Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

DMV may require a physical inspection of a vehicle (verification of vehicle) prior to completing a vehicle registration application.

A verification of vehicle is always required for:

• Registration of a vehicle last registered out of state (see exceptions on the next page).
• Reregistration of a previous “junk” or “salvage” vehicle, unless the application contains a CHP Certificate of Inspection (CHP 97C) form.
• Registration of a specially constructed (SPCNS) motor vehicle or trailer.
• A vehicle for which DMV does not have a record, except a new vehicle reported sold by a licensed California dealer on an Application for Registration of a New Vehicle (REG 397) form.
• Recording an engine change, motorcycle engine case change, or change from engine number to vehicle identification number (VIN).
• Assignment of an identifying VIN number by DMV.
• When the VIN shown on certificates is different from the VIN shown on record (including vehicles being junked).

A verification of vehicle is not required for:

• A new trailer purchased in another state and eligible for registration under the permanent trailer identification (PTI) program, provided:
  • The trailer has never been registered.
  • The trailer has not been modified, altered, or assembled from a kit.
  • A secure manufacturer’s certificate/statement of origin (MCO/MSO) is submitted for the complete trailer.
  • Has never been registered or issued International Registration Plan (IRP) registration in California or was issued IRP registration within the last 60 days only.
  • Has not been modified, altered, or assembled from a kit.
  • Has an unladen weight of 6,001 pounds or more.
  • Meets California emission standards.

  A verification of vehicle is required for a vehicle that does not meet California emission standards.

  Authorized Vehicle Verifiers are:

  • DMV employees.
  • Peace officers including military police (California Penal Code §830).
  • Employees of auto clubs that provide registration services.
    • Auto club verifiers must include the abbreviation of their auto club name with their signature.
    • Licensed vehicle verifiers cannot do VIN inspections for revived salvage, revived junk, SPCNS vehicles, or motorcycles with an unavailable California record (last registered in California but a record no longer appears on the DMV database).

    Form Completion

    The verification of a vehicle is always completed on the Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form unless an Application for Assigned Vehicle Identification Number Plate (REG 124) form is required.

    • Verifications of incomplete or unassembled vehicles (parts) are not acceptable. For an electric motorcycle, the serial number on the electric motor will be used as the engine number.
    • Emission label verification for nonresident vehicles may be completed by an authorized vehicle verifier or peace officer.
    • The federal safety label is used as a second source of public VIN verification. When missing or illegible, an alternate, accessible VIN must be located by a DMV employee.

    Exception: Off-highway vehicles may not have a federal safety label but may be processed if the VIN has not been altered.

    • All descriptive information requested on the form must be physically inspected and completed, except:
      • Axles–completed only for commercial vehicles and trailers other than camp
        trailers or trailer coaches.
      • Estimated weight–completed only for trailers other than camp trailers or trailer coaches.
      • Length/width–completed only for camp trailers, trailer coaches, and motor
        homes.