re; vin nbr plate re & re

[padresag]

this came up on the 60-66 GMC site
something to chk out


Under 18USC511 (Title 18, United States Code, Part I, Chapter 25) the
owner or authorized agent of the owner is allowed ...to remove,
obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device...

It is only illegal if the intent is to steal the vehicle, or if the
person removing, etc, the identification knows the vehicle is stolen.

State codes may vary, but Federally is it not a crime to remove and
replace the VIN.

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18...1----000-.html

ron

[OARNGESI]

Body shops do it all the time i was watching a car show this weekend and the removed the vin plate on cable tv for restorati0n purposes

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Thanks for that. This is something that has been debated/discussed over and over on every automotive forum online. Finally, the answer!!

[structures]

Originally Posted by OARNGESI

Body shops do it all the time i was watching a car show this weekend and the removed the vin plate on cable tv for restorati0n purposes

You and I must of been watchin' the same thing... I think it was Rick on MuscleCar.

[JimmyFloyd]

Just remember, this only covers removing it and restoring it to it's original location, not swapping it from cab to a new cab, etc. Also, state laws might narrow this scope down, so you still have to check with your local and state laws on the issue.

[Liz]

and does not change the rules of the site. Laws differ state to state, and therein lies the issue. Examples following.. we have researched this extensively as well. In NC where the site is based out of, it is indeed a misdemeanor to remove, alter or change a vin tag.


Missouri law regarding altered VIN's
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c300-399/3010000380.htm
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c300-399/3010000390.htm
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3010000400.HTM

Straight out of the FMVSS

Sec. 511. Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers


(a) A person who -

(1) knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an
identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part;
or

(2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle,
knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal
or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor
Vehicle Theft Prevention Act,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years,
or both.
(b)(1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a
removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration by a person
specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (unless such person
knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen).
(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection
are -

(A) a motor vehicle scrap processor or a motor vehicle
demolisher who complies with applicable State law with respect to
such vehicle or part;

(B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal,
obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary
for the repair;

(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number
for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law;
and

(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters
a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the
Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner
of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate,
tamper with or alter the decal or device by -

(i) the owner or his authorized agent;

(ii) applicable State or local law; or

(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to

implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.
(c) As used in this section, the term -

(1) "identification number" means a number or symbol that is
inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under chapter
301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49;

(2) "motor vehicle" has the meaning given that term in section
32101 of title 49;

(3) "motor vehicle demolisher" means a person, including any
motor vehicle dismantler or motor vehicle recycler, who is
engaged in the business of reducing motor vehicles or motor
vehicle parts to metallic scrap that is unsuitable for use as
either a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part;

(4) "motor vehicle scrap processor" means a person -

(A) who is engaged in the business of purchasing motor

vehicles or motor vehicle parts for reduction to metallic scrap

for recycling;

(B) who, from a fixed location, uses machinery to process

metallic scrap into prepared grades; and

(C) whose principal product is metallic scrap for recycling;
but such term does not include any activity of any such person
relating to the recycling of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle
part as a used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle part.
(d) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term
"tampers with" includes covering a program decal or device affixed
to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention
Act for the purpose of obstructing its visibility.

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-294 effective Sept. 13, 1994, see
section 604(d) of Pub. L. 104-294, set out as a note under section
13 of this title.
Last modified: April 13, 2006


Michigan


750.415 Concealing or misrepresenting identity of motor vehicle or mechanical device as misdemeanor or felony; evidence of violation; confiscation; sale at public auction; revocation of dealer's license; vehicle identification plate and applicable labels; motor vehicle or part with identification number removed.
Sec. 415.

(1) A person who, without the intent to mislead another as to the identity of the vehicle, conceals or misrepresents the identity of a motor vehicle or of a mechanical device by removing or defacing the manufacturer's serial number or the engine or motor number on the motor vehicle, or by replacing a part of the motor vehicle or mechanical device bearing the serial number or engine or motor number of the vehicle with a new part upon which the proper serial number or engine or motor number has not been stamped, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(2) A person who, with the intent to mislead another as to the identity of a vehicle, conceals or misrepresents the identity of a motor vehicle or of a mechanical device by removing or defacing the manufacturer's serial number or the engine or motor number on the motor vehicle, or by replacing a part of the motor vehicle or mechanical device bearing the serial number or engine or motor number of the vehicle with a new part upon which the proper serial number or engine or motor number has not been stamped, is guilty of a felony, and if the person is a licensed dealer, the dealer's license shall be revoked.

(3) In all prosecutions under this section, possession by a person of a motor vehicle or of a mechanical device with the manufacturer's serial number or the engine or motor number removed, defaced, destroyed or altered or with a part bearing the number or numbers replaced by one on which the proper number does not appear, shall be prima facie evidence of violation of this section.

(4) If the identification of a motor vehicle or a mechanical device has been removed, defaced, or altered as provided in this section and the real identity of the motor vehicle or mechanical device cannot be determined, the motor vehicle or mechanical device shall be subject to confiscation by the state and shall be sold at public auction, put to official use by the government agency seizing the vehicle, or rendered scrap. If the items are confiscated from a licensed vehicle dealer, the dealer's license shall be revoked.

(5) A person shall not knowingly possess, buy, deliver, or offer to buy, sell, exchange, or give away any manufacturer's vehicle identification number plate, federal safety certification label, antitheft label, posident die stamps, secretary of state vehicle identification label, rosette rivet, or any facsimile thereof. This subsection does not apply to a motor vehicle manufacturer, a motor vehicle parts supplier under contract with a motor vehicle manufacturer, or a law enforcement officer in the official performance of his or her duties or to a motor vehicle in which a manufacturer's vehicle identification plate and each of the applicable labels listed in this subsection have been installed as prescribed by law. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 4 years, a fine of not more than $10,000.00, or both. If the person who violates this subsection is a licensed dealer or repair facility, its license shall be revoked.

(6) A person shall not buy, receive, or obtain control of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part with the intent to sell or otherwise dispose of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part knowing that an identification number of that motor vehicle or motor vehicle part has been removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered. This subsection does not apply to a motor vehicle obtained from or at the direction of a law enforcement agency. A person who violates this subsection is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 10 years, a fine of not more than $20,000.00, or both.

(7) As used in this section:

(a) "Antitheft label" means a label containing the vehicle identification number affixed to a motor vehicle by the manufacturer in accordance with subtitle VI of title 49 of the United States Code, 49 U.S.C. 30101 to 33118.

(b) "Federal safety certification label" means a label affixed to a motor vehicle that certifies that the motor vehicle conforms to current safety standards at the time of production and displays the vehicle identification number.

(c) "Motor vehicle" means a device in, upon, or by which a person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a street, highway, or waterway, whether subject to or exempt from registration, except a device exclusively moved by human power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.

(d) "Posident die stamps" means specially designed die stamps used by motor vehicle manufacturers to produce unique letters and numbers when stamping vehicle identification numbers upon vehicle identification plates, tags, and parts affixed to a motor vehicle.

(e) "Rosette rivet" means a special rivet designed to prevent removal or tampering with a vehicle identification number plate affixed by the manufacturer to a motor vehicle and that, when used to affix a vehicle identification number plate, forms 5 or 6 petals at the rivet head.


History: 1931, Act 328, Eff. Sept. 18, 1931 ;-- CL 1948, 750.415 ;-- Am. 1978, Act 494, Eff. Dec. 13, 1978 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 217, Eff. Oct. 1, 2000

Section: Previous 750.411t 750.411u 750.411v 750.412 750.413 750.414 750.414a 750.415 750.416 750.417 750.417a 750.418 750.419 750.420 750.421 Next
Last modified: March 26, 201

[powerdriver 1958]

There has been debate on the subject of Vehicle identification number's for some time and what is legal and what is Not legal .

As it stands the sale and trade of Vehicle identification number tags and titles at 67-72chevytrucks.com is NOT allowed . That is unlikely to change anytime soon .This policy will be strictly enforced.

Law about Vehicle identification numbers is pretty much 50 state uniform as far as removing the tags to place on another car / truck . Its not allowed .Federal law makes it illegal also and can override state law .

On the subject of restoration , That varies from state to state . From body shops only to an officer has to witness and record removal and replacement .
You really need to check DMV in your state .

Missouri law makes it a felony to sell cars /truck in part or whole with the Vehicle identification number tags removed , That means if you have a junk cab and haul it to the scrap yard for junk and the VIN has been removed you have just committed a felony .