Federal Register, Volume 61 Issue 111 (Friday, June 7, 1996)

[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]

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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.

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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rules that might be deleted or rescinded but also rules that could be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