ITD Makes $5.4 Million in Driver Info Sales

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The Idaho Transportation Department makes more than $5.4 million a year selling motor vehicle records and other personal information to companies that use it to research car buying patterns, send out recall notices and even track down unpaid parking tickets. Department spokesman Jeff Stratten says none of the information is used to send junk mail, and the department takes steps to ensure the information is being used correctly. One of those steps relies on the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators — Stratten says ITD officials can hear about misused information through the state's membership in that organization. But Claire O'Brien with the AAMVA says the organization doesn't track companies suspected of misusing motor vehicle records. Stratten says anyone who thinks their information is being misused should contact the department.