CHAPTER 8. IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS - Indiana Statutes

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.