The Ultimate Guide to VIN Verifications

Everything you need to know about VIN verifications in California

Basic VIN Verification Questions: Understanding the Essentials

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a VIN Verification?

A VIN Verification is a physical inspection of your vehicle (the vehicle must be present) that is required by California's DMV for vehicles coming from out of state, or vehicles who are no longer in the DMV's database. In addition to the VIN, we document things like number of wheels, fuel type, and vehicle configuration (BTM).

What Does the REG31 Form Document?

A vehicle verifier follows the REG31 form from top to bottom and fills out the sections as they go along. Here's the full list of items that are documented:

  • •The vehicle year, make, and model
  • •The VIN and VIN location
  • •The number of wheels
  • •The number of axles
  • •The license plate on the vehicle
  • •The fuel type the vehicle uses
  • •The status of the US Federal Certification Label
  • •The emissions label
  • •The odometer reading
  • •Vehicle configuration/type (automobile, commercial, motorcycle, trailer, etc.)

The VIN verification process ensures that the vehicle actually exists (not just on paper), and that the vehicle identification number on the vehicle itself matches what is on the title. This is an important preventive measure against fraud and theft.

Why Do I Need to Have a VIN Verification Done?

You may need a VIN verification for various reasons:

  • •Vehicles coming in from other states or countries – example, you're moving from another state to California. This includes brand new vehicles that were purchased from a dealer or manufacturer.
  • •Body type model (BTM) changes – example, your dump truck is now a flatbed vehicle, this change in configuration requires a VIN verification to report the change to the California DMV.
  • •Vehicles that have a VLT (Vehicle Lien Title) stop from the California DMV lien sale unit – the VIN verification process is used to confirm that someone has physical possession of the vehicle.
  • •Vehicles that are on the IRP (International Registration Plan) program use the VIN verification process to verify the mileage.
  • •Old vehicles that have fallen off of the DMV system need to be inspected and reintroduced into the DMV system.
  • •Corrections of a VIN – if the VIN on your title and the VIN on your car do NOT match, the VIN verification process is the way to fix this problem.
  • •Corrections of odometers – if your odometer was incorrectly reported, a VIN verifier will help you start the process to getting this fixed.
  • •Correction of the year – if the year on your title is NOT the correct one, a VIN verification is how you fix that.
  • •Corrections in general – at times, someone who originally keyed in the vehicle information may have keyed in the wrong information, such as incorrect number of axles, incorrect fuel type, or other minor things.
  • •Converting a vehicle from automobile to commercial, or vice versa, or making a vehicle an off-highway vehicle to on-highway.
  • •Large RVs and motorhomes – save the hassle of driving to DMV locations.
  • •Fleet managers with multiple out-of-state vehicles needing verification.

Who Can Perform a VIN Verification?

NorCal VIN Check - Private VIN Verifier

  • ✓We come to you - mobile service
  • ✓Fast, friendly, and predictable
  • ✓Perfect for RVs, fleets, and busy schedules
  • ⚠Service fee applies

DMV / CHP / AAA / Law Enforcement

  • ✓Free service (AAA requires membership)
  • ✗You must travel to their location
  • ✗Long wait times and appointments needed
  • ✗CHP requires DMV referral

Intermediate VIN Verification Insights: Processes and Requirements

The VIN Number on My Car Does Not Match My Title

If there is a mismatch between your car's VIN and the VIN on your title, the California DMV has a solution for that. The process is very simple:

  1. Have a VIN verification done by a licensed VIN verifier, CHP officer, DMV employee or AAA.
  2. Sign the bottom of the form (read the fine print – the very bottom signature is for this specific scenario).
  3. Bring the erroneous title along with the VIN verification into the DMV, and the DMV will correct the VIN, and a new title will be issued.

Important: In the case where the VIN number that is on your car already has a record, this will obviously open up a can of worms into another problem you may have. This is a possible scenario, but not likely.

The Year or Make, or Something Else, is Wrong with My Title

When it comes to title corrections, the way it's done is simple: get a VIN verification. However, there are some situations in which a correction has to be substantiated.

If your vehicle has a 17-digit VIN and can easily be decoded, you will not have any issues with this. However, there are some late model vehicles that require supporting documentation to substantiate the correction.

I Changed My Vehicle's Configuration [BTM Change]

There are situations in which a vehicle's configuration is a certain way, and then later on, something is added or removed that changes its configuration. In those cases, what needs to happen is that a VIN verification needs to be done to change the BTM.

Examples: Buying a flatbed truck that is turned into a utility truck; or, a coach trailer has been gutted and had the dwelling portion removed, and it is now a flatbed trailer.

You will need the following to make this correction:

  • The VIN verification form (REG31)
  • The title
  • The statement of facts (REG256) specifying the change of BTM (from old BTM to new BTM) and section G stating whether or not the weight has changed

I'm Out of State, Far Away, but I Need a VIN Verification. How Do I Get It Done?

There is nothing in the VIN verification handbook that states that we cannot travel far distances, even in other states, to conduct the VIN verification. We have driven as far as Nevada and Arizona to meet clients to get their VIN verifications done.

Note: The customer will pay a higher fee for long-distance travel, but it can be done. If you do not want to pay these fees, you can have a member of law enforcement do the VIN verification in your location.

Important: There are certain VIN verifications that can ONLY be conducted by the CHP and cannot be done by anyone else. So, if you find a cooperative member of law enforcement, they will be able to fill out the form for you, but CHP-only verifications must still go through CHP.

Prohibited VIN Verifications

Private VIN verifiers are prohibited from doing VIN inspections on certain vehicles and scenarios. These require DMV or CHP inspection:

Armored Cars

VIN verifications for armored cars are strictly regulated. In California, only the California Highway Patrol (CHP) is authorized to perform VIN verifications on armored vehicles. Private VIN verifiers, AAA, and even employees at the DMV are prohibited from handling these inspections.

Salvaged or Junked Vehicles

Salvaged or junked vehicles must undergo VIN inspections either at the DMV or with the California Highway Patrol (CHP). AAA and private VIN verifiers are not authorized to conduct these inspections due to the specialized nature of the process.

Motorcycles with No Titling or Supporting Docs, or Engine Changes

Motorcycles undergoing engine swaps or lacking titling documents must have their VIN verifications conducted exclusively by California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers. This is due to the high risk of motorcycle theft, requiring specialized scrutiny. Neither AAA, DMV employees, nor private VIN verifiers are permitted to handle these verifications.

Vehicles Being Imported from Other Countries

Only California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers are authorized to perform VIN verifications on imported vehicles or vehicles with importation documents. Due to the specialized nature of these inspections, AAA, DMV employees, and private VIN verifiers are not permitted to conduct them.

Vehicles Without Federal Safety Label

Vehicles that are 1980 or newer who do not have their Federal Safety label cannot be verified by private verifiers. These require DMV or CHP inspection.

Gray Market or Direct Import Vehicles

Gray market or direct import vehicles require specialized inspection and must be verified by CHP or DMV, not private verifiers.

What You Need to Know About CHP VIN Inspections

If you are being referred to the CHP by the DMV, it's for a specific reason. In rare situations, a CHP referral is a mistake and the result of a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge. Here are the most common reasons you are referred to the CHP:

  • •Late model salvaged or junked vehicles - Newer vehicles are almost always referred to the CHP because they want to make sure that the vehicle was not rebuilt with stolen parts. CHP officers look for evidence that a recently crashed vehicle is not being rebuilt with stolen parts from other vehicles.
  • •Missing public VIN - You have a vehicle whose public VIN is missing (the VIN that is easily seen from outside of the vehicle).
  • •Motorcycle issues - You have a motorcycle that has fallen off of the DMV database and has NO supporting documentation, or you need engine changes.
  • •Armored vehicles - Only CHP can inspect armored vehicles.

Reasons You May Be Mistakenly Referred to CHP

It is common for rookie DMV employees or AAA employees to automatically refer you to the CHP when they don't know how to proceed. For example:

  • •They don't know how to determine the year of an early model vehicle, such as a 1959 Chevy Impala.
  • •They don't know that this particular early model vehicle doesn't have a secondary VIN. Many early model vehicles had the public VIN in one location only.
  • •They don't know that the engine & VIN numbers are one and the same for an early model vehicle.

Ready to Get Your VIN Verified?

Our licensed verifiers are ready to help you with your VIN verification needs throughout the Bay Area.

Book NowContact Us

Phone: 628-212-2001