VIN: The 17-character code that runs the automotive world
17 days ago
- #automotive
- #NHTSA
- #VIN
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) standard was developed by the NHTSA in 1979 to track vehicles across the US.
- VINs are 17-character codes that act as compressed database records, containing detailed vehicle information.
- Manufacturers must submit a '565 submittal' to NHTSA before selling any vehicle in the US, detailing technical specifications and safety systems.
- The VIN is divided into three sections: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), and Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS).
- The WMI identifies the vehicle's geographic region, country, and manufacturer.
- The VDS encodes vehicle-specific attributes, with each manufacturer using their own schema.
- The VIS includes model year, assembly plant, and production sequence information.
- A check digit in position 9 uses a mathematical algorithm to validate the VIN, detecting errors.
- The NHTSA's VIN database is unique globally, as it is publicly available, unlike systems in Europe, Japan, and China.
- The VIN system's constraints, like the 17-character limit and fixed positions, make it practical and scalable.
- The system has maintained backward compatibility for over 40 years and remains foundational for modern automotive technologies.