Two years ago today, eSTART got its start.

The Electronic Secure Title and Registration Transformation Coalition — better known throughout the auto industry as the eSTART coalition — was born March 13, 2024, when 18 organizations joined together to advocate for the modernization of the title and registration process.

Since then, eSTART has grown from that original group, which included Carvana, the National Automobile Dealers Association, IAA, ACERTUS and Docusign, to almost 150 member organizations working with state motor vehicle departments and technology companies and others in the industry to improve electronic titling systems and promote their implementation.

“The biggest shift over the past two years is collaboration,” said South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association director of program development Todd Phillips, a member of the eSTART Advisory Board. “Dealers, DMVs and industry partners are working together in new ways, and that is helping accelerate modernization.”

Over the past year, eSTART has held its inaugural in-person conference, the eSTART Modernization Forum, in conjunction with the National Auto Auction Association’s World Remarketing Convention, as well as launching the eSTART Awards program, recognizing government officials for playing pivotal roles in modernizing vehicle title and registration systems through legislative leadership and operational innovation.

The coalition also expanded its eSTART eLUMINATE series, featuring profiles and conversations with industry leaders offering their perspectives on the coalition’s mission.

“eSTART has created meaningful momentum by bringing the right voices to the table,” said Beth Caro, president and CEO of the National Independent Vehicle Title Agents Organization and an eSTART Advisory Board member. “When state agencies and industry partners collaborate, we can make real, measurable progress on electronic titling and registration.”