PHOENIX – During the past several weeks, four Authorized Third Party offices have expanded their operations to offer driver license services in addition to title and registration services, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The offering of driver license services by these four sites completes the second phase of a program by the Motor Vehicle Division to help make driver services more accessible. The next two phases of this program are anticipated to be complete by the end of the year with the fifth phase completed by next January.

Once this initial expansion program is complete, customers will have 23 Authorized Third Party locations statewide they can visit for driver license, title and registration services. There are now 14 locations that offer driver license services.

“This expansion of driver license services to Authorized Third Parties is part of MVD’s commitment to make driver and vehicle services more accessible to communities across the state,” said Juan Beltran, third-party program director. “By empowering the private sector, we can give the public more options when it comes to MVD services.”

ADOT oversees the businesses to ensure that stringent operational requirements are being followed. The Motor Vehicle Division also provides Authorized Third Party employees with extensive training to ensure they can process transactions accurately.

In order to qualify to offer driver license services, an Authorized Third Party business must satisfy a list of qualifications, including road test requirements such as space in the parking lot for parallel parking or three-point turn tests as well as a proper test route.

The business must also have a designated area in the office for the written test and approved equipment to take driver license photos.

The four new locations now offering driver license services are:

GG & D Motor Vehicle Services LLC
7207 S. Central Ave.  
Phoenix, AZ 85042
Office: 602.889.7096
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Sat. 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Power Tags Titles and More, LLC
3125 W. Hunt Hwy., Ste. 104   
Queen Creek, AZ 85142  
Office: 480.677.3132
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

R L Jones Insurance Services, Inc.  
800 N. Main St.    
San Luis, AZ 85349  
Office: 928.627.7404
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Fri. 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Southwest Motor Vehicle Center  
7930 E. Speedway Blvd., Ste. 100   
Tucson, AZ 85710   
Office: 520.722.2006
Driver License Hours: Mon. – Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information on Authorized Third Party locations, visit azdot.gov/thirdpartydlservices.

PHOENIX — Buying or selling a vehicle can be a risky process if the proper steps are not taken by the people involved in the transaction. The Arizona Department of Transportation advises consumers to do some homework before buying or selling a vehicle to prevent the simple mistakes that may result in serious financial loss.

Buyer Beware
There are numerous fraud schemes involving the sale of a vehicle. An unscrupulous private seller may try to get rid of a stolen vehicle or one with an illegally rolled-back odometer, provide a forged/fraudulent title of ownership, or attempt to sell a vehicle with unrevealed extensive water or collision damage that received only a cosmetic instead of a complete repair.

A sophisticated fraud scheme may involve a scam by a seller who buys a used vehicle without a loan, so there is no financial lien on the title record. The seller then obtains a duplicate title on the vehicle and secures a title loan. Later, the seller defaults on the title loan obligation, which could be thousands of dollars, and immediately sells the same vehicle to an unsuspecting buyer using the duplicate title that does not show the financial lien. The buyer cannot properly title and register the vehicle until the financial lien on the title record is paid off. The lien holder may in turn repossess the vehicle, leaving the innocent, unsuspecting buyer with a major financial loss.

Buyers can avoid becoming a victim of fraud by taking these precautions:

• Conduct the transaction in a safe location.
• Don’t trust verbal statements. Confirm information on documents.
• Request the seller provide valid photo identification to verify the seller is the legal owner shown on the current dated title.
• Examine the vehicle title closely and look for any alterations on both sides of the document.
• Verify that the person or business selling the car is the same as the owner information listed on the title.
• Look at the front of the title for any text identifying the vehicle as salvage or nonrepairable.
• Check the odometer reading on the vehicle instrument cluster and compare it to what is listed on the back of the title from the seller and any odometer information contained in any vehicle history reports or repair invoices.
• Check to confirm the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the dashboard and driver’s door jamb sticker match, and compare that VIN to what is shown on the front of the title and any vehicle history reports or repair invoices.
• Accept payment from the seller at a financial institution.

A reputable seller should offer identification and valid ownership documents at the very beginning of the sale transaction process. The seller should be able to clearly answer any questions from the buyer. The seller is required to endorse and transfer the certificate of title at the time the vehicle is delivered to the buyer. The new vehicle owner has 15 days to title and register the vehicle.

Seller Beware
The seller of a vehicle is also vulnerable to fraud schemes in which the buyer pays by cash with counterfeit money or uses a check from an invalid account. Additionally, a scam buyer may take a test drive without the legal owner in the vehicle and never return with the vehicle, or take the legal owner on a test drive and forcibly take the vehicle from the owner.

Tips for vehicle sellers:

• Conduct the transaction in a safe location.
• Confirm information on documents, don’t trust verbal statements.
• Be cautious of cash payments with possibly counterfeit money, and bogus checking or credit card accounts. Exchange funds at a financial institution.
• Watch out for buyers who ask few questions, and appear anxious to hurry up and make a deal with no negotiations.

Additional Resources
The ADOT Motor Vehicle Division can assist buyers and sellers with the verification of vehicle documents. The MVD offers a Lien Motor Vehicle Inquiry service as a feature on ServiceArizona.com, the official MVD website. The service performs a real-time search of the Vehicle Identification Number to determine if there is a financial or operation of law (court-ordered) lien on the motor vehicle record.

The VIN number can also be used to obtain the vehicle history through an online VIN check service. A fee may be charged for this service, which may uncover salvage or nonrepairable status, maintenance problems, past collision involvement, insurance claims and any title issuance in other states.

It is suggested that buyers have a reputable auto mechanic or repair facility conduct a complete inspection of the mechanical and electrical systems to uncover worn parts, water damage, poorly repaired collision damage or other safety problems. There may be a service fee for a vehicle inspection.

Buyers should be knowledgeable of their consumer rights when buying a vehicle. Arizona law has limited consumer protection regarding vehicle purchases made through a licensed dealer and almost no protection for vehicles bought from a private party. Arizona law requires a licensed dealer to follow several requirements that are not required for private-party transactions.

The Arizona Used Car Lemon Law protects a buyer who purchases a car or truck from a licensed dealer, not a private-party transaction. Arizona prohibits the display for sale of any motor vehicle on any public street, lot or other public property.

The ADOT Office of the Inspector General reviews complaints from individuals who feel they have been a victim of fraud and determines if any actions constitute a violation of state law. ADOT OIG conducts investigations into fraudulent vehicle sales, violations by licensed and unlicensed dealers, illegal actions involving odometers and title fraud.

To report any incidents of fraud in a vehicle transaction, call the ADOT Office of the Inspector General at 602.712.6270.

For more information about ADOT, please visit azdot.gov

PHOENIX – Beginning April 13, the Surprise Motor Vehicle Division office will close for interior renovation, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. The remodeling project will almost triple the customer waiting area capacity, offering customers more efficient and comfortable service at the office.

Currently, because of maximum occupancy guidelines, only 68 customers can be inside at one time, leaving many who visit the Surprise office to wait outside before receiving a number. After the renovation is finished, the office will hold a maximum of 188 customers.

“This renovation is an example of the Motor Vehicle Division’s ongoing commitment to efficient customer service,” said Motor Vehicle Division Operations Director Chuck Saillant. “Our updated offices, self-service kiosks, ServiceArizona website and Authorized Third Party providers provide customers with a variety of quality service options.”

The project is scheduled to last a few months, with the office anticipated to reopen sometime this summer.

Besides increasing the capacity of the customer waiting area, the project will include expanding the number of customer service windows, upgrading the air conditioning system, upgrading the restrooms and enhancing the look of the customer waiting area.

“We are very excited for this remodeling project,” said Surprise MVD Office Manager Tricia Hervey. “The renovation will allow us to better serve our customers in the Surprise and Northwest Valley areas in an expanded, more modern facility.”

While the Surprise MVD office is closed, customers may visit either the Glendale MVD office at 16380 N. 59th Ave. (59th Avenue south of Bell Road) or the Phoenix-Northwest MVD office at 20626 N. 26th Ave. (north of Loop 101). Customers may also choose to visit one of MVD’s Authorized Third Party providers.

MVD is in the process of placing a ServiceArizona self-service kiosk at the Surprise City Court for public use. Customers can also access more than 20 MVD services online through ServiceArizona.com.

A list of MVD office locations and Authorized Third Party providers can be found online at azdot.gov/mvdlocations.

PHOENIX — On May 20, the Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division created another opportunity for specific hybrid vehicle owners to obtain one of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” Energy Efficient license plates. At the time of the release of the latest series of plates, there were six initial vehicles on the qualifying list and now three additional vehicles have since been added.

The federal program, which began in 2007 as a pilot, is designed to test the impact of allowing 10,000 hybrid vehicles to have access to the HOV lanes in Arizona during peak travel times without occupancy restrictions. The maximum limit of 10,000 plates is still part of program stipulations; there are 1,800 of the special plates now available as a result of non-renewed or canceled registrations.

Until Sept. 30, 2017, states may allow low emission vehicles, and those certified and labeled as low emission and energy-efficient vehicles (including alternative fuel vehicles) that do not meet the established occupancy requirements to use high-occupancy vehicle lanes so long as the state establishes procedures to enforce the restrictions on the use by these vehicles.

The program requirements for qualifying vehicles remain the same as announced on May 20, limited to only plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is the federal authority that establishes the certification and labeling requirements for low emission and energy-efficient vehicles. When vehicles are added to the qualifying list, ADOT will immediately update Arizona’s qualifying list.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles may be driven for a longer period of time on solely electric power, reducing both the amount of fuel consumed and tailpipe emissions released compared to normal hybrid vehicles. Reduced vehicle pollution supports the purpose of the “Clean Air – Blue Skies” program by encouraging the use of low-emission vehicles to improve the air quality in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

To qualify for the Energy Efficient plate, a customer must own one of the following plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from specific model years, which must be currently registered at the time of application: Chevrolet Volt (2011-2014), Fisker Automotive Karma (2012), Ford C-MAX Energi (2013-2014), Ford Fusion Energi (2013-2014), Honda Accord Plug-in Hybrid (2014), and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (2012-2014). The following vehicles have been added to the qualifying list: BMW i3 Range Extender (2014), Cadillac ELR (2014) and the Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid (2014).

If qualified, the vehicle owner must complete the online Energy Efficient plate application process located only on ServiceArizona.com and submit a payment of $8 (initial application fee) plus postage and handling. Plates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Energy Efficient plates will not be distributed at Motor Vehicle Division or Authorized Third-Party offices. The standard Arizona vehicle license tax applies to all plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Those with a temporary registration paper plate or permit are not eligible until the owner actually receives an issued license plate.

After completing the Energy-Efficient license plate application and the customer chooses to have the disability emblem added, the customer must complete a Disability-Hearing Impaired Plate/Placard Application found at the MVD forms library. The completed application form must be mailed to: Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division-Special Plates Unit; P.O. Box 2100-Mail Drop 801Z; Phoenix 85001-2100.

Customers with a vehicle that qualified under the previous program (Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight and non-plug-in Toyota Prius) and is currently registered with an Energy Efficient plate will be allowed to continue to use their plate on that vehicle and drive in the HOV lane until they sell/transfer the vehicle. The Energy Efficient issued plate may only be transferred to a qualifying plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that is owned or leased by the same registered owner.

Drivers are reminded that this is a federal- and state-approved program that could be changed or ended at any time. For more information on the Energy Efficient Plate Program, application process and qualifying vehicles, please visit the ADOT Motor Vehicle Division website at azdot.gov/mvd.

PHOENIX — Most of us will need some type of driver license, identification card or vehicle registration services at one time or another. Today, many of those services can be performed online. Unfortunately, Internet resources are being used by scam artists misrepresenting themselves as official motor vehicle division entities or soliciting for vehicle maintenance warranties or insurance with the primary goal of taking a customer’s money and obtaining their personal information.

The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division is alerting customers that there are various fraudulent websites falsely offering motor vehicle services such as Arizona driver licenses, IDs, vehicle titles and registration. The fraudulent websites appear in a searches with keywords such as MVD or DMV.

The website scams promise services that are not fulfilled. Instead, the sites illegally obtain a customer’s credit card number and charge the credit card account for the bogus services. The captured credit card information may also be used for future fraudulent purchases and charges.

ServiceArizona.com is the only authorized website for all Arizona MVD transactions. Customers can use ServiceArizona.com  to conduct many routine motor vehicle transactions, such as applying for a duplicate driver license or driver license reinstatement, renewing a vehicle registration, purchasing a specialty/personalized license plate, obtaining a copy of a driver license or vehicle record, checking a vehicle identification number for liens before purchasing a used vehicle, registering to vote or updating personal contact information.

ADOT MVD does not allow the initial issuance or renewal of a driver license via the Internet. To do so a customer must visit a local MVD or Authorized Third-Party office.

Additionally, consumers should be wary of phone solicitations. ADOT MVD does not conduct phone solicitations for driver license, title/registration services, vehicle warranties or insurance. Customers should not give out their personal information when receiving phone calls from an entity fraudulently representing itself as MVD, ADOT or DMV to sell any type of service or product.

ADOT does not promote commercial business through mail or phone solicitations, nor does it endorse or advertise for online businesses claiming to provide MVD services.

There are numerous legitimate businesses that offer motor vehicle support services such as practice tests or tips for completing the driver license application process. ADOT MVD also has Authorized Third Party offices, which are private businesses licensed and authorized to perform MVD transactions.

ADOT’s goal is to prevent its customers from becoming victims of fraud and identity theft. The only authorized ways to conduct Arizona driver license or vehicle title/registration transactions are either in person at any ADOT MVD or Authorized Third Party office, online through ServiceArizona.com or by standard mail.

For further information about ADOT MVD services, please visit azdot.gov/mvd.

PHOENIX — Buying a new or used vehicle can be a risky process, but by following some guidelines and doing the right research before the purchase, consumers can minimize or eliminate the common buying errors, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation.

Whether making a purchase from a dealership, auction or private party, consumers need to know how to protect themselves from a fraudulent deal. An unscrupulous seller may try to get rid of a stolen vehicle, tamper with an odometer by rolling back the mileage, alter a title, or sell a car with extensive water or collision damage that has not been properly repaired.

ADOT’s Office of the Inspector General conducts investigations into fraudulent vehicle sales schemes, including about 125 cases of odometer fraud each year.

“Most car-buying complaints are from consumers who did not ask the right questions before making their purchase,” said ADOT Inspector General Tom Clinkenbeard.

Buyers are encouraged to do their homework and not be pressured into purchasing a vehicle before doing some basic research. Arizona does not have any provisions or consumer protection such as a two-, three- or five-day rule with a signed contract allowing a person to return a vehicle and receive a refund.

Tools that are available to prospective buyers include a check of the motor vehicle record that can be requested in person at any area ADOT Motor Vehicle Division office by using the vehicle identification number. This check will uncover any issues noted in the motor vehicle file and determine if there are any current financial or operation of law liens. The same service became available June 30 at www.ServiceArizona.com. A buyer should obtain the VIN to allow for other vehicle record sources to be researched.

ADOT recommends buyers follow these guidelines:

Verifying the seller’s information:

• A buyer should ask the seller to provide photo identification and vehicle documentation.
• Do not trust statements made to sell the vehicle without documented proof.
• A legitimate seller will not have a problem providing proof of their identity.

Verifying the vehicle information:

• Examine the vehicle title. Look for any alterations on both sides of the document.
• Verify that the title information matches the vehicle.
• For a used vehicle, verify that the person or business selling the car is the same as listed on the title (a private party must be the owner on the title before they can legally sell the vehicle).
• Visually check the vehicle identification number on the dashboard and on the sticker in the driver’s door jamb to make sure they match. Record the VIN in order for it to be checked later.
• Visually inspect the vehicle and have a reputable auto mechanic or repair facility conduct a complete inspection of the mechanical and electrical systems. There may be a fee for this inspection.
• The vehicle inspection should uncover worn parts, water damage, poorly repaired collision damage and possibly other safety problems which should help in deciding whether to buy or not.

Buying online or from an out-of-state seller:

• Vehicles that have sustained flooding damage may be required by federal or state law to have that notation on the vehicle title. This requirement varies by state. Not all vehicles coming from an area that experienced flooding are labeled as water damaged.
• Buying a used vehicle online from a private seller can have risks. It is strongly suggested that buyers inspect the vehicle in person before making a purchase.
• ADOT does not have any authority to intervene in vehicle sales that were conducted out of state. If a buyer suspects any wrongdoing with the transaction, any action would have to be conducted in the state where the sale occurred.

Beware of odometer fraud:

• Check the odometer reading on the vehicle and look at the back side of the title to see what odometer information has been entered.
• A typical vehicle is driven about 15,000 miles per year. If the odometer mileage of a vehicle shows much less than that average annual usage, the odometer may have been rolled back.
• Rolling back or otherwise altering an odometer is a criminal offense.

MVD title check and online VIN check services:

• Check for any liens on the vehicle, not only the ones listed on the title. Request the seller provide a current motor vehicle record from MVD to show all liens contained in the file. Note: Not all current lien information is shown on an Arizona vehicle title. Only financial lien holder information is listed on the front of the title.
• Effective April 29, 2013 the printed version of an Arizona vehicle title carries a warning of “Nontransferable” at the top and bottom of the title if the motor vehicle record contains any type of current lien or other status that will prevent the title from being transferred to a new owner.
• Effective June 30, 2013 a prospective buyer may check for outstanding liens or other issues with the motor vehicle record using the VIN on www.ServiceArizona.com. This online feature alerts the buyer of any outstanding liens or other issues with the motor vehicle record that will prevent the title from being transferable. There is a fee for this service. No personal information from a motor vehicle record will be accessible or revealed through this customer service feature.
• The VIN can also be researched through one of the online services such as carfax.com, AutoCheck.com, VINcheck.com or Instavin.com. The record received will show the vehicle’s history of crash repairs, maintenance records, entries from insurance companies and any notations if the vehicle was previously titled and registered in another state. There is usually a fee involved for the online service. No personal registered owner information will be listed on the report.

Arizona law:

• The Arizona Used Car Lemon Law (implied warranty of merchantability) protects a buyer who purchases a car or truck from a licensed dealer. Under the law, if a major component (not every component) of the vehicle fails before either 15 days or 500 miles, whichever occurs first, the buyer is responsible for up to only $25 for the first two repairs and will be reimbursed for the vehicle purchase price if the problem cannot be fixed.
• For new vehicles, Arizona law requires a dealership to disclose in writing to a purchaser if damage occurred to a new vehicle and the repair cost exceeded three percent of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price according to the dealer’s authorized warranty rate for labor and parts.
• In Arizona only licensed dealers are required to possess a bond to cover consumer financial loss due to a business practice problem.