Can the Police Locate a Car Using Its VIN Number?
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to each vehicle, and yes, law enforcement can use this code to search for a car's history. When police enter a VIN into their databases, they can retrieve information about the car's history, including its make, model, and year, as well as whether it has been reported stolen or involved in any accidents. This information is invaluable in investigations and ensuring that vehicles on the road are legally registered and safe.
Locating a Car Using VIN
However, the only way the police might physically locate a car they do not have in custody using the VIN number is to look up the registered owner's last known address or to get the license plate information to pass on to all the license plate reading systems that might spot the vehicle on the streets. The VIN itself would only be useful to confirm the 'identity' of a vehicle that the police have in hand, even if the license plates had been stolen or swapped.
Comparing VIN and License Plate Searches
Searching by VIN will produce the same results as searching by the license plate of the vehicle. Both methods can provide the owner's name, address, vehicle type, and other important details.
Data from the VIN
The Vehicle Identification Number provides a wealth of information about a vehicle, including its place of manufacture. The first digit defines the country of origin or the final point of assembly of your vehicle. The second digit indicates the manufacturer and the region where your vehicle was produced. The third digit, when coupled with the first two, indicates your vehicle's type or manufacturing division.
VIN Breakdown
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION SECTION (VDS)
Digits in position 4 through 9 make up the Vehicle Description Section (VDS). These describe the vehicle's model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code. The ninth digit is the check digit, used to detect fraudulent VINs.
The VIN is featured on the annual license registration card you are required to keep in your car. All this data is searchable, making the VIN a powerful tool in the hands of law enforcement.
In conclusion, the answer is yes, the police can use the VIN to search for a car's history, confirm its identity, and locate it if necessary. The information provided by the VIN is invaluable in ensuring public safety and conducting thorough investigations.