Frequently Asked Questions:  Auto Loans

How long does it take to receive a title of a vehicle after payoff?
It takes approximately 21 business days to receive a vehicle title after the loan has been paid off. After 10 business days from the payoff, the title will be released. From the time of release, it will take an additional 3-4 weeks for the member to receive a title from the DMV in Sacramento.

What do I do if the vehicle title has not been received after 3-4 weeks from payoff?
If you have not received your vehicle title within 3-4 weeks after paying off your loan, contact USE Credit Union at (866) USE-4-YOU (873-4968) to speak with the DMV Specialist.

How long is a pre-approved auto loan good for?
When working with a USE loan representative to get pre-approved for an auto loan, that pre-approval is valid for 60 days.

Will USE Credit Union finance a vehicle that is registered in a state other than California?
No. It is USE Credit Union's policy to finance only vehicles registered in the state of California.

When do I need an auto appraisal?
Vehicle valuations will be determined by Kelley Blue Book. If the vehicle is not found in the Kelley Blue Book, an outside appraisal service may be required.

Can an auto registration, with less than 90 days left before expiring, be used for a private party or refinance transaction?
No. If the registration is due within 90 days of loan funding, registration fees are collected at the time of loan funding.

If I was approved for an auto loan based on my credit, may there be another name, besides mine, on the purchase order (such as my spouse)?
Yes, typically you and your spouse may want to have both of your names on the purchase order so that they will both be on the registration.

How do I apply for a duplicate title or pink slip?
If the original title has been lost, stolen, or mutilated, you may apply for a duplicate title through the California Department of Motor Vehicles. To obtain a duplicate title, you must:

1. Complete an Application for Duplicate title form REG 227.
2. Attach damaged title if mutilated.
3. Pay the duplicate title fee of $16. The duplicate title fee for boats/vessels is $15.

Note: Please consult the California Department of Motor Vehicles for complete and up-to-date information on this matter.

What is a salvaged vehicle/title?
A salvaged vehicle is a vehicle which has been wrecked, destroyed, or damaged, to such extent that the insurance company considers it uneconomical to make repairs to the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle is not repaired by or for the person who owned it when the damage occurred.

What does the DMV consider “flood damage?”
This includes vehicles that have sustained damage in an impact, fire, or flood, which after repair (and prior to sale) substantially impairs the use or safety of the vehicle. The title to the vehicle has been inscribed with the notation “Lemon Law Buyback,” “manufacturer repurchase,” “salvage,” “junk,” “nonrepairable,” “flood,” or similar title designation required by this state or another state.

What is TMU (True Mileage Unknown)?
The dealer/seller knows, or should know, whether or not the odometer on the vehicle does not indicate actual mileage, has been rolled back or otherwise altered to show fewer miles, or replaced with an odometer showing fewer miles than actually driven.

How is a family member vehicle transfer different from a regular vehicle transfer?
Sales tax and a smog check are only exempted for certain family members. Please refer to Reg 256 for the listing of family members who qualify for this exemption.

If my car is new, am I still required to get a smog inspection?
Vehicles registered in areas subject to the biennial smog certification program are required to submit evidence of a smog certification every other renewal period.

Owners of vehicles six or less model years old will pay an annual smog abatement fee for the first six registration years instead of being required to provide a biennial smog certification. The registration renewal notice mailed to you by the Department of Motor Vehicles will indicate if a smog certification is required. If a smog certification is required and you have not had a smog inspection, you may still pay your registration fees to avoid any late fees. However, you will not receive your new registration or year sticker until the smog information has been received by the DMV.

When you transfer a vehicle that is four or less model years old, a smog certification is not required. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner. When a vehicle is more than four model years old, a seller must provide evidence of a current smog certification, except when one of the following occurs:

• The transfer occurs between a spouse, sibling, child, parent, grandparent, or grandchild.
• A biennial smog certification was submitted to the DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

Which counties require a smog inspection for the registration renewal?
The following counties require a smog inspection for the registration renewal: Alameda, Butte, Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Nevada, Orange, Sacramento, San Benito, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo, and Yuba. There are six counties that require smog certifications within certain Zip Codes only. These counties are: El Dorado, Placer, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Sonoma.

I have moved out of state. How can I get the title for my car, when I have not yet paid off the loan?
You must make the request for the title in writing from your state's local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and must include all documents necessary to complete the requested transaction. You should then mail the request to:

USE Credit Union
ATTN: DMV Specialist
10120 Pacific Heights Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92121

Or via fax at (858) 795-6082, ATTN: DMV Specialist

All requests must include a copy of your registration and be on letterhead (including your name, address, phone number, and member number).

How can I add someone to my vehicle title or registration?
All requests must be in writing to:

USE Credit Union
ATTN: DMV Department
10120 Pacific Heights Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92121

The request should include all of the following information:

1. The name of the person you wish to add.
2. The relationship of this person to you.
3. Your reason for the addition.
4. A copy of the vehicle registration.
5. Your account number and a daytime phone number.
6. The request must be signed by the Primary member on the loan.

The following forms must also be completed:

1. Reg 256 Statement of facts stating smog and tax exemption.
2. Reg 262 Vehicle Transfer Form/Bill of Sale (must be signed by both parties).
3. Applicable Transfer Fees (payable to DMV)(Note: Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles for Transfer Fee quote)

Once the written request is received, the Consumer Lending Manager will review it. If the request is approved, all necessary DMV documents will be forwarded to you at your address of record, for your signatures. If the request is denied, you will be contacted by telephone and told the reason for denial.

When will my title be mailed to me?
A.  If a member makes arrangements with USE's DMV Specialist [call (866) USE-4-YOU (873-4968)] to pay off their loan with cash, money order, or a cashier's check, the title or a notarized paperless release (a.k..a., Lien Satisfied or REG 227) may be available the same day. The DMV Specialist must be notified in advance in order to properly prepare the document for release. Upon closure of loan, please notify the DMV Specialist to release title.

B.  If a member transferred a payment from their share account or share draft account, the title or a notarized paperless release may be available the same day provided the funds are clear, without holds, and not recently deposited. The DMV Specialist must be notified in advance in order to properly prepare the document for release [call (866) USE-4-YOU (873-4968)]. Upon closure of loan, please notify the DMV Specialist to release title.

C.  If a member pays with a personal check, the title will be mailed to their address of record after 10-20 calendar days, from date of payoff. Please verify the member's address.

D.  If a dealer, financial institution, or finance company has paid off the loan, the title will be sent directly to that party, 5-10 business days after the payoff date.

MECHANICAL BREAKDOWN INSURANCE (MBI) & GUARANTEED ASSET PROTECTION (GAP)

What is Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)?
MBI is similar to an extended warranty for new or used autos. It provides valuable protection against expensive repair bills, but is usually much less expensive than a dealer warranty or direct dealer service contract. Be sure to e-mail us for a quote on MBI before you start shopping, or check the MBI check box on your USE Credit Union auto loan application.

What is Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP)?
GAP pays all or a portion of the remaining balance due on your loan or lease beyond what your automobile insurance will pay, in cases of total loss or unrecovered theft. Why not be on the safe side? Just check the appropriate box when you apply for your USE Credit Union auto loan.

All loans subject to approval. Rates, terms, and conditions subject to change at any time. USE Credit Union is not affiliated with, nor endorses, the Department of Motor Vehicles or Kelley Blue Book.