License plate controversy erupted a week ago over the proposed, and now DOA, "I BELIEVE" specialty license plate in Fla.  And now, the South Carolina legislature is poised to direct the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles to issue the nation's first specialty license plate decorated with the image of a cross. Who could have ever imagined a little old piece of metal could prove to have so much mettle? Now, I'm sure most have an opinion of whether or not this is a good thing or a... Read Full Story

Guest Blogger:  Alan Cockman Six years ago, while I was Chair of AAMVA, I was in New York City with other members of the Executive Committee to attend a meeting.  I forget its purpose but I vividly remember why we chose the location.  It was to show in a small way our support for the City, which just a few months earlier had endured the tragic events of September 11, 2001.  On our first evening in town we went to the site of the World Trade Center towers, not as tourists, but to pay our... Read Full Story

From time to time I use this forum to celebrate the hard work of journalists, as well as to "set the record" straight where reporting has gone awry and ventured into sensationalism.  The way I figure it, as PR folks, we spend enough time complaining when a reporter gets the story wrong we should spend just as much time applauding when they get it right! With that said, I am happy for this to be an occasion where I celebrate a journalist with integrity.  This time, it's Morris Jones... Read Full Story

For the second time in a year, the New York Times' Chris Jensen has dug into motor vehicle fraud crimes and exclaimed, "Eurkea, NMVTIS."  Jensen has done his homework on this piece just as he did his previous articles.  During the course of his research for this story, he spoke with me numerous times.  I can't even begin to tell you the number of emails we exchanged.  And all of his communication with me, and other affected parties, was, for nothing more, but the pursuit of the truth... Read Full Story

As AAMVA celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, it is good time to reflect on why AAMVA continues to be a successful organization.  For me, AAMVA's successes were achieved through a unique combination of willing volunteers and a staff that is willing and able to support the needs and efforts of its membership.   In my judgment, AAMVA's greatest value is the opportunity it provides for members to interact with each other.  And, without a doubt, I believe its greatest asset is the cadre... Read Full Story

Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Vehicle Fraud Crimes and Safety". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add... Read Full Story

Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Vehicle Safety and Fraud". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own... Read Full Story

It was just one month ago when I last blogged about full 100 percent state implementation of the nation's only online, real-time vehicle fraud reduction machine:  NMVTIS.  And if you missed the blog, you should definitely listen to my two part podcast with DOJ's Jim Burch to hear where things are headed. Now, just this month, Reader's Digest freelancer Mandy Matson gets out the magnifying glass in her latest feature story and examines vehicle safety issues with airbag deployment, theft and... Read Full Story

Write a “blog,” make it “pithy” and it can be as long or short as you want.  Those were the instructions from Jason King when he asked me to “guest blog” as a past chair of the board to commemorate AAMVA’s 75th anniversary.  Well, I know a little bit about blogs.  They encourage you to speak your mind, right?  Pithy? Well, that sounded a little “terse,” “curt” and to the point.  That would be a challenge for me.  But, as long or short as I want, that I could deal with.  So, here goes... Read Full Story

Then it was probably AAMVA's fault. Mea culpa. You see most, if not all, state motor vehicle agencies, use AAMVA's private and secure network (AAMVAnet) to process customer transactions.  To put this into perspective for you, AAMVAnet processes approximately 3 million DMV transactions per day, and, since being placed into service in 2006, has had no outages! I'm no tech expert, but I am not sure that any newtwork service provider can boast that record.  And AAMVAnet processes 99 percent... Read Full Story