PURPOSE
To provide information concerning non-conforming VINs with more than 17 characters.

DETAILS
Recently, temporary permits were issued to foreign manufactured motor vehicles containing 18-character VINs. These particular vehicles were not manufactured for purchase or sale in the United States, and do not meet U.S. specifications. Please be advised that registration and title transactions involving VINs containing 18 characters or more are not to be processed. Non-standard vehicles, such as trailers and off-highway vehicles, may be titled and/or registered with VINs containing more or fewer than 17 characters.

COUNTY ACTION
Counties are to provide their local Vehicle Titles and Registration Division (VTR) Regional Office with the pertinent vehicle and manufacturer information. VTR Regional Offices will assist in determining if the vehicle meets U.S. specifications. Currently, the Registration and Title System (RTS) is able to accommodate VINs up to 22 characters in length. However, the RTS is programmed to only identify vehicles with a 17-character VIN.

CONTACT
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact your local Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Regional Office. You may also call Mike Craig, Deputy Director, or me at (512) 465-7570. Thank you very much.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please email your request with the RTB number to VTR Info Request/Open Records. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies. A subscription service is also available for an annual fee of $250. Subscribers will automatically receive all RTB mailings as they are issued.