The MERLIN Project
Montana Enhanced Registration and Licensing Information Network (MERLIN)
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Background
The MERLIN Project – Montana Enhanced Registration and Licensing Information Network – is
revolutionizing the way motor vehicle and driver-licensing services are provided in Montana. The
Project is a substantial undertaking. Montana has more than 1.75 million titled vehicles. Each year
the Motor Vehicle Division:
• titles 470,000 vehicles,
• registers 1 million vehicles, and
• licenses more than 162,000 drivers.
The Merlin Project reflects the Motor Vehicle Division's commitment to using technology to achieve
three broad goals:
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improved customer service and convenience, especially by providing online access to
services while reinforcing the security of confidential information;
•
enhanced public safety, by providing law enforcement with timely vehicle and driver
information that is more complete and accurate, helping prevent fraud and providing better
access to nationwide stolen-vehicle information; and
•
greater government efficiency, by sharing electronic information with other state and county
agencies.
To accomplish this, the Motor Vehicle Division looked at practices in other states and adopted the
best ideas for Montana’s use. In late 2005, the division selected the team of BearingPoint/3M
Motor Vehicle Systems to provide the technology to implement these best practices in Montana.
When the process is completed in 2008, the services the Montana Motor Vehicle Division provides
to drivers and law enforcement in our state will be among the best in the nation.
Unique Customer Accounts
Under the new system, all motor vehicle and driving record information is linked together in a
consolidated database, eliminating the need to repeatedly re-enter the same information.
Whenever an individual registers a vehicle, renews a driver license or reviews a driving record, all
of the names, addresses and other relevant information connected to that individual's unique
customer account are updated.
Online Services
Because of the MERLIN Project, many of the services relating to driving in Montana can now be
accessed on the web. Since 2003, the Motor Vehicle Division has made the following services
available through the State of Montana’s website, mt.gov:
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Driver History Records Service – available to the public and to authorized businesses such
as insurance agencies and trucking companies that routinely request large numbers of
driving records. This service enables authorized users to instantly view driver record
information. The records do not display the driver’s Social Security number, address or any
previous driver license numbers.
•
Temporary Registration Permit Service – available to Montana vehicle dealers. This service
will also be available to vehicle services staff in county treasurer offices and the Title and
Registration Bureau in early 2007, and extended to financial institutions and the general
public in mid-2007. Eventually, it will allow electronic lien filing where a vehicle is
purchased, simplifying the process for customers, dealers and lending institutions.
The MERLIN Project
Montana Enhanced Registration and Licensing Information Network (MERLIN)
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• Vehicle Search – available to banks, credit unions, car dealerships, insurance companies
and other businesses. The service allows authorized users to instantly search for and view
vehicle record information including owner information, title history and registration
information. By early 2007, this service also will be available to anyone who has a Montana
driver license or state-issued identification card.
Other Services and Changes Underway
Over the next two years, the remaining pieces of the integrated computer software system will be
introduced in Montana:
•
Money management system – reports funds collected by county treasurers on behalf of
MVD. This will allow the division to improve its financial auditing and oversight, and better
monitor daily cash processing.
•
Registration and titling software – will allow participating Montana vehicle dealerships, as
well as MVD and county staff, to title and register vehicles online. In addition, this new
service will let customers renew their vehicle registrations online.
•
Driver licensing software – will allow MVD to better serve customers through improved fraud
and identity theft protection, more efficient document handling and processing of license
applications/renewals and exams, and timely access to complete driver history records.
The division is also introducing scheduled appointments at driver exam stations so customers no
longer have to wait in line.
Support for MERLIN
The following business and government associations fully endorse the MERLIN project:
• Independent Insurance Agents of Montana
• Montana Association of Counties
• Montana Automobile Dealers Association
• Montana Bankers Association
• Montana County Treasurers Association
• Montana Credit Union Association
• Montana Motor Carriers Association
Funding
Initially approved by the 2003 Legislature, the Project is funded by a secure Montana Board of
Investments' 10-year Intercap loan. The legislature approved $22.5 million to fund Phase 1 of the
project.
A financial summary of MERLIN Phase 2 funding includes:
• securing an additional Board of Investments loan for $6 million;
• extending the existing title and lien fees for an additional five years, which would generate
sufficient revenue to pay the debt service on both the current and additional loan; and
• continuing to pursue other grant funding to offset costs.
June 1, 2007
2007 Legislature
