regarding the use 
of physical documents for a transfer being conducted electronically 
appear to conflict and suggested the provisions in Sec.  580.6(a)(7) 
take precedence with Sec.  580.5(c) being reworded to eliminate the 
conflict.
    The NPRM proposed amending Sec.  580.5(d) to provide the same 
warnings and notices present on paper odometer disclosure forms also be 
presented to parties executing an electronic disclosure. As presented 
in the NPRM, the amendment stated, ``the information specified in this 
paragraph shall be displayed, and acknowledged as understood by the 
party, prior to the execution of any electronic signatures.'' Texas 
supported including the proposed statements and warnings but contended 
the electronic signature should be sufficient acknowledgement that 
statements were read and understood. Therefore, Texas argued against 
any additional acknowledgement such as a checkbox. IAA observed this 
language did not provide adequate guidance on the sequence in which the 
odometer disclosures would be executed and that if neither transferor 
nor transferee may sign until the acknowledgement by both, it would be 
difficult to envision the proper sequence of execution.
    NHTSA also proposed amending Sec.  580.5(f), which specified 
transferees receiving a paper odometer disclosure from a transferor 
must sign the disclosure statement, print their name, and return the 
signed copy to the transferor. The proposed amendment eliminated the 
requirement for a printed name in electronic transactions and stated 
electronic disclosure systems must provide a copy to the parties. With 
one exception, all commenters responding to this proposal supported 
elimination of the printed name requirement. California, Florida, 
Virginia, NADA, NTSF, and AAMVA all supported eliminating the printed 
name requirement in electronic disclosures, with most also stating 
identity authentication employed in these systems would make the 
printed name requirement superfluous. Texas, however, strongly opposed 
elimination of the printed name requirement, explaining a printed name 
would still be needed in electronic disclosures when an individual 
employee of a business executed the disclosure on behalf of their 
employer. California

[[Page 52677]]

opposed the proposal that electronic disclosure systems provide a copy 
of the executed disclosure statement to the parties. In California's 
view, states should have the option of choosing whether to make copies 
available. NADA supported the proposal that systems make copies 
available as did Texas. Texas also recommended more generic language to 
require the jurisdiction to make it available.
    An additional modification proposed in the NPRM sought to expand 
the provisions of Sec.  580.5(g) to electronic systems. Section 
580.5(g) addresses issues that may arise in sales when a brand-new 
vehicle has not yet been titled or when an existing title for a used 
vehicle does not have sufficient space to accommodate multiple 
disclosures. In such an instance, the section provided that a separate 
document could be used for the disclosure. To extend this section to 
electronic disclosures, the NPRM proposed that in jurisdictions with 
electronic title and odometer disclosure, the system shall provide a 
means for making the disclosure electronically and incorporating it 
into the electronic title when the title is created.
    Commenters supported this proposal but noted potential difficulties 
in implementing it. Some commenters suggested states have the option of 
employing either a paper or an electronic system for these 
transactions, even where the jurisdiction provided an electronic title 
and odometer disclosure system. California and Virginia stated they 
agreed with the proposal. Florida generally supported the concept but 
observed the ability to use only an electronic means depended on 
whether the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) is available 
electronically or only on paper. According to Florida, if a 
jurisdiction maintains electronic title and odometer disclosure systems 
but the manufacturer has a paper MCO, the jurisdiction must have a way 
to capture signatures from this paper document into the electronic 
system. NADA voiced similar concerns and noted the uncertainty of 
electronic versions of required documents being available until 
electronic systems became universal. Texas did not support the 
requirement for a secure electronic process for these transactions 
since the paper system does not require use of a secure document, 
manufacturers control the form of the MCO, and NHTSA did not propose 
imposing requirements on manufacturers for the MCO.
    Texas also suggested clarification to paragraph (g). Texas noted 
the words ``or if the physical title does not contain a space for the 
information required'' are no longer relevant because part 580 requires 
all issued titles to contain space for the required information. 
Additionally, Texas recommended the text specify when use of a separate 
reassignment document is permitted. However, Texas would support 
allowing (but not requiring) jurisdictions to employ an electronic 
process.
6. Requirements for Electronic Transactions
    Section 580.6, previously reserved for future use, was employed by 
the NPRM as the vehicle for proposed new regulations establishing 
requirements for electronic odometer disclosures. These proposals 
sought to establish fundamental requirements for electronic odometer 
disclosure systems that would protect against odometer fraud while 
facilitating smooth and efficient transactions. The proposed 
regulations address recordkeeping requirements, access to electronic 
documents, identification of participants, conversion of paper records 
to electronic records, the potential for simultaneous electronic and 
paper titles, and the character of any paper documents employed as part 
of an electronic title system.
    The NPRM proposed adding Sec.  580.6(a)(1) requiring any electronic 
record be retained in a format that cannot be altered and, further, 
that indicates any attempts to alter it. Commenters addressing this 
proposal supported it, providing the ban on alterations was limited to 
unauthorized alterations. AAMVA supported NHTSA's intent to provide a 
mechanism to track unauthorized access and alteration but warned 
against language that would limit titling agency authority or impede 
titling agency business. NAAA similarly urged the agency to ensure any 
final rule include language allowing jurisdictions to employ an error 
correction mechanism. ESRA again urged the agency to take an 
``agnostic'' approach and allow states to employ reasonable efforts to 
protect records. NADA similarly cautioned requirements protecting 
record integrity be practical and appropriate for states, their agents, 
and all other parties involved. California agreed protections were 
needed to prevent unauthorized attempts to access and alter information 
but urged caution against imposing disruptive requirements. Florida 
requested NHTSA distinguish between authorized and unauthorized 
alterations while Texas stated jurisdictions be allowed the latitude to 
maintain electronic records in the fashion they feel is the most 
secure. Virginia noted the proposal did not separate legitimate 
corrections from unauthorized alterations but supported security 
measures, record retention requirements, and audit and review.
    Subsection 580.6(a)(2) of the agency's proposal creates a 
requirement that any electronic signature identify an individual and, 
further, that if the individual is acting in a business capacity or 
otherwise on behalf of any other individual or entity, that the 
business or entity also be identified as part of that unique electronic 
signature. As explained in the NPRM, the agency believed this 
requirement is needed both to facilitate identity authentication and to 
create a record of the individual executing an electronic signature. 
Commenters voiced opposing views on this proposal. While states and 
some associations supported it, dealers and vehicle auction 
organizations were strongly against it. Lender groups, NTSF and HCUA, 
supported the proposal. AAMVA also supported the proposal, and ESRA 
stated the requirement represented a best practice. California and 
Florida offered support without elaboration while Virginia stated it 
supports signatures applying to an individual and not to an 
organization. Texas supported the requirement with the proviso that 
there be no specific requirements on how this is to be accomplished.
    NADA stated it had concerns about the proposal for several reasons. 
The association noted transfers for odometer disclosure purposes do not 
involve transferees taking title to the vehicle when that transferee is 
a dealership, wholesaler, insurance company, auction, or a lessee. 
Therefore, NADA argues the rules must accommodate a process by which 
odometer disclosures are made on electronic documents without title 
transferring (reassignments). NADA also questioned why agents acting on 
behalf of licensed entities should have to sign as individuals if they 
use the unique identifiers issued to their licensed employer. NADA 
urged NHTSA to consider adopting two sets of electronic transaction 
requirements, one for licensed entities such as dealers, distributors, 
auctions, lessors, lenders, and their agents, and one for private 
individuals. IAA, a vehicle auction company, stated the proposed rule 
would, in its case, result in a single employee signing on behalf of a 
host of vehicle owners bringing their vehicles for sale.
    According to IAA, adoption of this requirement would necessitate 
many thousands of unique electronic signatures, posing a huge burden on 
the auction company and states processing the signatures. As NADA did, 
IAA

[[Page 52678]]

observed auction houses were state-licensed and subject to state 
regulation. As such, IAA argued states and licensees should be given 
the latitude to fashion workable methods for identification. Copart, 
another auction provider, offered the same observations about the 
effect of this proposal on businesses that provide a venue for selling 
large volumes of vehicles for many different owners. The company urged 
NHTSA to seek a solution allowing various industry stakeholders to 
develop reasonable methods for signing odometer disclosures. NAAA, a 
group representing auctioneers, stated the proposal was not workable 
for bulk processors like their members. In NAAA's view, creating 
thousands of unique signature credentials for each auction would be 
both a logistical nightmare and an opportunity for increased fraud. To 
address these problems, NAAA suggested NHTSA issue a second notice of 
proposed rulemaking incorporating comments from both industry 
stakeholders and states before proceeding to a final rule.
    The process of executing an odometer disclosure requires notices, 
warnings, and instructions to be read, information to be supplied by 
the transferor, acknowledgement and acceptance of the disclosure by the 
transferee, and, in paper transactions, a copy of the signed disclosure 
statement must be given to the transferor by the transferee. To enable 
the needed access to text and other information in electronic 
disclosure schemes, NHTSA proposed adding Sec.  580.6(a)(3), stating 
any requirement in the regulations to disclose, issue, execute, return, 
notify, or otherwise provide information to another person is satisfied 
when a copy of the electronic disclosure or statement is electronically 
transmitted or otherwise electronically accessible to the party 
required to receive the disclosure. Two associations, AAMVA and ESRA, 
and two states, California and Virginia, commented on this specific 
proposal. AAMVA opposed the proposal, arguing the responsibility to 
provide odometer disclosure information resides with the transferee and 
transferor and should remain there. AAMVA also contended any 
notification requirements should be transaction-based rather than the 
process-based individual account method proposed by NHTSA. In AAMVA's 
view, the NHTSA proposal would impose additional technology 
requirements on states.
    ESRA noted the federal Electronic Signatures in Global National 
Commerce Act (``ESIGN'') establishes how a consumer may request a paper 
copy of an electronic record. Arguably, therefore, precedence has been 
set for permitting vehicle owners to obtain paper copies of e-titling 
documents, including odometer disclosures, in any state e-titling 
system. California argued states should not be required to provide the 
access described, and Virginia stated it had no objections.
    NHTSA explained in the NPRM that it expected implementation of 
electronic titling and odometer disclosure systems would occur slowly, 
and, for the foreseeable future, both paper and electronic title and 
disclosure systems would coexist. As evidenced by the petitions for 
approval filed with the agency, individual states are not likely to 
shift their entire titling and odometer disclosure systems from paper 
to electronic systems at one time, and it is inevitable that interstate 
vehicle sales will involve vehicles moving from one type of 
jurisdiction to another. The NRPM proposed adding two sections to 580.6 
to address the issues posed by the co-existence of paper and electronic 
systems. Section 580.6(a)(4) proposed requiring that a prior paper 
title and odometer disclosure be copied electronically for retention by 
the electronic system state and that the paper document(s) be destroyed 
at the time they are converted to electronic documents. Further, the 
electronic copy of the paper title would be retained in a system 
allowing its retrieval for five years. Section 580.6(a)(6) proposed 
that states maintaining an electronic title and odometer disclosure 
system shall retain the capacity to issue physical titles meeting all 
the requirements of this part. Once a physical title is created by a 
state with an electronic title and odometer disclosure statement 
system, the electronic record must indicate a physical title has been 
issued and the electronic title and disclosure statement have been 
superseded by the physical title as the official title.
    The proposal further provided that electronic title and odometer 
disclosure systems shall record the date on which the physical title 
was issued and record the identity of the recipient of the physical 
title as well as the owner(s) named on the physical title. Two 
commenters, PCI and ESRA, supported these proposals without substantive 
comment. AAMVA noted that use of physical documents should be strongly 
discouraged in an electronic disclosure jurisdiction, but exchanging 
electronic and paper title records will be necessary. According to 
AAMVA, an active electronic title record and an active paper title 
cannot coexist. However, AAMVA noted jurisdictions cannot reliably 
ensure the destruction of existing physical documents. These paper 
titles can be invalidated and the record superseded (as is current 
practice), but the new jurisdiction of record has no control over 
whether a transferor or transferee destroys the document. AAMVA also 
stated that because states are currently required to perform a title 
check prior to title transactions to determine if they have the most 
current title issued, states already have a process in place to 
validate that they are not dealing with an out-of-date or superseding 
title.
    NADA concurred in the need for a process to convert ``official'' e-
odometer records to ``official'' paper records and that only state or 
their authorized agents should be allowed to do so. In NADA's view, 
records of such conversions should be retained. Florida stated the 
proposed rules mirror its current practices as it scans and stores 
paper titles electronically and converts e-titles to paper for various 
reasons. According to Florida, it presently stores the history of title 
conversions from one form to another and invalidates the inactive title 
while paper titles are printed by Florida or an authorized entity. 
Florida, nonetheless, requested NHTSA not dictate that only states can 
print titles in the event future developments allow for other means of 
producing these secure documents. Florida also noted it would be 
difficult for states to ensure paper titles are destroyed after 
conversion to electronic titles and suggested that the rule provide 
that a prior physical title be destroyed or otherwise rendered void. 
California noted its procedure for converting paper titles to 
electronic calls for the paper title to be scanned and stored, and the 
original is destroyed. However, California felt the five-year storage 
requirement proposed in Sec.  580.6(a)(4) is burdensome and suggested a 
four-year requirement. Virginia supported the proposals without 
substantive comment while Texas also stated the proposals mirrored its 
current practice. However, Texas also noted jurisdictions cannot 
control the submission of physical documents and would have to prevent 
issuance of title until such time the documents were surrendered to 
comply with the proposals.
    An individual providing comments, Lopatka, stated NHTSA should 
alternatively consider adopting a system by which individual 
titleholders may create official physical copies of their own records 
from the electronic system. Mr. Lopatka conceded that allowing 
individuals to print their own records from the electronic system might 
reduce the level of security associated with the transaction to some 
degree but that

[[Page 52679]]

allowing them to do so would lessen burdens on states implementing 
electronic title and disclosure systems.
    Based in part on its experience in processing petitions for 
approval of alternative disclosure schemes, NHTSA also proposed a new 
Sec.  580.6(a)(5) giving jurisdictions with electronic title and 
odometer disclosure systems the option of providing vehicle owners with 
a paper record of ownership, including odometer disclosure information, 
so long as the document clearly indicates it is not an official title 
or odometer disclosure for that vehicle. Almost all commenters 
supported this proposal provided the document issued could not be 
employed as a counterfeit title. ESRA noted providing a non-negotiable 
copy of a paper title is a standard practice in some states supporting 
electronic titling programs today. NADA concurred with the proposal, 
recognizing that some dealership customers may wish to be provided with 
paper printouts. NTSF supported the proposal as this practice is 
currently used in some states with electronic lien and title programs 
but stated it should not be required. California and Florida also 
agreed with the proposal if it remains permissive. Virginia opposed 
using the language ``paper record of ownership'' because of potential 
fraud and suggested the term ``title receipt.'' Texas also supported 
states having this option provided issuing such a document was 
discretionary. Lopatka argued against allowing states to provide an 
unofficial ownership document, stating that merely requiring clear 
disclosure that the physical copy is an unofficial record may be 
insufficient to prevent this fraud and abuse.
    The agency's NPRM observed electronic title and odometer disclosure 
systems have the potential to reduce opportunities for odometer fraud 
by eliminating or reducing the use of paper documents in vehicle 
transfers. Nonetheless, the agency's experience in processing petitions 
seeking approval of alternative odometer disclosure schemes 
demonstrated states may choose to implement electronic title and 
odometer disclosure systems in ways that will still require the limited 
use of paper documents. To ensure the security of transactions 
employing such documents, the NPRM proposed a new section, Sec.  
580.6(a)(7), requiring any physical documents used to make odometer 
disclosures for entry into and electronic title and odometer disclosure 
system to comply with the existing requirements of part 580. AAMVA 
agreed to the extent that continued use of physical documents is 
necessary in an electronic system, any physical documents used must 
comply with regulatory requirements. NADA did not object to the 
proposal while California supported it without substantive comment. 
Arizona observed the requirements in the proposed Sec. Sec.  580.5(c) 
and 580.6(a)(7) appeared to conflict and suggested that Sec.  
580.6(a)(7) take precedence and Sec.  580.5(c) be reworded to eliminate 
the conflict. Texas stated that it fully supported this proposal, 
particularly as it would apply to powers of attorney but encouraged 
NHTSA to review other sections of its proposed rules because the agency 
believes other sections may imply such a scenario is not permissible.
    Another issue addressed in the NPRM is the need to ensure odometer 
disclosure records converted from paper to an electronic form do not 
lose their value in that process. The NPRM therefore proposed such a 
conversion must maintain and preserve the security features in the 
document so alterations or modifications can be detected in the 
electronic version. The proposal, found in Sec.  580.6(a)(8), also 
required that scanning be made in color at a resolution of 600 dpi.
    Comments received in response to this proposal were unanimously 
opposed to the requirement that scanning be conducted at 600 dpi, and 
some commenters noted that scanning or imaging need not be in color. 
Dealertrack stated that a 600 dpi and color scanning requirement are 
well beyond current industry standards and should be reconsidered. NADA 
opposed the proposal as unduly burdensome on states and their agents. 
In NADA's view, NHTSA should adopt a standard that requires no more 
than a black and white scan of 300 dpi PDF, TIFF, or equivalent. OADA 
recommended NHSTA not impose any minimum technological standards and 
instead leave that to the discretion of the individual state motor 
vehicle administrators. AAMVA contended a 600-dpi scan is excessive, 
and the NPRM provides no clear evidence or case study to support a 
high-resolution standard. According to AAMVA, a 600-dpi resolution 
unnecessarily increases the file size to the point that storage and 
transmission of title histories sent via email become overly expensive 
and burdensome. This burden, AAMVA's view, provides no meaningful 
benefit as documents are but one part of establishing an odometer fraud 
case.
    ESRA stated NHTSA should take a technology and standard-neutral 
position and allow states to choose reasonable standards. NTSF 
recommended NHTSA abandon scanning and resolution requirements because 
of variations in document and font sizes among states. In NTSF's view, 
states already have appropriate scanning resolution requirements, and 
NHTSA should leave this issue to state regulation. Arizona stated 
scanning documents at the NHTSA proposed resolution would adversely 
affect system performance and impose data storage costs and recommended 
states retain the ability to balance between system performance and 
scanned image quality. In Arizona's view, any requirement should be 
limited to requiring detail sufficient to preserve the features of the 
original document. California also strongly disagreed with the 
proposal, contending the standard be left to states and not set above 
200 dpi in black and white. Florida echoed the comments of Arizona and 
California, citing greatly increased storage, transmission, and 
scanning costs.
    According to Florida, color scans are not optimal, and NHTSA should 
allow states to set their own scanning standards. Texas observed 
jurisdictions have a strong interest in the accuracy of title records 
and bear the responsibility for assuring their validity. According to 
Texas, scanning at the proposed resolution in color produced a loss of 
visibility to security features, such as the ``VOID'' watermarks, which 
are apparent at lower dpi black and white scans. Texas also noted NHTSA 
did not impose a dpi requirement when approving its petition for 
alternative disclosure, and Texas had been employing a minimum 200 dpi 
standard with good results. Texas urged striking any dpi requirement 
and allowing jurisdictions to ensure the security of their process, 
particularly as the cost of scanning at the NHTSA-proposed resolution 
would be prohibitive. Virginia also opposed requiring 600 dpi color 
scans for cost and feasibility reasons. In Virginia's view, the 
regulation should not set a dpi standard but noted 300 dpi is 
reasonable. Lopatka urged the agency to more fully consider if states 
must scan physical titles with sufficient resolution to preserve 
security features or if preserving details such as the clarity of the 
titleholder's signature is sufficient.
    The comments submitted by Texas also suggested adding two more 
subsections to 580.8. One of the subsections would provide an 
electronic means for completing a transaction where the transferor 
holds a physical title that has been lost. According to Texas, adding 
this paragraph, which would authorize the transferor to execute an 
electronic or physical power of attorney, would save costs and reduce 
fraud because it would eliminate the

[[Page 52680]]

need for the transferee to obtain a physical title, only to transfer it 
electronically and make disclosure electronically. The second addition 
put forward by Texas would explicitly state that separate reassignment 
documents may not be used with an electronic title. Texas explained 
that because electronic titles have no physical limitation on the 
number of reassignments that can be incorporated into an electronic 
title, a separate reassignment document is not needed and should not be 
allowed. Texas also argued allowing physical reassignment documents 
with electronic titles could result in increased odometer fraud.
7. Leased Vehicles
    Section 580.7 of part 580, Disclosure of odometer information for 
leased motor vehicles, establishes requirements for odometer disclosure 
for vehicles which, because of their leased status, are physically 
controlled by a lessee while the lessor holds the title. Because these 
vehicles are frequently transferred by the lessee to a transferor, this 
section establishes special procedures to ensure mileage information is 
provided by the lessee to the lessor. The lessor then executes the 
odometer disclosure on the title using the information provided by the 
lessee unless the lessor believes the lessee's mileage information is 
inaccurate. As NHTSA explained in the NPRM, NHTSA is not aware of any 
reason why electronic disclosures could not be made for leased 
vehicles, and the NPRM proposed revisions which would allow lease 
disclosures to be made on paper documents or electronically. Although 
the proposal did not require any action on the part of states or other 
jurisdictions to accommodate electronic disclosures for leased 
vehicles, the NPRM asked for comments on whether such a requirement 
should be implemented.
    Commenters submitting responses to this portion of the NPRM 
rejected any suggestion that states or other jurisdictions be required 
to make any accommodation for leased vehicle disclosures. NTSF 
recommended this requirement be left up to states implementing 
electronic odometer system. According to NTSF, specific regulations to 
be implemented by states may be needed for electronic processing of the 
practice by which a lessor can obtain an odometer disclosure from the 
lessee. NIADA also stated electronic disclosures for leased vehicles 
should be left to states to develop in conjunction with the leasing 
companies operating in their jurisdiction. NADA did not address the 
role of states but supported the NHTSA proposal to enable electronic 
lessor-lessee notices and electronic lessee-lessor disclosures. NADA 
also stated minimum requirements for these end-of-lease situations 
should be established because leasing companies have been a significant 
source of odometer fraud. AAMVA opposed involving states in 
transactions made between the lessee and the lessor and that a state's 
only involvement should be to accept completed documents. AAMVA also 
noted the term ``physical document'' used in the proposed amendments 
could create confusion as the proposed definition of this term included 
a title, reassignment document, or power of attorney. California also 
indicated leased vehicle transactions should only involve lessors and 
lessees. Florida noted states were not involved in the leased vehicle 
disclosure process and should not be compelled to participate now.
    As observed by AAMVA, Florida also questioned the use of term 
``physical document'' in the proposed amendments. Texas found the 
proposal to be particularly concerning. Texas rejected any role for 
states in this process but observed the use of term ``physical 
document'' and language stating leased vehicle disclosure be made 
within an ``electronic document'' implicated states (and other title 
issuing jurisdictions) because of the specific definitions NHTSA 
proposed for these terms in the proposal. In addition, Texas 
recommended allowing the lessors to comply with this section without 
imposing the security requirements proposed by NHTSA as doing so would 
provide a disincentive to adopting an electronic process. Virginia, 
unlike any other commenter, supported including electronic disclosures 
of leased vehicles as part of the electronic system established by a 
jurisdiction but did not elaborate further.
8. Document Retention
    Sections 580.8 and 580.9 include requirements for odometer 
disclosure record retention by motor vehicle dealers and distributors 
and by auction companies, respectively. The NPRM proposed to amend 
these requirements to include electronic copies or electronic documents 
as an acceptable form of record. The proposal also added a requirement 
in 580.8 that dealer electronic records must be retained in a format 
which cannot be altered and which indicates any attempts to alter it.
    The comments addressing this proposal questioned whether extending 
the paper record requirements for dealers and auction houses would be 
necessary in jurisdictions with electronic title and odometer 
disclosure systems because these jurisdictions would be required to 
securely store electronic title and odometer disclosure data. Some 
commenters also questioned the accuracy of some of the terms proposed 
in the amendments. California stated the proposals are not needed 
because it maintains the titling record of a vehicle, to which only 
authorized access is permitted. Florida supported the proposed 
amendments but asked NHTSA to reconsider the storage or retention of 
paper records altogether given state recordkeeping. Texas argued that 
where jurisdictions facilitated the electronic odometer disclosures 
needed to create a new title, it would be burdensome for dealers to 
retain this information. According to Texas, dealers would have to 
extract the information or require the jurisdiction to provide it, and 
Texas perceived no benefit from this burden. Texas also contended the 
requirements for auctioneers proposed by NHTSA were overbroad, 
particularly in requiring secure storage as auctions only need to log 
transactions and not store odometer disclosures. Texas also observed 
that use of the term ``physical document'' in the proposal was 
inappropriate as that term is defined by the NPRM. In contrast to other 
states, Virginia stated records kept by motor vehicle dealers and 
distributors and by auction companies should be held to the same 
standard as records maintained by state vehicle administrators. As did 
California, Florida, and Texas, AAMVA stated the proposed requirements 
were unnecessary as states systems would provide the required security 
protocols and data. NADA noted the proposed language changes to Sec.  
508.8(a) should similarly be made to paragraphs (b) and (c). In NADA's 
view, NHTSA should clarify that where electronic records are kept in a 
centralized state system, the dealer record retention requirements are 
satisfied to the extent those records are reasonably accessible from 
their primary place of business. Allstate's comments stated record 
retention requirements are needed to support the detection and 
prosecution of odometer fraud but did not elaborate further.
9. Power of Attorney
    Prior to this final rule, part 580 contained secure paper power of 
attorney provisions in Sec. Sec.  508.13, 508.14, and 580.15 
facilitating transactions in cases where the title was lost or 
physically held by the lienholder. These power of attorney provisions 
provide an exception to the rule that a single person cannot execute an 
odometer disclosure as both transferor and

[[Page 52681]]

transferee by allowing appointment of that individual to execute 
odometer disclosures on behalf of the transferor when acquiring the 
vehicle under Sec.  508.13, and, if transferring the vehicle, on behalf 
of the new transferee under Sec.  508.14.
    The NPRM proposed amending Sec.  580.13(a) and (b), to allow an 
individual with a vehicle titled in an electronic title state to use a 
power of attorney to sell a vehicle in a paper title state. Further, 
because the agency believed a power of attorney or reassignment 
documents would not be needed in electronic title jurisdictions, the 
NPRM proposed adding the word ``physical'' to certain phrases in Sec.  
580.13(f), Sec.  580.14(a), (e), and (f), and in Sec.  580.15(a). Along 
with proposing use of a power of attorney for interstate transfers from 
electronic to paper jurisdictions, NHTSA specifically requested 
comments on whether this power of attorney would be necessary in an 
electronic odometer system for intra-state transfers. The NPRM also 
sought comment on the feasibility of an electronic power or attorney as 
well as the implications of variations among states in implementing the 
power of attorney.
    The comments submitted in response to this section in the NPRM 
identified several issues related to the proposed amendments. Several 
commenters observed the NPRM's view that a power of attorney would be 
useful in interstate transactions from an electronic title state to a 
paper state was flawed. Commenters also offered varying degrees of 
support for the continued use of the power of attorney in electronic 
title jurisdictions while others advocated both electronic and paper 
versions of the power of attorney in jurisdictions with electronic 
title and odometer systems. Other comments addressed the restriction 
that the power of attorney could be used only when a title is lost or 
physically held by a lienholder in the context of contemporary 
electronic title and lien schemes. Similarly, the status of an 
electronic title made unavailable because of technical failures led 
others to advocate expansion of the power of attorney provision in such 
an instance. Others advocated expanding the power of attorney 
provisions to facilitate vehicle financing.
    States generally argued against restricting power of attorney use 
to jurisdictions without electronic title systems, advocated electronic 
and paper power of attorney use and observed that a power of attorney, 
without more, would not allow completion of an interstate vehicle 
transfer from an electronic title jurisdiction to a paper title 
jurisdiction. California agreed electronic disclosure would generally 
eliminate the need for the power of attorney but urged that the rule 
should not restrict its use only to a physical document. In 
California's view, a power of attorney, by itself, is not sufficient to 
sell a vehicle or otherwise convey ownership and that completing an 
interstate sale from an electronic to paper jurisdiction would also 
require a secure title printed on secure paper, with an application for 
a duplicate title on which the disposition of the original paper title 
is attested. Florida also agreed the secure power of attorney should 
not be needed in an electronic title environment but that paper titles 
will continue to be in use for some time, and the secure power of 
attorney should remain available to states with e-title systems. 
According to Florida, electronic powers of attorney would also be 
needed, even if not used frequently. Oregon noted there is still an 
issue with state-to-state transactions and will continue to be until 
all states implement an electronic process and asked if the proposal 
eliminated the use of the power of attorney with electronic titles. 
Virginia's comments voiced the same concerns and observations raised by 
California and Florida while also noting the NPRM does not address how 
states deny accepting documents from other states.
    Texas strongly advocated allowing use of the power of attorney with 
any electronic title, whether within the same jurisdiction or not. 
Further, Texas observed electronic lien systems and electronic titles 
raise the question of whether the power of attorney can be used under 
the existing restriction that the power of attorney can be used only 
when a title is lost or physically held by the lienholder. As the title 
is neither lost or held by the lienholder but resides within state 
electronic title systems, a transferor must either pay off the loan to 
release the title prior to the transfer or must use the power of 
attorney to allow the transferee to complete the odometer disclosure. 
Texas also urged the power of attorney be permitted in jurisdictions 
with electronic titles and that electronic powers of attorney be 
allowed as well and requested there be no limitation to whom a 
jurisdiction can provide a secure power of attorney. Texas strongly 
encouraged NHTSA to amend Sec.  580.13(f), which specifies a power of 
attorney is void if the odometer reading on the power of attorney is 
lower than on the title. According to Texas, this rule does not address 
situations where the power of attorney contains a statement from the 
transferor that the odometer reading is known to be in excess of 
mechanical limits or is not actual. The preceding circumstances, where 
the odometer reading on the power of attorney may be lower than that on 
the title should not, in the view of Texas, void the power of attorney. 
Texas also asked that this section allow for electronic submission of 
an original power of attorney by scanning or imaging. As the power of 
attorney is useful only for a single transfer, Texas requested this 
change not be accompanied by a requirement that the jurisdiction 
confirm destruction or invalidation of the document. Finally, Texas 
requested Sec.  580.16 be amended to specify that a copy of a power of 
attorney be made available upon request rather than returned and that 
NHTSA replace the term ``purchaser'' with ``transferee'' for 
consistency.
    California, Texas, and AAMVA observed the current language in Sec.  
580.13(f) states ``. . . [i]f the mileage disclosed on the power of 
attorney form is lower than the mileage appearing on the title, the 
power of attorney is void and the dealer shall not complete the mileage 
disclosure on the title.'' (emphasis added). These three commenters all 
observed that because the dealer does not complete the disclosure, the 
reference to ``dealer'' in Sec.  580.13(f) should be changed to 
``transferee'' for consistency.
    AAMVA also noted the power of attorney process described in the 
NPRM would not allow completion of a transfer of a vehicle from an 
electronic title state to a paper title state without the corresponding 
title. In AAMVA's view, a power of attorney is or would be the 
appropriate document to transfer ownership. These transactions should 
be performed on a secure physical title like they are today. AAMVA also 
urged a secure power of attorney, whether physical or electronic, is 
needed when the title is electronic because a power of attorney may 
still be necessary in intrastate transactions within an electronic 
titling state in instances where the buyer or seller does not have the 
ability to complete the transaction electronically. As did Texas, AAMVA 
observed the power of attorney regulations did not provide relief when 
an electronic title cannot be physically held, and there is no title 
available for the seller to sign.
    Comments provided by the dealer and auctioneer communities 
supported the continued use of the power of attorney in electronic 
title and odometer disclosure jurisdictions as well as the availability 
of both electronic and

[[Page 52682]]

secure paper versions of these documents. Additionally, support was 
also expressed for expanded application of the power of attorney beyond 
situations where the title is lost or physically held be a lienholder.
    NADA noted the power of attorney should be unnecessary for 
electronic transfers but stated that there will be situations where a 
power of attorney will continue to be necessary. Therefore, NADA fully 
supported the use of a power of attorney in situations involving 
electronic state to physical state transactions when it is impractical 
for sellers to obtain physical copies of their electronic titles. In 
addition, NADA stated NHTSA should recognize that physical state to 
electronic state transfers may also involve lost paper titles or paper 
titles held by lienholders, and electronic disclosure states should 
have to provide for a power of attorney. The organization gave the 
example of a paper state trade-in customer transferring to an 
electronic state dealership needing to use the power of attorney if the 
title is lost or held by a lienholder. NADA urged amending Sec. Sec.  
580.13 and 580.14 to accommodate both physical and electronic powers of 
attorney or, at the least, NHTSA allow ``electronic states'' to issue 
physical powers of attorney.
    NIADA offered similar comments and supported continued availability 
of the power of attorney as well as electronic versions of the 
document. Dealertrack asked the agency to recognize paper and 
electronic titles and odometer disclosures will both be used for many 
years and the availability of the power of attorney is essential for 
commerce. The company also advocated allowing an electronic power of 
attorney. Copart stated powers of attorney will continue to be 
necessary for intra-state transfers, particularly if the electronic 
system is not available during a catastrophic event. IAA asked if NHTSA 
intended for power of attorney forms only to be submitted to paper 
title states if their use was not allowed in electronic title and 
odometer disclosure states. NAAA requested NHTSA consider expanding the 
availability of the power of attorney to situations where technical 
problems in an e-title state made electronic titles unavailable. In 
NAAA's view, a power of attorney should be available to allow transfers 
to occur during the interval when the e-title is inaccessible.
    Lenders and their affiliates also supported broad availability of 
the power of attorney. NTSF supported the continued use of the power of 
attorney, including electronic systems allowing for electronic power of 
attorney forms. CUCTX requested Sec.  580.13 be amended to permit the 
use of an electronic power of attorney, even when the title is still a 
physical document. According to CUCTX, if parties to a transaction 
execute a power of attorney electronically refinancing a vehicle would 
be expedited. Similarly, CUCTX encouraged NHTSA to amend Sec.  580.13 
to expressly provide that financial institutions may be appointed as an 
agent of either the transferee or transferor to execute documents in 
these transactions. HCUA also urged the agency to allow that a 
lienholder may serve as agent of both transferor and transferee and 
execute the statements on their behalf. In HCUA's view, this is 
necessary for credit unions involved in the financing of private sales 
of automobiles. NAFCU also noted the agency should look for areas 
within part 580, especially Sec.  580.13, to identify how the 
regulation can be amended to enable the efficient performance of a 
financial institution's essential duties when facilitating a vehicle 
sale.
    Therefore, NAFCU recommended the regulation be amended to clearly 
specify that a financial institution can serve as an ``agent'' for the 
parties in the transaction.
    ESRA's comments acknowledged that an electronic odometer disclosure 
system would allow most e-titling transactions to occur without a power 
of attorney. ESRA further stated an odometer disclosure by power of 
attorney can be made electronically. According to ESRA, if a state 
requires notarization of such a power of attorney, electronic 
notarization could be applied, and the form signed electronically, as 
allowed by ESIGN or the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (``UETA'').
10. Exemptions
    Section 580.17(3) exempts any vehicle which is more than 10 years 
old from the odometer disclosure requirements. Because the average age 
of the United States vehicle fleet has been trending upward, the NPRM 
proposed raising this exemption to 25 years. NHTSA also requested 
comments on whether this exemption should be eliminated.
    The comments responding to this proposal were mixed, with most 
states supporting the proposal or remaining neutral with some concerns 
about increased costs. Lenders, insurers, and dealer-related 
organizations generally opposed the proposal while other groups aligned 
with consumer protection strongly supported it. Many of the commenters 
also exhibited concerns about the practicalities of how disclosures 
would be made and mileage reported when the exemption is changed given 
the large numbers of vehicles whose titles may already have had their 
odometer disclosures marked as ``exempt'' instead of having their 
mileage reported as set forth in Sec.  580.5(e).
    Among the states providing comments to this proposal, California 
supported raising the exemption to 25 years but not eliminating it. 
California suggested implementing the change incrementally at one year 
intervals until the 25-year threshold it attained. Florida noted the 
NPRM did not discuss why 25 years was proposed and questioned how this 
could be implemented. Oregon stated changing the exemption from 10 
years to 25 years would require computer system reprogramming and 
result in a higher rejection rate of transactions, which would increase 
costs. Texas strongly supported proposed change to 25 years or 
eliminating the exemption. According to Texas, eliminating the 
exemption would simplify processing and technological requirements. 
Texas observed NHTSA would have to address the issues raised by 
currently ``exempt'' vehicles having no mileage recorded.
    According to Texas, a solution to the problems raised by 
implementation would be to make the change effective when the 
regulation becomes effective and then phase in the applicability year-
by-year over the next 15 years. Alternatively, Texas suggested vehicles 
exempt at the time of promulgation be grandfathered unless other 
evidence of false mileage exists. Virginia simply stated it does not 
oppose raising the exemption to 25 years or eliminating the exemption. 
AAMVA supported the extension of the exemption beyond 10 years, noting 
25 years is consistent an antique vehicle classification in many 
jurisdictions. AAMVA also noted some states discontinue the issuance of 
titles at a certain age, such as 15 years. This, AAMVA noted, would 
leave no title available to carry the odometer disclosure. AAMVA 
expressed concern on how the change in the exemption would be 
implemented. At the least, AAMVA recommended any vehicle that does not 
reflect ``actual'' mileage in the title record be precluded from 
obtaining an ``actual'' mileage brand on the title even if this mileage 
is disclosed later. Beyond that, AAMVA recommended the rule change 
phase-in the 25-year exemption, by first applying the requirement to 
vehicles under 25 years old that are currently subject to odometer 
reporting.
    NADA opposed the proposed change as it would greatly increase 
disclosure and recordkeeping burdens for transferors, transferees, and 
states, with no demonstration by NHTSA that vehicles 11 to 25 years-old 
have become

[[Page 52683]]

a ``hot bed'' for odometer fraud. The organization argued NHTSA could 
revisit the issue in the future after electronic titling and odometer 
disclosures provide data on older vehicle odometer fraud but should not 
act until NHTSA can show changing the exemption will significantly 
reduce odometer fraud. In NADA's view, this proposal runs contrary to 
NHTSA's time-honored and well-deserved reputation for being a data 
driven agency. Moreover, NADA noted the proposal fails to provide for 
any transition period to account for currently exempt vehicles. In 
contrast to NADA, dealer association NIADA supported the increase of 
the exemption to 25 years but urged NHTSA to ``grandfather'' currently 
exempt vehicles.
    Copart opposed the proposal as an unreasonably high threshold given 
the average vehicle age is 11 years. Copart also questioned the benefit 
to be realized in relation to costs imposed by the change on state 
title systems. Auctioneer IAA argued that mileage as an indicator of 
condition and value do not apply to older cars or factor into the 
decisions of those who buy them. According to IAA, the proposed change 
is not warranted, and the costs of the expansion far outweigh any 
benefit.
    Insurer representative AIA opposed the proposed change arguing the 
vehicles subject to theft and/or cloning are most often late model 
high-value vehicles. In AIA's view, the age of vehicles is simply not 
reason enough to change the existing exemption without a thoughtful 
discussion of the underlying need to do so. PCI argued against the 
proposed change stating the value of older vehicles is driven primarily 
by the appearance and condition of the vehicle, not its mileage. 
Further, PCI noted the odometers on older vehicles may not be 
functional, further complicating the process and providing little if 
any benefit to a purchaser of an older vehicle. PCI suggested if NHTSA 
believes that a change is necessary, the threshold for the exemption 
should not be higher than 15 years.
    Lender affiliated organization NTSF supported changing the exempt 
vehicle age from 10 years to 25 years. The NSVRP, a non-profit consumer 
organization, stated there is no justification to retaining the 10-year 
recording limit. In NSVRP's view, the older the vehicle, the more 
likely it is there will be risks to the public from non-disclosure of 
odometer discrepancies. The organization noted it is likely that most 
vehicles now on the road are exempt and therefore not covered because 
of the 10 model years of age cut-off for required reporting. NOTFEA 
urged NHTSA to adopt the proposal. NOTFEA observed the average vehicle 
age is now 11.5 years and that operation of vehicles older than 12 
years old is expected to increase 15% by 2020. Further, NOTFEA cited a 
survey indicating drivers were keeping and driving their vehicles more 
than 100,000 miles and planned on continuing to drive them until 
200,000 miles and/or until they stopped running. Participants planned 
on keeping their vehicles more than 12 years.
    According to NOTFEA, a recent odometer fraud investigation revealed 
a dealer rolled back the odometers on 547 vehicles, and only 134 were 
not exempt. NOTFEA stated the exempt status of vehicles gave the dealer 
an opportunity to reduce the mileage and that this dealer removed 
approximately 26 million miles from the odometers of all the exempt 
vehicles he sold. According to NOTFEA, this accounted for an 
approximate fraud loss of $1.2 million and approximately 26 million 
miles rolled back on 300 vehicles. NOTFEA also offered examples of 
similar cases involving exempt vehicles. To address the mechanics of 
implementing the change to the exemption threshold, NOTFEA suggested 
when the change becomes effective, NHTSA should make it apply only to 
vehicles less than 10 years old on the effective date.
11. Miscellaneous Amendments
    The NPRM proposed various amendments updating the agency's address, 
removing obsolete text, and conforming the petition for alternative 
disclosure schemes requirements to the other proposed amendments. These 
included inserting a new address in Sec. Sec.  580.10(b)(2) and 
580.11(b)(2), deleting the text in Sec.  580.12, and amending Sec.  
580.11(a). One commenter, NADA, indicated they supported these proposed 
amendments.
12. Other Comments
    Several commenters addressed issues unrelated to specific proposals 
in the NPRM as well as other odometer disclosure concerns and issues. 
Some of these comments related to terms used within part 580. Texas 
suggested the term ``purchasers'' in Sec.  580.2 be changed to 
``transferees'' because not all transfers of ownership requiring an 
odometer disclosure are the result of a purchase and ``purchaser'' is 
not defined in part 580. Texas also recommended changing the language 
``at the time the lessors transfer the vehicle'' in Sec.  580.2 to ``at 
the time the lessees return possession of the vehicle to the lessors'' 
to more accurately fix the time when a lessee must make disclosure. 
AAMVA recommended NHTSA remove references to the term ``form'' as it 
relates to electronic odometer disclosure and electronic titles because 
such disclosures are not made on a paper-based ``form.''
    AAMVA also asked for clarification on when a power of attorney may 
be used in conjunction with odometer disclosure. Specifically, AAMVA 
wanted to know if use by third parties such as lienholders, title 
services, and auctions signing a non-secure power of attorney 
permissible. ESRA noted none of the proposed rulemaking provisions 
address ``end of life'' of vehicle title processing. In ESRA's view, 
NHTSA should consider if an odometer disclosure is needed once a 
vehicle is declared a total loss, and, if so, create an electronic 
disclosure process for such vehicles.
    The NSVRP urged NHTSA to make whatever changes were needed to 
ensure odometer readings were reported to the correct jurisdiction at 
every transfer, including dealer-to-dealer transfers. According to 
NSVRP, gaps in reported mileage occurring when reassignment documents 
or a power of attorney are used create opportunities for title skipping 
and false odometer disclosure statement.
    Auctioneer representative NAAA argued the proposed rule does not 
adequately address U.S. and international export rules. According to 
NAAA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations require vehicles 
titled domestically be exported with the original certificate of title 
or a certified copy and destination countries may require original 
titles for importation. Because the proposed rule requires destruction 
of paper titles when those titles are converted to electronic titles, 
NAAA is concerned domestic and foreign customs officials may not be 
prepared to work with electronic titles and disclosures and that delays 
in processing requests to create official paper titles may harm vehicle 
exporters.
    Two commenters, Texas and AAMVA, addressed the petition process for 
establishing alternative odometer disclosure schemes. AAMVA asked that 
the final rule ensure the petition process remains available while 
Texas requested Sec.  580.12, which the NPRM proposed to remove and 
reserve, be used to provide the parameters for rescinding a grant of 
approval.
    Finally, two lender organizations, NTSF and HCUA, recommended 
electronic odometer systems provide the means for lienholders to 
electronically

[[Page 52684]]

receive the mileage reading for vehicles they intend to finance.

III. Final Rule and Response to Comments

A. Summary of the Final Rule

    This final rule adopts the amendments proposed by the NPRM for 
Sec. Sec.  580.1, 580.10, 580.11, and 580.12 without substantive 
change. Minor changes from NPRM proposals include replacing ``his'' 
with ``their'' to achieve gender neutrality throughout part 580 and 
establishing a definition of ``jurisdiction'' that encompasses states 
and territories to replace the term ``state'' wherever formerly used in 
part 580. Also for clarity and accuracy, Sec.  580.2 is amended to 
better describe the status of a vehicle upon termination of a lease, 
and the term ``purchasers'' has been replaced with the more accurate 
and less restrictive term ``transferees.'' Consistent with the former 
amendment, the term ``dealer'' in Sec.  508.13(g) has been changed to 
``transferee'' to reflect that those receiving ownership are not just 
dealers.
    The NPRM proposed facilitating adoption of electronic title and 
odometer disclosure systems by adapting the existing physical document 
requirements of part 580 to a broadly defined class of electronic 
documents. In response to comments criticizing this approach, the final 
rule contains new definitions for ``Access,'' ``Electronic Power of 
Attorney,'' ``Electronic Title,'' ``Jurisdiction,'' and ``Printed 
Name,'' and revises the definitions of ``Original Power of Attorney,'' 
``Sign or Signature,'' and ``Transferor.'' These more precise 
definitions are applied throughout part 580 to allow odometer 
disclosures with both physical and electronic titles and powers of 
attorney. This final rule also authorizes use of an electronic power of 
attorney and, provides for electronic reassignments when a transferee 
is given a paper title by the transferor but does not take title to the 
vehicle. The definition of ``Sign or Signature'' includes an electronic 
signature employing NIST level 2 authentication system or its 
equivalent, instead of NIST Level 3. The regulations now also more 
clearly allow authorized modifications to electronic records and 
recognize that electronic titles and odometer disclosures may be held 
in a variety of formats. The final rule retains our proposal that an 
individual signing a disclosure on behalf of a business must identify 
himself and the business. Also, because technologies such as ``pen 
pads'' may be used in electronic titling and odometer disclosure 
systems and that paper documents may, in some jurisdictions, be 
employed in an electronic odometer disclosure system, the final rule 
abandons the NPRM's proposal to delete printed names from electronic 
transactions. This final rule also substantially relaxes the proposed 
requirements for scanning documents to allow document conversion in 
black and white at a resolution of 200 dot per inch (dpi) and 
recordkeeping requirements in Sec. Sec.  580.8 and 580.9 provide more 
options for dealers and relax the rules for auctions. NHTSA now 
promulgates provisions allowing both electronic and paper powers of 
attorney if a title is unavailable to a transferor because the title is 
lost, physically held by a lienholder, electronically controlled by a 
lienholder or when an electronic title is inaccessible. The exemption 
rules in Sec.  580.17 are now set so vehicles that are 20 years old or 
older are exempt from mileage reporting. The final rule also now 
explicitly establishes how this exemption will be applied to different 
model years.

B. Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (SNPRM)

    As noted above, NADA and NAAA, suggested NHTSA issue an SNPRM prior 
to issuing a final rule while NAMIC and Texas stated NHTSA might 
consider delaying this final rule. NADA felt that an SNPRM would help 
to provide more comments and information about interstate transfers. 
NAAA asked for an SNPRM to explore the effect of any delays inherent in 
producing paper titles on exporting vehicles. Texas urged delay in 
issuance so the agency could craft clearer language. NAMIC thought 
delay would give a greater opportunity for NHTSA and state officials to 
forge a national electronic titling and odometer disclosure system.
    Given the amount of time that has passed since the issuance of the 
NPRM and the extensive changes made to the agency's original proposal 
as detailed elsewhere in this notice, NHTSA does not believe that an 
SNPRM is needed or would provide any added value in addressing the 
concerns voiced by these commenters. NHTSA shares NADA's concerns about 
the challenges posed by interstate transactions and has drafted the 
final rule to provide solutions. Additionally, the agency's approach is 
to provide as much flexibility as possible while protecting the 
integrity of mileage disclosures. This approach will allow states to 
adopt and develop means for addressing different transactions in what 
will certainly be an evolutionary process. Similarly, the agency 
believes NAAA's concerns would not be addressed by issuing an SNPRM. 
States have an interest in meeting the needs of citizens and resident 
businesses and will likely develop methods for providing paper titles 
efficiently. The commenters urging delay, Texas and NAMIC, raised 
entirely different issues. Texas urged delay so better language could 
be developed. The extensive revisions made to our original proposal 
signal NHTSA's strenuous effort to do just that. NAMIC's loftier goal, 
to delay issuance until a national titling system could be developed, 
would require significant and unacceptable delay in issuing this final 
rule.

C. Scope of the Final Rule

    In considering the breadth of the proposals in the NPRM and the 
amendments promulgated in this final rule, NHTSA remained mindful of 
the direction given by Congress in directing that the agency 
``prescribe regulations permitting any written disclosures or notices 
and related matters to be provided electronically.'' (Section 31205, 
126 Stat. 761, Pub. L. 112-141 (2012)). NHTSA notes this direction was 
unaccompanied by any suggestion that a national electronic title system 
be created, however laudable that goal may be. Moreover, in enacting 
section 24111 of the FAST Act authorizing states to create electronic 
odometer disclosure systems without NHTSA's approval until the 
effective date of this final rule, Congress also did not offer any 
indication it supported the creation of a national title system by 
expansion of NMVTIS or other means. (Section 24111, Pub. L. 114-94 
(2015)). However desirable a national electronic title or odometer 
disclosure infrastructure might be, the agency concluded it has not 
been tasked with creating such a system. Accordingly, this final rule 
does not answer to the sentiments expressed by AIA, NAMIC, and Texas 
that this rulemaking action create such a system.
    A secondary scope issue exists to the extent the NPRM contemplated 
that NHTSA take two approaches to regulating electronic odometer 
disclosures. As reflected in the NPRM's request for comments, one 
approach would be to draft a set of detailed and comprehensive 
regulations creating rules governing technical aspects of system 
security, identity authentication, interstate communications, and the 
mechanics of executing transfers. Alternatively, the NPRM posited the 
agency take a less prescriptive approach aimed at preserving the 
essential characteristics of odometer disclosure and providing states 
with the latitude needed to develop electronic systems consistent with 
their environment. On

[[Page 52685]]

the whole, commenters strongly favored NHTSA adopt this less 
prescriptive approach, noting that rapidly changing technologies and 
traditional rulemaking are incompatible, that overly restrictive rules 
would preclude development of electronic systems, and that states have 
a deeply rooted fundamental interest in erecting and maintaining 
electronic titling and odometer disclosure systems that are secure, 
functional, and efficient. The agency concurs in these assessments and 
believes this less restrictive approach is consistent with the brevity 
exhibited by Congress in directing the promulgation of this final rule.

D. Definitions

    The definitions in this final rule differ significantly from those 
proposed in the NPRM and remedy some significant shortcomings in our 
earlier proposal. Commenters identified many issues created by the 
proposed definitions. In posing the terms ``Electronic Document'' and 
``Physical Document'' our proposal apparently created an impression 
that NHTSA's vision of permissible electronic odometer disclosure 
schemes was limited to instances where the electronic record was 
nothing more than a scanned or imaged conversion of a paper document. 
Although it was not NHTSA's intent to erect such a limitation, many 
commenters noted these terms were inconsistent with many existing 
systems where electronic titles and odometer disclosures are entries in 
a database. Commenters also correctly observed the types of documents 
encompassed by the respective definitions suffered from real or 
apparent conflicts with other sections of the proposed rules. Some 
comments addressed the proposed definition of ``Sign or Signature'' and 
noted it did not appear to encompass signatures made on ``pen pads'' or 
similar devices on which an individual's physical signature is captured 
electronically. Two commenters, NADA and Texas, also suggested NHTSA 
modify the definitions section to ensure no doubt exists that the 
proposed rules apply to any jurisdiction that issues titles, including 
territories.
    As noted, Texas included a ``redline'' version of the regulatory 
text proposed in the NPRM along with its substantive comments. Noting 
first that Texas has already implemented an electronic title and 
odometer disclosure system known as webDEALER consistent with NHTSA's 
approval of its petition to implement alternative electronic disclosure 
requirements and thereby gained valuable experience in a new field, 
NHTSA examined the changes to the regulatory language proposed by that 
state. After consideration of the proffered language and the comments 
addressing concerns about our proposals in this, and other, sections, 
the agency is incorporating many of the changes suggested by Texas into 
this Final Rule.
    To distinguish between the ability to view an electronic title, 
power of attorney, and the electronic odometer disclosures incorporated 
into those records and the ability to modify those records, the final 
rule adds the definition of ``Access'' to Sec.  580.3. This definition 
states ``Access'' is the authorized display and entry of information 
into an electronic title or power of attorney in a manner allowing 
modification of previously stored data. The definition further 
differentiates ``Access'' from the mere ability to view information 
without being able to modify it and distinguishes ``Access'' from the 
modification of a record resulting in creation of a new title. Adding 
this definition, in our view, also assists in alleviating concerns 
voiced by commenters that different rules proposed in the NPRM failed 
to adequately provide opportunities for legitimate error correction in 
secure records by authorized persons.
    This final rule also disposes of the definition of ``Electronic 
Document'' by replacing the latter with new definitions of ``Electronic 
Power of Attorney'' and ``Electronic Title.'' The definition of 
``Physical Document'' has been retained in modified form to establish 
the meaning of the term ``Physical'' as it applies to documents. The 
term is inserted where appropriate throughout part 580 to identify 
paper documents. Although the NPRM did not provide for an electronic 
power of attorney or propose to define one on the basis that such a 
document should not be necessary where electronic titles exist, NHTSA 
has reconsidered this position in response to the observations of some 
commenters that this tool will be needed as the transition from paper 
titles to electronic titles moves forward. The final rule definition 
simply states an electronic power of attorney is simply a power of 
attorney created and maintained in an electronic format that meets all 
the requirements of part 580. Our definition of ``Original Power of 
Attorney'' is amended in the final rule by adding the word ``physical'' 
for clarity. Similarly, the final rule definition for the electronic 
version excludes a scanned copy of a paper power of attorney. The final 
rule adopts a similar definition of ``Electronic Title,'' by specifying 
this record as created and maintained in an electronic format and 
incorporating and odometer disclosure and reassignment process. For 
clarity, a scanned copy of a paper title is specifically excluded from 
the definition. Responding to other comments that the applicability of 
proposed rules should be clarified, the final rule also includes a 
definition of ``Jurisdiction'' as a state, territory, or possession of 
the United States. To ensure all governmental entities with the power 
to title vehicles are clearly encompassed by part 580, the final rule 
replaces the term ``state'' with ``jurisdiction'' wherever it appears. 
The agency also notes that the definition of ``Jurisdiction'' is 
singular and signals NHTSA's decision not to establish security 
standards or similar regulations governing the exchange of electronic 
title information between jurisdictions. While it is most certainly the 
agency's intent to ensure that odometer disclosures be properly 
executed in interstate and intrastate transfers, the manner in which 
jurisdictions may share electronic title information is beyond the 
purview of this final rule.
    For electronic documents, the NPRM proposed eliminating the 
requirement found Sec.  580.5(f) for a person completing an odometer 
disclosure to provide their printed name when transferring a vehicle. 
The agency viewed this requirement as superfluous when identity 
authentication requirements should ensure the information would be 
available. While NHTSA still believes this to be the case where a party 
would have to log on to a state website to conduct a transaction, 
electronic title and odometer disclosure schemes may involve other 
procedures. For example, our approval of Florida's petition for 
alternative odometer disclosure requirements involved a system where 
individuals presented secure documents to a tag agent who entered the 
information into a state system. A variant of such a system might 
involve parties employing a pen pad to sign documents and enter 
information at a state or state-authorized facility after presenting 
identification. In such an instance, providing a printed name would be 
necessary to ensure identification in the future. Accordingly, the 
final rule is adding a definition of ``Printed Name'' to Sec.  580.3 
specifying what constitutes a printed name in both an electronic record 
and a physical document.
    NHTSA's proposed changes to the definition of ``Sign or Signature'' 
generated many comments. These comments were directed at the NIST 
authentication level proposed in the definition as well as more prosaic 
concerns about the definition not

[[Page 52686]]

adequately encompassing the full range of potential means for making an 
electronic signature. NHTSA's response to the NIST authentication 
issues is discussed below, and the agency now addresses the remaining 
issues.
    The final rule leaves the language pertaining to physical 
signatures unchanged and adopts a two-part definition of electronic 
signature. In the first part of this definition, the language remains 
essentially the same as that in the NPRM aside from the NIST level 
requirement. The second part of the definition, which states that an 
electronic signature may include an electronic sign or process made 
before an employee or statutory employee of the jurisdiction, 
encompasses situations where an electronic title and odometer 
disclosure system may involve entering information and executing 
signatures at a state office or a state-authorized facility. NHTSA 
added this language to accommodate electronic title systems that may 
rely on physical signatures as part of the titling and odometer 
disclosure process

E. Identity of Parties to a Motor Vehicle Transfer and Security of 
Signatures

    As NHTSA observed in the NPRM, a physical signature is a unique 
mark linked to the person who made it. That unique mark may be tied to 
its maker even in the event a false name is used when the signature is 
given. In contrast, an electronic signature is anonymous. Confirming 
the identity of a person making an electronic signature is therefore 
dependent on factors other than the signature and requires a degree of 
corroboration. Because of concerns that the use of electronic 
signatures may impede the ability to identify persons making an 
odometer disclosure, NHTSA proposed the definition of ``Sign or 
Signature'' require that an electronic signature identify a specific 
individual. The NPRM also proposed this requirement be included in 
580.6(a)(2), that proposed requirements for electronic transfers. This 
proposal was supported by those commenters choosing to address it, and 
NHTSA is adopting this requirement in this final rule.
    The NPRM simultaneously proposed that in the context of an 
electronic odometer disclosure, the identity of the individual making 
or acknowledging the disclosure be verified using an identity 
authentication scheme meeting, or equivalent to, Level 3 as described 
in the NIST Special Publication 800-63-2, Electronic Authentication 
Guideline. This NIST guideline specified four different levels of 
identity assurance which are assigned according to the level of risk 
posed by the potential failure to authenticate the identity of an 
individual using an electronic system for a transaction. These four 
levels of assurance (LOA)--with Level 1 being the lowest and Level 4 
being the highest set out different authentication requirements. At 
Level 1 a user name and a password is sufficient verification and there 
is no identity proofing. The only assurance is the fact that the user 
can authenticate to the identity provider that some relationship exists 
between the two because the user provides a previously issued 
credential (username and password or cryptographic key). At Level 2, 
proof of identity requirements are introduced, requiring presentation 
of identifying materials or information. Both in-person and remote 
registration are permitted. For in-person registration the applicant 
must be in possession of a primary government photo ID (such as a 
driver's license or passport). For remote registration, the applicant 
submits the references of and attests to current possession of at least 
one primary government photo ID and a second form of identification. 
The applicant must provide to the registration authority at a minimum 
their name, date of birth, and current address or personal telephone 
number. At Level 3 proof of identity requires verification of 
identifying materials and information. Both in-person and remote 
registration are permitted. Level 3 requires the same evidence for 
issuing credentials as Level 2; however, at this level verification of 
the documents or references through record checks is required. The most 
stringent requirements, at Level 4, do not permit remote registration. 
Potential users must appear before a registration officer and provide 
two independent ID documents or accounts which must be verified. One of 
these must be a current primary government photo ID that contains 
applicant's picture, and either address of record or nationality (e.g. 
driver's license or passport).
    Most of the commenters submitted views on this proposal, and all 
the commenters protested imposition of a NIST Level 3 requirement. As 
noted above, the comments in opposition stated the Level 3 standard was 
inapposite, costly, and overly restrictive. In specifying the NIST 
Level 3 standard, NHTSA intended to ensure the identities of those 
giving electronic signatures would be established to the extent 
necessary to ensure imposters did not execute or acknowledge mileage 
disclosures.
    However, the agency has also re-examined the applicability of the 
Level 3 standard. The comments submitted in response to the NPRM, 
directed toward this proposal and other proposed and potential security 
requirements, underscored the degree to which states are invested in 
providing secure electronic systems and, to a lesser but still 
sufficient degree, in verifying the identities of persons using those 
systems for vehicle transfers. The final rule, therefore, specifies the 
required level of authentication for confirming the identity of persons 
participating in electronic odometer disclosures shall meet the NIST 
Level 2 requirements or an alternative scheme providing an equivalent 
level of security.
    Furthermore, since the June 2017 issuance of NIST Special 
Publication 800-63-3, Digital Identity Guidelines (including sub-parts 
800-63-3A, 800-63-3B and 800-63-3C) superseded Special Publication 800-
63-2, Electronic Authentication Guideline, the final rule has updated 
the reference to the new NIST guidance. While making this change, NHTSA 
is mindful the NIST guidelines, or similar guidance, will continue to 
evolve as technology advances. As discussed in the NPRM, advances in 
technology are likely to proceed at a faster pace than NHTSA's ability 
to revise and issue new rules. It is for this reason that the NPRM, as 
well as this final rule, specified that states need adopt a system 
meeting the specified NIST guideline or its equivalent. Moreover, in 
specifying that the NIST Level 2 standard or its equivalent must be 
met, NHTSA does not intend that states must update their systems to 
meet each new NIST guideline when it is issued. Instead, our 
expectation is that states will recognize the need to properly 
authenticate participants in odometer disclosure transactions and 
maintain a level of authentication security comparable to what the 2017 
NIST Level 2 guideline establishes now. NIST guidelines can be met with 
currently available products on the market.
    The final rule's definition of an electronic signature--``an 
electronic sound, symbol, or process''--is intended to encompass the 
full range of methods and technologies that may be employed to 
electronically sign a disclosure. Accordingly, a signature executed by 
writing on a pen pad or using a biometric such as a fingerprint, falls 
within an ``electronic process'' as described in the definition. While 
a biometric such as a fingerprint or retina scan might serve as a 
signature under the definition, NHTSA notes that employment of a 
biometric does not relieve a state or jurisdiction from having to meet 
the authentication

[[Page 52687]]

requirements in subsection (b)(i) of the definition.

F. Document or Record Security and System Security

    The NPRM proposed amending Sec.  580.4 to require electronic 
titles, powers of attorney, and reassignment documents to be maintained 
in a secure environment preventing unauthorized modification and 
recording when records are created, accessed, altered or unauthorized 
attempts to modify them are made as well as the date and time any 
attempt is made to alter the documents and any alterations are actually 
made in the records. The NPRM explained NHTSA might consider specifying 
security standards for these systems and requested comment on doing so. 
Commenters supported the proposed changes on the condition the final 
rule take adequate steps to ensure the final rule allowed authorized 
changes to electronic records to correct errors. One commenter, 
Virginia, objected to the requirement that unauthorized attempts to 
alter or modify records be tracked as the proper response in that event 
is to deny access and not create a record. Commenters overwhelmingly 
supported NHTSA's tentative decision to not issue security standards 
for overall system security.
    The final rule adopts the language proposed in the NPRM with a 
small number of modifications. The heading for Sec.  580.4 is changed 
to make it clear that it applies to physical documents, electronic 
titles, and electronic powers of attorney. As electronic reassignments 
are addressed in the definition of Electronic Title the final rule also 
removes the reference to an electronic reassignment document in Sec.  
580.4(b). In transactions where paper titles are used, separate 
reassignment documents become necessary when the title is reassigned 
multiple times and the existing title can no longer physically 
accommodate the required odometer disclosures. In the case of an 
electronic title, no such physical limitation exists, and, for all 
practical purposes, all the necessary reassignment disclosures will be 
incorporated into the electronic title. However, as there may be 
instances where a transferee is provided with a paper title by the 
transferor in a state with electronic titles, and the transferee may 
not wish to take title to the vehicle, an electronic reassignment 
option should be made available in those circumstances where a paper 
reassignment form would otherwise be used. Accordingly, Sec.  580.5(g) 
of the final rule provides that an electronic reassignment shall be 
made before issuance of an electronic title where the transferee 
receives a paper title and no room exists on that title for the desired 
reassignment. Other changes made in this section for the sake of 
clarity and consistency include deletion of the word ``forms'' when 
referring to electronic records, substitution of ``jurisdiction'' for 
``state,'' and expansion of the term ``secure process'' in Sec.  
580.4(a) to ``secure printing process or other secure process.''

G. Odometer Disclosures

    NHTSA proposed changing Sec.  580.5, Disclosure of odometer 
information, to accommodate electronic odometer disclosures by adding 
references to electronic systems, directing information required on a 
paper title be entered in an electronic form incorporated into the 
electronic title, requiring warnings be provided electronically for 
electronic transactions, and executed electronic disclosures be made 
available to the parties. Where paper transactions required 
participants to provide a printed name, the NPRM proposed the printed 
name was not needed in electronic transactions and sought to delete 
that requirement. NHTSA also proposed an existing requirement that 
transferees provide a copy of a completed paper disclosure form to 
transferors be expanded to electronic transactions by requiring that 
the completed electronic disclosure be made available to the parties. 
To address situations where a vehicle has not yet been titled, NHTSA 
proposed amendments for the use of disclosures separate from the title 
in both paper and electronic systems.
    Commenters supported the proposed changes while offering 
modifications aimed at improving clarity and flexibility. The final 
rule addresses many of the concerns found in the comments. Because this 
final rule adopts a definition of an ``electronic title'' instead of 
the proposed ``electronic document,'' changes consistent with that 
definition are now incorporated into Sec.  580.5. Section 580.5(a) 
states the mileage and other information required for odometer 
disclosures must be incorporated into a physical title or an electronic 
title presented to a transferee. Because an electronic title has 
unlimited space available for disclosures, Sec.  580.5(b) of the final 
rule provides physical titles must have space available for the 
required elements of the disclosure. Where NHTSA proposed in Sec.  
580.5(c) that an odometer disclosure be made an ``electronic form 
incorporated into the electronic title,'' the final rule now provides 
disclosures be made on an electronic title to clarify that electronic 
title systems are not, as many commenters noted, limited to systems 
where ``forms'' are scanned into an electronic format. The final rule 
also differs from our proposal by requiring that parties provide a 
printed name on both physical and electronic titles. As noted above, 
using ``pen pads'' or similar handwriting conversion technologies could 
result in an inability to identify individuals in ``hybrid'' electronic 
title and odometer disclosure systems. Section Sec.  580.5(d) of this 
final rule specifies the warnings and notices present on paper odometer 
disclosures also be presented to parties executing an electronic 
disclosure. The NPRM proposed an additional requirement be added to 
this section in electronic transactions in the form of a check box or 
similar mechanism to ensure the notices were read and understood before 
the transaction can move forward. In response to comments that this 
requirement is superfluous, since the electronic or physical signature 
already constitutes acknowledgement of these warnings, the final rule 
does not require a separate acknowledgement or ``check box'' in 
electronic disclosures.
    NHTSA is also adopting the language proposed in the NPRM for Sec.  
580.5(f), with some modifications. Because of comments that the 
proposal did not sufficiently specify the sequence in which odometer 
disclosure statements are signed, this final rule states a transferee 
must execute the disclosure statement ``upon receipt'' of the 
transferor's signed disclosure. While the concept of ``receipt'' is 
arguably more ephemeral in an electronic transaction when no physical 
document is present, the agency believes that ``receipt'' in that 
context occurs when a system provides a display confirming the 
transferor's signature and all the required elements of the disclosure 
itself. For electronic systems, this final rule also adapts the 
requirement in Sec.  580.5(f) that a transferor provide a paper copy of 
the executed disclosure statement to the transferee by requiring that 
such systems must make the completed statement available to the 
parties. Although one commenter objected to states being required to 
provide this copy, the requirement is satisfied if the electronic 
system allows the parties to print or download a record of the odometer 
disclosure and the required elements of that disclosure.
    The requirement that odometer disclosures be made on the title and 
not on a separate document is critical for preventing odometer fraud. 
Since the title is nearly indispensable when establishing ownership, 
making

[[Page 52688]]

disclosures on the title ensures that opportunities for counterfeiting 
odometer statements are kept to a minimum. Consistent with this theme, 
part 580 allows odometer disclosures to be made on a document other 
than the title only in very prescribed circumstances. One of these is 
when the title is lost or held by a lienholder and the power of 
attorney authorized by this part may be used. Another exists when a 
paper title, which is required to have space for an odometer disclosure 
and subsequent reassignments, no longer has space available for 
additional reassignments. A reassignment document may also be used when 
the vehicle at issue has never been titled. While preserving the 
foregoing provisions for physical documents in paper title states, our 
NPRM proposed amendments stating electronic title and odometer 
disclosure systems shall provide a means for making the disclosure 
electronically and incorporating it into the electronic title when the 
title is created. Commenters supported this proposal but requested 
states have the option of employing either a paper or an electronic 
system for these transactions, even where the jurisdiction provided an 
electronic title and odometer disclosure system. NHTSA agrees that 
states, whether they have an electronic or paper-based title and 
odometer disclosure system, must have the option of using either paper 
or electronic disclosure statements in instances when a vehicle has not 
yet been titled. The final rule now provides that option.
    The final rule also allows the use of electronic or physical 
reassignments under specific conditions after a vehicle has been 
titled. These conditions stem from the nature of physical titles and 
the fact that transfers occurring in electronic title jurisdictions 
will inevitably involve transactions where a transferor has a paper 
title. Because physical titles can only accommodate a certain number of 
reassignments, separate secure reassignment documents can be employed 
to facilitate transfers between parties that do not take title to the 
vehicle. Where a transaction involves a vehicle with an electronic 
title, the electronic title system should accommodate any number of 
reassignments. Therefore, reassignment documents, either electronic or 
physical, would not be needed in electronic title jurisdictions. There 
will, however, be situations where an electronic title system must 
allow electronic reassignment before an electronic title has been 
created. The first will be instances where the vehicle has never been 
titled and neither an electronic or a physical title is available for 
recording reassignments. Another circumstance requiring an electronic 
reassignment would arise when a transferor holding a paper title for a 
vehicle wishes to transfer that vehicle in a jurisdiction with an 
electronic title system. In that circumstance, a mechanism needs to 
exist to allow further reassignments prior to issuance of the 
electronic title. If the transferor holding the physical title makes 
the disclosure on that title, the final rule requires subsequent 
electronic reassignments in such an instance, even though the vehicle 
has a physical title.
    Consistent with other provisions of this final rule, Sec.  580.5(g) 
disposes of the use of separate physical odometer disclosure statements 
in states with electronic title and odometer disclosure systems. To 
make this limitation on the use of separate physical odometer 
disclosure statements after a title has been issued, the final rule now 
states a separate physical disclosure statement may only be used after 
the holder of a physical title has made a proper odometer disclosure, 
assigned the title to their transferee, the title no longer has space 
for a reassignment and the transaction's locale does not have an 
electronic title and odometer disclosure system. Finally, while states 
with electronic title and odometer disclosure systems may choose to 
employ separate physical disclosure statements in instances where a 
title has not been issued, the final rule establishes these states must 
provide a means for electronic odometer disclosures both before and 
after a title has been issued.

H. Requirements for Electronic Transactions

    NHTSA proposed employing Section 580.6, previously reserved, to 
address issues specific to electronic transactions. These proposals 
included electronic storage in Sec.  580.6(a)(1), electronic signatures 
in Sec.  580.6(a)(2), availability of electronic records in Sec.  
580.6(a)(3), accounting for the potential for co-existing paper and 
electronic records in Sec. Sec.  580.6(a)(4) and 580.6(a)(6), allowing 
a non-negotiable paper ownership record option in Sec.  580.6(a)(5), 
NHTSA also proposed, requiring secure physical documents be used in 
electronic odometer disclosure systems in Sec.  580.6(a)(7), and 
setting standards for converting secure paper documents to electronic 
formats in Sec.  580.6(a)(8).
    As set out in the NPRM, Sec.  580.6(a)(1) stated electronic records 
shall be retained in a format which cannot be altered, and which 
indicates any attempts to alter it. Commenters supported this proposal 
if the final rule allowed authorized alterations to the records to make 
corrections and other permissible changes. In response to these 
comments, the final rule makes several changes to this section. First, 
NHTSA has narrowed the applicability of this section from electronic 
``records'' to electronic titles to remedy the overbreadth of our 
proposed language and for consistency with the remainder of the final 
rule. The final rule similarly changes the heading for Sec.  580.6 to 
``Additional Requirements for Electronic Odometer Disclosures'' to add 
clarity and precision. Proposed Sec.  580.6(a)(1) is now redesignated 
as Sec.  580.6(a) and, also for clarity, Sec.  580.6(a)(2) through (8) 
are re-designated as Sec.  580.6(b) through (h).
    Section 580.6(a) of the final rule states electronic titles and 
power of attorney shall be retained in a format which cannot be altered 
unless such alterations are authorized and which indicates any 
unauthorized attempts to alter it (Sec.  580.6(a)(1)). This language 
allows authorized modifications in response to comments requesting this 
authority. To assist in detecting odometer fraud, these records must be 
stored in an order that permits systematic retrieval (Sec.  
580.6(a)(2)) for a minimum of five years following conversion to a 
physical title, issuance of a subsequent title, or permanent 
destruction of the vehicle. Absent those events, the record shall be 
retained indefinitely. Final rule Sec.  580.6(a)(2) and (3) mirror 
provisions for electronic record retrieval and storage that were found 
in Sec.  580.6(a)(4) of the NPRM's regulatory text. These have been 
relocated as the focus of Sec.  580.6, which has been narrowed to 
electronic odometer disclosures embedded in electronic titles and 
powers of attorney. The agency observes that two commenters, Texas and 
California, indicated the five-year retention period was unnecessarily 
burdensome and suggested three and four years respectively. Although 
NHTSA acknowledges that a shorter retention period would be less 
burdensome, the agency believes effective detection and prosecution of 
odometer fraud requires that states retain records, as dealers must, 
for not less than five years.
    The agency also proposed requirements for signatures in electronic 
transactions. Section 580.6(a)(2), as set forth in the NPRM, stated any 
electronic signature identify an individual, and, further specified a 
business or entity be identified if the individual is acting on behalf 
of that business or entity. Comments submitted in response to this 
proposal were generally split--states,

[[Page 52689]]

AAMVA, and consumer or law enforcement-oriented groups supported it 
while dealers, auction firms, and their associations opposed it. Dealer 
groups believed the requirement to be unnecessary and inflexible as 
dealerships are entities regulated and licensed by their home states. 
Auction interests argued the requirement would impose a crippling 
burden on their ability to do business as they process hundreds or 
thousands of vehicles at a time. The final rule amends the language 
proposed in the NPRM to alleviate some of these concerns. Redesignated 
as Sec.  580.6(b), this section is now restricted in application to 
electronic signatures made on odometer disclosures embedded in 
electronic titles or power of attorney. In contrast to our proposal, 
which was capable of being read as applying to all electronic 
transactions, the final rule requirement applies specifically to 
odometer disclosures.
    In addition, the final rule also explains the requirement to 
identify both an individual and the entity that individual represents 
is, for auctions and dealers, limited to identifying the individual and 
the dealer or auction firm. NHTSA believes these modifications should 
relieve auctions from identifying multitudes of consignees that bring 
cars to them for sale, particularly since auctions typically do not 
take title or execute odometer disclosures. The agency does not, 
however, believe the requirement to identify both an individual and an 
entity when the individual represents an entity, should be eliminated. 
Identity verification schemes may rely heavily on personal information, 
not business information. Considering this, maintenance of what may be 
a rapidly changing list of ``authorized'' employees for a business 
would impose burdens on states and promote misidentification.
    Executing odometer disclosures requires notices, warnings, and 
instructions to be read, information to be supplied by the transferor, 
acknowledgement and acceptance of the disclosure by the transferee, 
and, in paper transactions, a copy of the signed disclosure statement 
must be given to the transferor by the transferee. Transitioning from 
paper to electronic odometer disclosure requires parties have this 
information available. Then NPRM proposed any requirement in part 580 
to disclose, issue, execute, return, notify, or otherwise provide 
information to another person is satisfied when the required 
information is electronically transmitted or otherwise electronically 
accessible to the party required to receive the disclosure. One 
association and one state opposed this proposal as imposing a 
requirement on states that more properly lies with the parties. 
Objection was also made to this requirement as ``process based'' and 
not transaction based because of the proposed Sec.  580.6 applying to 
electronic transactions.
    The final rule adopts the language proposed in Sec.  580.6(a)(3) in 
the redesignated Sec.  580.6(c) with modifications responsive to 
commenter concerns. NHTSA observes first that Sec.  580.6 has been 
recast to focus on electronic odometer disclosures instead of 
transactions to correct the impression it applies to processes. In 
addition, the final rule strikes the word ``execute'' from the proposed 
regulatory text and directs a requirement to disclose, issue, return, 
notify, or otherwise provide information to another person in the 
course of an electronic odometer disclosure is satisfied when the 
required information is electronically transmitted or otherwise 
electronically available to the party required to review or receive it. 
Therefore, the final rule clarifies the information at issue is that 
which is necessary for an odometer disclosure, and the duty to provide 
it is satisfied when it is made available to a party. As any electronic 
odometer disclosure must, at a minimum, provide an opportunity for 
parties to the transfer to view information, this requirement does not, 
for all practical purposes, impose an unnecessary burden.
    Paper and electronic title and disclosure systems are likely to 
coexist for the foreseeable future. The NPRM proposed adding two 
sections to 580.6 to address the issues posed by the co-existence of 
paper and electronic systems. Section 580.6(a)(4) proposed requiring 
prior paper titles be copied electronically and then destroyed when a 
new electronic title is created. To preserve the paper title as a 
record, NHTSA also proposed the electronic copy of the paper title be 
retained for five years. Section 580.6(a)(6) proposed electronic title 
states must have an ability to issue secure paper titles and upon 
issuing such a title must invalidate any electronic title. Commenters 
supported these proposals but offered some concerns. One of these is 
that requiring destruction of physical titles by states is cumbersome, 
and the same purpose can be met by invalidating the paper title. 
Commenters also noted the requirement that only states can print paper 
titles might be too restrictive as technological advances might make it 
possible for secure paper titles to be produced by other entities. 
Indeed, one individual commenter suggested individuals could print 
their own titles.
    The agency is adopting the proposed sections with several 
modifications. Section 580.6(d), Sec.  580.6(a)(4) in the NPRM, of the 
final rule requires states issuing electronic titles to obtain the 
prior physical title or proof that it was lost or invalidated before 
issuing a new title. These states must retain a physical or electronic 
copy of the physical title for five years, a period NHTSA believes is 
required for effective enforcement. As noted, the storage requirements 
for these records have been incorporated into the general requirements 
for storing electronic odometer disclosures in Sec.  580.6(a) of this 
final rule. The final rule further adopts the language proposed in 
Sec.  580.6(a)(6) of the NPRM without substantive change as Sec.  
580.6(f). NHTSA does not presently believe entities other than states 
should have the capability to issue titles.
    NHTSA's NPRM proposed, in Sec.  580.6(a)(5), that states with 
electronic title systems have the option of providing vehicle owners 
with a paper record of ownership, including odometer disclosure 
information, if that document clearly indicates it is not an official 
title or odometer disclosure for that vehicle. The comments received in 
response to this proposal were very supportive, with some commenters 
expressing reservations such a document could be used fraudulently if 
not clearly marked. The final rule adopts the proposal in Sec.  
580.6(e), allowing issuance of such a document if it clearly indicates 
it is not an official title for the vehicle and may not be used to 
transfer ownership.
    States may implement electronic title and odometer disclosure 
schemes by employing physical documents at some stage of the process. 
NHTSA's approval of alternative odometer disclosure schemes presented 
by the Florida and New York petitions, was conditioned on the use of 
secure documents for portions of the odometer disclosure process. 
Section 580.6(a)(7) of the NPRM proposed any physical documents used 
make odometer disclosures for entry into an electronic title and 
odometer disclosure system to comply with the existing requirements of 
part 580. Comments directed toward this portion of the NPRM supported 
it, but two commenters, Arizona and Texas, respectively noted the 
proposed language conflicted or may conflict with other portions of the 
proposed rule.
    The final rule adopts the regulatory text of Sec.  580.6(a)(7) of 
the NPRM as Sec.  580.6(g) and modifies the requirement that such a 
document meet the existing requirements of part 580. For clarity and

[[Page 52690]]

to eliminate conflicts with other provisions, the final rule paragraph 
states any document used to make odometer disclosures into an 
electronic system must be set forth by means of a secure printing 
process or other secure process. In addition, the final rule specifies 
the foregoing requirement does not apply to a lessee's odometer 
disclosure made in conformance with Sec.  580.7.
    The simultaneous existence of both paper and electronic title and 
odometer disclosure systems requires paper documents be converted into 
electronic records. As NHTSA remained concerned document conversion 
presented opportunities for fraud, Sec.  580.6(a)(8) of the NPRM 
proposed processes for converting titles and other secure documents to 
electronic copies maintain security features and that scanning be made 
in color at a resolution of 600 dpi. Commenters reacted strongly to 
this proposal and argued strenuously that it was ill founded, costly, 
and impractical. After consideration of these comments, the agency 
agrees a 600-dpi requirement is impractical and that a 200-dpi standard 
should provide the required level of security. Accordingly, the final 
rule redesignates the proposal's paragraph Sec.  580.6(a)(8) as Sec.  
580.6(h), eliminates the requirement that scanning or imaging be 
performed in color and reduces the required resolution to not less than 
200 dpi.
    Texas submitted comments suggesting an additional two subsections 
be added to Sec.  580.6. The first of these would make an explicit 
provision for using a power of attorney in an electronic title 
jurisdiction where the transferor holds a lost physical title. Rather 
than have the transferor execute a power of attorney and then have the 
transferee obtain a physical title and then convert it to electronic 
form, the provision would allow use of a single power of attorney to 
complete the transaction and convert the title. NHTSA concurs with 
adding this provision, which is adopted by this final rule as Sec.  
580.6(i). Texas also offered an amendment providing that reassignment 
documents may not be used for making odometer disclosures with an 
electronic title because there is no physical limit on the number of 
reassignments that can be incorporated into such a title. The agency 
agrees this provision is desirable and has added Sec.  580.6(j) to 
implement it in the final rule.

I. Leased Vehicles

    Leased vehicles present challenges in making odometer disclosures 
because they are held by a lessee while the lessor holds the title and, 
without the title accompanying the vehicle, frequently transferred by 
the lessee to a transferor. Section 580.7 establishes special 
procedures to ensure accurate mileage information is provided by the 
lessee to the lessor so the lessor can execute the odometer disclosure 
on the title. The NPRM proposed amendments to Sec.  580.7 allowing the 
required documents be in the form of ``electronic documents.'' 
Commenters generally supported the proposed amendments provided NHTSA 
did not extend the proposal to require states to play a role in 
facilitating lease vehicle disclosures. Many commenters noted the use 
of the terms ``physical document'' and ``electronic document'' as 
employed in the proposed regulatory text were incompatible with the 
definitions and security requirements of these documents proposed 
elsewhere in the NPRM. Consistent with the revisions this final rule 
makes to the definitions in Sec.  580.3, this final rule revises Sec.  
580.7 by eliminating references to ``physical document'' and 
``electronic document'' and stating required communications may be made 
electronically and in writing. Because the existing paper process does 
not contain such a requirement, the final rule also eliminates a 
proposal stating a lessee completing an electronic odometer statement 
must separately acknowledge understanding federal and applicable state 
law requirements prior to signing the disclosure.

J. Document Retention

    Part 580's document retention requirements provide for the 
maintenance of records essential to establishing the paper trail used 
to detect and prove cases of odometer fraud. Section 580.8, applicable 
to dealers and distributors, and Sec.  580.9, which applies to auction 
companies were both the subject of amendments proposed to include 
electronic copies or electronic documents as an acceptable form of 
record. The NPRM further proposed Sec.  580.8 specify dealer electronic 
records be retained in a format which cannot be altered, and which 
indicates any attempts to alter it. Commenters questioned whether 
extending paper record requirements would be necessary in electronic 
title and odometer disclosure states given those states would store the 
same data. Comments also questioned the use of the term ``electronic 
document'' and ``physical document'' in the proposal given the 
definition proposed in Sec.  580.3. Other comments questioned the 
proposal's amending the requirements for odometer disclosure statements 
for dealers and distributors while not applying similar requirements to 
leased vehicle documents and powers of attorney. The final rule makes 
several changes to the amendments proposed in the NPRM in response to 
these comments
    This final rule amends Sec.  580.8(a) to provide dealers and 
distributors must retain paper or electronic copies of each odometer 
mileage statement they issue and receive for five years. The final rule 
further states electronic data shall be retained so it cannot be 
altered and which indicates any attempts to alter it. Similarly, the 
final rule amends Sec.  580.8(c) to require dealers and distributors to 
retain paper or electronic copies of each power of attorney, executed 
pursuant to Sec. Sec.  580.13 and 580.14, that they receive for five 
years and imposes the same storage requirements for electronic 
documents as found in Sec.  580.8(a). Section 580.8(b) is also amended 
to require lessors to retain both written and electronic odometer 
disclosure statements they receive from lessees for five years and, if 
the disclosure is electronic, the data shall be retained so it cannot 
be altered and which indicates any attempt to alter it. The final rule 
also adds a new paragraph, Sec.  580.8(d), specifying that in the case 
of odometer disclosure statements made on electronic titles or 
electronic powers of attorney, dealers and distributors need not retain 
the data if the jurisdiction retains this information for five years 
and makes it available to these dealers and distributors at their 
principal place of business. To ensure these records are available to 
enforcement officials, the paragraph further states such data must be 
available at the dealer or distributors place of business upon demand.
    As proposed in the NPRM, Sec.  580.9, establishing document 
retention requirements for auction companies, employed the terms 
``electronic document'' and ``physical document'' to describe the 
materials they must retain. Consistent with other changes made in this 
final rule, this section dispenses with those terms as used in the NPRM 
and states that the information may be physical or electronic. Also, 
the final rule replaces the term buyer in Sec.  580.9(b) with 
``transferee'' as that term is employed throughout part 580.

K. Power of Attorney

    As required by the Truth in Mileage Act of 1986 (TIMA), NHTSA 
issued a final rule in August 1988 (53 FR 29464), stating odometer 
disclosures may only be made on the vehicle title unless the vehicle 
has never been titled or the title did not contain sufficient space for 
the

[[Page 52691]]

disclosure. Id. at 29471. The command that odometer disclosures can 
only be made on the title could cause serious difficulties in instances 
where the title was held by a lienholder because the title, and the 
means for making an odometer disclosure, would not be available to the 
owner of the vehicle subject to the lien if that owner wished to sell 
the vehicle or trade it in when buying a new car. Congress responded to 
the foregoing final rule by inserting a provision in the Pipeline 
Safety Reauthorization Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-561) amending TIMA's 
requirement that odometer disclosures be made only on the title. This 
amendment allowed use of a special power of attorney for executing 
odometer disclosures when a title is physically held by a lienholder. 
NHTSA implemented changes to part 580 authorizing use of this power of 
attorney by an interim final rule published in the Federal Register on 
March 8, 1989. (54 FR 9609). NHTSA later expanded the applicability of 
the power of attorney provisions to instances where the title was held 
by a lienholder or the title was lost. (54 FR 35879).
    The advent of electronic title and odometer disclosure systems 
presents challenges stemming from the requirement that odometer 
disclosures must be made on the title, a reassignment document if no 
space for disclosure is available on the title, or through the special 
power of attorney when a title is physically held by a lienholder or 
has been lost. If an electronic title is subject to an electronic lien, 
it is not available to the vehicle owner to allow odometer disclosure 
until the lien is released. Further, as explained in the NPRM, a person 
holding an electronic title issued in one state may wish to sell their 
vehicle in a state that does not have an electronic title and odometer 
disclosure capability. Again, this vehicle owner would not have a title 
on which to make an odometer disclosure unless they obtained a printed 
title from their state beforehand.
    NHTSA proposed amending Sec.  580.13(a) and (b), to allow an 
individual with a vehicle titled in an electronic title state to use a 
power of attorney to sell a vehicle in a paper title state. Based on 
the belief that a power of attorney should not be needed when 
electronic titles and disclosures were available, the agency limited 
their use to the paper format. Commenters observed the NPRM's view a 
power of attorney would be useful in interstate transactions from an 
electronic title state to a paper state was flawed as the transferor 
would still need a paper title to register the vehicle. Most commenters 
advocated having both electronic and paper versions of the power of 
attorney in jurisdictions with electronic title and odometer systems. 
Three commenters noted language in Sec.  580.13(f) stating ``. . . if 
the mileage disclosed on the power of attorney form is lower than the 
mileage appearing on the title, the power of attorney is void and the 
dealer shall not complete the mileage disclosure on the title'' 
(emphasis added) is erroneous. These commenters noted the dealer does 
not complete the disclosure and should be changed to ``transferee.'' 
Another commenter encouraged amending Sec.  580.13(f), which specifies 
that a power of attorney is void if the odometer reading on the power 
of attorney is lower than on the title, to accommodate instances where 
the disclosure properly reports the odometer reading is known to be in 
excess of mechanical limits or is ``not actual.'' This commenter 
further asked that this section allow for electronic submission of an 
original power of attorney by scanning or imaging and that Sec.  580.16 
be amended to specify that a copy of a power of attorney be made 
available upon request rather than returned. Other comments noted an 
electronic title could be unavailable when subject to an electronic 
lien or in the event technical issues in an electronic system made 
titles temporarily unavailable. Commenters aligned with lenders asked 
the power of attorney be expanded so lenders could perform disclosures 
for their clients.
    The agency is adopting several changes to this portion of the final 
rule in response to the comments. For clarity, these amendments 
required bifurcating the former Sec.  580.13(a) into two paragraphs, 
Sec.  580.13(a) and (b), and redesignating the former Sec.  580.13(b) 
through (f) as Sec.  580.13(c) through (g). This final rule adds a new 
paragraph, Sec.  580.13(h), as explained below.
    Section 580.13(a) now specifies a power of attorney may be either a 
paper document, defined as an ``Original power of attorney'' in Sec.  
580.3, or may exist in electronic form consistent with the final rule's 
definition of ``Electronic power of attorney.'' The restriction on the 
use of the power of attorney when the title is lost or is physically 
held by a lienholder remains in place for physical or paper titles. 
However, either an electronic power of attorney or an original power of 
attorney may be used when a paper title is lost or held by a 
lienholder. Given the likelihood that electronic title and odometer 
disclosure systems will not be implemented across the nation in the 
foreseeable future, the final rule provides a power of attorney may be 
used if the title in question is electronic. For an electronic title, 
the final rule allows use of a power of attorney under two 
circumstances. The first is when the electronic title is held or 
controlled by a lienholder. In NHTSA's view, this situation is 
analogous to that where a paper title is physically held by a 
lienholder as the title is not available to the transferor because the 
title will only be released when the lien is satisfied. The final rule 
also provides a power of attorney may be used when an electronic title 
cannot be accessed. The term ``accessed'' is employed here as defined 
in Sec.  580.3 and therefore means the power of attorney may be used 
only in circumstances where either a transferee or a transferor does 
not have the ability to make authorized changes to the electronic 
title. In incorporating this provision into the final rule, NHTSA 
believes it offers the flexibility required to allow transferors with 
electronic titles to sell or trade in vehicles in states without 
electronic titles or odometer disclosure systems when the transferor 
did not obtain a paper title prior to the transfer.
    NHTSA believes the foregoing changes to Sec.  580.13(a) address the 
pre-eminent concerns expressed by most commenters. The final rule 
allows both physical and electronic powers of attorney to afford the 
flexibility required to facilitate vehicle transfers as states 
transition from paper to electronic titling and odometer disclosure. 
The agency acknowledges a power of attorney will not, in transactions 
where vehicle with an electronic title is transferred in a jurisdiction 
without electronic titles, allow the transferee to register and title 
the vehicle without obtaining a paper title from the transferor's 
state. Nonetheless, that same obstacle exists today in interstate 
transactions involving a lost physical title or one that is physically 
held by a lienholder.
    This final rule also amends former Sec.  580.13(a) through (e), now 
redesignated as Sec.  580.13(b) through (f) to make these sections 
consistent with changes implemented elsewhere. Where it appeared, the 
term ``state'' is now replaced with ``jurisdiction'' to conform to the 
definition added in Sec.  580.3. References to the power of attorney 
are also modified by use of the terms ``original'' and ``electronic,'' 
and the term ``title'' is similarly modified by the terms 
``electronic'' or ``physical.'' Because of concerns raised by the 
potential for illegible signatures or address information in instances 
where a ``pen pad'' or similar device for recording hand written 
information electronically may be used, these

[[Page 52692]]

sections have also been changed to require a printed name and a printed 
address.
    NHTSA has also made amendments responding to comments addressing 
the former Sec.  580.13(f), now redesignated at Sec.  580.13(g), and 
added a new paragraph Sec.  580.13(h). Along with adding the necessary 
terms to accommodate electronic and original powers of attorney and 
physical and electronic titles to the former Sec.  508.13(f), the final 
rule now provides two exceptions to the requirement that mileage shown 
to be lower than that disclosed on the title voids the power of 
attorney. The two exceptions added reflect two instances where the 
mileage on the power of attorney may properly be lower than that shown 
on the prior title--when the transferor states that the mileage shown 
reflects mileage in excess of the designed mechanical odometer limit or 
that the mileage shown does not reflect the actual mileage. This final 
rule also removes the word ``dealer'' in this paragraph and replaces it 
with the word ``transferee'' for consistency. This final rule also adds 
Sec.  508.13(h), allowing states to receive copies of an original power 
of attorney in an electronic format after scanning or imaging.
    This final rule also amends Sec. Sec.  580.14 through 580.16 to 
allow for the use of both electronic and original powers of attorney, 
electronic and physical titles and to replace ``state'' with 
``jurisdiction'' consistent with the definitions in Sec.  580.3. As 
Sec.  580.14 sets out the requirements of Part B of the power of 
attorney and is a counterpart to Part A addressed by Sec.  580.13, the 
final rule also adds the requirement transferees provide a printed name 
and a printed address in Sec.  580.14(b)(3) and (4). Consistent with 
Sec.  580.13(g) of this final rule, Sec.  580.15--establishing the 
certification requirements for a person exercising the power of 
attorney--is modified to account for situations where a transferor has 
indicated mileage exceeds mechanical limits of the odometer or has 
stated the odometer does not reflect the actual mileage. Therefore, 
Sec.  580.15(a) is revised to relieve the person making the 
certification from attesting that the mileage they disclosed (as 
authorized by the power of attorney) is greater than that previously 
shown in the title or a reassignment document if they disclosed that 
the mileage exceeds mechanical limits or the odometer reading does not 
reflect the actual mileage. The foregoing change to Sec.  580.15(a) 
requires restructuring the remainder of this section for clarity. 
Accordingly, Sec.  580.15(b) is redesignated in the final rule as Sec.  
580.15(c) and the final sentence of the former Sec.  580.15(a) is now 
Sec.  580.15(b). In addition to the redesignation, Sec.  580.15(c) is 
also modified to provide an exception to voiding the power of attorney 
for mileage inconsistency where the disclosure states the mileage is in 
excess of mechanical limits or does not reflect the actual mileage. The 
final rule makes another revision for consistency by replacing the term 
``purchaser'' with ``transferee'' in Sec.  580.16(b).

L. Exemptions

    NHTSA's NPRM proposed amending Sec.  580.17(a)(3), exempting any 
vehicle more than 10 years old from the odometer disclosure 
requirements, to raise this exemption to 25 years. Comments submitted 
in response to the proposal were consistent in raising concerns about 
how such a change would be implemented because many vehicles exempt 
under the former rule would no longer qualify, but may have already 
been claimed as exempt. Far less consensus existed in consideration of 
the wisdom of changing the exemption. Some commenters strongly 
supported the proposal, citing the increased age of the vehicle fleet 
and providing anecdotal evidence of significant odometer fraud 
prosecutions involving older vehicles. One commenter noted some states 
do not issue titles for older vehicles, presenting the paradox of 
requiring disclosure on a title when no title exists. Out of states 
submitting comments, only one indicated any degree of opposition, 
citing possible increased data entry costs. Dealers, insurers, and 
auctioneers opposing the proposed change to the exemption argued it 
would increase disclosure and recordkeeping burdens for transferors, 
transferees, and states, without providing any known benefit. Others 
also decried the notion this change would provide any benefit, 
contending buyers of older cars do not consider mileage as an important 
indicator of value, while one commenter noted theft and cloning are 
largely restricted to newer and higher value cars.
    After review of the comments and consideration of the available 
data, NHTSA is modifying the 25-year exemption proposed in the NPRM to 
a period of 20 years. NHTSA notes that it amended the previous 25-year 
exemption to a 10-year exemption rule in 1988. (53 FR 29464, August 5, 
1988). In the preamble to the 1988 final rule, the agency observed it 
was abandoning the 25-year exemption because of evidence derived from 
studies conducted in Wisconsin and Iowa that odometer tampering was 
disproportionately small as compared to the number of vehicles in that 
age group. The agency also observed at the time that many commenters 
indicated that the prices for vehicles over ten years old was not 
typically based on the odometer reading. Given the low incidence of 
odometer tampering and substantial evidence that buyers in 1988 were 
not relying on mileage as the primary indicator of condition in 
vehicles 10 year old and older than 10 years, NHTSA adopted an 
exemption that applied to vehicles 10 years old and older. Id. at 
29472. When that final rule was issued in 1988, the average age of 
automobiles in use was 7.6 years.\2\ In 2017, almost three decades 
later, the average age of light vehicles in use had risen to 11.7 
years.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Average Age of Automobiles and Trucks, Fed. Highway Admin., 
available at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ohim/onh00/line3.htm (last 
visited Sept. 13, 2019).
    \3\ America's Cars and Trucks Are Getting Older, Business 
Insider (Aug. 22, 2018), available at https://www.businessinsider.com/americas-cars-and-trucks-are-getting-older-2018-8 (last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The 2017 National Household Travel Survey also validate this trend 
of increased vehicles longevity. The survey shows that the average age 
of household vehicles increase to 10.1 years for cars and 10.4 for 
light trucks/vans (LTVS) from 7.6 and 8.0 years, respectively, in 1990. 
In other words, 10 years and older vehicles also have increasingly 
comprised a greater proportion of household vehicles. In 2017, about 47 
percent of the household cars and 50 percent of the household LTVs were 
10 years and older--a significant increase from the respective 30 
percent and 32 percent in 1990.\4\ Furthermore, based on the NHTSA 
established scrapped rate schedule, the average age of vehicles when 
they are scrapped (i.e., age at 50 percent scrappage rate) is about 16 
years old for cars and 15 years old for LTVs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Table 21 of Summary of Travel Trends, 2017 National 
Household Travel Survey, Fed. Highway Admin., July 2018, available 
at https://nhts.ornl.gov/assets/2017_nhts_summary_travel_trends.pdf 
(last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In 2008, noting the increasing age of light vehicles in use, the 
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requested NHTSA consider review of the 
10-year exemption. Among other things, DOJ observed the increasing 
numbers of ``exempt'' titles increased opportunities for odometer fraud 
while the advent of mileage records in Carfax and similar venues made 
such titles more valuable for those engaging in odometer fraud. 
Consistent with increases in vehicle age since 1988, the age of 
vehicles that have their mileage altered has also increased. An April 
2002 NHTSA study, which

[[Page 52693]]

examined 11 model years of data, found the rate of odometer fraud began 
to rise in the fourth and fifth year of service and then remained 
consistently high through years 7 through 10. A 2013 study performed by 
a private company, CARFAX, found vehicles 14 to 15 years old were most 
susceptible to having had their odometers rolled back.\5\ The increased 
longevity of vehicles in years has been matched by change in the number 
of miles travelled before a vehicle has reached the end of its useful 
life. In the years before NHTSA's 1988 amendment decreasing the 
exemption from 25 to 10 years, vehicles that had travelled over 100,000 
miles were generally considered to be at or near the end of their 
useful lives. Improvements in vehicle quality and advancements in 
technology have greatly extended this figure and worked corresponding 
changes in the used vehicle market. According to the data Edmonds 
provided to NHTSA, the 100,000 miles travelled approximated to that for 
an average 8/9 years old vehicles that were sold in 2017. These 8 to 9 
years, on an average, would still maintain 87 to 89 percent of its 
useful life. Furthermore, not only have vehicles lasted longer, they 
also retain a greater proportion of their original manufacturer 
suggested retailed price (MSRP). Edmunds data indicated that a 10-year-
old vehicle retained 21 percent of its original MSRP in 2012. In 2017, 
the percentage increase to 26 percent.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Carfax: Odometer Fraud Hits Nearly 200,000 Cars Annually, 
available at https://www.carfax.com/press/carfax-odometer-fraud-hits-nearly-200-000-cars-annually (last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
    \6\ Used Vehicle Market Report, Edmunds, Feb. 2017, available at 
https://dealers.edmunds.com/static/assets/articles/2017_Feb_Used_Market_Report.pdf (last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additional considerations supporting changing the exemption include 
the relative ease with which modern odometers may be rolled back and 
the significant increases in market value that may be gained through 
such fraud. Mechanical odometers have vanished from the market and have 
been controlled by microprocessor driven digital displays. As the 
microprocessors controlling the odometer display are also employed in 
service of anti-theft devices and other functions, they may be accessed 
by specialized software through the vehicle's diagnostic port. This 
specialized software, which may be used to reset, repair or correct 
information in the module controlling the odometer and other systems in 
the instrument cluster can also be employed to remove mileage from the 
odometer display in minutes. Given the improved corrosion resistance 
and improved quality of exterior finishes on contemporary vehicles, 
resetting an odometer display to remove 100,000 miles from the mileage 
shown can significantly alter the market value of a car, often by many 
thousands of dollars. For those inclined to commit odometer fraud, the 
profit that can be gained from a single transaction can far exceed the 
investment in software and time needed to change the odometer display. 
Therefore, NHTSA's view is that the increased age of vehicles, the 
changes in the used car market prompted by vehicle longevity, the 
relative ease with which modern odometers may be rolled back and the 
known trends in odometer fraud support extending the exemption to 20 
years.
    Implementation of any change in the exemption caused many 
commenters to voice concern as the NPRM proposal did not account for 
vehicles subject to the prior exemption in the regulatory text. The 
final rule addresses this issue by stating the 20-year exemption 
applies only to vehicles manufactured after the 2010 model year, 
ensuring previously exempt vehicles are not captured by the new rule.
    The agency believes the costs associated with changing the 
exemption will be negligible and more than offset by the benefits 
gained from protecting consumers from odometer fraud. Although one 
state and several commenters associated with dealers and auctioneers 
cited additional data entry and recordkeeping costs associated with 
modifying the extension, the exact nature and source of these costs was 
not described in the comments.
    Approximately 40 million used car sales occurred in the United 
States in 2018. Vehicles over 10 years old accounted for approximately 
3 to 4 percent of retail sales by franchised new car dealers \7\ and 12 
percent of sales by independent dealers.\8\ Many older vehicles are 
sold through private sales or at wholesale auctions.\9\ Private used 
car sales accounted for approximately 28 percent of 2017 used car sales 
or slightly less than 11 million sales.\10\ Franchised dealers were 
responsible for approximately 37 percent of the used car sales while 
independent dealers accounted for approximately 34 percent of these 
sales.\11\ Wholesale auctions, which are an important source of used 
cars inventory for dealers, sold approximately 10 million cars in 
2018.\12\ Given that approximately 4 and 12 percent of used car sales 
respectively involving franchised and independent dealers involve 
vehicles over 10 years old, the change in the exemption will impose 
some additional costs on these dealers which can be quantified with a 
degree of certainty. These additional costs will stem from having to 
complete odometer disclosure forms for vehicles which, because of their 
age, had the mileage blank on the title marked with the word ``exempt'' 
while leaving the remainder of the form blank. In instances where the 
vehicle's paper title is not available because it is lost or held by 
lienholders, a transferor will have to employ the power of attorney 
form dictated by part 580 and the transferee will have to either 
complete the odometer disclosure on the title when it is obtained or 
execute Part B of the power of attorney in a subsequent transaction. 
This is most likely to arise when a consumer transfers a vehicle to a 
dealer either as a trade-in or in an outright sale. NHTSA believes that 
it is unlikely that the change in the exemption will involve execution 
of a both a power of attorney and the odometer disclosure statement in 
transactions involving private sales and wholesale auctions. In both 
private sales and auction sales, odometer disclosures are almost always 
made on the vehicle's title and do not involve the use of a power of 
attorney. Private sales are more likely to involve vehicles that are 
not subject to a lien and where the seller has the title in their 
possession. Buyers in private sales are also more likely to insist on 
having the title itself available at the time the transfer is 
completed. Similarly, auction sales also rarely involve vehicles for 
which the title is not available. As these are wholesale transactions 
where the auctioneer is acting as the agent on behalf of a seller that 
is a business entity, the vehicle title is available at the time of 
sale.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ Used Vehicle Outlook 2019, Edmunds, available at https://static.ed.edmunds-media.com/unversioned/img/industry-center/insights/2019-used-vehicle-outlook-report-final.pdf (last visited 
Sept. 13, 2019).
    \8\ NIADA 2018 Used Car Industry Report, National Independent 
Auto Dealers Association, available at https://www.niada.com/uploads/dynamic_areas/ei5l4ZznCkTc8GyrBKd6/34/UCIR_2018_Web.pdf? 
(last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
    \9\ Used Vehicle Market Report, Edmunds, Feb. 2017, available at 
https://dealers.edmunds.com/static/assets/articles/2017_Feb_Used_Market_Report.pdf (last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
    \10\ Charles Chesbrough, The Used Vehicle Market: Bumps On The 
Road Ahead, available at https://www.chicagofed.org/~/media/others/
events/2017/automotive-outlook-symposium/chesbrough-06022017-pdf.pdf 
(lasted visited Sept. 13, 2019).
    \11\ Id.
    \12\ Auction Industry Survey For the Year Ended Dec. 31, 2018, 
available at https://www.naaa.com/pdfs/AuctionIndustrySurveySummary_2018.pdf (last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The change in the exemption period made by this final rule will 
also impose some additional recordkeeping costs.

[[Page 52694]]

Dealers are required to retain copies of executed odometer disclosure 
statements for a period of five years. As noted above, this may either 
involve retaining a copy of the executed odometer disclosure on the 
back of a title or a copy of both the power of attorney form and the 
odometer disclosure on the back of the title made under the authority 
given by the power of attorney.

M. Miscellaneous Amendments

    The NPRM proposed various amendments updating the agency's address, 
removing obsolete text, and conforming the petition for alternative 
disclosure schemes requirements to the other proposed amendments. These 
included inserting a new address in Sec. Sec.  580.10(b)(2) and 
580.11(b)(2), deleting the text in Sec.  580.12 and amending Sec.  
580.11(a). A single commenter supported these proposed amendments. This 
final rule adopts these amendments as proposed in the final rule.

N. Other Comments

    Several commenters proposed amendments not offered in the NPRM. One 
commenter suggested the term ``his'' used in various sections of part 
580 be changed to be gender neutral and that ``purchasers'' in Sec.  
580.2 be changed to ``transferees'' because not all transfers of 
ownership requiring an odometer disclosure are the result of a purchase 
and ``purchaser'' is not defined in part 580. This commenter also 
proposed changing ``at the time the lessors transfer the vehicle'' in 
Sec.  580.2 to ``at the time the lessees return possession of the 
vehicle to the lessors'' to more accurately fix the time when a lessee 
must make disclosure. The final rule adopts these changes.
    Commenters also asked for clarification on when a power of attorney 
may be used in conjunction with odometer disclosure by third parties 
such as lienholders, title services, and auctions. NHTSA observes the 
definition of both ``transferor'' and ``transferee'' in Sec.  580.3 
includes not just the owner and the buyer but also an agent acting on 
their behalf. Such an agent may include an individual or entity 
appointed by a general or limited power of attorney. If, however, that 
agent is representing an owner in a situation where the special power 
of attorney set forth in Sec.  580.13 may be used, that agent must make 
the odometer disclosure on the secure special power of attorney 
specified in that section.
    Several commenters requested NHTSA implement provisions providing 
lenders with the ability to make odometer disclosures through the 
special power of attorney in Sec.  580.13 as well as requiring the 
mileage on disclosures be transmitted electronically to lenders. NHTSA 
does not believe expanding the scope of permissible users of the 
special power of attorney to be desirable because limiting the use of 
these documents reduces the opportunity for fraud. The agency also 
declines to require mileage disclosures to be transmitted 
electronically to lenders as such a requirement is inconsistent with 
the purposes of part 580.
    Comments were also submitted supporting provisions to address ``end 
of life'' of vehicle title processing. These commenters suggested 
special electronic processes be implemented to facilitate transfers of 
vehicles that are scrapped or have been declared to be a total loss. 
NHTSA acknowledges the desirability of streamlining the process of 
transferring vehicles to recyclers as well as transfers for vehicles 
that have been declared to be a total loss. The agency does not, 
however, believe it should take further action other than fostering the 
development of electronic title and odometer disclosures through 
issuing this final rule.
    The NSVRP urged NHTSA to make whatever changes were needed to 
ensure odometer readings were reported to the correct jurisdiction at 
every transfer, including dealer-to-dealer transfers. NHTSA concurs in 
the goal of having odometer mileage accurately reported at every 
opportunity and believes the implementation of electronic title and 
odometer disclosure systems will do much to achieve that goal. As this 
final rule eliminates reassignment documents in states with electronic 
odometer disclosure systems, mileage will be reported more frequently 
when these systems are implemented. The agency is not requiring such 
reporting where paper documents are used absent further analysis of the 
burdens that would be imposed and the benefits what would accrue.
    Auctioneer representative NAAA stated U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) regulations require vehicles to be exported with the 
original or certified copy of the title. This commenter fears CBP may 
not be prepared to work with electronic titles, and delays in issuing 
paper titles may harm vehicle exporters. NHTSA believes this final rule 
will not result in titles becoming more difficult to obtain.
    Two commenters addressed the petition process for approval of 
odometer disclosure schemes, expressing concern about the effect the 
NPRM would have on the continued existence of the petition process. One 
commenter requested NHTSA establish rules for rescinding prior grants 
and that this final rule declare that it did not invalidate any 
previously granted petition. NHTSA did not propose eliminating the 
petition process in the NPRM, and this final rule does not make any 
changes to that process. The agency also does not agree there is a need 
to craft rules of general applicability for rescinding prior grants of 
any petitions for approval of alternative disclosure requirements. 
Historically, NHTSA has received few of these petitions and has, thus 
far, not encountered any situation calling for a rescinding a prior 
grant. To the extent any conflict exists between the requirements of 
this final rule and a previously granted petition, NHTSA expects the 
final rule to be controlling authority that must be followed. In making 
this statement, however, it is the agency's belief the provisions of 
this final rule are not inconsistent with any of its prior 
determinations approving alternative odometer disclosure schemes.

O. New Technologies

    NHTSA intends for this final rule to accommodate emerging 
technologies such as blockchain that states may wish to use for 
recording electronic titles, making odometer disclosures, and 
authenticating electronic signatures. As was discussed previously, we 
cannot foresee all future security and authentication applications that 
states may wish to use to facilitate electronic odometer disclosures 
and title transactions. We intend for this final rule to be technology 
neutral. States can use any application for electronic odometer 
disclosure or title transactions so long as the application provides 
for NIST Level 2 assurance or equivalent and otherwise complies with 
the requirements of part 580.

IV. Effective Date

    The NPRM did not propose a date on which the amendments offered by 
NHTSA would become effective. NHTSA has determined the amendments 
provided below shall become effective on December 31, 2019. The agency 
is issuing this final rule in response to a Congressional directive 
that NHTSA issue regulations allowing states to implement electronic 
odometer disclosure systems without having to petition NHTSA for 
approval. After thorough review of the comments and consideration of 
existing electronic odometer disclosure systems, the agency believes 
almost all of the states with

[[Page 52695]]

such systems currently will meet the new requirements. However, NHTSA 
notes that states whose systems may need to be modified to meet the new 
requirements will need to time to make any changes needed to comply 
with this rule, NHTSA has established an effective date that allows 
sufficient time to for states to ensure compliance.

V. Costs and Benefits

    The estimated annual costs of the final rule considers the total 
labor cost for filling the mileage in odometer disclosures when 
ownership is transferred for 11 to 19 years old used vehicles, the cost 
for computer storage for these disclosure records, and the processing 
time for filing these records. The estimated benefits of the final rule 
primarily are measured by the annual consumer loss from the odometer 
fraud that can be eliminated by the exemption requirement of the final 
rule. Allowing e-odometer filing is expected to be more efficient for a 
paper form of odometer system and thus has the benefits of paper 
reduction and the decrease of record processing and management time. 
The agency presently is unable to quantify the efficacy impact of E-
odometer, therefore, its benefit is not included. The estimated costs 
and benefits are expressed in 2018 dollars. Please see the accompanying 
cost and benefit analysis for a detailed discussion.
    This final rule, except for the amendment modifying the exemption 
for vehicles of a certain age from the odometer disclosure 
requirements, establishes rules intended to accommodate electronic 
odometer disclosures in the event states or other jurisdictions seek to 
adopt such systems. The agency has carefully reviewed previous 
petitions for approval of such systems, the requirements of federal 
odometer disclosure law, past rulemaking actions, and the comments 
provided in response to the NPRM with a goal toward crafting 
regulations that will continue to protect against odometer fraud while 
providing sufficient latitude for jurisdictions to either retain or 
develop electronic title and odometer disclosure schemes. The agency 
believes the final rule will not require the small number of 
jurisdictions with electronic odometer systems to make significant 
changes to comply with the new rules, and NHTSA will work with those 
jurisdictions to facilitate compliance. Specifically, the final rule 
requires the security of the electronic systems that are comparable to 
the practice of the current state security requirements and to that 
recommended by the task force sponsored by the American Association of 
Motor Vehicle Administrators.\13\ Therefore, the agency believes the 
final rule would not impose costs to states for the implementation of 
security requirement of the e-odometer systems.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \13\ Roadmap to Electronic Odometer Disclosure Guidance Document 
from the E-Odometer Task Force, March 2018, American Association of 
Motor Vehicle Administrators.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This final rule also alters the previous exemption from odometer 
disclosure for vehicles that are 10 years old to make it applicable to 
vehicles 20 years old. This new exemption will apply to vehicles 
manufactured in the 2010 model year and later and, unlike the remainder 
of the provisions of this final rule, will be applicable to all vehicle 
transfers and odometer disclosures regardless of whether the 
disclosures are made on paper or electronically.
    The increased quality and longevity of vehicles dictates half of 
vehicles now in use are more than 11 years old, and, with the average 
age at scrapping of 15 years, these vehicles are prime targets for 
odometer fraud. It is the agency's belief the aggregate cost of 
odometer fraud to purchasers of vehicles in the 10 to 20-year age range 
is substantial. Balanced against that cost, the burdens imposed by 
raising the exemption age are minimal. An odometer disclosure is one of 
many steps involved in transferring ownership of a vehicle. When a 
vehicle is old enough to be exempt from the disclosure requirements, 
the seller may choose to simply place the word ``exempt'' in the space 
where the odometer mileage would be entered. In such a case, the buyer 
and seller do not need to fill in the remainder of the disclosure form 
or sign it. However, whether made on the title or on a separate 
document when it is permissible to do so, the claim that the vehicle is 
exempt or the odometer mileage is recorded and processed by a state 
when the vehicle is registered. The odometer disclosure is also just 
one part of the larger process of transferring ownership in which the 
various participants are executing or processing documents and 
retaining copies as records. States will be maintaining these records 
regardless of whether the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure. 
Car dealerships also generally preserve all transaction records for at 
least five years, for tax and audit purposes. As such, the agency 
believes that the final rule would not have additional costs on 
computer and physical storage for states and car dealerships. The final 
rule also is not expected to increase the record processing burden to 
states and car dealerships. Therefore, the only cost from the final 
rule would be the labor cost for the time that is needed for recording 
the mileage from ``exempt'' to the actual mileage, for inspection to 
ensure accuracy, time to sign the statement and to provide the name and 
address information.
    Based on the NIADA Used Car Industry Report (NIADA report),\14\ 
there were 41.4 million used cars sold in 2017. Examining the data in 
the NIADA report, the data provided by Edmonds, and Polk vehicle 
registrations, the agency estimated that 10.4 million vehicles sold 
annually were between 10 and 19 years old. This represents the whole 10 
model years (MY) of vehicles that would be affected by the extended 
exemption requirement of this final rule in the 10th (2019) and later 
years. During the first effective year of the final rule, i.e., 2020, 
only one MY of vehicles, 2010 MY (i.e., age 10) will be affected. One 
more additional MY vehicles will be added each year between the 2nd to 
the 9th effective years of the final rule. Afterwards, i.e., the 10th 
effective year and later, a whole 10 MYs of vehicles will be affected 
each year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \14\ NIADA 2018 Used Car Industry Report, National Independent 
Auto Dealers Association, available at https://www.niada.com/uploads/dynamic_areas/ei5l4ZznCkTc8GyrBKd6/34/UCIR_2018_Web.pdf? 
(last visited Sept. 13, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The number of odometer disclosures for the affected vehicles would 
depend on the retained sources. Private party transactions (i.e., 
individual to individual) will require one odometer disclosure assuming 
that the disclosure conforms to the current individual state 
regulations for vehicles 0 to 9 years old. By contrast, vehicles sold 
through dealers will involve at least two disclosures due to the 
wholesale level when vehicles are passed among dealers. With the lack 
of the statistics on how many times a used vehicle would be wholesaled 
before its retail purchase, the agency assumes a total of 5 disclosure 
transactions per retailed vehicle.
    Using several data sources (Polk registration data, NIADA report, 
and Edmonds), the agency estimated that the total number of affected 
vehicles is about 1.4 million in 2020 when only one MY of vehicles 
would be affected. With one additional MY of vehicles affected each 
progressing year, the volume as expected will be gradually increased 
until reaching the maximum of 10.5 million units in 2029 and later 
years (2028+) when 10 MYs of vehicles (i.e., 10 to 19 years old) were 
included. Derived from the same data source, the agency estimated that 
40.3 percent were from private party sales and 59.7

[[Page 52696]]

percent from car dealerships (franchised and independent). Therefore, 
there will be 4.9 million disclosures (=1.4 million * 0.403 * 1 + 1.4 
million * 0.597 * 5) for 2020 and 35.4 million annual disclosures (= 
10.5 million * 0.403 * 1 + 1.4 million * 0.597 * 5) for 2029+ years. 
The agency estimated that it will take 15 seconds to fill the actual 
mileage per disclosure and the average hourly labor cost in 2018 is 
$36.39.\15\ Multiplying time in hours by the total disclosures and 
hourly labor cost derived the total cost of the final rule. The total 
cost of the change to the age-based exemption in the final rule is 
estimated to be from the minimum of $0.7 million in 2020 to the maximum 
of $5.4 million for 2029+ years.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \15\ Average of first three Quarters of 2018. Series Id: 
CMU1010000000000D (C); Series Title: All Civilian Total compensation 
for All occupations; Cost per hour worked as of March 18, 2019, 
Bureau of Labor Statistics, https://data.bls.gov/cgi-bin/dsrv.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Table 1 summarizes the affected MYs, the number of affected 
vehicles, the total number of mileage disclosures, and the total costs 
from 2020. Note that the first part of the table shows the affected MYs 
and their corresponding age for each effective calendar year. The last 
column ``2029+'' indicates that 2029 and later, 10 MYs of vehicles will 
be affected by this final rule but with rolling one MY forwards each 
year. In other words, affected vehicles are MYs 2010-2019 for 2029, MYs 
2011-2020 for 2030, and so on so forth.

                                                        Table 1--Estimated Cost of the Final Rule
                                                                   [Affected vehicles]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Calendar year
                          Model year                           -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     2025     2026     2027     2028    2029+
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010..........................................................       10       11       12       13       14       15       16       17       18       19
2011..........................................................  .......       10       11       12       13       14       15       16       17       18
2012..........................................................  .......  .......       10       11       12       13       14       15       16       17
2013..........................................................  .......  .......  .......       10       11       12       13       14       15       16
2014..........................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......       10       11       12       13       14       15
2015..........................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......       10       11       12       13       14
2016..........................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......       10       11       12       13
2017..........................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......       10       11       12
2018..........................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......       10       11
2019..........................................................  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......  .......       10
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                                     Cost Estimates
                                                                    [In 2018 dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     2025     2026     2027     2028    2029-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units Sold (in Million).......................................      1.4      2.8      4.2      5.5      6.6      7.7      8.6      9.3      9.9     10.5
Number of Transac-tions (in Million)..........................      4.9      9.6     14.2     18.5      22.     26.0     29.0     31.5     33.7     35.4
Labor Hours (in 1000).........................................     20.2     40.1     59.1     77.1     93.6    108.1    120.8    131.3    140.3    147.5
Labor Costs (in Million)......................................     $0.7     $1.5     $2.2     $2.7     $3.4     $3.9     $4.4     $4.8     $5.1     $5.4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The benefit of the final rule as stated earlier is measured by the 
consumer cost from odometer fraud that can be eliminated due to the 
final rule. Based on the 2013 Carfax study,\16\ there are about 190,000 
cases of odometer fraud (or rollbacks) with an annual loss of $761 
million indicating an average of $4,000 loss per case. The study also 
stated that 60 percent of rollbacks occurred in vehicles 11 to 19 years 
old and the average rollback is about 50,000 miles.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \16\ Odometer Fraud 2013, Carfax, available at https://cfx-wp-images.s3.amazonaws.com/2017/11/odometer_fraud_infographic.jpg (last 
visited Sept. 13, 2019).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    These are the available rollback statistics and fraud monetary loss 
that the agency used as starting points for benefit estimates. 
Specifically, the fraud loss was adjusted from 2013 economics to 2018 
economics. Therefore, the fraud loss is estimated to be $820 million in 
2018 dollars. The 60 percent rollback rate is used as the rate for all 
affected vehicles (i.e., 10-19 years old) because of the lack of annual 
rollback information by individual age. This implies that during the 
full effective calendar year where 10 MYs of vehicles will be affected, 
rollbacks for these 10 MYs of vehicles account for 60 percent of all 
rollbacks of that calendar year. The agency believes that the impact on 
fraud loss will be reduced disproportionally with increased age given 
the same rollback miles. To reflect this, the agency used the overall 
annual fraud loss of $820 million as the base and estimated the 
proportion each age of vehicles' contributing to this loss. To achieve 
this, the agency first developed a regression model describing the 
relationship between retail price and vehicle mileage using data 
provided by Edmonds. The 50,000 miles was treated as the average 
rollback miles and was used in the regression model to project the 
retail price when mileage is increased by 50,000 miles for all age of 
vehicles. The average price difference is the retail price difference 
between a vehicle with a specific mileage level and with that mileage 
increased by 50,000 miles. The Edmonds data used in the regression 
model only reflects dealership transactions which tend to involve 
younger used vehicles. The model projected price difference thus might 
not account for the relative occurrence of each age of vehicles in the 
annual used car market. To address these issues, the projected price 
difference for individual vehicle age was indexed relative to that of 
age 0 (i.e., ratio of price difference of individual age to that of 
Year 0). The relative indexes were then weighted by the vehicle age 
factors to account for the occurrence of each vehicle age. The age 
factors were developed using 2013 to 2018 Polk vehicle registration 
data. Thus, in 2020, there are about 15,700 rollbacks in vehicles 10-19 
years old, representing a minimum annual impact.

[[Page 52697]]

These rollbacks would account for 3.6 percent of the overall annual 
fraud loss which equates to $29.4 million (= $820 million * 0.036). 
Representing a maximum annual impact, from 2028 onwards when a whole of 
10 MYs would be affected each year, there would be 114,300 annual 
rollbacks. These rollback account for 18.3 percent of the overall 
annual fraud loss resulting in a $150.1 million (= $820 million * 
0.183) loss to consumers. Table 2 summarizes the estimated annual 
rollbacks for affected vehicles, its share in overall annual fraud 
loss, annual consumer economic loss, and a 5-percent rollback scenario. 
As shown, if the rule can deter 5 percent of rollbacks from affected 
vehicles, i.e., the 5% of loss, the rule would reduce $1.5 million 
annual consumer loss in 2020 and $7.5 million from 2029 forwards. In 
addition, Table 2 also presents the breakeven point of the rule. The 
breakeven point is defined as the projected effectiveness of the final 
rule where the benefit is equal to the cost. The rule is expected to 
break even if the rule can eliminate 3.6 percent of the annual fraud 
loss (or rollbacks). If the rule can deter more than 3.6 percent of 
rollbacks in affected vehicles, the rule would accrue monetary 
benefits.

                                                               Table 2--Benefits Estimates
                                                                    [In 2018 dollar]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      Calendar year
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2020     2021     2022     2023     2024     2025     2026     2027     2028    2029+
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Units w/Rollback (in 1000)....................................     15.7     31.1     45.8     59.8     72.5     83.8     93.6    101.8    108.7    114.3
Percent of Overall Annual Loss *..............................     3.6%     6.8%     9.7%    12.3%    14.5%    16.4%    17.4%    18.0%    18.3%    18.4%
Annual Loss (in Million)......................................    $29.5    $55.8    $79.6   $100.9   $110.0   $134.5   $142.7   $147.7   $150.1   $150.9
5% of Loss (in Million).......................................     $1.5     $2.8     $4.0     $5.0     $5.9     $6.7     $7.1     $7.4     $7.5     $7.5
Breakeven Point **............................................     2.5%     2.6%     2.7%     2.8%     2.9%     2.9%     3.1%     3.2%     3.4%     3.6%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Overall annual loss from all vehicle ages is estimated to be $820 million.
** The projected effectiveness where the benefit is equal to the cost.
Note: rounding might affect the final outcomes.

VI. Regulatory Notices and Analyses

A. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 and DOT Regulatory Policies and 
Procedures

    Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, and the Department of 
Transportation's regulatory policies require this agency to make 
determinations as to whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' and 
therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the Executive 
Orders. Executive Order 12866 defines a ``significant regulatory 
action'' as one that is likely to result in a rule that may:

    (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more 
or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the 
economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public 
health or safety, or State, local, or Tribal governments or 
communities;
    (2) Create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with 
an action taken or planned by another agency;
    (3) Materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, 
grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of 
recipients thereof; or
    (4) Raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
the Executive Order.

    NHTSA has considered the potential impact of this final rule under 
Executive Order 12866, Executive Order 13563, and the Department of 
Transportation's regulatory policies and procedures, and have 
determined that it is not significant. This proposal amends existing 
requirements to allow States a new alternative means of complying with 
those requirements and changes the terms of an existing exemption from 
mileage disclosure. This change in the exemption will require slight 
additional data entry and otherwise does not impose any new regulatory 
burdens. For those States with existing electronic title and odometer 
disclosure systems, the agency believes that changes required to meet 
the new rule will not be burdensome. Therefore, this document was not 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget under E.O. 12866 and 
E.O. 13563.

B. E.O. 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs)

    E.O. 13771 (82 FR 9339, February 3, 2017), Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs, requires that for ``every one new [E.O. 
13771 regulatory action] issued, at least two prior regulations be 
identified for elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be 
prudently managed and controlled through a budgeting process.''
    An E.O. 13771 deregulatory action is defined as ``an action that 
has been finalized and has total costs less than zero.'' As discussed 
earlier, this final rule does not impose new requirements but rather 
creates opportunities for states to implement an electronic odometer 
disclosure system without petitioning NHTSA for approval. As such, it 
is considered a deregulatory action.

C. National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has reviewed this rule for the purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act and determined it would not have a significant 
effect on the quality of the human environment.

D. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq., 
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 
(SBREFA) of 1996), whenever an agency is required to publish a notice 
of proposed rulemaking or final rule, it must prepare and make 
available for public comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that 
describes the effect of the rule on small entities (i.e., small 
businesses, small organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions). 
The Small Business Administration's regulations at 13 CFR part 121 
define a small business, in part, as a business entity ``which operates 
primarily within the United States.'' 13 CFR 121.105(a). No regulatory 
flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency certifies the 
proposal would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. SBREFA amended the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
to require federal agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis 
for certifying that a proposal would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, NHTSA has 
evaluated the effects of this final rule on small

[[Page 52698]]

entities. The head of the agency has certified that this final rule 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. The changes promulgated by this final rule, except for 
modification of the ten-year old vehicle exemption to 20 years, allow 
states the option of an alternative means of complying with previously 
existing requirements. Adoption of electronic title and odometer 
schemes by states choosing to do so, will likely confer benefits on 
small businesses. This final rule's modification of the previous 10-
year exemption from mileage disclosure to 20-year old vehicles will 
require minimal changes in data entry for small businesses and not 
result in any significant effect.

E. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    NHTSA has examined today's final rule pursuant to Executive Order 
13132 (64 FR 43255, August 10, 1999). Executive Order 13132 requires 
agencies to determine the federalism implications of a final rule. The 
agency has determined this final rule does not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment. The final rule adds another option to the way states may 
process existing odometer disclosure requirements and alters existing 
statutory or regulatory requirements only by changing the terms of an 
exemption for owners from disclosing vehicle mileage when transferring 
the vehicle.

F. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform)

    When promulgating a regulation, Executive Order 12988 specifically 
requires the agency must make every reasonable effort to ensure that 
the regulation, as appropriate: (1) Specifies in clear language the 
preemptive effect; (2) specifies in clear language the effect on 
existing federal law or regulation, including all provisions repealed, 
circumscribed, displaced, impaired, or modified; (3) provides a clear 
legal standard for affected conduct rather than a general standard, 
while promoting simplification and burden reduction; (4) specifies in 
clear language the retroactive effect; (5) specifies whether 
administrative proceedings are to be required before parties may file 
suit in court; (6) explicitly or implicitly defines key terms; and (7) 
addresses other important issues affecting clarity and general 
draftsmanship of regulations.
    Pursuant to this Order, NHTSA notes as follows. The preemptive 
effect of this proposal is discussed above in connection with Executive 
Order 13132. NHTSA has also considered whether this rulemaking would 
have any retroactive effect. This proposed rule does not have any 
retroactive effect. NHTSA notes further there is no requirement that 
individuals submit a petition for reconsideration or pursue other 
administrative proceeding before they may file suit in court.

G. Executive Order 13609: Promoting International Regulatory 
Cooperation

    The policy statement in section 1 of Executive Order 13609 
provides, in part:

    The regulatory approaches taken by foreign governments may 
differ from those taken by U.S. regulatory agencies to address 
similar issues. In some cases, the differences between the 
regulatory approaches of U.S. agencies and those of their foreign 
counterparts might not be necessary and might impair the ability of 
American businesses to export and compete internationally. In 
meeting shared challenges involving health, safety, labor, security, 
environmental, and other issues, international regulatory 
cooperation can identify approaches that are at least as protective 
as those that are or would be adopted in the absence of such 
cooperation. International regulatory cooperation can also reduce, 
eliminate, or prevent unnecessary differences in regulatory 
requirements.

    NHTSA finds this final rule, which establishes requirements for 
electronic odometer disclosure systems, does not implicate or encompass 
the issues outlined in the foregoing policy statement.

H. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Under the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 
(NTTAA) (Pub. L. 104-113), all federal agencies and departments shall 
use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary 
consensus standards bodies, using such technical standards as a means 
to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies 
and departments, except when use of such a voluntary consensus standard 
would be inconsistent with the law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary 
consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., materials 
specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and business 
practices) developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards 
bodies, such as the SAE International. The NTTAA directs NHTSA to 
provide Congress, through OMB, explanations when the agency decides not 
to use available and applicable voluntary consensus standards. NHTSA is 
referencing the standards provided in NIST Special Publication 800-63-
3, Digital Identity Guidelines (including sub-parts 800-63-3A, 800-63-
3B and 800-63-3C), to determine the appropriate level of security to 
authenticate electronic signatures.

I. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires agencies to 
prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects 
of proposed or final rules that include a federal mandate likely to 
result in the expenditure by state, local, or tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more than $100 million 
annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 1995). In 2011 
dollars, this threshold is $139 million.
    This final rule would not result in the expenditure by state, 
local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate, or more than $139 
million annually, and would not result in the expenditure of that 
magnitude by the private sector.

J. Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (PRA), a person is not required to respond to a collection of 
information by a federal agency unless the collection displays a valid 
OMB control number. Today's final rule does not propose any new federal 
agency information collection requirements; it merely allows states to 
provide an alternative means of collecting information they already 
collect.

K. Incorporation by Reference

    As discussed earlier in the relevant potions of this document, 
NHTSA is incorporating a single standard issued by the NIST into the 
Code of Federal Regulations in this rulemaking. The standard NHTSA is 
incorporating is NIST Special Publication 800-63-3 Digital Identity 
Guidelines (including sub-parts 800-63-3A, 800-63-3B and 800-63-3C).
    Under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(1)(E), Congress allows agencies to 
incorporate by reference materials that are reasonably available to the 
class of persons affected if the agency has approval from the Director 
of the Federal Register. As a part of that approval process, the 
Director of the Federal Register (in 1 CFR 51.5) directs agencies to 
discuss (in the preamble) the ways that the materials NHTSA is 
incorporating by reference are reasonably available to interested 
parties.
    NHTSA has worked to ensure that standards being considered for 
incorporation by reference are reasonably available to the class of 
persons affected. In this case, those directly affected by incorporated

[[Page 52699]]

provisions are states and vehicle lessors choosing to adopt electronic 
systems for odometer disclosures. These entities have access to copies 
of the aforementioned standard through NIST at no charge. Other 
interested parties in the rulemaking process beyond the class affected 
by the regulation include members of the public, vehicle dealers, law 
enforcement agencies, consumer protection groups, etc. Such interested 
parties can access the standard by obtaining a copy from NIST.
    Interested parties may also access the standards through NHTSA. All 
approved material is available for inspection at NHTSA's Office of 
Technical Information Services, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, 
DC 20590, phone number (202) 366-2588.

M. Executive Order 13211

    Executive Order 13211 applies to any rule that: (1) Is determined 
to be economically significant as defined under E.O. 12866, and is 
likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy; or (2) that is designated by the 
Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a 
significant energy action. If the regulatory action meets either 
criterion, the agency must evaluate the adverse energy effects of the 
proposed rule and explain why the proposed regulation is preferable to 
other potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives 
considered by NHTSA.
    This rule is not economically significant and is not likely to have 
a detectable effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy.

N. Executive Order 13045

    Executive Order 13045 applies to any rule that: (1) Is determined 
to be economically significant as defined under E.O. 12866, and (2) 
concerns an environmental, health or safety risk that NHTSA has reason 
to believe may have a disproportionate effect on children. If the 
regulatory action meets both criteria, NHTSA must evaluate the 
environmental health or safety effects of the proposed rule on 
children, and explain why the proposed regulation is preferable to 
other potentially effective and reasonably feasible alternatives 
considered by us.
    This rule is not economically significant will not pose such a risk 
for children.

O. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received into 
any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment 
(or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an organization, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's complete Privacy Act 
statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (Volume 
65, Number 70; Pages 19477-78), or you may visit https://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.

P. Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)

    The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier 
number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of 
Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center 
publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may 
use the RIN contained in the heading at the beginning of this document 
to find this action in the Unified Agenda.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 580

    Consumer protection, Incorporation by reference, Motor vehicles, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, NHTSA amends 49 CFR part 
580 as follows:

PART 580--ODOMETER DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS

0
1. Revise the authority citation for part 580 to read as follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 32705; Pub. L. 112-141; delegation of 
authority at 49 CFR 1.95.


0
2. Revise Sec.  580.1 to read as follows:


Sec.  580.1  Scope.

    This part prescribes rules requiring transferors and lessees of 
motor vehicles to make electronic or written disclosure to transferees 
and lessors respectively, concerning the odometer mileage and its 
accuracy as directed by sections 408(a) and (e) of the Motor Vehicle 
Information and Cost Savings Act as amended, 49 U.S.C. 32705(a) and 
(c). In addition, this part prescribes the rules requiring the 
retention of odometer disclosure statements by motor vehicle dealers, 
distributors and lessors and the retention of certain other information 
by auction companies as directed by sections 408(g) and 414 of the 
Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act as amended, 49 U.S.C. 
32706(d) and 32705(e).

0
3. Revise Sec.  580.2 to read as follows:


Sec.  580.2   Purpose.

    The purpose of this part is to provide transferees of motor 
vehicles with odometer information to assist them in determining a 
vehicle's condition and value by making the disclosure of a vehicle's 
mileage a condition of title and by requiring lessees to disclose to 
their lessors the vehicle's mileage at the time the lessee returns the 
vehicle to the lessor. In addition, the purpose of this part is to 
preserve records that are needed for the proper investigation of 
possible violations of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings 
Act and any subsequent prosecutorial, adjudicative or other action.

0
4. Amend Sec.  580.3 by:
0
a. Revising the introductory text;
0
b. Adding in alphabetical order definitions for ``Access'', Electronic 
power of attorney'', ``Electronic title'', and ``Jurisdiction'';
0
c. Revising the definition of ``Physical power of attorney'';
0
d. Adding in alphabetical order definitions for ``Printed name'' and 
``Sign or signature''; and
0
e. Revising the definition of ``Transferor''.
    The revisions and additions read as follows:


Sec.  580.3  Definitions.

    All terms defined in 49 U.S.C. 32702 are used in their statutory 
meaning. Other terms used in this part are defined as follows:
    Access means the authorized entry to, and display of, an electronic 
title in a manner allowing modification of previously stored data, even 
if the stored data is not modified at the time it is accessed. The term 
does not include display of an electronic record for viewing purposes 
where modification of stored data is not possible, or where 
modification to the record is possible but results in a new, unique 
electronic title.
    Electronic power of attorney means a power of attorney maintained 
in electronic form by a jurisdiction that meets all the requirements of 
this part. For the purposes of this part, this term is limited to a 
record that was created electronically and does not include a physical 
power of attorney that was executed on paper and converted by scanning 
or imaging for storage in an electronic medium.
    Electronic title means a title created and maintained in an 
electronic format by a jurisdiction that meets all the requirements of 
this part. An electronic title incorporates an electronic reassignment 
form or process containing the disclosures required by this part 
facilitating transfers between transferors and transferees who do not 
take title to the vehicle. As set forth in Sec.  580.5(g), an 
electronic reassignment may precede issuance of an electronic title 
when no electronic title exists. For the purposes of this part, this 
term is limited to a record created electronically and does not include 
a physical title

[[Page 52700]]

incorporating an odometer disclosure executed on that title and 
converted by scanning and imaging for storage in an electronic medium.
    Jurisdiction means a state, territory, or possession of the United 
States of America.
* * * * *
    Physical power of attorney means, for single copy forms, the paper 
document set forth by secure process which is issued by the 
jurisdiction, and, for multicopy forms, any and all copies set forth by 
a secure printing process or other secure process which are issued by 
the jurisdiction pursuant to Sec.  580.13 or Sec.  580.14.
    Printed name means either:
    (1) For a physical title or physical power of attorney, the clear 
and legible name applied to the physical document of the signatory; or
    (2) For an electronic title or electronic power of attorney, the 
clear, legible, visible, audible, recognizable, or otherwise 
understandable name of the electronic signatory recorded and stored 
electronically.
    Physical when referring to a document means a manufacturer's 
certificate of origin, title, reassignment document, or power of 
attorney printed on paper by a secure printing process or other secure 
process that meets all the requirements of this part.
* * * * *
    Sign or signature means either:
    (1) For a physical document, a person's name, or a mark 
representing it, as hand written personally.
    (2) For an electronic odometer disclosure incorporated in an 
electronic title or power of attorney, an electronic sound, symbol, or 
process:
    (i) Using a secure authentication system identifying a specific 
individual with a degree of certainty equivalent to or greater than 
Level 2 as described in NIST Special Publication 800-63-3, Revision 3, 
Digital Identity Guidelines (including sub-parts 800-63-3A, 800-63-3B 
and 800-63-3C), June 2017. NIST Special Publication 800-63-3, Revision 
3, Digital Identity Guidelines (including sub-parts 800-63-3A, 800-63-
3B and 800-63-3C), June 2017 is incorporated by reference into this 
section with the approval of the Director of the Federal Register under 
5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. To enforce any edition other than 
that specified in this section, NHTSA must publish a document in the 
Federal Register and the material must be available to the public. All 
approved material is available for inspection at NHTSA Office of 
Technical Information Services, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, phone number 
(202) 366-2588, and is available from the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, 100 Bureau 
Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63-3.html. It is also available for inspection at the National 
Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the 
availability of this material at NARA, email [email protected] or 
go to www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations.html; or
    (ii) Completed in person before a bona fide employee of the 
jurisdiction or statutory agent under a surety bond with the 
jurisdiction.
* * * * *
    Transferor means any person who transfers their ownership of a 
motor vehicle by sale, gift, or any means other than by the creation of 
a security interest, and any person who, as agent, signs an odometer 
disclosure statement for the transferor.

0
5. Revise Sec.  580.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  580.4  Security of physical documents, electronic titles and 
electronic powers of attorney.

    (a) Each physical title shall be set forth by means of a secure 
printing process or other secure process. Additionally, a physical 
power of attorney issued pursuant to Sec. Sec.  580.13 and 580.14 and 
physical documents, which are used to reassign the title, shall be 
issued by the jurisdiction and shall be set forth by a secure printing 
process or other secure process.
    (b) Each electronic title shall be maintained in a secure 
environment so it is protected from unauthorized modification, 
alteration or disclosure. In addition, an electronic power of attorney 
maintained and made available pursuant to Sec. Sec.  580.13 and 580.14 
and shall be maintained by the jurisdiction in a secure environment so 
that it is protected from unauthorized modification, alteration and 
disclosure. Any system employed to create, store or maintain the 
foregoing electronic records shall record the dates and times when the 
electronic document is created, the odometer disclosures contained 
within are signed and when the documents are accessed, including the 
date and time any unauthorized attempt is made to alter or modify the 
electronic document and any unauthorized alterations or modifications 
made.

0
6. Amend Sec.  580.5 by revising paragraphs (a) through (g) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  580.5   Disclosure of odometer information.

    (a) At the time a physical or electronic title is issued or made 
available to the transferee, it must contain the mileage disclosed by 
the transferor when ownership of the vehicle was transferred and 
contain a space for the information required to be disclosed under 
paragraphs (c) through (f) of this section at the time of future 
transfer.
    (b) Any physical documents which are used to reassign a title shall 
contain a space for the information required to be disclosed under 
paragraphs (c) through (f) of this section at the time of transfer of 
ownership.
    (c) In connection with the transfer of ownership of a motor 
vehicle, the transferor shall disclose the mileage to the transferee on 
the physical or electronic title or, except as noted below, on the 
physical document being used to reassign the title. In the case of a 
transferor in whose name the vehicle is titled, the transferor shall 
disclose the mileage on the electronic title or the physical title, and 
not on a reassignment document. This disclosure must be signed by the 
transferor and must contain the transferor's printed name. In 
connection with the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle in which 
more than one person is a transferor, only one transferor need sign the 
disclosure. In addition to the signature of the transferor, the 
disclosure must contain the following information:
    (1) The odometer reading at the time of transfer (not to include 
tenths of miles);
    (2) The date of transfer;
    (3) The transferor's printed name and current address;
    (4) The transferee's printed name and current address; and
    (5) The identity of the vehicle, including its make, model, year, 
body type, and vehicle identification number.
    (d) In addition to the information provided under paragraph (c) of 
this section, the physical document shall provide a statement 
referencing federal law and stating failure to complete the disclosure 
or providing false information may result in fines and/or imprisonment. 
Reference may also be made to applicable law of the jurisdiction. If 
the transaction at issue is electronic, the information specified in 
this paragraph shall be displayed, prior to the execution of any 
electronic signatures.
    (e) In addition to the information provided under paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of this section:
    (1) The transferor shall certify that to the best of their 
knowledge the

[[Page 52701]]

odometer reading reflects the actual mileage, or;
    (2) If the transferor knows that the odometer reading reflects the 
amount of mileage in excess of the designed mechanical odometer limit, 
they shall include a statement that the mileage exceeds mechanical 
limits; or
    (3) If the transferor knows that the odometer reading does not 
reflect a valid mileage display or differs from the mileage and that 
the difference is greater than that caused by odometer calibration 
error, they shall include a statement that the odometer reading does 
not reflect the actual mileage, and should not be relied upon. This 
statement shall also include a warning notice to alert the transferee 
that a discrepancy exists between the odometer reading and the actual 
mileage.
    (f) Upon receipt of the transferor's signed disclosure statement, 
the transferee shall sign the disclosure statement, which shall include 
their printed name, and make copy available to their transferor. If the 
disclosure is on an electronic title, the jurisdiction shall provide a 
means for making copies of the completed disclosure statement available 
to the transferee and transferor.
    (g) If the vehicle has not been titled the written disclosure shall 
be executed on a separate physical document or by electronic means and 
incorporated into the electronic title record. A separate physical 
reassignment document may be used for a subsequent reassignment only 
after a transferor holding title has made the mileage disclosure in 
conformance with paragraphs (c), (e), and (f) of this section on the 
title and assigned the physical title to their transferee. An 
electronic title system shall provide a means for making mileage 
disclosures upon assignment and reassignment electronically and 
incorporating these disclosures into the electronic title. A physical 
reassignment document shall not be used with an electronic title or 
when an electronic reassignment has been made. In instances where a 
paper title is held by the initial transferor, an available electronic 
reassignment may be used for a subsequent reassignment after a 
transferor holding title has made the mileage disclosure in conformance 
with paragraphs (c), (e), and (f) of this section on the title and 
assigned the physical title to their transferee
* * * * *

0
7. Add Sec.  580.6 to read as follows:


Sec.  580.6   Additional requirements for electronic odometer 
disclosure.

    (a) Any electronic title or power of attorney as defined in this 
part shall be retained:
    (1) In a format which cannot be altered unless such alterations are 
made as authorized by the jurisdiction, and which indicates any 
unauthorized attempts to alter it;
    (2) In an order that permits systematic retrieval; and
    (3) For a minimum of five years following conversion to a physical 
title, issuance of a subsequent physical or electronic title by any 
jurisdiction, or permanent destruction of the vehicle; otherwise, the 
record shall be retained indefinitely.
    (b) Any electronic signature made on an odometer disclosure shall 
identify an individual, and not solely the organization the person 
represents or employs them. If the individual executing the electronic 
signature is acting in a business capacity or otherwise on behalf of 
another individual or entity, the business or other individual or 
entity shall also be identified when the signature is made. Electronic 
signatures on odometer disclosures made in connection with transfers by 
a licensed dealer or at an auction sale need only identify the 
individual executing the signature and the dealer transferring the 
vehicle or auction entity conducting the sale.
    (c) Any requirement in these regulations to disclose, issue, 
return, notify or otherwise provide information to another person in 
the course of an electronic odometer disclosure is satisfied when the 
required information is electronically transmitted or otherwise 
electronically available to the party required to review or receive it.
    (d) When an electronic title is created following transfer of 
ownership a vehicle with a physical title or an existing physical title 
is converted to an electronic title, the jurisdiction issuing the 
electronic title shall obtain the physical title or proof that the 
physical title has been invalidated or lost, and retain a physical or 
electronic copy of the physical title or proof for a minimum of five 
years.
    (e) A jurisdiction issuing an electronic title may provide a paper 
record of ownership, which includes the odometer disclosure 
information, provided the paper record clearly indicates it is not an 
official title for the vehicle and may not be used to transfer 
ownership for the vehicle.
    (f) A jurisdiction issuing an electronic title shall retain the 
capacity to issue physical titles meeting all the requirements of this 
part. If a physical title is created by a jurisdiction with an 
electronic title and odometer disclosure statement system, any 
electronic record of the title must indicate that a physical title has 
been issued and the date on which the physical title was issued. The 
jurisdiction shall retain a record of the identity of the recipient of 
the physical title if the recipient is not an owner or a lienholder.
    (g) Any physical documents employed by transferors and transferees 
to make electronic odometer disclosures shall be set forth by means of 
a secure printing process or other secure process. This requirement 
does not apply to mileage disclosures made by lessees as required be 
Sec.  580.7
    (h) Physical documents employed to comply with any of the 
requirements of this part that are converted to an electronic format by 
scanning or imaging must maintain and preserve the security features 
incorporated in the physical document so that any alterations or 
modifications to the physical document can be detected in the physical 
document's electronic format. Scanning of physical documents must be 
made at a resolution of not less than 200 dpi.
    (i) When a transferor's physical title is lost, a jurisdiction may 
facilitate the transfer of a physical title through an electronic 
process without issuing another physical title provided a physical or 
electronic power of attorney pursuant to Sec.  580.13 is properly 
executed by the transferor.
    (j) Electronic reassignments shall be made on or in the electronic 
title or, as set forth in Sec.  580.5(g), may be entered in the 
electronic title system prior to the first issuance of an electronic 
title. A physical reassignment document shall not be used with an 
electronic title.

0
8. Amend Sec.  580.7 by revising paragraphs (a) and (b) and adding 
paragraph (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  580.7  Disclosure of odometer information for leased motor 
vehicles.

    (a) Before executing any transfer of ownership document, each 
lessor of a leased motor vehicle shall notify the lessee electronically 
or in writing stating that the lessee is required to provide a written 
or electronic disclosure to the lessor regarding the mileage. This 
written or electronic notice shall contain a reference to the federal 
law and shall state failure to complete the disclosure or providing 
false information may result in fines and/or imprisonment. Reference 
may also be made to applicable law of the jurisdiction. If the notice 
is electronic, the information specified in this paragraph shall be 
displayed prior to, or

[[Page 52702]]

at the time of, the execution of any electronic signatures.
    (b) In connection with the transfer of ownership of the leased 
motor vehicle, the lessee shall furnish to the lessor a written or 
electronic statement regarding the mileage of the vehicle. This 
statement must be signed by the lessee. This statement, in addition to 
the lessee acknowledging receiving notification of federal law and any 
applicable law of the jurisdiction as required by paragraph (a) of this 
section, shall also contain the following information:
    (1) The printed name of the person making the disclosure;
    (2) The current odometer reading (not to include tenths of miles);
    (3) The date of the statement;
    (4) The lessee's printed name and current address;
    (5) The lessor's printed name and current address;
    (6) The identity of the vehicle, including its make, model, year, 
and body type, and its vehicle identification number;
    (7) The date that the lessor notified the lessee of disclosure 
requirements;
    (8) The date that the completed disclosure statement was received 
by the lessor; and
    (9) The signature of the lessor
* * * * *
    (e) Any electronic system maintained by a lessor for the purpose of 
complying with the requirements of this section shall meet the 
requirements of Sec.  580.4(b) of this part.

0
9. Revise Sec.  580.8 to read as follows:


Sec.  580.8  Odometer disclosure statement retention.

    (a) Dealers and distributors of motor vehicles who are required by 
this part to execute an odometer disclosure statement shall retain, 
except as noted in paragraph (d), for five years a photostat, carbon, 
other facsimile copy, or electronic copy of each odometer mileage 
statement, which they issue and receive. They shall retain all odometer 
disclosure statements at their primary place of business in an order 
appropriate to business requirements and that permits systematic 
retrieval. Electronic copies shall be retained in a format which cannot 
be altered and which indicates any attempts to alter it.
    (b) Lessors shall retain, for five years following the date they 
transfer ownership of the leased vehicle, each written or electronic 
odometer disclosure statement which they receive from a lessee. They 
shall retain all odometer disclosure statements at their primary place 
of business in an order that is appropriate to business requirements 
and that permits systematic retrieval. Electronic copies shall be 
retained in a format which cannot be altered and which indicates any 
attempts to alter it.
    (c) Dealers and distributors of motor vehicles who are granted a 
power of attorney, except as noted in paragraph (d) of this section, by 
their transferor pursuant to Sec.  580.13, or by their transferee 
pursuant to Sec.  580.14, shall retain for five years a photostat, 
carbon, or other facsimile copy, or electronic copy of each power of 
attorney they receive. They shall retain all powers of attorney at 
their primary place of business in an order that is appropriate to 
business requirements and that permits systematic retrieval. Electronic 
copies shall be retained in a format which cannot be altered and which 
indicates any unauthorized attempts to alter it.
    (d) Any odometer disclosure statement made on an electronic title 
or electronic power of attorney shall be retained by the jurisdiction 
for a minimum of five years and made available upon request to dealers, 
distributors, and lessors for retrieval at their principal place of 
business and inspection on demand by law enforcement officials. 
Dealers, distributors, and lessors are not required to, but may, retain 
a copy of an odometer disclosure statement made on an electronic title 
or electronic power of attorney.

0
10. Amend Sec.  580.9 by revising the introductory text and paragraph 
(b) to read as follows:


Sec.  580.9   Odometer record retention for auction companies.

    Each auction company shall establish and retain in physical or 
electronic format at its primary place of business in an order 
appropriate to business requirements and that permits systematic 
retrieval, for five years following the date of sale of each motor 
vehicle, the following records:
    * * *
    (b) The name of the transferee;
    * * *

0
11. Amend Sec.  580.10 by revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  580.10   Application for assistance.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Be submitted to the Office of Chief Counsel, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W41-326, 
Washington, DC 20590;
* * * * *

0
12. Amend Sec.  580.11 by revising paragraphs (a), (b)(2) through (4), 
and (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  580.11   Petition for approval of alternate disclosure 
requirements.

    (a) A state may petition NHTSA for approval of disclosure 
requirements which differ from the disclosure requirements of Sec.  
580.5, Sec.  580.6, Sec.  580.7, or Sec.  580.13(f) of this part.
    (b) * * *
    (2) Be submitted to the Office of Chief Counsel, National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, W41-326, 
Washington, DC 20590;
    (3) Set forth the motor vehicle disclosure requirements in effect 
in the jurisdiction, including a copy of the applicable laws or 
regulations of the jurisdiction; and
    (4) Explain how the jurisdiction's motor vehicle disclosure 
requirements are consistent with the purposes of the Motor Vehicle 
Information and Cost Savings Act.
* * * * *
    (c) Notice of the petition and an initial determination pending a 
30-day comment period will be published in the Federal Register. Notice 
of final grant or denial of a petition for approval of alternate motor 
vehicle disclosure requirements will be published in the Federal 
Register. The effect of the grant of a petition is to relieve a 
jurisdiction from responsibility to conform the Jurisdiction disclosure 
requirements with Sec.  580.5, Sec.  580.6, Sec.  580.7, or Sec.  
580.13(f), as applicable, for as long as the approved alternate 
disclosure requirements remain in effect in that jurisdiction. The 
effect of a denial is to require a jurisdiction to conform to the 
requirements of Sec.  580.5, Sec.  580.6, Sec.  580.7, or Sec.  
580.13(f), as applicable, of this part until such time as NHTSA 
approves any alternate motor vehicle disclosure requirements.


Sec.  580.12  [Removed and Reserved]

0
13. Remove and reserve Sec.  580.12.

0
14. Revise Sec.  580.13 to read as follows:


Sec.  580.13  Disclosure of odometer information by power of attorney.

    (a) If otherwise permitted by the law of the jurisdiction, the 
transferor may grant a power of attorney to their transferee for the 
purpose of mileage disclosure under one of the following conditions:
    (1) The transferor's physical title is held by a lienholder; or
    (2) The transferor's physical title is lost; or
    (3) The transferor's electronic title is held or controlled by a 
lienholder; or

[[Page 52703]]

    (4) The transferor's electronic title cannot be accessed.
    (b) The physical or electronic power of attorney shall contain, in 
part A, a space for the information required to be disclosed under 
paragraphs (c) through (f) of this section. If a state permits the use 
of a physical or electronic power of attorney in the situation 
described in Sec.  580.14(a), the power of attorney must also contain, 
in part B, a space for the information required to be disclosed under 
Sec.  580.14, and, in part C, a space for the certification required to 
be made under Sec.  580.15.
    (c) In connection with the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle 
as described in paragraph (a) of this section, where the transferor 
elects to give their transferee a physical or electronic power of 
attorney for the purpose of mileage disclosure, the transferor must 
appoint the transferee their attorney-in-fact for the purpose of 
mileage disclosure and disclose the mileage on the physical or 
electronic power of attorney form issued by the jurisdiction in which 
the transfer occurs. This disclosure must be signed by the transferor, 
including the printed name, and contain the following information:
    (1) The odometer reading at the time of transfer (not to include 
tenths of miles);
    (2) The date of transfer;
    (3) The transferor's printed name and current address;
    (4) The transferee's printed name and current address; and
    (5) The identity of the vehicle, including its make, model, year, 
body type, and vehicle identification number.
    (d) In addition to the information provided under paragraph (c) of 
this section, the physical or electronic power of attorney form shall 
refer to the federal odometer law and state that providing false 
information or the failure of the person granted the power of attorney 
to submit the form to the jurisdiction may result in fines and/or 
imprisonment. Reference may also be made to applicable law of the 
jurisdiction.
    (e) In addition to the information provided under paragraphs (c) 
and (d) of this section:
    (1) The transferor shall certify that to the best of their 
knowledge the odometer reading reflects the actual mileage; or
    (2) If the transferor knows that the odometer reading reflects 
mileage in excess of the designed mechanical odometer limit, they shall 
include a statement to that the mileage exceeds mechanical limits; or
    (3) If the transferor knows the odometer reading differs from the 
mileage and the difference is greater than that caused by a calibration 
error or does not reflect a valid mileage display, they shall include a 
statement that the odometer reading does not reflect the actual mileage 
and should not be relied upon. This statement shall also include a 
warning notice to alert the transferee that a discrepancy exists 
between the odometer reading and the actual mileage.
    (f) The transferee shall sign the physical or electronic power of 
attorney, which shall include their printed name, and make a copy of 
the power of attorney form available to the transferor.
    (g) Upon receipt of the transferor's physical or electronic title, 
the transferee shall complete the space for mileage disclosure on the 
title exactly as the mileage was disclosed by the transferor on the 
physical or electronic power of attorney. The transferee shall submit 
the physical or electronic power of attorney to the jurisdiction that 
issued it with the actual physical or electronic title when the 
transferee submits a new title application. The jurisdiction shall 
retain the physical or electronic power of attorney form and physical 
or electronic title for a minimum of three years or a period equal to 
the state titling record retention period, whichever is shorter. If the 
mileage disclosed on the physical or electronic power of attorney is 
lower than the mileage appearing on the physical or electronic title, 
the power of attorney is void and the transferee shall not complete the 
mileage disclosure on the title unless:
    (1) The transferor has included a statement that the mileage 
exceeds mechanical limits; or
    (2) The transferor has included a statement that the odometer 
reading does not reflect the actual mileage.
    (h) A jurisdiction may permit submission of a physical power of 
attorney in an electronic format such as by scanning or imaging.

0
15. Revise Sec.  580.14 to read as follows


Sec.  580.14   Power of attorney to review title documents and 
acknowledge disclosure.

    (a) In circumstances where part A of a physical power of attorney 
form has been used pursuant to Sec.  580.13 of this part, and if 
otherwise permitted by the law of the jurisdiction, a transferee may 
grant power of attorney to their transferor to review the physical or 
electronic title and any physical reassignment documents, if 
applicable, for mileage discrepancies, and if no discrepancies are 
found, to acknowledge disclosure on the physical or electronic title. 
The power of attorney shall be on part B of the physical or electronic 
power of attorney referred to in Sec.  580.13(a), which shall contain a 
space for the information required to be disclosed under paragraphs 
(b), (c), and (d) of this section and, in part C, a space for the 
certification required to be made under Sec.  580.15.
    (b) Part B of the physical or electronic power of attorney must 
include a mileage disclosure from the transferor to the transferee and 
must be signed by the transferor, including the printed name, and 
contain the following information:
    (1) The odometer reading at the time of transfer (not to include 
tenths of miles);
    (2) The date of transfer;
    (3) The transferor's printed name and current address;
    (4) The transferee's printed name and current address; and
    (5) The identity of the vehicle, including its make, model, year, 
body type, and vehicle identification number.
    (c) In addition to the information provided under paragraph (b) of 
this section, the power of attorney form shall refer to the federal 
odometer law and state that providing false information or the failure 
of the person granted the power of attorney to submit the form to the 
State may result in fines and/or imprisonment. Reference may also be 
made to applicable law of the jurisdiction.
    (d) In addition to the information provided under paragraphs (b) 
and (c) of this section:
    (1) The transferor shall certify that to the best of their 
knowledge the odometer reading reflects the actual mileage; or
    (2) If the transferor knows that the odometer reading reflects 
mileage in excess of the designed mechanical odometer limit, they shall 
include a statement to that the mileage exceeds mechanical limits; or
    (3) If the transferor knows that the odometer reading differs from 
the mileage and the difference is greater than that caused by a 
calibration error or does not reflect a valid mileage display, they 
shall include a statement that the odometer reading does not reflect 
the actual mileage and should not be relied upon. This statement shall 
also include a warning notice to alert the transferee that a 
discrepancy exists between the odometer reading and the actual mileage.
    (e) The transferee shall sign the physical or electronic power of 
attorney form, which shall include their printed name.
    (f) The transferor shall give a copy of the physical power of 
attorney form to their transferee.

0
16. Revise Sec.  580.15 to read as follows:

[[Page 52704]]

Sec.  580.15  Certification by person exercising powers of attorney.

    (a) A person who exercises a power of attorney under both 
Sec. Sec.  580.13 and 580.14 must complete a certification that they 
disclosed the mileage on the physical or electronic title as it was 
provided to them on the physical or electronic power of attorney form, 
and that upon examination of the physical or electronic title and any 
applicable physical reassignment documents, the mileage disclosure made 
on the physical or electronic title pursuant to the physical or 
electronic power of attorney is greater than that previously stated on 
the physical or electronic title and applicable physical reassignment 
documents unless:
    (1) The transferor has included a statement that the mileage 
exceeds mechanical limits; or
    (2) The transferor has included a statement that the odometer 
reading does not reflect the actual mileage.
    (b) This certification shall be under part C of the same form as 
the powers of attorney executed under Sec. Sec.  580.13 and 580.14 and 
shall include:
    (1) The signature and printed name of the person exercising the 
power of attorney;
    (2) The printed address of the person exercising the power of 
attorney; and
    (3) The date of the certification.
    (c) If the mileage reflected by the transferor on the power of 
attorney is less than that previously stated on the title and any 
reassignment documents, the power of attorney shall be void unless:
    (1) The transferor has included a statement that the mileage 
exceeds mechanical limits; or
    (2) The transferor has included a statement that the odometer 
reading does not reflect the actual mileage.

0
17. Revise Sec.  580.16 to read as follows


Sec.  580.16   Availability of prior title and power of attorney 
documents to transferee.

    (a) In circumstances in which a power of attorney has been used 
pursuant to Sec.  580.13, if a subsequent transferee elects to return 
to their transferor to sign the disclosure on the physical or 
electronic title and does not give their transferor a power of attorney 
pursuant to Sec.  580.14, the transferor shall, upon the subsequent 
transferee's request, show that transferee a copy of the physical or 
electronic power of attorney that he they received from their 
transferor.
    (b) Upon request of a transferee, a transferor who was granted a 
power of attorney by their transferor and who holds the title to the 
vehicle in their own name, must show to the transferee the copy of the 
previous owner's title and the physical or electronic power of attorney 
form.

0
18. Amend Sec.  580.17 by revising paragraphs (a)(3) and (4) and adding 
paragraph (a)(5) to read as follows


Sec.  580.17   Exemptions.

    (a) * * *
    (3)(i) A vehicle manufactured in or before the 2009 model year that 
is transferred at least 10 years after January 1 of the calendar year 
corresponding to its designated model year;
    (ii) Example to paragraph (a)(3): For vehicle transfers occurring 
during calendar year 2019, model year 2009 or older vehicles are 
exempt.
    (4)(i) A vehicle manufactured in or after the 2010 model year that 
is transferred at least 20 years after January 1 of the calendar year 
corresponding to its designated model year; or
    (ii) Example to paragraph (a)(4): For vehicle transfers occurring 
during calendar year 2030, model year 2010 or older vehicles are 
exempt.
    (5) A vehicle sold directly by the manufacturer to any agency of 
the United States in conformity with contractual specifications.
* * * * *

    Under authority delegated in 49 CFR 1.95, 501.5, and 501.7.
Jonathan Charles Morrison,
Chief Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2019-20360 Filed 10-1-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P