1.175 17-Digit VINs on Vehicles (FMVSS Regulations, Part 565)

A 17-digit VIN that passes check digit is required on all 1983 and newer year model motor vehicles and all 1985 and newer year model trailers.

Exceptions: Certain motor vehicles incidentally operated on a highway, such a special equipment (SE), off-highway vehicles (OHV), and park trailers, are not required to have a 17-digit VIN.

This does not include “yard trucks”. Yard trucks must have a complying 17-digit VIN to be registered, titled, or operated on-highway, off-highway, or as SE.

Refusal of Registration Required—Federal statutes require DMV to refuse registration of a new vehicle which does not pass check-digit. Most vehicles manufactured for on-road use in the U.S. have a 17-digit VIN. Manufacturers compute the VIN using a mathematical formula obtained from the Society of Automotive Engineers.

Manufacturers of vehicles incidentally operated on the highway may request 17-position VIN assignments from the Society of Automotive Engineers at:

Society of Automotive Engineers
400 Commonwealth Dr.
Warrendale, PA 15096-0001
www.sae.org
1-877-606-7323
(724) 776-4841 ext. 427