Nearly two-thirds of the states—32, including Kansas―authorize private entities to perform some or all functions related to vehicle titles, vehicle registration, and driver licensing, under at least some circumstances. Kentucky authorizes private entities to transmit documents to the state agency with responsibility for those functions on behalf of people in need of certain services, such as renewing vehicle registration, and New York authorizes private entities to assist persons with vehicle services.
Download a PDF of this article here: State Authorization for Private Entities to Perform Vehicle Titling and Registration 2026 (PDF)
This memorandum provides overview information on the services those private entities provide, the types of providers authorized to provide those services, and the type of authorization, by state. Additional information is available in the statutes, regulations, and websites cited at the end of this memorandum.
Services Offered
The general services offered by non-state providers vary by state, but most offer both title and registration services.
| State | Title | Registration | Driver’s license1 | Other | Notes |
| Alabama | X | ||||
| Alaska | X | X | X | may also provide non-commercial road skill tests | |
| Arizona | X | X | X | dealer licensing, motor carrier licensing and tax reporting | no commercial driver licensing; the written agreement may limit types of services provided and the persons who may receive the services |
| California | X | X | X | ||
| Colorado | X | X | lien services for leased vehicles | ||
| Connecticut | X | X | |||
| Florida | X | X | titles for derelict vehicles, certificates of vehicle destruction | ||
| Georgia | X | X | |||
| Idaho | X | copies of certain vehicle records | |||
| Illinois | X | X | create and remove liens, apply for salvage or junking certificates | ||
| Kansas | Statute authorizes “some or all vehicle functions”; current contracts are for certain commercial vehicle transactions and certain title-related transactions for automobile dealers | ||||
| Kentucky | X | X | transmitting title and registration information and fees only | ||
| Louisiana | X | X | X | collect registration license and sales taxes; record liens | |
| Maine | X | X | collect excise taxes | non-commercial driver’s license renewals only | |
| Maryland | X | X | create and remove liens | ||
| Massachusetts | X | X | X | for driver’s license, only renew or replace | |
| Minnesota | X | X | X | ||
| Mississippi | X | ||||
| Montana | X | X | X | ||
| Nebraska | X | X | |||
| Nevada | X | includes registration for motor carriers | |||
| New Hampshire | X | ||||
| New York | X | X | X | assisting for hire in obtaining titles, registration, or driver’s license | |
| North Carolina | X | X | |||
| Ohio | X | X | |||
| Oklahoma | X | X | X | ||
| Pennsylvania | X | X | |||
| South Dakota | X | X | |||
| Texas | X | X | services depend on the provider level, dealer deputy or full-service deputy | ||
| Utah | X | limited to vehicles for which emissions testing is required | |||
| Virginia | X | X | |||
| Washington | X | X | |||
| Wisconsin | X | X |
Service Providers
States vary greatly in the types of entities authorized to provide vehicle-related services on behalf of the state. Generally, in states that authorize vehicle dealer transactions on behalf of the state, a vehicle dealer must meet qualifications in addition to being licensed.
| State | Vehicle dealers | Entity formed for this purpose | Specified local officials | Other types of designated entities / Notes |
| Alabama | X | each judge of probate, commissioner of licenses, director of revenue, or other official authorized as a designated agent | title service provider; financial institution; pawnshops licensed for pawn transactions on motor vehicles; insurance companies; towing companies; manufactured home dealers; third parties, e.g. law firms, for title applications for manufactured homes | |
| Alaska | contractors include AAA, several companies offering specific “tag and title” services, a trucking association, and an auto appraisal company | |||
| Arizona | X | an authorized third party, meaning an entity with a written agreement, chosen through a competitive bid process, that employs or contracts with at least one individual certified to perform specified duties, e.g., commercial driver license examiner, dealer license processor, driver license processor, title and registration processor, vehicle inspector | ||
| California | X | a qualified first-line business partner receives data directly from the department and uses it to complete registration and titling activities; a second-line business partner receives information from a first-line service provider | ||
| Colorado | X | an electronic vehicle or special mobile machinery registration, lien, or titling service provider that is approved by the department | ||
| Connecticut | X | municipality, for driver’s license | vehicle leasing companies, for titles and registration; contractor, e.g., an automobile club or association, for driver’s licenses | |
| Florida | authorized electronic filing agents appointed by the county tax collector, which could include vehicle dealers, insurers, vehicle auctions | |||
| Georgia | county tax collector or tax commissioner | tag service companies and vehicle dealers may complete tag application forms and compute tag fees | ||
| Idaho | X | no more than 10 electronic vehicle credential providers | ||
| Illinois | X | using the electronic system, financial institutions may apply for titles and create and remove liens from vehicle records; insurance companies may apply for salvage or junking certificates; retail merchants may issue registration renewal stickers; also licenses remittance agents, which accept and remit moneys for titles, registration, taxes | ||
| Kansas | contractors, which may include county treasurers | |||
| Kentucky | X | lienholder; fleet owner; retailer of manufactured homes, mobile homes, or recreational vehicles | ||
| Louisiana | X | municipal and parish governing authorities | auto title company | |
| Maine | X | municipal tax collector or other municipal agent | nongovernmental registration agent; resident agent | |
| Maryland | X | licensed title service provider; qualified owner of a fleet | ||
| Massachusetts | entities existing as of November 1, 2009, that provide automobile-related services to the general public including, but not limited to, automobile-related associations and insurance companies and certain insurance-related businesses; may provide services only to their own members or clients | |||
| Minnesota | a deputy registrar may be county or city official | a deputy registrar may be a for-profit or nonprofit corporation but may not own or be a partner, officer, or 5-percent shareholder in a financial institution, motor vehicle dealership, or automobile insurance business or be co-located with any of those entities; a limited licensing agent may issue only a duplicated driver’s license | ||
| Mississippi | X | county tax collector | title pledge lenders, financial institutions, manufactured home dealers | |
| Montana | department-authorized agent, which could be an individual, a legal or commercial entity, state agency, local government unit, another state government, the United States, a political subdivision | |||
| Nebraska | X | also, county treasurer may appoint an agent to issue registration certificates and accept taxes and fees | ||
| Nevada | X | motor carrier or service provider (business or organization) on behalf of motor carriers; vehicle dealer only for vehicles it sells | ||
| New Hampshire | X | |||
| New York | X | a dealer, private service bureau licensee, or licensed driver’s school may assist with obtaining title, registration, or driver’s license | ||
| North Carolina | X | department contractors, in locations including military installations, except in Wake, Cumberland, or Mecklenburg counties | ||
| Ohio | county auditor; clerk of a court of common pleas if county population > 40,000 | a nonprofit corporation; an individual; no person may act as a deputy registrar if the person holds a contract to conduct motor vehicle inspections or if the person, spouse, or member of immediate family has made contributions totaling more than $100 to any person or entity involved in political races | ||
| Oklahoma | X | licensed Service Oklahoma operators, at least one per county; Service Oklahoma, a state agency, provides access to many government services through its operators | ||
| Pennsylvania | X | |||
| South Dakota | X | |||
| Texas | X | also has motor vehicle title services that assist persons in obtaining title documents by submitting, transmitting, or sending applications to the appropriate government agencies | ||
| Utah | registration issued at participating emissions inspection stations when the vehicle due for testing passes; emissions tests are required in 5 of the 29 Utah counties: Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber | |||
| Virginia | X | may also have agreements with other state agencies, any other state, the federal government, or a contractor for such state or federal agency | ||
| Washington | county auditor or other appointed agent; their subagents | subagents are small businesses | ||
| Wisconsin | X | X |
The list above does not include vehicle dealers or lienholders who submit applications for titles and registration for vehicles but who do not issue those documents directly.
Three states specifically authorize governmental entities to offer certain vehicle services on behalf of the state:
- New Mexico authorizes vehicle registration by a military installation that has an agreement with the agency and by a class A county (population of 100,000 or more) or a municipality within a class A county that has adopted an ordinance for a vehicle emission inspection and maintenance program;
- Rhode Island authorizes the administrator of its Division of Motor Vehicles to delegate to the tax collector or finance director of any city or town the authority to issue vehicle registration, collect registration fees, and retain a portion of the fees for its expenses; and
- West Virginia sheriffs are authorized to renew registrations for passenger vehicles and motorcycles.
Authorization for These Services in Statutes and Regulations
States included in this memorandum as those with private entity involvement in vehicle services had statutory authorization to do so, with statutory authorization for contracts to perform these services also often present. Regulations regarding these services were found in about half of those states and may be present in additional states. Contracts are specifically mentioned in multiple states’ statutes and regulations and also may be present in additional states2.
The statutes, regulations, and websites listed below are among those consulted in preparation of this memorandum. “S” indicates statute(s) were consulted, “R” indicates regulation(s), and “C” indicates a state for which a statute or regulation references a contract with a private entity. Various official websites also were consulted.
| State | Statutes | Regulations | Contract | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | S | R | Ala.Code 1975 § 32-8-2. Definitions. Ala. Admin. Code r. 810-5-75-.52. Designated Agent Appointments. https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motor-vehicle/apply-to-become-a-designated-agent/ | |
| Alaska | S | C | AS § 36.30.015. Executive branch agencies3. | |
| Arizona | S | R | C | A.R.S. § 28-5101. Third party authorization. A.R.S. § 28-5101.01. Authorized third party driver license providers; requirements. A.A.C. R17-7-101. Definitions |
| California | S | R | C | Cal.Vehicle Code § 1685. Vehicle registration and titling transactions; establishment of contracts for electronic programs; transaction fee. California Regulations, Title 13. Motor Vehicles, Division 1. Department of Motor Vehicles, Chapter 1. Department of Motor Vehicles, Article 3.6. Vehicle Industry and Business Enterprises (§ 225.00 to § 226.54) https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/business-partner-automation-program/ |
| Colorado | S | C | C.R.S.A. § 42-1-234. Electronic vehicle registration and titling–electronic transmission of vehicle lien information–authority–rules–report–electronic transactions fund–gifts, grants, and donations–notice to revisor of statutes–repeal. C.R.S.A. § 42-1-233. Expedited registration program–private vendor providing services to register Class A commercial vehicles–rules. https://dmv.colorado.gov/title-register-your-vehicle-at-the-dealership | |
| Connecticut | S | R | C | C.G.S.A. § 14-12. Motor vehicle registration. Application. Issuance by dealers. Misrepresentation. Registration number and certificate. Requirements for registration. Regulations. Temporary registration. Number of registered electric vehicles. Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, Title 14 – Motor Vehicles. Use of the Highway by Vehicles. Gasoline, Sec. 14-15d-2. Determination of ability to submit applications electronically. Sec. 14-15d-3. Compliance with agency procedures https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/commercial-and-industry-services/get-regulated-business-license/motor-vehicle-dealerships?language=en_US |
| Florida | S | R | F.S.A. § 320.03. Registration; duties of tax collectors; International Registration Plan FL Admin Code R 15C-16.010 | |
| Georgia | S | R | Ga. Code Ann., § 40-2-23. Tax collectors or commissioners as agents to receive applications for registration of motor vehicles. § 40-2-25. Processing of applications of registration of motor vehicles by private persons § 40-3-39. Utilization of county tag agents; fee of; mailing applications Rule 560-10-28-.01 Tag Service Companies. Rule 560-10-28-.03 Submission of Documents, Fees and Taxes. | |
| Idaho | S | R | C | I.C. § 49-401C. Electronic vehicle credential providers. I.C. § 49-504. Applications to department for certificates–Procedure–Identification numbers. I.C. § 49–202. Duties of department. I.C. § 49-314. Local examiners appointed by department. Motor Vehicle Service Delivery: Analysis of Idaho’s Model and Policy Alternatives, Idaho Policy Institute, February 2022 |
| Illinois | S | C | 625 ILCS 5/1-171.01a. Remittance agent. 625 ILCS 5/3-100.2. Electronic access; agreements with submitters. 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1010.245 Electronic Registration and Titling (ERT) Program Provisions https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/vehicles/title-and-registration/eregtitle.html | |
| Kansas | S | C | KSA 8-129. Application for registration; certificate of title; administration of motor vehicle functions. https://www.kmca.org/Truck_Services | |
| Kentucky | S | R | C | KRS § 186A.005 Definitions for chapter. KRS § 186A.017 Electronic title application and registration system; application by approved entity; contracts with third parties; fees; administrative regulations. 601 Ky. Admin. Regs. 23:040. Application form to become Kentucky electronic license title entity; and application form for electronic motor vehicle title application submission. |
| Louisiana | S | R | C | LSA-R.S. 47:532.1. Public license tag agents; auto title companies; rules and regulations; surety bonds; fees. La. Admin Code. tit. 55, Pt III, § 1603. Authority; Businesses and Governmental Entities. La. Admin Code. tit. 55, Pt III, § 1608. Qualifications for Public Tag Agent Owners and Employees. La. Admin Code. tit. 55, Pt III, § 1635. Driver’s License Issuance. |
| Maine | S | R | 29-A M.R.S.A. § 201. Municipal officials as agents. 29-A M.R.S.A. § 202. Appointment of agents for the issuance of noncommercial driver’s license renewals, duplicates of noncommercial driver’s license renewals and nondriver identification card renewals. 29-A M.R.S.A. § 204. Registration agents. Department of the Secretary of State Rules, 29 Department of Secretary of State, 250 Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Chapter 110: Non-Governmental registration agent and resident agent requirements. C. Definitions | |
| Maryland | S | R | MD Code, Transportation, § 15-601. Definitions. MD Code, Transportation, § 15-608. Collection of taxes or fees required for titling vehicle. MD Code, Transportation, § 13-610. Electronic transmission of titling and registration information to Administration. Maryland Regulations Subtitle 12 Motor Vehicle Administration — Licensing of Businesses and Occupations, Chapter 02 Title Service Agents | |
| Massachusetts | S | R | M.G.L.A. 90 § 30A ½ . Agreements with third party entities by registrar 540 CMR 2.00: Motor Vehicle Regulations, 2.05: Vehicle Registrations Requirements. https://www.mass.gov/rmv-services-at-aaa, https://northeast.aaa.com/automotive/registry-services/massachusetts.html | |
| Minnesota | S | R | M.S.A. § 168.33. Commissioner as registrar of vehicles; deputy registrars. M.S.A. § 171.061. Driver’s license agent. Minnesota Rules 7406.0370 Certificate of Appointment of Deputy Registrar. Minnesota Rules 7404.0340 Deputy Registrar as Limited Licensing Agent. 7404.0345 Deputy Registrar as Licensing Agent. | |
| Mississippi | S | R | Miss. Code Ann. § 63-21-13. Certain persons designated agents. 35 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. VII, R. 4.06. Revocation of Designated Agent Authority. https://www.dor.ms.gov/motor-vehicle/dealers-and-designated-agents | |
| Montana | S | MCA 61-1-101. Definitions. MCA 61-3-116. Services that may be performed by authorized agent. | ||
| Nebraska | S | Neb.Rev.St. § 60-1507. Electronic dealer services system; licensed dealer; participation; service fee; powers of director. Neb.Rev.St. § 60-372. Vehicle Title and Registration System; agent of county treasurer; appointment . https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dvr/dealer-automated-services | ||
| Nevada | S | C | N.R.S. 482.217. Department authorized to enter into agreement with certain motor carriers and service providers to register, transfer or renew registration of vehicles; conditions of such agreement; regulations. N.R.S. 706.188. Agreement between Department and motor carrier or service provider regarding registration or transfer or renewal of registration of vehicle; bond or other security; fees; authority of Department to revoke registration of certain vehicles and revoke or refuse to grant authority to register certain vehicles or transfer or renew certain vehicle registrations; regulations. N.R.S. 482.216. Department may authorize new vehicle dealer to accept applications for registration and transfer of registration of new motor vehicles and to issue certificates of registration; duties of dealer; prohibited acts; regulations. | |
| New Hampshire | S | N.H. Rev. Stat. § 261:74-h Appointment of Dealer Agents. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 261:74-k Duties of Dealer Agents. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 261:74-n Collection of Fees. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 261:74-r Rulemaking. N.H. Rev. Stat. § 261:74-s Agreements with Electronic Vehicle Registration Integrators. | ||
| New Mexico | S | C | N. M. S. A. 1978, § 66-2-14. Appointment of agents; termination. N. M. S. A. 1978, § 66-2-14.1. Fee agent designation; termination. https://secure.mvd.newmexico.gov/vrs/About.html | |
| New York | S | R | McKinney’s Tax Law § 1142. General powers of the tax commission. McKinney’s Vehicle and Traffic Law § 395. Certain private service bureaus to be licensed. 15 CRR-NY 77.1 Applications. [private service bureau] 15 CRR-NY 76.5 Private service bureau functions. https://dmv.ny.gov/business/private-service-bureau-licenses | |
| North Carolina | S | C | N.C.G.S.A. § 20-63. Registration plates furnished by Division; requirements; replacement of regular plates with First in Flight plates, First in Freedom plates, or National/State Mottos plates; surrender and reissuance; displaying; preservation and cleaning; alteration or concealment of numbers; commission contracts for issuance. https://www.nclpa.org/ | |
| Ohio | S | R | C | R.C. § 4503.03 Deputy registrars and branch offices; terms of contracts; rules; removal; audit; bond; physical inspection of vehicles; voter registration reports. Rule 4501:1-6-04 | Limited authority deputy registrars. |
| Oklahoma | S | R | C | 47 Okl.St.Ann. § 1149. Service Oklahoma–Duty and authority. 47 Okl.St.Ann. § 1140. Qualifications to locate and operate Service Oklahoma locations–Obtaining a license to operate locations–Sale or transfer of licenses–Revocation–Vacancy. Okla. Admin. Code § 260:135-3-44, Licensed Operator training and continuing education. https://oklahoma.gov/service/all-services.html |
| Pennsylvania | S | C | 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 7501. Authorization of messenger and agent services, 75 Pa.C.S.A. § 7505. Transaction of business with department. https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dmv/resources/business-partners/messenger-and-agent-services Pub 457 Agent Services Handbook, sample contract | |
| Rhode Island | S | Gen.Laws 1956, § 44-7-8. Permissive excise tax collection agreement. Gen.Laws 1956, § 44-7-9. Delegated authority. | ||
| South Dakota | S | R | C | SDCL § 32-3-1. Definition of terms. SDCL § 32-3-69.1. Electronic title and registration system–Creation–Submissions–Verification SDCL § 32-3-69.4. Electronic title and registration system–ERT provider contract–Fee for service Administrative Rule 64:29:04:01. Definitions. Administrative Rule 64:29:04:02. ERT provider application–Contents–Contract required. |
| Texas | S | R | C | Transportation Code Sec. 520.005. Duty and Responsibilities of County Assessor-Collector. Transportation Code Sec. 520.0061. Contracts Between Counties. Transportation Code Sec. 520.0071. Deputies. Title 43 Transportation; Part 10 Texas Department of Motor Vehicles; Chapter 217 Vehicle Titles and Registration; Rule §217.166 Dealer Deputies. Rule §217.163 Full Service Deputies |
| Utah | S | Utah Code Ann. § 41-6a-1642. Emissions inspection–County program. https://dmv.utah.gov/register/ots-renewal/ | ||
| Virginia | S | C | VA Code Ann. § 46.2-205. Department offices and agencies; agreements with dealers. VA Code Ann. § 46.2-205.2. Agreements with other agencies or contractors for other agencies; collection of fee. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/locations/what-is-dmv-select. https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/businesses/become-dmv-select | |
| Washington | S | C | RCW 46.01.140 County auditors, agents, and subagents—Powers and duties—Standard contracts—Rules. https://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.17.040 [note attached to RCW 46-17-040] | |
| West Virginia | S | W. Va. Code, § 17A-3-17. Application for and renewal of registration; sheriffs authorized to issue renewals of registration for certain vehicles. | ||
| Wisconsin | S | R | C | W.S.A. 341.21. Registration and title transactions by contractors. Wis. Adm. Code § Trans 141.04. Dealer participation in the APPS program. |
- For purposes of this memorandum, “driver’s license” includes state-issued identification cards. ↩︎
- For this purpose, “contract” includes a written agreement. ↩︎
- In Alaska, the Commissioner of Administration is authorized by statute to delegate to an agency the authority to contract for and manage services, professional services, and supplies. ↩︎
Download a PDF of this article here: State Authorization for Private Entities to Perform Vehicle Titling and Registration 2026 (PDF)
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