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 validmanufacturer's identification numbers
Sec. 2. A person who is the owner, custodian, or possessor of amotor vehicle that:
(1) was manufactured after December 31, 1954; and
(2) does not have a manufacturer's identification numberinstalled on the motor vehicle or has an installed originalmanufacturer'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 ona form furnished by the bureau for permission to make or stamp onthe 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 specialidentification 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 anypart of the number remains, as is possible to give; or
(B) any distinguishing marks that may be on the engine orbody of the motor vehicle. (3) The name and address of the person applying for the specialidentification number.
(4) The date on which the person purchased or procuredpossession of the motor vehicle.
(5) The name and address of the person from whom theapplicant 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 swornto 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 feespecified under IC 9-29 for a special identification number, thebureau shall issue to the person who submitted the applicationwritten permission to make or stamp a special identification numberin a place on the motor vehicle to be designated by the bureau.
(b) If the original identification number is on the vehicle orvisible, the new special identification number must be affixed so asnot 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 orotherwise placed on the motor vehicle:
(1) the number becomes the lawful identification number of themotor vehicle for all purposes; and
(2) the person who owns the motor vehicle may sell and transferthe 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 themanufacturer's identification number or the special identificationnumber by an external inspection of a vehicle, the law enforcementofficer may impound the vehicle for up to forty-eight (48) hours forthe purpose of determining the manufacturer's identification numberor special identification number by an inspection of the internal orotherwise 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 amotor vehicle under this chapter, the bureau shall designate andnumber consecutively, beginning with the number one (1), precededby the letters "MVIN", and followed by the letters "IND" in the orderof the filing of application.
(b) This section does not prevent a manufacturer or amanufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, from doing themanufacturer's own numbering on motor vehicles of parts removedor 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 anidentification number or issue a certificate of title for the operationof a motor vehicle except as specified under this chapter.
(b) This section does not prevent a manufacturer or amanufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, from doing themanufacturer's own numbering on motor vehicles or parts removedor 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 shallrequire the person applying for the certificate of title to sign astatement that the special identification number assigned to be placedon the motor vehicle has been put on in a workmanlike manner.
(b) The statement described under subsection (a) shall be certifiedby:
(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 themotor vehicle and found the identification number to be attached tothe motor vehicle as required by this chapter.
(c) This section does not prevent a manufacturer or amanufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, from doing themanufacturer's own numbering on motor vehicles or parts removedor 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 thevehicle to be in violation of section 2, 3, or 4 of this chapter commitsa Class D felony.As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-12
Damaging, removing, covering, or altering of identificationnumbers; 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 Cfelony.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.6.
IC 9-18-8-13
Sale of vehicle with destroyed, removed, altered, covered, ordefaced identification number; infraction
Sec. 13. A person who knowingly sells or offers for sale a motorvehicle 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, ordefaced identification number; infraction
Sec. 14. A person who knowingly or intentionally sells or offersfor 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 identificationnumbers; possession of plates or labels with altered, removed, orfraudulent identification numbers; infractions
Sec. 15. (a) Subsection (c) does not apply to a person whomanufactures or installs a plate or label containing an identificationnumber:
(1) in a program authorized by a manufacturer of motor vehiclesor 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 ofnumbers, letters, or numbers and letters that is assigned to a motorvehicle 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 toreplace a destroyed, a removed, an altered, or a defaced set ofnumbers, letters, or numbers and letters assigned by amanufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts.
(c) A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a plate orlabel that:
(1) contains an identification number; and
(2) is not attached to the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part towhich the identification number was assigned by amanufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts or agovernmental entity;
commits a Class D felony.
(d) A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a plate orlabel on which an identification number has been altered or removedcommits a Class D felony.
(e) A person who, with intent to defraud, possesses a plate or labelcontaining a set of numbers, letters, or numbers and letters thatpurports 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 theidentification number has been removed, defaced, destroyed,obliterated, or concealed, when application has not been made to thebureau for permission to put on a new number, commits a Class Cinfraction.
(b) If a person who violates subsection (a) cannot, to thesatisfaction of the court, establish the person's ownership of themotor vehicle, the motor vehicle shall be confiscated by the courtand sold. The proceeds from the sale shall be used to pay the fine andcosts of prosecution, and the balance, if any, shall be deposited in themotor vehicle highway account fund.
(c) If the fine and costs are not paid within thirty (30) days afterjudgment is rendered under this section, the court shall proceed toadvertise and sell the motor vehicle in the manner provided by lawfor the sale of personal property under execution.
(d) If at any time the motor vehicle remains in the custody of thecourt or the court's officers under this section the owner appears andestablishes the owner's title to the motor vehicle to the satisfaction ofthe court, the motor vehicle shall be returned to the owner. Theowner shall then make application for and may obtain anidentification number and a title as provided in IC 9-17-4. The ownermay 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.