[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 25, 1995)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 54657-54663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-26499]
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[[Page 54658]]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 541, 565, 567, 571
[Docket No. 95-85; Notice 1]
RIN 2127-AF69
Vehicle Identification Number Requirements
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: At present, NHTSA's vehicle identification number (VIN)
requirements are established in two regulations, Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 115 and Part 565. In this NPRM, NHTSA proposes to
incorporate Standard No. 115 in Part 565. This proposed action is part
of the President's Regulatory Reinvention Initiative and seeks to make
NHTSA's VIN requirements easier to understand and to apply. In
accordance with Federal metrication policy, NHTSA also proposes to
convert English measurements specified in part 565 to metric
measurements. No substantive changes in existing regulatory text are
proposed.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before December 26, 1995.
ADDRESSES: All comments must refer to the docket number and notice
number of this notice and be submitted, preferably in ten copies, to:
Docket Section, Room 5109, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Docket
hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Leon Delarm, Office of Vehicle
Safety Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone number 202-366-
4920.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background and Regulatory Reinvention Initiative
Pursuant to the March 4, 1994 directive from the President to the
heads of departments and agencies, ``Regulatory Reinvention
Initiative,'' NHTSA has undertaken a review of all its regulations and
directives. During the course of this review, the agency has taken the
opportunity not only to identify those rules or portions of rules that
might be deleted or rescinded but also to identify rules that could be
consolidated to avoid duplication or be redrafted to make them easier
to read.
To further the President's goals, the agency proposes in this
rulemaking to incorporate the text of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 115 (49 CFR 571.115) Vehicle identification number--basic
requirements in Part 565 Vehicle identification number--content
requirements.
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a seventeen character
series of Arabic numbers and Roman letters which is assigned to a
vehicle for identification purposes. At present, Standard No. 115
specifies general physical requirements for a VIN and its installation
and Part 565 specifies VIN content and format.
NHTSA believes that consolidation into one regulation will make it
easier for motor vehicle manufacturers to understand and to apply VIN
requirements. In particular, many small businesses that manufacture
motor vehicles (including trailers), appear to find two separate VIN
requirements (i.e., in Standard No. 115 and Part 565) confusing. NHTSA
believes that consolidating all VIN requirements into one regulation
will lessen any confusion. NHTSA does not intend any substantive
changes to its VIN requirements as a result of the proposed
consolidation.
Since the VIN requirements are referenced in other NHTSA
regulations, such as Part 541 Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention
Standard and Part 567 Certification, NHTSA proposes to make
nonsubstantive changes so the parts would meet the proposed
consolidated VIN requirements. NHTSA may, at a future date, also
propose to make changes to Part 591 Importation of Vehicles and
Equipment Subject to Federal Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention
Standards and Part 592 Registered Importers of Vehicles Not Originally
Manufactured to Conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards,
to conform these parts to the new VIN requirements.
Metrication of VIN Regulation
NHTSA also proposes to continue to implement the Federal policy
that the metric system of measurement is the preferred system of
weights and measures for United States trade and commerce. In this
NPRM, NHTSA proposes to convert part 565 measurements stated in the
English system of measurement to the metric system. NHTSA began its
metrication efforts with an NPRM published March 15, 1994 (59 FR 11962)
that proposed to convert selected Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards to the metric system. In the March 1994 NPRM, NHTSA stated
its intent not to use equivalent conversions when there is a specific
safety need or other reason to make an exact conversion. (To illustrate
equivalent and exact conversions, an equivalent conversion of two
inches would be 50 millimeters, while an exact conversion would be 50.8
millimeters). In the March 1994 NPRM, NHTSA identified conversions of
vehicles' gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) as an example of when it
would convert measurements to exact conversions.
NHTSA proposes that in Table II of part 565, English unit
measurements of vehicles' GVWRs be converted to the metric system, to
exact conversions. Thus, a vehicle with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds is
proposed to be converted to the exact conversion of 4536 kilograms
(kg.), not the equivalent conversion of 4500 kg.
As it believes that those unfamiliar with the metric system may be
burdened by the agency's stating GVWRs in metric units only, NHTSA
proposes that for an indefinite time, part 565 continue to present the
English measurement as well. NHTSA seeks public comment on this
proposal to set forth both the English and metric measurements for
GVWRs.
Proposed Effective Date
Because the proposed incorporation of Standard No. 115 into Part
565 would make vehicle identification number requirements easier to
understand and to apply, without compromising safety, and would not
make any substantive change in the requirements. NHTSA has tentatively
determined that there is good cause shown that an effective date
earlier than 180 days after issuance is in the public interest.
Accordingly, the agency proposes that, if adopted, the effective date
for the final rule be 30 days after its publication in the Federal
Register.
Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
1. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures
This proposed rule was not reviewed under E. O. 12866 (Regulatory
Planning and Review). NHTSA has analyzed the impact of this rulemaking
action and determined that it is not ``significant'' within the meaning
of the Department of Transportation's regulatory policies and
procedures. The proposed rule would not impose any costs or yield any
savings. It would instead, consolidate the agency's requirements for
manufacturers to assign vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to motor
vehicles. The changes would make it easier for manufacturers to
understand
[[Page 54659]]
and apply the VIN requirements. The impacts would be so minimal that
they would not warrant preparation of a full regulatory evaluation.
2. Regulatory Flexibility Act
The agency has considered the effects of this regulatory action
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. I hereby certify that the
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. As explained above, the proposed
rule would not impose any new requirements, but may have a slight
beneficial impact since the changes would make it easier for motor
vehicle manufacturers, many of which are small businesses, to
understand and apply the agency's requirements for vehicle
identification numbers. For these reasons, small businesses, small
governmental organizations, and small organizations which purchase
motor vehicles or rely on VINs for other recordkeeping or
administrative matters, would not be significantly affected by the
proposed rule. Accordingly, an initial regulatory flexibility analysis
has not been prepared.
3. Paperwork Reduction Act
The information collection requirements in this proposed rule have
been submitted to and approved by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) pursuant to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq). This collection of information has been assigned
OMB Control Number 2127-0510 (``Consolidated VIN Requirements and Motor
Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard'') and has been approved for use
through June 30, 1996.
4. Executive Order 12612 (Federalism)
This proposed rule has been analyzed in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612. The agency
has determined that the proposed rule does not have sufficient
Federalism implications to warrant preparation of a Federalism
Assessment. No State laws would be affected.
5. National Environmental Policy Act
The agency has considered the environmental implications of this
proposed rule in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
of 1969 and determined that the proposed rule would not have any
significant impact on the quality of the human environment.
6. Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform)
This proposed rule would not have any retroactive effect. Under 49
U.S.C. 30103, whenever a Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in
effect, a State may not adopt or maintain a safety standard applicable
to the same aspect of performance which is not identical to the Federal
standard, except to the extent that State requirement imposes a higher
level of performance and applies only to vehicles procured for the
State's use. 49 U.S.C. 30161 sets forth a procedure for judicial review
of final rules establishing, amending or revoking Federal motor vehicle
safety standards. This section does not require submission of a
petition for reconsideration or other administrative procedures before
parties may file suit in court.
Procedures for Filing Comments
Interested persons are invited to submit comments on the proposal.
It is requested but not required that 10 copies be submitted.
Comments must not exceed 15 pages in length. (49 CFR 553.21).
Necessary attachments may be appended to these submissions without
regard to the 15 page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage
commenters to detail their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
If a commenter wishes to submit certain information under a claim
of confidentiality, three copies of the complete submission, including
purportedly confidential business information, should be submitted to
the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the street address given above, and seven
copies from which the purportedly confidential information has been
deleted should be submitted to the Docket Section. A request for
confidentiality should be accompanied by a cover letter setting forth
the information specified in the agency's confidential business
information regulation, 49 CFR Part 512.
All comments received before the close of business on the comment
closing date indicated above for the proposal will be considered and
will be available for examination in the docket at the above address
both before and after the closing date. To the extent possible,
comments filed after the closing date also will be considered. Comments
received too late for consideration in regard to the final rule will be
considered as suggestions for further rulemaking action. The agency
will continue to file relevant information as it becomes available in
the docket after the closing date, and it is recommended that
interested persons continue to examine the docket for new material.
Persons who want to be notified upon receipt of their comments in
the rules docket should enclose a self-addressed, stamped postcard in
the envelope with their comments. Upon receiving the comments, the
docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.
List of Subjects
49 CFR Part 541
Administrative practice and procedure, Labeling, Motor vehicle
safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
49 CFR Part 565
Imports, Labeling, Motor vehicles, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting
and recordkeeping requirements.
49 CFR Part 567
Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles.
49 CFR Part 571
Imports, Motor vehicles, Motor vehicle safety, Rubber and rubber
products, Tires.
In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA proposes to amend 49 CFR
Parts 541, 565, 567, and 571 as set forth below.
PART 541--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 541 would continue to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33101, 33102, 33103, 33105; delegation of
authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
2. In section 541.4, paragraph (b)(7) would be revised to read as
follows:
Sec. 541.4 Definitions.
* * * * *
(b) Other definitions.
* * * * *
(7) VIN means the vehicle identification number required by Part
565 of this chapter.
* * * * *
PART 565--[AMENDED]
3. Part 565 would be revised to read as follows:
PART 565--VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER REQUIREMENTS
Sec.
565.1 Purpose and scope.
565.2 Applicability.
565.3 Definitions.
565.4 General requirements.
565.5 Motor vehicles imported into the United States.
565.6 Content requirements.
565.7 Reporting requirements.
[[Page 54660]]
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30141, 30146,
30166, and 30168; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
Sec. 565.1 Purpose and scope.
This part specifies the format, content and physical requirements
for a vehicle identification number (VIN) system and its installation
to simplify vehicle identification information retrieval and to
increase the accuracy and efficiency of vehicle recall campaigns.
Sec. 565.2 Applicability.
This part applies to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger
vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers (including trailer kits), incomplete
vehicles, and motorcycles. Vehicles imported into the United States
under 49 CFR 591.5(f), other than by the corporation responsible for
the assembly of that vehicle or a subsidiary of such a corporation, are
exempt from requirements of Sec. 565.4(b), Sec. 565.4(c),
Sec. 565.4(g), Sec. 565.4(h), Sec. 565.5 and Sec. 565.6.
Sec. 565.3 Definitions.
(a) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards Definitions. Unless
otherwise indicated, all terms used in this part that are defined in 49
CFR 571.3 are used as defined in 49 CFR 571.3.
(b) Body type means the general configuration or shape of a vehicle
distinguished by such characteristics as the number of doors or
windows, cargo-carrying features and the roofline (e.g., sedan,
fastback, hatchback).
(c) Check digit means a single number or the letter X used to
verify the accuracy of the transcription of the vehicle identification
number.
(d) Engine type means a power source with defined characteristics
such as fuel utilized, number of cylinders, displacement, and net brake
horsepower. The specific manufacturer and make shall be represented if
the engine powers a passenger car or a multipurpose passenger vehicle,
or truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4536 kg. or less.
(e) Incomplete vehicle means an assemblage consisting, as a
minimum, of frame and chassis structure, power train, steering system,
suspension system and braking system, to the extent that those systems
are to be part of the completed vehicle, that requires further
manufacturing operations, other than the addition of readily attachable
components, such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies, or minor
finishing operations such as painting, to become a completed vehicle.
(f) Line means a name that a manufacturer applies to a family of
vehicles within a make which have a degree of commonality in
construction, such as body, chassis or cab type.
(g) Make means a name that a manufacturer applies to a group of
vehicles or engines.
(h) Manufacturer means a person--
(1) Manufacturing or assembling motor vehicles or motor vehicle
equipment; or
(2) Importing motor vehicles or motor vehicle equipment for resale.
(i) Model means a name that a manufacturer applies to a family of
vehicles of the same type, make, line, series and body type.
(j) Model Year means the year used to designate a discrete vehicle
model, irrespective of the calendar year in which the vehicle was
actually produced, so long as the actual period is less than two
calendar years.
(k) Plant of manufacture means the plant where the manufacturer
affixes the VIN.
(l) Series means a name that a manufacturer applies to a
subdivision of a ``line'' denoting price, size or weight identification
and that is used by the manufacturer for marketing purposes.
(m) Trailer kit means a trailer that is fabricated and delivered in
complete but unassembled form and that is designed to be assembled
without special machinery or tools.
(n) Type means a class of vehicle distinguished by common traits,
including design and purpose. Passenger cars, multipurpose passenger
vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, incomplete vehicles and motorcycles
are separate types.
(o) VIN means a series of Arabic numbers and Roman letters that is
assigned to a motor vehicle for identification purposes.
Sec. 565.4 General requirements.
(a) Each vehicle manufactured in one stage shall have a VIN that is
assigned by the manufacturer. Each vehicle manufactured in more than
one stage shall have a VIN assigned by the incomplete vehicle
manufacturer. Vehicle alterers, as specified in 49 CFR 567.7, shall
utilize the VIN assigned by the original manufacturer of the vehicle.
(b) Each VIN shall consist of seventeen (17) characters.
(c) A check digit shall be part of each VIN. The check digit shall
appear in position nine (9) of the VIN, on the vehicle and on any
transfer documents containing the VIN prepared by the manufacturer to
be given to the first owner for purposes other than resale.
(d) The VINs of any two vehicles manufactured within a 30-year
period shall not be identical.
(e) The VIN of each vehicle shall appear clearly and indelibly upon
either a part of the vehicle, other than the glazing, that is not
designed to be removed except for repair or upon a separate plate or
label that is permanently affixed to such a part.
(f) The VIN for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles and
trucks of 4536 kg or less GVWR shall be located inside the passenger
compartment. It shall be readable, without moving any part of the
vehicle, through the vehicle glazing under daylight lighting conditions
by an observer having 20/20 vision (Snellen) whose eye-point is located
outside the vehicle adjacent to the left windshield pillar. Each
character in the VIN subject to this paragraph shall have a minimum
height of 4 mm.
(g) Each character in each VIN shall be one of the letters in the
set: (ABCDEFGHJKLMNPRSTUVWXYZ) or a numeral in the set: (0123456789)
assigned according to the method given in Sec. 565.5.
(h) All spaces provided for in the VIN must be occupied by a
character specified in paragraph (g) of this section.
(i) The type face utilized for each VIN shall consist of capital,
sanserif characters.
Sec. 565.5 Motor vehicles imported into the United States.
(a) Importers shall utilize the VIN assigned by the original
manufacturer of the motor vehicle.
(b) A passenger car certified by a Registered Importer under 49 CFR
part 592 shall have a plate or label that contains the following
statement, in characters with a minimum height of 4 mm, with the
identification number assigned by the original manufacturer provided in
the blank: SUBSTITUTE FOR U.S. VIN: __________ SEE PART 565. The plate
or label shall conform to Sec. 565.4 (h) and (i). The plate or label
shall be permanently affixed inside the passenger compartment. The
plate or label shall be readable, without moving any part of the
vehicle, through the vehicle glazing under daylight lighting conditions
by an observer having 20/20 vision (Snellen) whose eye-point is located
outside the vehicle adjacent to the left windshield pillar. It shall be
located in such a manner as not to cover, obscure, or overlay any part
of any identification number affixed by the original manufacturer.
Passenger cars conforming to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 115
are exempt from this paragraph.
[[Page 54661]]
Sec. 565.6 Content requirements.
The VIN shall consist of four sections of characters which shall be
grouped accordingly:
(a) The first section shall consist of three characters that occupy
positions one through three (1-3) in the VIN. This section shall
uniquely identify the manufacturer, make and type of the motor vehicle
if its manufacturer produces 500 or more motor vehicles of its type
annually. If the manufacturer produces less than 500 motor vehicles of
its type annually, these characters along with the third, fourth and
fifth characters of the fourth section shall uniquely identify the
manufacturer, make and type of the motor vehicle. These characters are
assigned in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) The second section shall consist of five characters, which
occupy positions four through eight (4-8) in the VIN. This section
shall uniquely identify the attributes of the vehicle as specified in
Table I. For passenger cars, and for multipurpose passenger vehicles
and trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 4536 kg. or less, the
first and second characters shall be alphabetic and the third and
fourth characters shall be numeric. The fifth character may be either
alphabetic or numeric. The characters utilized and their placement
within the section may be determined by the manufacturer, but the
specified attributes must be decipherable with information supplied by
the manufacturer in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. In
submitting the required information to NHTSA relating to gross vehicle
weight rating, the designations in Table II shall be used. The use of
these designations within the VIN itself is not required. Tables I and
II follow:
Table I.--Type of Vehicle and Information Decipherable
------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Passenger car: Line, series, body type, engine type and restraint system
type.
Multipurpose passenger vehicle: Line, series, body type, engine type,
gross vehicle weight rating.
Truck: Model or line, series, chassis, cab type, engine type, brake
system and gross vehicle weight rating.
Bus: Model or line, series, body type, engine type, and brake system
Trailer, including trailer kits and incomplete trailer: Type of trailer,
body type, length and axle configuration.
Motorcycle: Type of motorcycle, line, engine type, and net brake
horsepower.
Incomplete Vehicle other than a trailer: Model or line, series, cab
type, engine type and brake system.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note to Table I: Engine net brake horsepower when encoded in the VIN
shall differ by no more than 10 percent from the actual net brake
horsepower; shall in the case of motorcycle with an actual net brake
horsepower of 2 or less, be not more than 2; and shall be greater than
2 in the case of a motorcycle with an actual brake horsepower greater
than 2.
Table II.--Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Classes
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----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Class A................................................ Not greater than 1360 kg. (3,000 lbs.).
Class B................................................ Greater than 1360 kg. to 1814 kg. (3,001-4,000 lbs.).
Class C................................................ Greater than 1814 kg. to 2268 kg. (4,001-5,000 lbs.).
Class D................................................ Greater than 2268 kg. to 2722 kg. (5,001-6,000 lbs.).
Class E................................................ Greater than 2722 kg. to 3175 kg. (6,001-7 000 lbs.).
Class F................................................ Greater than 3175 kg. to 3629 kg. (7,001-8 000 lbs.).
Class G................................................ Greater than 3629 kg. to 4082 kg. (8,001-9,000 lbs.).
Class H................................................ Greater than 4082 kg. to 4536 kg (9,001-10,000 lbs.).
Class 3................................................ Greater than 4536 kg. to 6350 kg (10 001-14,000 lbs.).
Class 4................................................ Greater than 6350 kg. to 7257 kg. (14 001-16,000 lbs.).
Class 5................................................ Greater than 7257 kg. to 8845 kg. (16,001-19,500 lbs.).
Class 6................................................ Greater than 8845 kg. to 11793 kg.(19,501-26,000 lbs.).
Class 7................................................ Greater than 11793 kg. to 14968 kg.(26,001-33,000
lbs.).
Class 8................................................ Greater than 14968 kg. (33,001 lbs. and over ).
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(c) The third section shall consist of one character, which
occupies position nine (9) in the VIN. This section shall be the check
digit whose purpose is to provide a means for verifying the accuracy of
any VIN transcription. After all other characters in VIN have been
determined by the manufacturer, the check digit shall be calculated by
carrying out the mathematical computation specified in paragraphs (c)
(1) through (4) of this section.
(1) Assign to each number in the VIN its actual mathematical value
and assign to each letter the value specified for it in Table III, as
follows:
Table III.--Assigned Values
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A = 1 J = 1 T = 3
B = 2 K = 2 U = 4
C = 3 L = 3 V = 5
D = 4 M = 4 W = 6
E = 5 N = 5 X = 7
F = 6 P = 7 Y = 8
G = 7 R = 9 Z = 9
H = 8 S = 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) Multiply the assigned value for each character in the VIN by
the position weight factor specified in Table IV, as follows:
Table IV.--VIN Position and Weight Factor
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1st.............................................................. 8
2d............................................................... 7
3d............................................................... 6
4th.............................................................. 5
5th.............................................................. 4
6th.............................................................. 3
7th.............................................................. 2
8th.............................................................. 10
9th.............................................................. (\1\)
10th............................................................. 9
11th............................................................. 8
12th............................................................. 7
13th............................................................. 6
14th............................................................. 5
15th............................................................. 4
16th............................................................. 3
17th............................................................. 2
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\(Check digit.)
(3) Add the resulting products and divide the total by 11.
(4) The numerical remainder is the check digit. If the remainder is
10 the letter ``X'' shall be used to designate the check digit. The
correct numeric remainder, zero through nine (0-9) or
[[Page 54662]]
the letter ``X,'' shall appear in VIN position nine (9).
(5) A sample check digit calculation is shown in Table V as
follows:
Table V.--Calculation of a Check Digit
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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VIN Position..................... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
Sample VIN....................... 1 G 4 A H 5 9 H ..... 5 G 1 1 8 3 4 1
Assigned Value................... 1 7 4 1 8 5 9 8 ..... 5 7 1 1 8 3 4 1
Weight Factor.................... 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 10 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Multiply Assigned value times
weight factor................... 8 49 24 5 32 15 18 80 0 45 56 7 6 40 12 12 2
Add products: 8+49+24+5+32+15+18+80+0+45+56+7+6+40+12+12+2 = 411
Divide by 11: 411/11 = 37 4/11
The remainder is 4; this is the check digit to be inserted in position nine (9) of the VIN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(d) The fourth section shall consist of eight characters, which
occupy positions ten through seventeen (10-17) of the VIN. The last
five (5) characters of this section shall be numeric for passenger cars
and for multipurpose passenger vehicles and trucks with a gross vehicle
weight rating of 4536 kg. or less, and the last four (4) characters
shall be numeric for all other vehicles.
(1) The first character of the fourth section shall represent the
vehicle model year. The year shall be designated as indicated in Table
VI as follows:
Table VI.--Year Codes for VIN
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Year Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1980........................................... A
1981........................................... B
1982........................................... C
1983........................................... D
1984........................................... E
1985........................................... F
1986........................................... G
1987........................................... H
1988........................................... J
1989........................................... K
1990........................................... L
1991........................................... M
1992........................................... N
1993........................................... P
1994........................................... R
1995........................................... S
1996........................................... T
1997........................................... V
1998........................................... W
1999........................................... X
2000........................................... Y
2001........................................... 1
2002........................................... 2
2003........................................... 3
2004........................................... 4
2005........................................... 5
2006........................................... 6
2007........................................... 7
2008........................................... 8
2009........................................... 9
2010........................................... A
2011........................................... B
2012........................................... C
2013........................................... D
------------------------------------------------------------------------
(2) The second character of the fourth section shall represent the
plant of manufacture.
(3) The third through the eighth characters of the fourth section
shall represent the number sequentially assigned by the manufacturer in
the production process if the manufacturer produces 500 or more
vehicles of its type annually. If the manufacturer produces less than
500 motor vehicles of its type annually, the third, fourth and fifth
characters of the fourth section, combined with the three characters of
the first section, shall uniquely identify the manufacturer, make and
type of the motor vehicle and the sixth, seventh, and eighth characters
of the fourth section shall represent the number sequentially assigned
by the manufacturer in the production process.
Sec. 565.7 Reporting requirements.
The information collection requirements contained in this part have
been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) and
have been assigned OMB Control Number 2127-0510.
(a) The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has
contracted with the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to coordinate
the assignment of manufacturer identifiers. Manufacturer identifiers
will be supplied by SAE at no charge. All requests for assignments of
manufacturer identifiers should be forwarded directly to: Society of
Automotive Engineers, 400 Commonwealth Avenue, Warrendale, Pennsylvania
15096, Attention: WMI Coordinator. Any requests for identifiers
submitted to NHTSA will be forwarded to SAE. Manufacturers may request
a specific identifier or may request only assignment of an
identifier(s). SAE will review requests for specific identifiers to
determine that they do not conflict with an identifier already assigned
or block of identifiers already reserved. SAE will confirm the
assignments in writing to the requester. Once confirmed by SAE, the
identifier need not be resubmitted to NHTSA.
(b) Manufacturers of vehicles subject to this part shall submit,
either directly or through an agent, the unique identifier for each
make and type of vehicle it manufactures at least 60 days before
affixing the first VIN using the identifier. Manufacturers whose unique
identifier appears in the fourth section of the VIN shall also submit
the three characters of the first section that constitutes a part of
their identifier.
(c) Manufacturers of vehicles subject to the requirements of this
part shall submit to NHTSA the information necessary to decipher the
characters contained in its VINs. Amendments to this information shall
be submitted to the agency for VINs containing an amended coding. The
agency will not routinely provide written approvals of these
submissions, but will contact the manufacturer should any corrections
to these submissions be necessary.
(d) The information required under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this
section shall be submitted at least 60 days prior to offering for sale
the first vehicle identified by a VIN containing that information, or
if information concerning vehicle characteristics sufficient to specify
the VIN code is unavailable to the manufacturer by that date, then
within one week after that information first becomes available. The
information shall be addressed to: Administrator, National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590, Attention: VIN Coordinator.
PART 567--[AMENDED]
4. The authority citation for part 567 would be revised to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30166, 32502,
32504, 33101-33014,
[[Page 54663]]
and 33109; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
5. In part 567.4, paragraphs (k) introductory text and (l) would be
revised to read as follows:
Sec. 567.4 Requirements for manufacturers of motor vehicles.
* * * * *
(k) In the case of passenger cars admitted to the United States
under 49 CFR part 592 to which the label required by this section has
not been affixed by the original producer or assembler of the passenger
car, a label meeting the requirements of this paragraph shall be
affixed by the importer before the vehicle is imported into the United
States, if the car is from a line listed in Appendix A of 49 CFR Part
541. This label shall be in addition to, and not in place of, the label
required by paragraphs (a) through (j), inclusive, of this section.
* * * * *
(l)(1) In the case of a passenger car imported into the United
States under 49 CFR 591.5(f) which does not have an identification
number that complies with 49 CFR 565.4 (b), (c), and (g) at the time of
importation, the Registered Importer shall permanently affix a label to
the vehicle in such a manner that, unless the label is riveted, it
cannot be removed without being destroyed or defaced. The label shall
be in addition to the label required by paragraph (a) of this section,
and shall be affixed to the vehicle in a location specified in
paragraph (c) of this section.
(2) The label shall contain the following statement, in the English
language, lettered in block capitals and numerals not less than 4 mm
high, with the location on the vehicle of the original manufacturer's
identification number provided in the blank: ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER'S
IDENTIFICATION NUMBER SUBSTITUTING FOR U.S. VIN IS LOCATED __________.
PART 571--[AMENDED]
6. The authority citation for part 571 would continue to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166;
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
Sec. 571.115 [Removed]
7. Section 571.115 would be removed.
Issued on: October 17, 1995.
Barry Felrice,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 95-26499 Filed 10-24-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P