Convert Kilometers | Acceptable Odometer Entries

Federal law [Title 49 CFR Part 580] requires the seller to complete a written disclosure of the odometer reading when a motor vehicle is sold. This law requires states to have an odometer disclosure statement printed on all titles and to record the mileage on all titles issued. The odometer reading is required on all title transfers except trailers, motor vehicles over 12,000 lbs. unladen weight and vehicles over 10 years old as determined by model year. If the actual odometer reading is provided for an exempt vehicle, record the mileage. When the mileage is not provided, enter a “U” for unknown. See “Acceptable Odometer Reading Entries” for additional information.

DO NOT change the odometer reading in the following instances:

• When a duplicate title is being issued.
• When a lienholder is being added or removed and there is not a change to the ownership.
• When there is a change of lienholder and there is not a change to the ownership.
• When the odometer is listed as “unknown” on the previous title*.

*See “Acceptable Odometer Reading Entries” for further information.

A state is prohibited from licensing a vehicle unless the odometer disclosure statement is completed and the buyer submits the seller's title with the application for the new title. The procedures for this are covered in T-20, "Used Vehicles".

Alaska began issuing titles with the disclosure statement on April 3, 1989. All titles must have the release and the assignment fully completed. If the seller has signed only the release and not completed the assignment, the applicant may complete the remaining information including the odometer reading. The new title cannot be issued without the odometer reading and the penalty for false statements is a $2,000 fine and/or 3 years imprisonment. If the applicant does not wish to complete the information, advise the applicant that they will need to have the seller complete it before the title can be issued. When there are multiple owners on a vehicle title only one owner is required to sign the odometer disclosure regardless of the conjunction used between the names.

As federal regulations require the buyer to sign acknowledging the odometer disclosure, the buyer must provide the odometer reading on the Application for Title and Registration (Form 812).

The regulations require that lessees provide lessors with odometer readings and that auction companies complete a disclosure statement when selling a vehicle. Lessors and auction companies are required by federal law to keep copies of these statements for 4 years.

Lessors, auction companies, and other sellers that need to use a separate disclosure statement may use an "Odometer Disclosure Statement" (Form 839).

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Foreign documents do not always contain odometer information. In these instances, the applicant may make a statement as to the current odometer reading.

All mileage must be in miles. Use the following formula to convert Kilometers to Miles:

Kilometers x .62 = Miles (__________ x .62 = __________)

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ACCEPTABLE ODOMETER READING ENTRIES

The following entries are used to record mileage on Alaska titles. If you are required to enter “E” or “U” on a vehicle, do not enter any mileage.

1. ACTUAL MILEAGE - When the actual mileage is known, the miles (whole numbers only) must be entered in ALVIN, regardless of whether or not the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure requirements. If the buyer does not know the mileage, they must check the vehicle before transferring the title to their name. REPORTING AN INCORRECT MILEAGE MAY RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE DEVALUATION OF THE VEHICLE FOR RESALE PURPOSES.
2. UNKNOWN - Enter “U” for Unknown in the following circumstances:

• Previous title shows Unknown*.
• The buyer or seller has stated that the mileage is in excess of the mechanical limits.
• The odometer has been replaced or is broken, as stated by the buyer or seller.
• The mileage reported by the buyer or seller is LESS THAN the mileage shown on the previous title.
• The vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure and the applicant has not provided the actual mileage.

*Once “unknown” has been recorded as the odometer reading it may not be changed, unless research documents show “Exempt” on the previous title surrendered.

3. EXEMPT – Vehicles exempt from odometer disclosure are those that are over 12,000 pounds and/or over 10 years old. Enter “E” for Exempt in the following circumstances:

• The out-of-state title reflects “Exempt” for the odometer reading.
• Research documents confirm that a previously surrendered title showed “Exempt”.
  

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Cross Reference:

HISTORY:

7/1/06 - Changed regulation from 13 AAC 70.285 to 02 AAC 92.220

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