How to Complete a VIN Inspection in Vermont
Submitting your vehicle to a VIN inspection in Vermont is a mandatory step in the majority of cases when applying for a vehicle title issued by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). On the other hand, you will not be required to meet the state VIN verification requirements if you obtain a title-exempt vehicle. Generally, these vehicle inspections are performed in order to determine whether or not the vehicle identification number (VIN) displayed on your car is authentic and has not been tampered with.
When performing the VT vehicle verification process, an authorized state official will physically examine the VIN placed on your car and verify whether it shows any signs of alteration. Moreover, the DMV aims to make sure that this is the car’s original VIN. Authorized personnel will also verify the VIN number against the database managed by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), checking whether or not the vehicle has been reported as stolen. The following sections will provide you with detailed information about the various situations when a car verification is necessary, as well as where and how to complete it.
When is a Vermont VIN verification required?
Applying for a vehicle VIN verification in Vermont is a procedure that must be completed whenever you apply for a title for your car, snowmobile or ATV. If you are getting a title certificate for a motorboat, you will have to request a hull identification number (HIN) verification instead. The circumstances under which you will have to fill out the DMV VIN verification form in VT include:
- You are titling a vehicle that was purchased through a private sale, and which has not been titled and/or registered in your name in another jurisdiction.
- You are titling a motor vehicle under bond.
- You have a vehicle that is older than 25 model years, and you would like to apply for an exempt car title.
- You own a vehicle that has been categorized as salvage by another state’s DMV, and you would like to title it with the Vermont DMV.
- You would like to title a car that was registered in a foreign country, including Canada.
- You would like to register a motorcycle with an engine size that is larger than 499cc, which has not been previously titled and/or registered in your name.
Note: The state DMV retains the right to request an impromptu car verification for vehicles with discrepant paperwork.
Where can I go to obtain a VIN inspection in Vermont?
In order to verify a VIN number in Vermont, you must contact a DMV employee who is authorized by the state Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to administer this procedure. In addition, certain non-DMV officials are able to perform these types of verifications, such as law enforcement officers and personnel supervised by law enforcement officers for VIN inspection purposes.
On the other hand, if you are required to complete a VT vehicle verification while out of state, you will be required to contact a government official who is authorized to conduct these examinations through a different state DMV. In most cases, these inspectors will be part of the state motor vehicle agency or a local law enforcement agency. If you are a military service member, your VIN inspection can be completed by your commanding officer.
Note: If your car undergoes an out-of-state VIN verification, you will be required to obtain an identification letter on an official letterhead from the authorized inspector who administered it.
What to Bring to a VIN Number Verification in Vermont
For a DMV official to verify a VIN number in Vermont, you will be required to submit certain documents, which will vary depending on several factors. For instance, if you are completing a car verification with an official who is not associated with the VT DMV, you will need to obtain a “VT-010 Verification of VIN/HIN” form and present an identification document. In most cases, you will also need a document that proves your ownership rights over the vehicle.
If you apply for a VIN number validation with the state DMV and plan on completing additional procedures, you will need to submit other documents as well. For example, if you are titling and registering a used vehicle purchased in a private sale, you will need the following items:
- The “VT-010 Verification of VIN/HIN” form
- A properly-reassigned title certificate
- The bill of sale and odometer disclosure statement
- The standard registration and title application
- Identification documents, such as a driver’s license or an ID card
- An acceptable payment method for the titling and registration fees
While completing the VT VIN verification procedure does not require a large variety of documents, you will most likely have to complete the inspection process along with other DMV procedures. Therefore, contact the department prior to applying for a VIN inspection and inquire about the exact requirements in your circumstances.
What to Do After Completing a VIN Inspection in Vermont
After completing the Vermont vehicle verification process, the state DMV must obtain the corresponding paperwork in order to proceed with the subsequent titling and/or registration procedures. In general, the department will retain your DMV VIN verification form if you complete the inspection with a DMV official.
However, if you verify your VIN number with a non-DMV authorized inspector, you will be required to submit the verification form to the state DMV yourself. Once the department obtains the necessary proof that your vehicle identification number is authentic, you can proceed with the corresponding titling and/or registration procedures.