OWOA NEWSLETTER
JULY 2001
NON MEMBER NEWSLETTER
Dear Fellow Wrecker Owners:
You know how I hate to brag, BUT we had a great meeting in OKC on June 12th. Our guest was Sharon Judd from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Motor Vehicle Division. Sharon is a supervisor for the title 42 section. JoAnn Jantz was also a guest at our meeting. It was great to meet the people who process our Title 42 paperwork and it was especially nice to find out how things work on the "other side".
Sharon provided a handout for the members in attendance. She covered what a registration checker looks like and what areas we should be concerned with. She answered every question and covered the problems that the title consultant must face to make sure we don't get in trouble if there is a problem with the paperwork. It is frustrating for the wrecker owner to get a title 42 returned and be required to send more letters or do more paperwork. But, as Sharon pointed out, if we don't do it right, we might have a heavy price to pay later on down the road. It could even be years later when we are required to answer for sloppy paperwork. It is much better to resolve any problems now and save paying for attorney’s fees later.
The steps of a title 42 (T-42) start with the paperwork arriving at the MVD. It is immediately logged into the computer for a record of the transaction. The VIN is entered into NCIC (National Crime Information Center) to check for stolen. The MVIN screen is printed and attached to the T-42 paperwork. If there is no record, the T-42 is sent to Research. The T-42 is examined and either rated or denied then logged out in the computer. It is then labeled and either mailed to the buyer or returned to the seller (unless specified to send else where).
From January 1st, 2001 until the end of May, 2001 there were approximately 8,950 T-42s received by the MVD. May 2001 had the largest number of T-42 requests EVER at 2,300 (in one month). Of the T-42's received each month, between 300 and 400 are denied for various reasons. Between 700 to 900 phone calls are received each month by the MVD. Now you know why "it takes so long". They are very busy.
Other items were covered at the meeting. The member newsletter has other suggestions and items that should be checked to help assure a successful T-42 process.
TRAA CERTIFICATION TEST
There were 8 wrecker drivers that took the TRAA Certification Exam in Cushing Oklahoma on June 2nd. There were 7 Level One exams administered and all 7 were successful. Your President is now TRAA Level One Certified. The test consists of 100 questions. Every question is covered in the study guide that is included in the testing fee. Members test fees are $100 dollars for Level One and non-members are $125.00. To sit for the exam requires the payment of the fees and 2 passport photos along with the completed application. The passport photos can be taken at Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, Eckerd's, any photo store, or many other locations. The photo doesn’t hurt too bad and takes less than 10 minutes at most places (some are even faster than that). Be sure to PRINT your name on the back of the photo. An application can be faxed or mailed to each wrecker driver wishing to take the exam. It must be completed and returned with the fees and photos.
The form, fees and photos are forwarded to the TRAA. The next test will take place in Oklahoma City on July 28th. The test will start at 10:30 AM. Level One takes about 45 to 60 minutes. It is multiple choice and there is no math involved. Level Two is 200 questions and much more involved. It is still multiple choice. Every one interested must have the forms, photos, and fees to the OWOA new address by July 13th (which is a Friday).
If you would like to be TRAA Certified, please call Jim Wilson (918 225-1013), Dewey Farrington (405 319-1724) or Chris Puckett (405 632-4401) for an application and a study guide. The test fees for members are $100.00 for Level One ($125 for non-members) and $160.00 for Level Two ($200 for non-members). You must complete Level One before being allowed to take Level Two. Don't forget the July 13th. That’s 3 days after the next meeting.
OWOA’S NEW ADDRESS
We now have a new address for the OWOA. The United State Postal Service decided to close the Downtown Post Office in Oklahoma City. That was the location of our Post Office Box. The Postal Service wouldn’t move the boxes and wouldn’t let the number stay the same. So we were required to change our address, again. The Directors at the Ardmore meeting approved the use of the address of the building next door to Puckett’s. This will not only save the PO Box fee, but also save me a lot of time checking the PO Box. The Directors at any meeting can change this decision at any time. The new address is:
300 S. W. 29th, Oklahoma City, OK 73109-6793
PLEASE BE ADVISED. THE POST OFFICE ISN’T WORKING AT OPTIMUM EFFICIENCY DURING THIS PROCESS. SOME OF OUR MAIL IS BEING RETURNED AS "NO FORWARDING ORDER ON FILE". THIS IS NOT ACCURATE AND NO ONE AT THE POSTAL SERVICE CAN EXPLAIN WHY THE MAIL IS BEING RETURNED.
TOW TICKET FORMS AVAILABLE THROUGH OWOA
The OWOA is providing invoices to members and non-members. If you like the OWOA form that Rose and Odell had designed for the OWOA, we will be able to continue this form. The OWOA will receive 10% of the sales price for our use. A price list is enclosed in this newsletter and orders may be sent to the OWOA’s new address. Shipping is not included in the price. They can be picked up to save shipping fees. The prices are for 2 part and 3 part and 4 part "carbonless" paper. There is also an option for 4 part with a "tag" (hard copy) 4th copy. There is not a setup fee if the sample form is used. If you have a special need or design, a small setup fee will be charged and estimates can be made. The forms will have your business heading (name, address, and phone) printed on the form. Please send the beginning number you would like on the forms. Quotes for larger quantities can be made. Send the requests to the OWOA. Please call for a copy to be faxed or mailed for the invoice order blank.
FRIENDS OF TOWING SELECTS OKLAHOMAN FOR HALL OF FAME
The Friends of Towing and the International Towing and Recovery Hall of
Fame and Museum have selected Dewey Farrington for induction to the Hall of Fame Class of 2001. The event will take place in Chattanooga,
Tennessee on August 17th at 6:00 PM. This is a very great honor and very
few individuals are selected for induction.
I want to congratulate Dewey Farrington for this great honor. He has worked hard for this industry
and is known in towing and recovery circles all across this country. Dewey is a great supporter of education
in the towing and recovery industry and has given many hours to help train
other wrecker owners and competitors.
His unselfish devotion to the industry should be rewarded and I applaud
his nomination. Congratulations DEWEY!
OWOA LOGO USE
It has come to the attention of a few members that non-members are using the OWOA Logo. This is not allowed and must be stopped immediately. If you are not an OWOA member in good standing, you must remove the OWOA Logo from any and all invoices, paperwork and equipment. You may not represent yourself as a member of the OWOA. The OWOA Decals must be displayed by current members only. This is an indication to the public that a wrecker owner cares about his industry and is willing to join an organization that improves the industry and service to the public. We are gaining support and making great strides to a better image to the public. But we still have a long way to go. We could use your help to reach our common goals.
We will be in Muskogee,
Oklahoma on July 10th for our next meeting. Our host is one of our directors, Brenda
and John Hediger with B J's Wrecker in Webber's Falls. We will meet at the Western Sizzlin
located at 240 W Shawnee in Muskogee.
As usual our meal will start at 7:00 PM and the meeting at 8:00 PM. I shouldn't need a Director’s
Meeting at this time. If something
comes up I will fax the Director’s for a short meeting just before 7:00
PM. We will have a Door Prize from RUSH TRUCK CENTER BODY SHOP in Oklahoma
City. It is a Peterbilt 385
die-cast miniature wrecker that I would love to own and include in my own
die-cast wrecker collection. We
will have a drawing for the wrecker in Muskogee. I am not sure if we will have other items at this time. (I want the die-cast wrecker, as I know
you will also.) Please give
Calvin Bennett a call at Rush Truck Center Body Shop (405 947-2391 or 800
375-6529) and give him a BIG THANKS for the door prize. Rush Truck Center can also be found at www.rushtruckcenters.com.
NEXT MEETING
Tuesday -
July 10th, 2001
Muskogee, Oklahoma
WESTERN SIZZLIN' 3D 240 W. SHAWNEE, MUSKOGEE
Meal 7:00 PM – Meeting at 8:00 PM