[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 111 (Friday, June 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29031-29036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14241]



=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Parts 541, 565, 567, 571

[Docket No. 95-85; Notice 2]
RIN 2127-AF69


Vehicle Identification Number Requirements

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In this final rule, NHTSA combines its vehicle identification 
number (VIN) requirements in a single regulation, Part 565. Previously, 
the VIN requirements were specified in two separate regulations, 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 115 and Part 565. This 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 converts English 
measurements specified in Part 565 to metric measurements. NHTSA makes 
no substantive changes in any regulatory requirements.

DATES: Effective Date: This final rule is effective July 8, 1996.
    Petitions for Reconsideration: Any petitions for reconsideration of 
this final rule must be received by NHTSA no later than July 22, 1996.


[[Page 29032]]


ADDRESSES: Any petitions for reconsideration of this final rule should 
refer to the docket and notice number set forth in the heading of this 
notice and be submitted to: Administrator, National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590.

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, 1995 directive from the President to the 
heads of departments and agencies, ``Regulatory Reinvention 
Initiative,'' NHTSA reviewed all its regulations and directives. During 
this review, the agency identified not only those rules or portions of 
rules that might be deleted or rescinded but also rules that could be 
consolidated to avoid duplication or redrafted to make them easier to 
read. NHTSA's vehicle identification number requirements were 
identified as a candidate for amendment to make the requirements easier 
to understand and to apply.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    In a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published October 25, 
1995 (60 FR 54658), the agency proposed to transfer the text of Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 115 (49 CFR 571.115) Vehicle 
identification number--basic requirements to 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. Standard No. 115 specifies general physical requirements for 
a VIN plate or label and its installation and Part 565 specifies VIN 
content and format.
    In the NPRM, NHTSA stated its tentative conclusion that 
consolidation of the VIN requirements into one regulation would make it 
easier for motor vehicle manufacturers to understand and to apply those 
requirements. Many small manufacturers of motor vehicles (including 
trailers) apparently find the necessity of consulting two separate VIN 
regulations (i.e., Standard No. 115 and Part 565) cumbersome and 
confusing. Thus, NHTSA proposed to consolidate all VIN requirements 
into one regulation. NHTSA stated it did not intend to make any 
substantive changes to its VIN requirements as a result of the proposed 
consolidation.
    Since VIN requirements are referenced in other NHTSA regulations, 
such as Part 541 Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard and 
Part 567 Certification, NHTSA also proposed to make conforming changes 
to those references.
    NHTSA also proposed to convert part 565 measurements from the 
English system of measurement to the metric system. The metric 
conversions were proposed so NHTSA could 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. 
Specifically, NHTSA proposed that English unit measurements of gross 
vehicle weight ratings (GVWRs) in Table II of part 565 be exactly 
converted to the metric system. Thus, the agency proposed that a GVWR 
of 10,000 pounds be converted to 4536 kilograms (kg.), the exact 
converted figure, instead of 4500 kg, the equivalent converted figure. 
To accommodate those persons unfamiliar with the metric system, NHTSA 
proposed that part 565 present the English and metric measurements 
indefinitely.

Public Comments on the NPRM and NHTSA's Responses

    In response to the NPRM, NHTSA received comments from Advocates for 
Highway and Auto Safety, Chrysler, Flxible Corporation, Ford, National 
Automobile Dealers Association (NADA), Navistar, General Motors and 
Toyota. Advocates, Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and NADA agreed with 
NHTSA's proposal to consolidate all VIN requirements in Part 565, and 
to provide measurements in both English and metric units.
    Several commenters noted typographical errors. Ford, General 
Motors, and Navistar each pointed out the same typographical errors in 
the proposed text of sections 565.6(a) and 565.6(b). NHTSA agrees with 
the recommended corrections and makes them in the final rule. Toyota 
stated its belief that there was a discrepancy between proposed section 
565.7(b) and proposed section 565.7(d) as to deadlines for 
manufacturers to provide VIN information to NHTSA. After reviewing Part 
565, NHTSA notes that the reference to ``paragraph (b)'' in proposed 
section 565.7(d) was a typographical error, and removes the reference 
in the final rule.
    Flxible Corporation expressed concern that metrication of the 
measurements in the VIN requirements (but retaining English 
measurements for the present) may result in both English and metric 
units being displayed on VIN tags, necessitating larger tags. There 
appears to have been a misunderstanding about the proposal. In 
commenting, Flxible may have been assuming that this rulemaking would 
somehow have affected its obligation under 49 CFR Part 567, 
Certification, to state a vehicle's GVWR on its certification label. 
Nothing that NHTSA proposed for Part 565 would amend Part 567 or 
otherwise result in manufacturers providing information in addition to 
the seventeen digits specified as the VIN. NHTSA notes that its 
proposal to metricate Part 565 would only amend Table II. Table II 
specifies GVWR classes for motor vehicles. Previously, the Table II 
GVWR classes were only described according to English measurements. The 
NPRM proposed that the weight classes be described in the regulation 
according to both metric and English measurements. While a vehicle's 
GVWR class, as determined under Table II, must be encoded in its VIN, 
the class is not required by Part 565 to be directly placed on the 
vehicle. The GVWR class is not currently required by Part 565 to be 
placed on the vehicle in English units and will not be required as a 
result of this rulemaking to be placed on the vehicle in both units.

Final Rule

    NHTSA is adopting its proposal without change, except that it has 
corrected the previously discussed typographical errors noted by Ford, 
General Motors, Navistar and Toyota.

Effective Date

    In the NPRM, NHTSA tentatively decided that there was good cause 
shown for concluding that an effective date earlier than 180 days after 
issuance would be in the public interest. The agency proposed that, if 
adopted, the effective date for the final rule be 30 days after its 
publication in the Federal Register. NHTSA received no comments on this 
issue. Accordingly, the agency has decided that there is good cause 
shown for concluding that an effective date earlier than 180 days after 
issuance is in the public interest. The final rule will take effect 30 
days after its publication in the Federal Register.

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

1. Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This final rule was not reviewed under E. O. 12866 (Regulatory 
Planning and Review). NHTSA has analyzed the

[[Page 29033]]

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 rule does not 
impose any costs or yield any savings, but consolidates the agency's 
requirements for manufacturers to assign vehicle identification numbers 
(VINs) to motor vehicles. The changes make it easier for manufacturers 
to understand and apply the VIN requirements. The agency makes no 
substantive changes as a result of the consolidation. Since there are 
no impacts, preparation of a full regulatory evaluation is not 
warranted.

2. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The agency has considered the effects of this regulatory action 
under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. I hereby certify that the final 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. As explained above, the rule does not impose 
any new costs or provide any savings. It will 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, will not be affected by the rule. Accordingly, 
a final regulatory flexibility analysis has not been prepared.

3. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements in this 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. NHTSA has undertaken measures for OMB approval 
to extend this collection of information.

4. Executive Order 12612 (Federalism)

    This final rule has been analyzed in accordance with the principles 
and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612. The agency has 
determined that the rule does not have sufficient Federalism 
implications to warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment. No 
State laws will be affected.

5. National Environmental Policy Act

    The agency has considered the environmental implications of this 
final rule in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 and determined that the final rule will not have any significant 
impact on the quality of the human environment.

6. Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform)

    This final rule will 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.

List of Subjects

49 CFR Part 541

    Crime, Labeling, Motor vehicles, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

49 CFR Part 565

    Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

49 CFR Part 567

    Labeling, Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements.

49 CFR Part 571

    Motor vehicle safety, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, 
Tires.

    In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA is amending 49 CFR parts 
541, 565, 567, and 571 as set forth below.

PART 541--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for part 541 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33101, 33102, 33103, 33105; delegation of 
authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. In Sec. 541.4, paragraph (b)(7) is 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.

    3. Part 565 is 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.

    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 
excluded 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. (10,000 lbs.) 
or less.
    (e) Incomplete vehicle means an assemblage consisting, as a 
minimum, of

[[Page 29034]]

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.


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 Sec. 565.7(a).
    (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. (10,000 lbs.) 
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 Sec. 565.7(c). 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.

[[Page 29035]]

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

    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)

    (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
B = 2
C = 3
D = 4
E = 5
F = 6
G = 7
H = 8
J = 1
K = 2
L = 3
M = 4
N = 5
P = 7
R = 9
S = 2
T = 3
U = 4
V = 5
W = 6
X = 7
Y = 8
Z = 9

    (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.......(check digit)
10th .................. 9
11th....................8
12th....................7
13th....................6
14th....................5
15th....................4
16th....................3
17th....................2

    (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 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                                     
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. (10,000 lbs.) 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 

[[Page 29036]]

                                                                        
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 paragraph (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 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, 30166, 32502, 
32504, 33101-33014, and 33109; delegation of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50.

    5. In Sec. 567.4, paragraphs (k) introductory text and (l) are 
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 continues 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 and Reserved]

    7. Section 571.115 is removed, and reserved.

    Issued on: May 31, 1996.
Ricardo Martinez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 96-14241 Filed 6-6-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P