Governing for Results 13 - Washington State Digital Archives

Department of Licensing
Dealer Late Title Transfer Process
When a Washington automobile, mobile home or vessel dealer makes a sale, the
ownership documents must be transferred to the new owner within 45 days of the
sale. There was a history, within the industry, of ownership documents that were
being transferred as late as 90 days beyond the required 45 days. Dealer
Services began investigating these late transfers; however, it drastically
increased the workload for the Dealer Investigators in the field. In order to
continue to provide this customer service, Dealer Services underwent a
realignment of staff which freed two Investigators to work on the audits for Late
Title Transfers. The late titles are now examined by Title & Registration Liaison
Officers who provide information to the Investigators. When the Investigators visit
the Dealership, they provide training to the Dealership staff to ensure that they
have the expertise to correctly transfer the title within the required time frame.
Results
★ Improved customer service in the transfer of ownership documents.
★ Training for the the staff, at the Dealership, who do the title work associated
with the transfers.
★ Enhance compliance with state statutes.
★ Reduce Compliance actions.
★ Reduction in field investigations.
Team Name: Dealer Late Title Transfer Improvement Team
Team Members: Robert Smith, Evelyn Barker, Chuck Coach, Lewis Dennie,
Carol Andrew, Brad Boman, Alma Christensen, Mary Ellen Maddocks, Bonnie
Glen, Laval Houskeeper, Gary Van Camp, Clain Lust, Karen Wilson, Toni Wilson
CONTACT: Chuck Coach, (360) 664-6453
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