Verifying a VIN number?

[Dottie5]

We bought our TT out of state. I went to the DMV today to pay the taxes and get plates and they gladly took my money for the taxes but only issued me a temp tag (the temp tag from the dealership blew off when FIL was towing it back to his place till we could get there to pick it up).

Anyway, I was told that because the TT was purchased out of state the VIN would need to be verified and the places to verify it were the police station, an emissions center or RV dealership.

Anyone know if there is a legitimate way to verify the VIN without having to hitch this thing up and take it to one of those places to have them verify it?

I don't know who they think is untrustworthy here - us or if they have to make sure the dealership didn't sell us a stolen RV. I don't understand why the VIN on the bank's loan papers and bill of sale is in question :M

[tatest]

I think the VIN verification comes from a Federal law meant to control interstate vehicle theft, but each state has to figure out how to implement it.

Here verification is required for vehicles never before titled in Oklahoma, and when a used vehicle brought into the state the task is carried out by a "tag agent" who is a private business operator contracted to the Tax Commission (DMV does not get involved in title process). We've just gotten used to the idea that for a first time title application we bring the vehicle to the tag office, in case the agent wants to see it. There is a little extra fee for VIN verification.

Dealers have some role in verification, maybe for their own cars. Dealers here now title their used vehicle stock to themselves, and when they submit the applications to the tag agent, they send only the paperwork to the tag agent, not the vehicles.

If find dealers doing verification an interesting idea, because usually when a car theft operation here gets discovered and broken up, some of the principles are licensed as used car dealers. But we've sent tag agents to prison too, having the position does not provide immunity to temptation.

[Francesca_Knowl]

milo wrote:
Thanked em & told em, contrary to what people say bout em, it was a very pleasant experience. lol

:B

Bet they STILL haven't recovered from the shock!

[milo]

I took the title & MSO down to local DMV here and 10 minutes & 785 bucks later for taxes & registration, I was out the door headed for home. Bought the 5er in Colorado & registered it in NM. Thanked em & told em, contrary to what people say bout em, it was a very pleasant experience. lol

[sptddog]

I had to do this in PA too, but the only requirement was for it to be a licensed mechanic. We paid our local mechanic a nice 'tip' to come to our camper location and do it - we had WAY too much snow to get that thing out. We went through AAA, and it was quite nice, they gave us the form, told us exactly what to do (and gave us reocmmendations of places to take it if we went that route). Our form also required verificaiton of the weights, as well as the VIN.

[The_Texan]

Bruce and Sue wrote:

VIN verification for out-of-state purchased vehicles is required here, too. The only legitimate way to do that here in Washington is to show up at the regularly scheduled State Patrol inspection station.

Interesting -- We bought our TT in Troutdale, OR in February of last year. Hauled the paper work into the county offices (Klickitat), paid our money, signed our names and received all the stuff -- no visual VIN verification.

Did you buy from a dealer in OR? did you have the MSO for the trailer? If either answer is "yes", then no VIN verification is required. Another good possibility, is the DMV office you went to has NO idea they are supposed to do certain things, according to "law", which is very common in all states.

[Bruce_and_Sue]

VIN verification for out-of-state purchased vehicles is required here, too. The only legitimate way to do that here in Washington is to show up at the regularly scheduled State Patrol inspection station.

Interesting -- We bought our TT in Troutdale, OR in February of last year. Hauled the paper work into the county offices (Klickitat), paid our money, signed our names and received all the stuff -- no visual VIN verification.

[ol_Bombero-JC]

rhagfo wrote:
Here in Oregon it can be done at the DMV office. We did it for all three of our current trailers. Depending on the location of the office needing to do the inspection,can be easy if in a area with a decent parking lot. Both DMV offices were in strip malls, easy peasy, just arrive early.

"Dottie5" is trying to avoid doing that.
As she posted, she doesn't see it as easy peasy..:S

~

Besides LEOs, some states have (DMV licensed) vehicle verification
services (for a fee). They will come to you.

Dottie - as you have seen, it's SOP to verify in most states as your DMV indicated.
If the Sheriff won't come to you, you may have to bite the bullet & hitch up. Maybe when you're ready for a camping excursion?

.

[rhagfo]

Here in Oregon it can be done at the DMV office. We did it for all three of our current trailers. Depending on the location of the office needing to do the inspection,can be easy if in a area with a decent parking lot. Both DMV offices were in strip malls, easy peasy, just arrive early.

[mdamerell]

When I did it in Indiana said it had to be on the Indiana form ONLY. Since I keep the trailer in Ohio, the Ohio officer was kind enough to complete the Indiana form for me. Indiana BMV made a point that they would not accept an Ohio VIN sheet. Desk Sargent was a bit confused when I called but because the RV is 36' long the officer said he would come to me. Took him all of 15 minutes.

Trailer was made in Indiana and I had the manufacture certificate but since I bought it in Ohio, I had to do the VIN verification.

[Leeblev]

In most places, the LEO has to fill in/sign a form from DMV. I wouldn't call anyone till you have the form.
The reason is an obvious one and that is there are so many stolen vehicles transported to other states and sold as legitimate. I have verified a number of VINs and recovered one stolen utility trailer while doing a verification. May be a little hassle when dealing with an RV, but it is for your protection as well as an owner, should the trailer be stolen. More than likely not stolen.

[Dottie5]

This is great! Thanks everyone! This will be so much easier if someone from law enforcement can come out. I hope Colorado is as agreeable as some of your states where they will come out to do this.

[kknowlton]

Ditto the other responses. Vehicles, including RVs, trailers, etc., coming from out-of-state have to have their VINs verified before Idaho will license them. For larger rigs especially, and almost any camping trailers, we can call the city police or the sheriff's dept (depending on jurisdiction) and they'll send someone out to do it, at their convenience. In our experience (twice so far) that hasn't taken more than a day or two.

[robsouth]

In Georgia, a deputy will come to your home for verification. I learned the hard way not to "pre-fill out the form" as the deputy said he must fill it out completely himself. Luckily I had gotten more than one copy of the form. Easy peasy. I tried to tip the deputy--another mistake. He would not accept even a bottle of cold water.

[Dottie5]

Hmm..maybe the sheriff will do it. I'll call tomorrow. I don't have a form and wasn't given one at the DMV so I'd better find that out first.

Thanks all!