24.075 Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) (VC §§9857, 9871, 9871.5)

The HIN is a unique combination of letters and/or numbers affixed to the vessel. California law requires all registered vessels to have a HIN. Federal regulations effective November 1, 1972, require vessel manufacturers to assign a HIN to each vessel the manufacturer builds. Noncomplying manufacturers will be investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1978, DMV assigned HINs to the vessels without a HIN on DMV records.

Current Manufacturer HIN Format—Since August 1984, a manufacturer’s HIN must consist of a combination of 12 letters and numbers as follows:

XXX	12345	A3	93
3 letters identify the manufacturer’s identification code	5 letters or numbers (serial #)	Month represented by a letter and year of manufacture or date of certification	Last 2 numbers of model year

1972 to 1984 Manufacturer HIN Formats—HINs were formatted as follows:

XXX	12345	1280	X
3 letters identify the manufacturer’s identification code	5 letters or numbers (serial #)	Month and year of manufacture or date of certification	Additional optional characters for builder’s purpose

XXX	12345	M	73E	X
3 letters identify the manufacturers’ identification code	5 letters or numbers (serial #)	Letter code indicates information to follow	Month and year of certification	Additional optional characters for builder’s purpose

Homemade Vessels/Vessels without a Valid HIN (CFZ) Format—The U.S. Coast Guard assigned California a HIN format to use when assigning a HIN to homemade vessels and vessels without a valid number. The HIN must be:

CFZ	1234A	H1	91
Always CFZ for California	First 5 characters of the vessel CF number	Letter code for month and year of manufacture or year fees paid if year of manufacture is unknown	Last 2 digits of the year model or year fees paid if year model is unknown

If DMV records do not show a HIN but the vessel has a HIN, the following must be submitted:

• The Certificate of Ownership.
• A completed Statement of Facts REG 256 showing a HIN.

HIN Assignments—In addition to any other requirements, the following must be submitted:

• The Certificate of Ownership.
• A REG 256 stating the vessel does not have a HIN and the name of the builder, if known.

Refer to the Quagga/Zebra Mussel Fee section in this chapter for additional/exemption information.

The procedures below must be followed:

Process as a correction if not submitted with another transaction that the HIN can be changed on.

• Record the assigned HIN on the application.
• Refer fiberglass homemade boats, 15 feet or longer, to a licensed vessel verifier or peace officer for verification.
• Give the applicant an ABCs of California Boating (BOAT 3) booklet.
• Instruct the applicant to affix the HIN number as explained in the BOAT 3.

At the owner’s request, a HIN may be assigned for no fee to a vessel which does not have a HIN.

Exceptions—Do not assign a HIN to a vessel:

• That is 1973 or newer vessel which already has less than a 12-character HIN.
• Commercially manufactured after 1972.
• If documentation indicates an existing HIN.