At the start of every year, dealerships set new goals and encounter fresh challenges. One persistent issue is staff turnover, particularly among title clerks. This period often sees these essential team members' retirement or sudden departure, leading to a backlog of paperwork and unregistered vehicles.

The Challenge of Filling Title Clerk Positions

Young job seekers are not rushing to become title clerks, making it challenging to fill these positions quickly. The gap in employment means that specialized knowledge is often lost, leaving new hires with minimal experience and limited training resources.

The Crucial Role of Title Clerks

Title clerks are vital for the smooth transfer of vehicle ownership. Their responsibilities include:

  • Preparing tag and title documents.
  • Submitting legal transfer work to the DMV.
  • Ensuring accurate application information.
  • Verifying collected funds.

With efficient title clerks, dealerships can avoid backlogs, late fees, audits, and state inquiries.

Addressing Title Clerk Shortages

Despite these challenges, dealerships must continue selling vehicles. Here are several strategies to manage title clerk shortages:

Offsite Title Clerk Assistance

Outsourcing title work to offsite partners provides access to experienced clerks without the cost of additional in-house staff. While communication between on-site and offsite teams can be challenging, experienced title clerks promptly communicate their needs to file paperwork efficiently.

Floating Title Clerks

Specialized partners offer floating title clerks for temporary on-site assistance during vacations, leaves, or job transitions. These skilled clerks require minimal training and can quickly adapt to their workload, providing a flexible solution for short-term needs. However, this option may involve higher per-use costs and availability issues, which should be discussed with the service provider.

Title Clerk Staffing Services

Outsourcing the recruitment of title clerks can save time for managers and accounting personnel. Staffing companies understand the qualifications and temperament required for this role, ensuring a better fit. While this service may involve a fee and time to find the right candidate, the overall impact is positive.

Consider these options if your dealership faces a backlog due to a shortage of title clerks. Immediate assistance, temporary coverage, or a permanent solution can help manage the challenges. Adapting quickly to staffing changes ensures critical roles like the title clerk position, do not hinder sales and registration.