NJ Form DLR-SPOA: Dealer Secure POA & Odometer Guide – New Jersey licensed motor vehicle dealers frequently encounter situations where a customer’s title is unavailable at the time of a trade-in or sale. In these cases, the official form required by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) is Form DLR-SPOA — the Dealer Secure Power of Attorney / Odometer Disclosure.
This secure form allows dealers to lawfully handle federally mandated odometer disclosures when the physical certificate of title is either held by a lienholder or has been lost or destroyed. Using the correct form protects dealers, sellers, and buyers while ensuring compliance with both New Jersey regulations and the federal Truth in Mileage Act (49 CFR Part 580).
Official download: Download New Jersey Form DLR-SPOA (PDF) directly from the NJMVC website.
What Is New Jersey Form DLR-SPOA?
Form DLR-SPOA is the official “Dealer Secure Power of Attorney / Odometer Disclosure” issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. It is a specialized, multi-part document designed exclusively for licensed New Jersey motor vehicle dealers.
Unlike a general or limited power of attorney, the DLR-SPOA includes built-in security features and dedicated sections for odometer disclosure. It enables a vehicle owner (transferor) to appoint the dealer as attorney-in-fact for the limited purpose of disclosing mileage and completing title transfer paperwork when the original title cannot be endorsed at the time of the transaction.
The current version is marked DLR-SPOA(E) (R7/26). Always use the latest revision available on the official NJMVC forms page.
When to Use the DLR-SPOA Form?
According to official NJMVC instructions, Form DLR-SPOA may be used only in these two situations:
- The certificate of title is physically held by a lienholder and is not available for endorsement and odometer disclosure.
- The certificate of title has been lost or destroyed and is not available for endorsement and odometer disclosure.
It is mandatory in these “classic trade” scenarios. The form cannot be used when the title is present and available for signature, nor for the sale of brand-new vehicles from the manufacturer.
If the vehicle is exempt from federal odometer disclosure requirements (for example, model year 2010 or older under the 10-year rule, or model year 2011 and newer after 20 years, non-self-propelled vehicles, or vehicles with a GVWR over 16,000 pounds), a standard non-secure power of attorney should be used instead.
Key Features and Security Requirements
The DLR-SPOA is classified as a “secure” power of attorney because it incorporates security elements recommended under the federal Truth in Mileage Act. These features help deter illegal reproduction and make alterations visible:
- A star symbol at the top left over the NJMVC designation
- The full Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) printed in a prominent location
- Watermark signatures that appear automatically when names are entered digitally
The form must be completed digitally on a computer, then printed so that all parties can apply original wet-ink signatures. Electronic signatures are not accepted on the DLR-SPOA itself. No notarization is required.
How to Complete Form DLR-SPOA? (Parts A, B, and C)
The form consists of three parts. Dealers must follow the exact sequence outlined by the NJMVC:
Part A – Transferor (Seller’s) Power of Attorney to Disclose Mileage
Completed by the customer who is trading in or selling the vehicle. The seller discloses the current odometer reading (whole miles only), certifies whether the reading reflects actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not the actual mileage, and appoints the dealer as attorney-in-fact. All fields must be filled digitally before printing and wet-signing.
Part B – Power of Attorney to Review Title Document and Acknowledge Disclosure
Used only when the dealer resells the same vehicle to a new retail buyer before the title has been received from the lienholder or duplicate title has been issued. Part B is invalid unless Part A has already been properly executed. The new buyer acknowledges the mileage disclosure.
Part C – Certification by Attorney-in-Fact
Always completed by the licensed New Jersey dealer representative. The dealer certifies that the mileage shown on the eventual title is consistent with the power(s) of attorney, that the mileage is the same or greater than previously stated, and that no new liability has been created. Part C must accompany either Part A alone or Parts A and B together when submitted to the NJMVC.
After completion, the original form is attached to the title once it becomes available. The dealer retains a copy for five years, and a copy is given to the seller who signed Part A.
Odometer Disclosure Requirements and Warnings
Federal and New Jersey law require an accurate odometer statement upon transfer of ownership. The DLR-SPOA contains the required disclosure language and certification boxes:
- The odometer now reads (whole miles only)
- Date the reading was taken
- Certification that the reading reflects actual mileage, is in excess of mechanical limits, or is not the actual mileage (with warning)
Providing a false odometer statement can result in fines and/or imprisonment. The person exercising the power of attorney must submit the completed form to the NJMVC; failure to do so may also result in penalties.
Because the secure power of attorney already contains the full odometer disclosure, a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form OS/SS-2) is not required when the DLR-SPOA is properly used.
Differences from Other New Jersey Dealer POAs
New Jersey dealers work with several power-of-attorney options. Understanding the differences prevents rejected title applications:
- DLR-SPOA (Secure) – Mandatory only when title is lost or held by a lienholder. Digital completion + wet signatures. No notary. No separate odometer statement needed.
- DLR-NSPOA (Non-Secure) – Optional form for electronic signatures on ordinary transactions. Requires a Certificate of Completion from a NIST AAL2-compliant vendor and a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (OS/SS-2).
- General or Limited Dealer POA – Used when the title is physically present. Must be notarized and accompanied by a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement.
Mixing the wrong form with the wrong situation is one of the most common reasons title applications are returned by the NJMVC.
How to Download and Submit the Form?
The only official source for Form DLR-SPOA is the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission website:
Download Form DLR-SPOA (Official PDF)
You can also locate it under the “Dealer Powers of Attorney” section on the main NJMVC Forms page.
After digital completion, printing, and wet signatures, the executed form (Part A + Part C, or Parts A + B + C) is submitted to the NJMVC by the dealer as part of the title application package. Keep the required copies as described earlier.
Important Tips for New Jersey Dealers
- Always complete the form digitally first so the watermark security features generate correctly.
- The same dealer representative who signs Part C should be the person who later signs the title on behalf of the seller.
- When applying for a duplicate title because the original is lost, a photocopy of Parts A and C may be used for the duplicate application; the original is reserved for the eventual title flip.
- Train sales and F&I staff on the strict two-scenario limitation. Using the DLR-SPOA when the title is available will cause delays.
- Retain the dealer copy for the full five-year period required by regulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an individual (non-dealer) use Form DLR-SPOA?
No. The form is restricted to licensed New Jersey motor vehicle dealers and the parties involved in transactions with those dealers.
Is a notary required?
No. Wet signatures are required, but notarization is not.
What if the vehicle is exempt from odometer disclosure?
Use a standard (non-secure) power of attorney instead of the DLR-SPOA.
Where can I find the companion Non-Secure POA form?
Download Form DLR-NSPOA from the same official forms page.
Where can I download the separate Odometer Disclosure Statement if needed for other transactions?
Download Form OS/SS-2.
Conclusion
Form DLR-SPOA is an essential compliance tool for every New Jersey licensed dealer who handles trade-ins involving lienholder-held or lost titles. By completing it digitally, obtaining the required wet signatures, and submitting it correctly with Part C, dealers satisfy both state and federal odometer disclosure rules while keeping title processing moving smoothly.
Always download the latest version directly from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and consult the official instructions printed on the form itself. Staying current with NJMVC requirements protects your dealership and your customers.
Official resources:
Form DLR-SPOA PDF |
NJMVC Forms Page