AAMVA policies define member-driven interpretations or views on specific issues within the motor vehicle and law enforcement membership community. Adopted policies are designed as guidelines for members to use in comparing departmental and administrative procedures, for staff to use in program planning, and for making determinations on AAMVA consensus. Adopted policies serve as the official positions of AAMVA and convey the general sentiments of the organization as a community. Although not all policies are supported by every AAMVA member jurisdiction, they do represent a consensus opinion of state and provincial officials charged with the responsibility for administering motor vehicle, law enforcement traffic safety, and highway safety law.

The AAMVA policy process serves as a mechanism for the development of member-driven stances on issues of importance facing the motor vehicle community. An effective policy process is essential in coordinating efforts and standardizing responses through member engagement. The defined process is carried by the approval of the AAMVA Board of Directors. The purpose of this process is to leverage consensus in the development of a unified, and therefore strengthened, position on issues facing the AAMVA membership.

To view policy positions by discipline or topic, please visit our search results page.

Policy Process

• Each jurisdiction is responsible for naming a dedicated “policy voting delegate.”
• The policy voting delegate shall:
  1. Represent the interests of the entire jurisdiction for purposes of casting the single policy vote for that jurisdiction.
  2. Convey the appropriate information to any additional parties in the state.
  3. Notify AAMVA of any changes in voting representation.
• Upon introduction of a policy by a jurisdiction “in good standing” the policy will be assigned to the AAMVA Committee with primary jurisdiction over the issue.
• A simple majority of votes by the committee shall be considered sufficient to pass the policy.
• Upon passage, the policy shall be referred to the AAMVA Board of Directors.
• A simple majority of votes by the AAMVA Board of Directors shall be considered to pass the policy.
• Upon passage, the policy will be routed to the designated voting representatives in each of the AAMVA member jurisdictions “in good standing.” This distribution will coincide with the opening of the policy ballot.
• The policy will remain open for 30 days, whereby a simple majority shall be considered sufficient to pass the policy.
• Votes not returned or transmitted within 30 days shall not be counted in the vote tally.  
• Upon passage by a simple majority of AAMVA members “in good standing,” the passed policy shall be published as an AAMVA Policy Position.
• Policies deemed unfavorable at any point in the review process must be returned to the submitting party with clarification.
• If the ballot is determined to contain time-sensitive information, any and all steps may be satisfied through electronic or telephonic means. 

Policy Suggestions

To submit a suggested policy or policy revision, please complete our form.