Chapter 23. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is used to uniquely identify automobiles and other vehicles. The VIN was originally described in ISO-3779 in 1977 and last revised in 1983. The VIN identifies motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, and mopeds. In the early 1980s the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (USDOT) required that all road vehicles must have a VIN. Manufacturers put the VIN on the chassis, dashboard, and windows of the vehicle at the factory. Custom-built vehicles are assigned a VIN if they are registered for highway use.
There were some worries about running out of VINs—see USA Today, posted 2004 July 1, updated 2004 July 2: “U.S. Auto Industry Running out of Vehicle ...
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