OAR 735-022-0070: Inspection of Vehicle Identification Numbers

DMV adopts the following definitions and procedures relating to the inspection of the VIN of a vehicle under ORS 803.212: (1) “Agent” means a certified vehicle dealer designated by DMV to conduct Level 1 VIN inspections on behalf of DMV. (2) “ECU” means engine control unit. (3) “Frame VIN” means a manufacturer ‑ applied VIN that is permanently stamped, etched, or affixed directly onto the frame, chassis, or structural member of a vehicle, and is: (a) Located on a load ‑ bearing or structural component that is integral to the vehicle or trailer’s construction; and (b) Permanently applied in a manner intended to prevent removal without damage to the component. (4) “Hidden VIN” means a manufacturer ‑ applied VIN that is intentionally placed in a concealed or non ‑ public location on a vehicle for the purpose of confirming identity when public VINs are damaged, altered, or missing, and is: (a) Permanently stamped, etched, or affixed by the manufacturer on a non ‑ visible structural or internal component; and (b) Not normally observable without partial disassembly, removal of parts, or use of specialized inspection methods. (5) “Level 1 VIN inspection” means a physical inspection to verify the primary VIN and secondary VIN, if the vehicle has a secondary VIN, match the VIN on the title, primary ownership document, or vehicle record. (6) “Level 2 VIN inspection” means a physical inspection to verify the primary VIN, secondary VIN, if the vehicle has a secondary VIN, and frame VIN match the VIN on the title, primary ownership document, or vehicle record. A “Level 2 VIN inspection” includes verifying hidden VINs and the VIN in the ECU if the results of a Level 2 VIN inspection of the primary VIN, secondary VIN and frame VIN are inconclusive. (7) “Missing VIN” means a VIN on the vehicle that is unable to be located. (8) “Primary VIN” means the main publicly visible VIN affixed to a vehicle by the manufacturer in the location intended to serve as the official point of identification, and is: (a) Permanently affixed, stamped, or labeled by the manufacturer; (b) Located in the manufacturer ‑ designated primary display position (for example, the dashboard VIN plate visible through the windshield, or the primary VIN plate on a trailer’s frame or body); and (c) The authoritative VIN against which any additional public VINs are compared. (9) “Public VIN” means any VIN that is intentionally exposed and visible on a vehicle, and includes the primary VIN and secondary VIN. (10) “Secondary VIN” means a second, publicly visible VIN that is located on most vehicles, is independently verifiable from the primary VIN, and is: (a) Permanently affixed, stamped, or labeled by the manufacturer; and (b) Placed in a location intended for inspection without disassembly. (11) “VIN” has the meaning given the term in ORS 801.600. (12) “VIN discrepancy” means: (a) The VIN on the documents does not match the VIN on the vehicle; (b) The VINs on the vehicle do not match each other; (c) The VIN on the vehicle does not match the vehicle type, make or year; or (d) The VIN on the vehicle has been altered or defaced. (13) “VIN verifier” means a person authorized by a state motor vehicle agency to conduct a Level 1 VIN inspection. (14) A vehicle dealer certified under ORS 822.020 and who meets the qualifications under OAR 735-150-0039, may act as an agent of DMV to perform Level 1 VIN inspections under ORS 803.212 for vehicles that they sell, except as described under section (18) of this rule. (15) An Oregon law enforcement agency may act as an agent of DMV to perform Level 1 VIN inspections under ORS 803.212. For purposes of acting as an agent of DMV to perform VIN inspections, an Oregon law enforcement agency means the Oregon State Police, an Oregon county sheriff’s office, or an Oregon city or municipal police department. (16) A rental fleet company may perform a Level 1 VIN inspection under ORS 803.212 for a vehicle in its fleet as part of an application for an Oregon title without a change in ownership. (17) DMV may authorize a person or agency to perform Level 1 VIN inspections under ORS 803.212 and this rule, OAR 735-022-0070. The person or agency must request DMV’s authorization in writing by emailing DMV Vehicle Programs at vehiclepolicy@odot.oregon.gov or mailing the request to Oregon DMV, Attn: Vehicle Programs, 1905 Lana Ave NE, Salem, OR 97314, to enter into a VIN inspection agreement with DMV. (18) DMV, in its discretion, limits who may perform VIN inspections for vehicles under the circumstances described in subsection (a)-(h) of this section. Only DMV, the Oregon State Police (OSP), or another Oregon law enforcement agency may perform a VIN inspection on a vehicle located in Oregon in any of the following circumstances: (a) The vehicle is assembled and the new title must be issued with an assembled make. (b) The vehicle is reconstructed and the new title must be issued with a reconstructed brand. (c) The vehicle is a replica and the new title must be issued with a replica brand. (d) DMV has been notified that the vehicle has been or will be wrecked, dismantled, or disassembled under ORS 819.010 or 822.133. (e) The vehicle is from another jurisdiction and documents presented or the electronic record shows the vehicle has been totaled. (f) The vehicle is imported and the original manufacturer did not certify that it complies with federal vehicle standards as described in OAR 735-022-0080. (g) The vehicle has been reported to DMV as a totaled vehicle. This provision does not apply to a vehicle reported totaled due to theft and later recovered in a condition that no longer meets the definition of "totaled vehicle" under ORS 801.527. (h) Prior to January 1, 2026, DMV received notice that the vehicle was substantially altered. (19) A Level 2 VIN inspection is required when there is a missing VIN on the vehicle, there is a VIN discrepancy, or the identity of the vehicle is in question. (20) A public VIN may be located on a vehicle as follows: (a) Motor vehicles: the primary VIN is typically located on the dash, and the secondary VIN located on the door frame. (b) Trailers: the primary VIN may be located on the frame, on the body of the trailer, or inside the trailer on a wall or in a cabinet. (c) Motorcycles and mopeds: the primary VIN may be stamped on the frame or on a label placed on the vehicle. (d) Recreational vehicles: the primary VIN may be located on the frame, on the body, or inside the vehicle on a wall or cabinet. (21) DMV designates the following persons and agencies located in other jurisdictions as authorized to perform Level 1 VIN inspections on vehicles located in the other jurisdiction, including: (a) A law enforcement agency or entity with administrative or regulatory authority for vehicles within the jurisdiction; (b) A VIN verifier in another jurisdiction that is recognized and authorized by that jurisdiction to perform an inspection equivalent to a Level 1 VIN inspection; (c) For vehicles owned by U.S. armed services personnel, the owner's commanding officer, Provost Marshal or other person in authority as authorized by DMV; or (d) Anyone designated by DMV under a written agreement. (22) The inspection fee established under ORS 803.215 is required for inspections performed under ORS 803.210. The fee does not apply to inspections performed outside the State of Oregon. (23) If a vehicle does not have a VIN, DMV will assign one and affix it to the vehicle. When a VIN is assigned, the title record will indicate the VIN assigned by DMV. (24) Under an agreement with DMV, Oregon law enforcement agencies and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) are authorized to conduct Level 2 VIN inspections for vehicles located in Oregon when referred to the agency or NICB by DMV. (25) DMV may enter into agreements to compensate the Oregon State Police or other Oregon law enforcement agencies for any Level 2 VIN inspection conducted under ORS 803.212(5). DMV will compensate an Oregon law enforcement agency only if DMV has entered into an agreement with the Oregon law enforcement agency.