Happy holidays from the ADOT Blog!

Happy holiday season, everyone!

It’s hard to believe the year is coming to a close, but we sure have enjoyed being able to share this blog with you in 2012.

We’re of course going to keep on posting in 2013, but we’re taking a little break after Friday (You’ll definitely want to come back here tomorrow, though. We’ve got a new video for you, along with some information on a construction project milestone!).

Before the blog goes on its week-long vacation, we wanted to let you know about a few important items…

• It’s just the blog that’s taking a holiday break! All ADOT and MVD offices will be open EXCEPT for Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1 when they’ll close in recognition of the Christmas and New Year holidays. 
• There are plenty of places to find ADOT information online during the holidays. You can visit ADOT’s website and the ADOT Twitter feed for updates, and if you’re looking for detailed traffic conditions, you can always call 511 or head over to az511.gov. 

Finally, we hope you all stay safe and have a very happy holiday!!

MVD provides services, assists veterans at 2013 Arizona StandDown

MVD employees help veterans get driver licenses and ID cards
(photo top left). MVD employees bag up sandwiches and other
food items – even dog treats for pets belonging to veterans
(photo bottom right). The ceremonial cutting of red tape kicked
off the 2013 Arizona StandDown (photo bottom left).

The 2013 Arizona StandDown began with the ceremonial cutting of red tape – a fitting kickoff to the annual outreach event aimed at connecting homeless and at-risk veterans with needed resources.

Held March 8-10 at the Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, this year’s StandDown included more than 92 housing, healthcare and support service providers.

All were on hand to cut through that red tape and assist the state’s homeless veteran population.

As in years past, MVD was there to help the veterans obtain driver licenses or state identification cards – vital when job searching or applying for programs. 

“Having that credential really gives you an identity,” said MVD Director Stacey Stanton. “Hopefully that credential will give them access to other services they need.”

MVD Regional Manager Dave Jackson agrees…

A veteran himself, Jackson serves on the Arizona StandDown executive committee and says getting an identification card or license is often the first step to a better path.

“It’s one of the major things they need to have in order to get jobs, services, anything,” he said.

Just like last year, dozens of MVD employees were on site. They brought along 12 complete work stations, which were set up like an MVD office. Veterans could conduct transactions for driver license applications, renewals, written examinations and the road skills test (Courtesy Chevrolet provided vehicles to be used for those who did not have one of their own).

Besides the typical MVD services, the veterans were also treated to homemade sandwiches, cupcakes and other edible treats – all courtesy of MVD employees.

Jackson explained that being at the StandDown and providing a service means so much to the MVD employees.

“It’s just a big deal for all of us,” he said.

For more on the Arizona StandDown, visit www.arizonastanddown.org.

New special license plate options now available

If you’re in the market for a new license plate we’ve got some good news for you – two new options are now available to consider!

Late last month a new specialty license plate benefitting childhood cancer research was released along with a re-design of the specialty plate supporting the University of Arizona.

Like all specialty plates, these will cost drivers a $25 initial application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee – $17 of which goes right to the nonprofit group/cause that supported the plate’s production (more on that later in the post).

The childhood cancer research plate was supported by Ella’sTea Party, Inc., a nonprofit organization created by friends and family of a young girl fighting cancer. Money collected from the sale of this plate will go toward a fund supporting research of childhood cancer and rare childhood diseases.

Money collected from sales of the newly redesigned U of A plate will go to the university for academic scholarships.

Just a note to anyone driving around with the “old” U of A design: don’t worry – those plates are still valid. However, for a $5 replacement fee you can purchase the new plate design.

More about specialty plates

Check out this blog post from last year for an in-depth look at the process behind the creation of specialty plates … or just keep reading for a condensed version. 

ADOT and MVD do not decide which plates get the OK, that’s up to state lawmakers.

First, a nonprofit group or cause has to get the attention of lawmakers. From there, a bill sponsored through the legislature must pass and then be signed into law by the governor.

Once that happens, the group must pay a $32,000 implementation fee – this covers programming costs and production. Next up is design. Once a prototype is approved by law enforcement officials, the nonprofit group and MVD’s director, the new plates are rolled out and made available to motorists. 

For even more information on license plates, visit MVD’s website, or read some of our previous blog posts.

A new special license plate option is now available

By now, you ought to know plenty about license plates…

We’ve blogged about how they’re made and the awards they’ve won. We’ve even attempted to answer all your questions relating to the “blue cloud” plates (a sequel to that post is coming soon – stay tuned!).

So, for today’s post, we’ll keep things fairly short and just let you know there’s a new specialty plate that’s available for purchase in Arizona (learn more about special license plates in these previous posts).

The new plate is: Keep Arizona Beautiful.

Like other special plates there’s a $25 initial application fee and a $25 annual renewal fee to consider – $17 of the fee goes to the litter prevention and cleanup special plate fund. This plate has no special requirements and is available to everyone. It may be personalized with a maximum of six characters and is also available with a disability symbol.

For more information on special plates, visit the MVD site.

Payson MVD office moving to new location

For all you readers in northern Gila County, we’ve got some news for you…

ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division is opening a new office in Payson.

Beginning on Monday, Jan. 28, customers in northern Gila County and the surrounding areas, who regularly conduct MVD transactions at the Payson office, will be doing so at a new, larger location.

The current location will close on Jan. 24 and remain closed on Jan. 25. During this time, no MVD transactions will be performed at the office location. This closure time period will allow for the preparation of the new facility to be ready for opening at 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 28.

Easy to find with its central location in the Payson Village Center near the Junction of State Route 260 and 87, the new office is at 122 East Highway 260, Suite 122, in Payson.

The new location will have several improvements to provide better service, such as a larger parking area for customers, and will accommodate large vehicles requiring inspection. The interior has a larger waiting area and a comfortable setting in order for customers to be served more efficiently. This facility will provide a wide range of driver license and motor vehicle title/registration services.

For more information on Motor Vehicle Division office locations, visit the MVD webpage.

More ADOT highlights from 2012

ADOT achievements don't just happen on the road.

We’ve spent this week looking back on ADOT’s major projects of 2012, but it’s important to recall the transportation-related achievements that didn’t happen out on the road.

Much was accomplished last year through planning, which is what we’re focusing on today.

I-11 Study
This summer ADOT, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Transportation, launched a two-year study of I-11 and the Intermountain West Corridor. The study will determine if it is feasible to build a new interstate that would connect Phoenix and Las Vegas and potentially extend north to Canada and south to Mexico. I-11 received federal designation under the current surface transportation bill, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, also known as MAP-21. As part of this federal designation, US 93 is defined as a high-priority corridor for the future I-11.

Passenger Rail Corridor Study
During the past year, ADOT identified six potential rail alternatives and one express bus alternative that could link Phoenix and Tucson and relieve expected congestion along I-10 in the future. This fall, ADOT held its second public comment period to gather input from community members about what they think about passenger rail. Nearly 3,000 people filled out a survey at community events or online. ADOT expects to narrow the list to two or three alternatives in the spring of 2013. A final alternative will likely be announced towards the end of 2013.

Of course, no 2012 wrap-up would be complete without a look at the Motor Vehicle Division and Enforcement and Compliance Division …

Motor Vehicle Division
From a new process designed to increase security for hundreds of thousands of driver license customers to outreach for the homeless population, 2012 marked another busy year for the Motor Vehicle Division. While service to customers receives the most attention, revenue collection is a vital part of MVD responsibilities. This year MVD safely and efficiently accounted for nearly $1 billion in state revenue while conducting in excess of 16 million transactions in person, through the mail and online, an increase of 3 percent from one year ago. In addition to serving the general public, MVD continued to work closely with and improve services for its industry and government partners statewide, including motor carriers, motor vehicle dealers, law enforcement agencies and the courts.

Enforcement and Compliance Division
As a means of improving highway safety throughout Arizona, the Enforcement and Compliance Division has accomplished a number of milestones during 2012. Officers completed 14,137 commercial vehicle inspections that contributed to driver and vehicle safety. Enforcement and Compliance officers also weighed 7,926,224 commercial vehicles to ensure that vehicle weights are at the legal level, reducing deterioration of Arizona’s highway infrastructure. While highway safety is of utmost importance to the Enforcement and Compliance Division officers and customer service representatives, the division also generated $16,324,134 in revenue from the sale of 461,587 permits to the commercial vehicle industry. The division has also worked closely with other state, local and federal law-enforcement agencies to ensure that a broad highway safety program is implemented to secure the safety of the motoring public when traveling around and near commercial vehicles. In addition to enforcement activities, ADOT’s Executive Hearing Office resolved 18,101 cases, a 25 percent increase from last year.

But, wait … there’s more!
There are just a few more items we want to remember before we move on to 2013. These don’t necessarily fit into any category, but they’re significant nonetheless…

Pull Aside, Stay Alive
Prior to the start monsoon season, ADOT, in cooperation with the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety and the National Weather Service, launched a public awareness campaign urging drivers to Pull Aside Stay Alive when they encounter a dust storm. As part of the campaign, ADOT used social media to engage the public and asked people to show off their creativity by submitting short poems about the dangers of dust storms and more than 1,500 haikus were submitted in one week.

Traffic Operations Center Upgrades
In September, ADOT unveiled its new Traffic Operations Center, which underwent a $2.1 million facelift. This high-tech control center, based in Phoenix, underwent a comprehensive refurbishment, including the addition of 40 reconfigurable 55-inch flat-panel displays, providing state-of-the art tools for the 24/7 facility. The upgrades to the center’s communications system allow ADOT staff to keep an eye on traffic conditions around the state and provide options for motorists to avoid congestion.

OK … it was nice to look back, but starting next week we’ll be back to blogging about ADOT’s present and future. Thanks for following along!

Third party vendors offer MVD services

Third Party offices are operated by private individuals
or businesses, authorized and monitored by MVD.

When it comes to conducting business with ADOT’s Motor Vehicle Division, customers have more than one alternative...

Besides visiting an MVD office, there’s also the option of handling transactions online, or through an Authorized Third Party.

What’s an Authorized Third Party, you ask?

Authorized Third Parties (ATPs) provide a convenient option for quickly conducting Motor Vehicle Division business. The companies provide many of the same services as MVD Customer Service Offices, including title and registration transactions. The program is growing, and there are now more than 160 locations statewide.

“Customers get personal attention, usually with little or no wait,” says Third Party Program Manager Robert Smith. “A lot of third parties have extended hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays, and most of them are small businesses, which are key to a healthy economy.”

Smith and his team work closely with the MVD Customer Service program to determine where the needs are the greatest and how ATPs can help.

Despite the difficult economy, the number of ATPs has increased and during Fiscal Year 2012 the businesses conducted a combined 4.1 million transactions.

For their services, Arizona law allows the ATPs the allowance of a small retention fee for some transactions. ATPs are also permitted to assess convenience charges in addition to the standard MVD fees that customers pay in the field offices and online.

“The convenience charges vary and they’re entirely up to the individual businesses,” Smith says. “People are paying for priority treatment.”

MVD monitors the performance of ATP offices to ensure among other things, transactions are carried out properly and timely fund transfers are made to MVD. There is a potential for sanctions if a company doesn’t meet the required standards.

ATPs are actively seeking new customers and are anxious to provide additional services. A list of Authorized Third Parties with locations and hours of operation is available at www.azmvdservices.com.

MVD offers tips to consider when purchasing a vehicle

You’ve searched and searched for the perfect used car and now that you found one, you're ready to buy…

But did you know if you purchase a pre-owned vehicle with a lien, you are responsible for payment of that lien before you can transfer the title into your name?

That’s why it’s really important to find out about any and all liens prior to making that purchase...

A little background on financial liens
Financial liens appear on the front of a vehicle title, in the space marked “lienholders.” These are typically placed by a bank or other lending institution as the result of a loan made when the vehicle was purchased by the current owner.

Financial liens are generally on the title for a defined period of time. When they’re paid off, the vehicle owner receives a “lien release.” The owner may then take the lien release to an MVD office or an authorized third party office to obtain a new, clean title.

Note to buyers: it’s also acceptable for a seller to give you a signed and notarized title with a lien release from the lender (more on that later).

Other types of liens
There are additional types of liens that can be added (or deleted) electronically to a title at any time. These are not for a defined period of time and are NOT shown on the title.

For example, if a vehicle owner owes child support fees or court fines/fees, a lien can be placed on the vehicle record that prevents the title from being transferred to a new owner until those fines/fees are paid.

Of course, if the seller isn’t being honest with you (the buyer) and accepts your money for the vehicle without clearing the title, you would not be able to properly transfer the title into your name until the liens are paid.

How to protect yourself from purchasing a vehicle with a lien
First, look at the title to see if there is a lienholder recorded.

If there is, then the seller must have a notarized paid receipt (lien release) from the lienholder describing the vehicle, the name of the seller and the date and amount of the lien. The seller must give you the original paid receipt along with the title. Be sure to verify that all the information on the paid receipt matches the information on the title.

Whether there’s a lienholder listed on the title, or not, it’s always a good idea to ask the seller to go with you to MVD or an authorized Third Party office to transfer the title (many Third Party offices are open evenings and weekends).

One last tip: do NOT pay for the vehicle until you have verified the title can be transferred.

And remember, liens aren’t the only thing to look out for when purchasing a vehicle from a private seller. Over on the MVD web page there’s a whole list of situations to be aware of when purchasing your next pre-owned vehicle.