ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
release of motor vehicle
information
Allows the motor vehicle
division to release motor vehicle information to compile vehicle history
reports whether or not the vehicle owner specifically requested that
information not be released.
In 1994, Congress passed the
Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) which limits the ability of private
companies to purchase and use information obtained from vehicle registration
and driver license records. The DPPA
clearly lists the permitted commercial and non-commercial uses of this
information. The DPPA details nine
specific instances that this information may be acquired from the state motor
vehicle division (MVD).
Current Arizona statute
contains several of these restrictions, and prohibited most other
instances. MVD is authorized to divulge
vehicle title and registration information as long as the requestor provides
the name of the owner, the vehicle identification number and the vehicle
license plate number. MVD may also
release an individual’s driving record if the requestor provides the name of
the licensee, the driver license number and the date of birth or expiration
number of the license.
Statute also limits the
information released to be no older than 40 months as well as prescribes a
class 1 misdemeanor for obtaining the information through false means or
selling the information.
Laws 1990, Chapter 202
prohibited any release of information by MVD for commercial purposes if the
licensee specifically requested the information not be released. The information that is released cannot
contain one or more unique factors or fields unless the ADOT Director
determines there is a public health risk or general research benefit to
releasing the records.
This legislation contains no
discernable fiscal impact to the state general fund.
1. Allows vehicle title and registration information, vehicle identification numbers, title brands, odometer readings and title lien information to be released to develop vehicle history reports.
2. Defines vehicle history report as a report to track the registration and total loss of a particular vehicle.
3. Excludes names and addresses from a vehicle history report.
4. Makes conforming changes.
5. Provides for a general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee
1. Eliminates the ability to release names and addresses to businesses for verification, and the ability to release names and vehicle information to manufacturers.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
1.
Removes
the MVD Director’s ability to release motor vehicle information other than
described specifically in the bill.
TRANS 2/1/00 DPA 8-0-0-1-0 TRANS 3/9/00 DPA 4-0-3-0
3rd Read 2/28/00 DPA 52-1-7-0 3rd Read 3/27/00 26-0-3-1
Prepared by Senate Staff
March 31, 2000