---
title: "What information must a vehicle identification number contain? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources."
canonical: https://www.m-i-n-d.ai/minds/auto-safety/vin-content-requirements
jurisdiction: "US Federal"
last_verified: 2026-08-28
license: CC BY 4.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
attribution: "Source: MIND (m-i-n-d.ai)"
---

# What information must a vehicle identification number contain? Answer in under 100 words. Cite only eCFR (www.ecfr.gov) sources.

Under 49 CFR 565.13, each VIN must consist of seventeen (17) characters, including a check digit in position nine, drawn from a specified set of capital letters (ABCDEFGHJKLMNPRSTUVWXYZ) and numerals (0-9) per § 565.15, and rendered in capital sanserif characters. VINs must be identical-uniqueness-compliant within a 60-year period beginning with the 1980 model year, appear clearly and indelibly on a non-glazing part, and (for passenger cars, MPVs, low-speed vehicles, and trucks ≤4,536 kg GVWR) be located inside the passenger compartment and readable through the glazing.

## Details / How it works

Under 49 CFR 565.13, each VIN is 17 characters with a check digit in position 9, using only the letters [ABCDEFGHJKLMNPRSTUVWXYZ] or numerals [0-9] assigned per § 565.15. The type face must be capital, sanserif, and the VIN must be clearly and indelibly affixed to a vehicle part other than glazing, or to a permanently affixed plate. For passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, low-speed vehicles, and trucks of 4,536 kg or less GVWR, the VIN must be inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing under daylight by a 20/20 (Snellen) observer without moving any part of the vehicle, with each character at least 4 mm high.

## Numbers & thresholds

| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| VIN length | 17 characters |
| Check digit position | 9 |
| Minimum character height (in-passenger-compartment VIN) | 4 mm |
| Uniqueness window | No two VINs identical within a 60-year period beginning with model year 1980 |
| Vehicles subject to interior placement rule | Passenger cars, MPVs, low-speed vehicles, trucks ≤4,536 kg GVWR |
| Reader vision standard | 20/20 (Snellen) |
| Lighting condition | Daylight, through vehicle glazing |
| Permitted characters | Letters: A B C D E F G H J K L M N P R S T U V W X Y Z; Numerals: 0-9 |

## Exceptions & edge cases

Vehicle alterers, as specified in 49 CFR 567.7, must utilize the VIN assigned by the original manufacturer of the vehicle. Each vehicle manufactured in more than one stage receives its VIN from the incomplete vehicle manufacturer, while single-stage vehicles receive their VIN from the manufacturer.

## Sources

- [1] U.S. Government Publishing Office / National Highway Traffic Safety Administration — 49 CFR 565.13 — Vehicle identification number (VIN) content requirements · https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/section-565.13 · as of 2026-08-28