California AB 1215 vs Oregon SB 840 – NMVTIS Dealer Compliance

Side-by-side comparison of NMVTIS dealer requirements, disclosures, and enforcement in California and Oregon.

California AB 1215 vs Oregon SB 840

California Assembly Bill 1215 (AB 1215) and Oregon Senate Bill 840 (SB 840) are the two most comprehensive state laws requiring used-car dealers to access and disclose National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) reports before completing a retail sale.

Both laws protect consumers from unsafe, salvaged, or flood-damaged vehicles and establish clear dealer accountability. California’s AB 1215 pioneered the model in 2012; Oregon’s SB 840 adopts a similar framework effective 2026. For fundamentals, see What is NMVTIS? or return to the NMVTIS Dealer Compliance hub.

VinAudit.com is a DOJ-approved NMVTIS data provider.

Run official NMVTIS reports, automate lookups (batch/API), and maintain compliant records. Explore VinAudit for Dealers →

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	California AB 1215	Oregon SB 840
Year Enacted	2011 (effective July 1, 2012)	2023 (effective January 1, 2026)
State Agency	California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV)	Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) / DMV Business Regulation
Who Must Comply	All licensed used-car dealers in California	All licensed used-car dealers in Oregon
NMVTIS Report Requirement	Obtain NMVTIS before completing a retail sale.	Same requirement: NMVTIS before completing a retail sale.
Buyer Disclosure	Provide report or written branded-title notice.	Provide report or equivalent written summary.
Branded Title Sticker	Red warning sticker for salvage/junk/flood/rebuilt.	Red “Branded Title Vehicle” sticker for same brands.
Record Retention	Keep NMVTIS + buyer disclosure for DMV audits.	Keep NMVTIS + buyer disclosure for ODOT audits.
Penalties	Administrative fines; license suspension/revocation.	Administrative fines; license suspension; civil penalties.
Enforcement Start Date	July 1, 2012	January 1, 2026
Public Policy Intent	Consumer transparency; anti–title washing.	Consumer protection aligned with NMVTIS standards.

Key Takeaways

Shared purpose: Both require NMVTIS checks and branded-title disclosure before retail sale.
Timing: California is active since 2012; Oregon starts January 1, 2026.
Data integrity: NMVTIS is the only federally authorized title-data source.
Dealer obligations: Run NMVTIS, disclose brands, apply stickers, and retain records.
Trend: SB 840 signals growing multi-state adoption of NMVTIS-based dealer rules.

How Dealers Can Stay Compliant

Follow these best practices in both states:

Use authorized NMVTIS providers like VinAudit.com.
Run an NMVTIS report before every retail used-vehicle sale. If you only have a plate, use the License Plate Lookup to retrieve the VIN (where available).
Disclose branded-title information clearly in writing and apply required stickers.
Retain reports and buyer disclosures for audits.
Train staff and automate NMVTIS in your DMS (batch/API via VinAudit for Dealers).

Download the Dealer Compliance Checklist for a printable workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can private history reports replace NMVTIS under either law?

No. Only NMVTIS reports from DOJ-approved providers satisfy AB 1215 and SB 840. Private reports can complement but not replace NMVTIS.

What are the biggest operational differences between AB 1215 and SB 840?

Core requirements are similar (run NMVTIS, disclose brands, sticker, retain records). The key difference is timing: California is active since 2012; Oregon starts January 1, 2026. Oregon also emphasizes a red “Branded Title Vehicle” sticker.

Do these laws apply to wholesale transactions?

They target retail sales to consumers. Wholesale-only deals are generally out of scope, but always review state guidance.

How long should dealers keep the report and disclosure?

A practical benchmark is at least 4 years. Maintain both the NMVTIS report and buyer acknowledgment in the deal jacket for audits.

How can VinAudit help multi-store dealers standardize compliance?

VinAudit.com is a DOJ-approved NMVTIS provider with self-serve reports, batch processing, and API for DMS automation. Create an account at VinAudit for Dealers. If you only have a plate, start with the License Plate Lookup.

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California AB 1215 vs Oregon SB 840 – NMVTIS Dealer Compliance