eMV Public FAQs - Vehicle other information

​What is a vehicle brand?

Important information about the condition of a vehicle, eligibility for title and/or registration/license plates.

What is National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)?

National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a system that allows participating states to share brand, odometer, title and other data. Wisconsin carries over all out-of-state brands recognized by NMVTIS to Wisconsin titles.

Can a vehicle brand be removed?

Most vehicle brands are permanent and show on each subsequent Wisconsin title issued for the vehicle.

Do I have to enter a new brand(s) as part of the eMV Public application?

If the seller has checked any boxes for brands on the title near the seller signature, you need to record the brands.

What does "BOND POSTED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand placed on a vehicle title when a proper ownership document was not submitted as part of the application, and a surety bond was filed prior to a Wisconsin title being issued. A surety bond is held for a period of five years before being released.

What does "CLAIM PAID" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title when a vehicle that is less than seven model years old, is damaged to the extent that the estimated or actual cost of repairing the vehicle exceeds 30% of its fair market value and transferred to an insurer (insurance company) upon payment of a claim. This brand does not apply to a salvage vehicle that, by definition, has damage in excess of 70% of its fair market value.

What does "FLOOD DAMAGED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title when a vehicle damaged by flood to the extent that the estimated or actual cost, whichever is greater, of repairing it exceeds 70% of its fair market value. A vehicle which is less than seven years old and disclosed as flood damaged also requires a Wisconsin salvage brand.

What does "HAIL DAMAGED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title when a vehicle less than seven years old is damaged solely by hail to the extent that the estimated or actual cost, whichever is greater, of repairing the vehicle exceeds 70% of its fair market value. If a vehicle is less than seven years old, damaged solely by hail where the cost to repair the vehicle exceeds 70% of its fair market value, and it is repaired using replacement parts, the vehicle is considered salvage and an inspection is required.

What does "MANUFACTURER BUYBACK" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that is bought back by its manufacturer (or by an authorized distributor or dealer with compensation from the manufacturer) because of a nonconformity that was not corrected after a reasonable attempt to repair it. See the Wisconsin's lemon law page on our website for more information.

What does "NON USA STANDARD" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle not manufactured in compliance with all federal emission and safety standards applicable at the time of manufacture, and the vehicle was later modified to meet such standards.

What does "NOT FOR HIGHWAY USE" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that has been determined non-roadworthy, i.e. vehicle was not completely assembled at the time of the original application. The brand is also used for a vehicle is not something that the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) can legally title or register, but the original ownership document (i.e. out of state title) is not available to return to the applicant/owner of the vehicle.

What does "PRIOR NON USA" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that was not manufactured in compliance with all federal emission and safety standards applicable at the time of manufacture and was later modified to meet such standards

What does "PRIOR POLICE VEHICLE" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that will be used, or was previously used, as a police vehicle by a law enforcement agency.

What does "PRIOR TAXI" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that will be or was previously used as a taxi or for public transportation.

What does "REBUILT SALVAGE" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle last titled in Wisconsin as a salvage vehicle after successfully passing a Wisconsin salvage inspection. Once a salvage vehicle has been branded as rebuilt it is eligible for license plates/registration and can legally be operated upon roadways.

What does "RECONSTRUCTED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle which has been substantially altered or modified from the original manufacturer's specifications to the extent that it no longer resembles the original manufactured vehicle.

What does "REPLICA" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that is a reproduction of another vehicle originally made by another manufacturer and consisting of a reproduction body and new, used or reproduction chassis and drive trains.

What does "SALVAGE VEHICLE" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that is less than seven model years old and damaged to the extent that the estimated or actual cost, whichever is greater, of repairing the vehicle exceeds 70% of its fair market value OR, any vehicle, regardless of age, that was last titled in Wisconsin as salvage (unless applying for a rebuilt salvage title) or in another state as salvage. A salvage vehicle is one that does not meet the definition of a junked vehicle and may receive registration upon successful completion of a repaired salvage vehicle inspection.

What does "SPECIAL DESIGNED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that is a home built, reconstructed, or manufactured vehicle having a maximum speed of 35 miles per hour and is authorized by WisDOT to be operated on the highway. Special designed vehicles are primarily operated by an individual who cannot operate a standard vehicle and must surrender their regular driver license for a license to operate of a special designed vehicle only.

What does "ST FARM NOT INSPECTED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that was declared by State Farm as a total loss, not submitted as salvage upon original declaration, and was part of the State Farm settlement with the Department of Justice to compensate current vehicle owner(s) as they will take a loss on trade in of this vehicle now that it has been branded. The vehicle has not passed an inspection by a certified state salvage inspector.

What does "STREET MODIFIED" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that has been modified from the original manufacturer's specifications, and is still recognizable as the original year and make and not modified to the extent that it meets the definition of a reconstructed vehicle.

What does "TO DEFECTIVE" mean?

A Wisconsin brand that is placed on a vehicle title for a vehicle that was first issued a Wisconsin title prior to May 1, 1989, before implementation of Wisconsin’s salvage vehicle law; Wisconsin’s salvage law became effective on June 1, 1994. The vehicle must pass a safety/equipment inspection before registration can be issued.

What does "fair market value" mean?

"Fair market value" is the value of a vehicle, taking into account the condition of the vehicle immediately before the damage occurred, determined by reliable sources generally accepted within the automotive and insurance industries such as price guidebooks, dealer quotes, and computerized value services.

What is a lien holder (secured party)?

A lien holder (secured party) is a lending institution (bank) or an individual who holds an interest in a vehicle that the owner of the vehicle has an obligation to make payment to. The owner(s) of the vehicle are referred to as debtors who make payments to the lien holder (secured party).

Can I add a lien as part of the eMV Public application?

Not currently, but we may ​include this option in a future edition of the eMV Public application.

What if I don't have a lien release for the lien on the title?

The loan will be carried forward onto your new title. To release the lien and get it removed from your title, you must submit a signed lien release from the lien holder showing that the lien has been paid. A purchaser who is taking over the loan payments on a vehicle with a lien is required to pay sales tax on the balance of the loan as part of their purchase price.

The seller told me the lien was electronically released from the title, what does this mean?

On July 1, 2010, mandatory lien holder processing was enacted requiring all non-individual lien holders to process their applications to add their lien and/or release it when the loan has been paid in full. See the WisDOT Wisconsin lien release information document for more information. You can also check our free online Lien search to see if the lien that is listed on the title has been electronically released.

Questions?
Envelope Email Wisconsin DMV email service

​​