CHAPTER 8. IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
IC 9-18-8
Chapter 8. Identification Numbers
IC 9-18-8-1
Motor vehicle part defined
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "motor vehicle part" means:
(1) for a motorcycle:
(A) a frame; or
(B) an engine;
(2) for a passenger motor vehicle, a:
(A) frame;
(B) chassis; or
(C) body;
(3) for a truck or a tractor, a:
(A) frame;
(B) chassis;
(C) cab; or
(D) body; or
(4) for a trailer, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle, a:
(A) chassis; or
(B) body;
of the motor vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.19.
IC 9-18-8-2
Special identification numbers; vehicles without valid
manufacturer's identification numbers
Sec. 2. A person who is the owner, custodian, or possessor of a
motor vehicle that:
(1) was manufactured after December 31, 1954; and
(2) does not have a manufacturer's identification number
installed on the motor vehicle or has an installed original
manufacturer's identification number that is altered or defaced;
shall, not more than twenty (20) days after becoming the owner,
custodian, or possessor of the motor vehicle, apply to the bureau on
a form furnished by the bureau for permission to make or stamp on
the motor vehicle a special identification number.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-3
Special identification number applications; contents
Sec. 3. An application for permission to make or stamp a special
identification number on a motor vehicle must contain the following:
(1) A description of the motor vehicle, including the make,
style, and year of model of the motor vehicle.
(2) A description of:
(A) the original manufacturer's identification number, if any
part of the number remains, as is possible to give; or
(B) any distinguishing marks that may be on the engine or
body of the motor vehicle.
(3) The name and address of the person applying for the special
identification number.
(4) The date on which the person purchased or procured
possession of the motor vehicle.
(5) The name and address of the person from whom the
applicant purchased the motor vehicle.
(6) Any other information that the bureau requires.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-4
Special identification number applications; swearing to facts
Sec. 4. The description and facts in the application shall be sworn
to by the person applying for the special identification number.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-5
Special identification number placement on vehicle
Sec. 5. (a) Upon receipt of an application, together with the fee
specified under IC 9-29 for a special identification number, the
bureau shall issue to the person who submitted the application
written permission to make or stamp a special identification number
in a place on the motor vehicle to be designated by the bureau.
(b) If the original identification number is on the vehicle or
visible, the new special identification number must be affixed so as
not to cover the original identification number.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.20.
IC 9-18-8-6
Special identification numbers; lawful identification numbers
Sec. 6. When a special identification number has been stamped or
otherwise placed on the motor vehicle:
(1) the number becomes the lawful identification number of the
motor vehicle for all purposes; and
(2) the person who owns the motor vehicle may sell and transfer
the motor vehicle under the special identification number.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-7
Inspections; impoundment
Sec. 7. If a law enforcement officer is unable to determine the
manufacturer's identification number or the special identification
number by an external inspection of a vehicle, the law enforcement
officer may impound the vehicle for up to forty-eight (48) hours for
the purpose of determining the manufacturer's identification number
or special identification number by an inspection of the internal or
otherwise hidden identification numbers.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-8
Special identification number designation; manufacturer's
numbering
Sec. 8. (a) In designating a special identification number for a
motor vehicle under this chapter, the bureau shall designate and
number consecutively, beginning with the number one (1), preceded
by the letters "MVIN", and followed by the letters "IND" in the order
of the filing of application.
(b) This section does not prevent a manufacturer or a
manufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, from doing the
manufacturer's own numbering on motor vehicles of parts removed
or changed and replacing the numbered parts.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-9
Registration and titling of unnumbered vehicles prohibited;
manufacturer's numbering
Sec. 9. (a) The bureau may not register a motor vehicle without an
identification number or issue a certificate of title for the operation
of a motor vehicle except as specified under this chapter.
(b) This section does not prevent a manufacturer or a
manufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, from doing the
manufacturer's own numbering on motor vehicles or parts removed
or changed and replacing the numbered parts.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.21.
IC 9-18-8-10
Special identification numbers; workmanship approval statements;
manufacturer's numbering
Sec. 10. (a) Before issuing a certificate of title, the bureau shall
require the person applying for the certificate of title to sign a
statement that the special identification number assigned to be placed
on the motor vehicle has been put on in a workmanlike manner.
(b) The statement described under subsection (a) shall be certified
by:
(1) a chief of police;
(2) a sheriff; or
(3) another convenient peace officer;
that the chief of police, sheriff, or peace officer has inspected the
motor vehicle and found the identification number to be attached to
the motor vehicle as required by this chapter.
(c) This section does not prevent a manufacturer or a
manufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, from doing the
manufacturer's own numbering on motor vehicles or parts removed
or changed and replacing the numbered parts.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.22.
IC 9-18-8-11
Ownership of vehicle in violation; infraction
Sec. 11. A person who owns or possesses a vehicle knowing the
vehicle to be in violation of section 2, 3, or 4 of this chapter commits
a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-12
Damaging, removing, covering, or altering of identification
numbers; infraction
Sec. 12. A person who knowingly:
(1) damages;
(2) removes;
(3) covers; or
(4) alters;
an original or a special identification number commits a Class C
felony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-13
Sale of vehicle with destroyed, removed, altered, covered, or
defaced identification number; infraction
Sec. 13. A person who knowingly sells or offers for sale a motor
vehicle that has had the original or special identification number:
(1) destroyed;
(2) removed;
(3) altered;
(4) covered; or
(5) defaced;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-14
Sale of vehicle part with destroyed, removed, altered, covered, or
defaced identification number; infraction
Sec. 14. A person who knowingly or intentionally sells or offers
for sale a motor vehicle part that has had the identification number:
(1) destroyed;
(2) removed;
(3) altered;
(4) covered; or
(5) defaced;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-15
Possession of unattached plates or labels containing identification
numbers; possession of plates or labels with altered, removed, or
fraudulent identification numbers; infractions
Sec. 15. (a) Subsection (c) does not apply to a person who
manufactures or installs a plate or label containing an identification
number:
(1) in a program authorized by a manufacturer of motor vehicles
or motor vehicle parts; or
(2) with permission granted by the bureau under this chapter.
(b) As used in this section, "identification number" means a set of
numbers, letters, or numbers and letters that is assigned to a motor
vehicle or motor vehicle part:
(1) by a manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts;
or
(2) by a governmental entity in Indiana or another state to
replace a destroyed, a removed, an altered, or a defaced set of
numbers, letters, or numbers and letters assigned by a
manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts.
(c) A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a plate or
label that:
(1) contains an identification number; and
(2) is not attached to the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part to
which the identification number was assigned by a
manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts or a
governmental entity;
commits a Class D felony.
(d) A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a plate or
label on which an identification number has been altered or removed
commits a Class D felony.
(e) A person who, with intent to defraud, possesses a plate or label
containing a set of numbers, letters, or numbers and letters that
purports to be an identification number commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-16
Operation of vehicle with removed, defaced, destroyed, obliterated,
or concealed identification number; infractions
Sec. 16. (a) A person who operates a motor vehicle on which the
identification number has been removed, defaced, destroyed,
obliterated, or concealed, when application has not been made to the
bureau for permission to put on a new number, commits a Class C
infraction.
(b) If a person who violates subsection (a) cannot, to the
satisfaction of the court, establish the person's ownership of the
motor vehicle, the motor vehicle shall be confiscated by the court
and sold. The proceeds from the sale shall be used to pay the fine and
costs of prosecution, and the balance, if any, shall be deposited in the
motor vehicle highway account fund.
(c) If the fine and costs are not paid within thirty (30) days after
judgment is rendered under this section, the court shall proceed to
advertise and sell the motor vehicle in the manner provided by law
for the sale of personal property under execution.
(d) If at any time the motor vehicle remains in the custody of the
court or the court's officers under this section the owner appears and
establishes the owner's title to the motor vehicle to the satisfaction of
the court, the motor vehicle shall be returned to the owner. The
owner shall then make application for and may obtain an
identification number and a title as provided in IC 9-17-4. The owner
may then use the motor vehicle upon proper registration.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.23.