Chapter 4501:1-11 | Replacement of Vehicle Identification

Rule 4501:1-11-01 | Process for a replacement vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.

• Effective: March 1, 2020
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Any person who is the owner of a motor vehicle, or any owner's insurer, may apply for a replacement vehicle identification number (VIN) plate or replacement vehicle parts derivative VIN plates or stickers in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule.

(B) Before a person applies for a replacement vehicle identification number (VIN) plate or replacement vehicle parts derivative VIN plates or stickers, an inspection of the vehicle must be conducted by the state highway patrol in accordance with provisions of division (E) of section 4505.11 of the Revised Code. The inspection shall include the following:

(1) The federal safety decal number;

(2) The engine and transmission numbers;

(3) Any manufacturer's applied number that can be traced by available record to the original VIN;

(4) Any owner's applied number that can be traced to the original owner or VIN;

(5) Any other number determined by the registrar or the state highway patrol to be relevant to the inspection.

(C) The applicant shall obtain an "Application for Replacement Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to a Motor Vehicle," form "BMV 3713," (4/18), available on the bureau of motor vehicles' website at http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/bmv_forms.stm and hereinafter referred to as the "application." The application shall be submitted to the registrar of motor vehicles with the following documents:

(1) The evidence of an inspection by state highway patrol;

(2) The valid Ohio certificate of title or certificate of title or other lawful evidence of title issued in another state.

(D) If the registrar determines that the applicant has complied with the requirements of paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule, the registrar shall authorize the issuance of the original VIN or shall assign a new VIN. If a replacement VIN plate is required, the following procedures apply:

(1) The dies, plates, stickers, or other suitable devices, materials, or equipment required to replace a VIN or derivative VIN on any vehicle part shall be obtained and produced by the bureau of motor vehicles or the state highway patrol;

(2) The applicant may be required to pay the bureau of motor vehicles the actual cost incurred by the bureau of motor vehicles or state highway patrol in obtaining or producing the replacement VIN plates or replacement vehicle parts derivative VIN plates or stickers for the vehicle;

(3) The registrar shall send, a copy of all documentation pertaining to the replacement VIN plate or replacement vehicle parts derivative VIN plates or stickers to the state highway patrol;

(4) The registrar shall send the Ohio certificate of title or other lawful evidence of ownership to the appropriate clerk of courts.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4501.02, 4549.62
Amplifies: 4549.62
Five Year Review Date: 11/15/2024
Prior Effective Dates: 9/23/1993, 3/23/2015

Rule 4501:1-11-02 | Installation of a replacement vehicle identification number (VIN) plate.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

(A) Upon receipt of all documentation pertaining to the replacement VIN plate or replacement vehicle parts derivative VIN plates or stickers, the state highway patrol inspection station shall set a date and time for the inspection and installation of the replacement VIN plates and other devices. The state highway patrol inspection station shall attempt to schedule a date and time that is mutually agreeable to both the owner and the state highway patrol.

(B) Upon proper identification of the motor vehicle by the state highway patrol officer, the officer shall supervise the installation of the replacement VIN plate.

(C) If it is practical to do so, the replacement original or Ohio replacement VIN plate shall be installed in the manufacturer's original location. If it is not practical to do so, the replacement original or Ohio replacement VIN plate shall be installed in the following manners:

(1) In passenger cars, affix replacement VIN plate to a clean surface located on a portion of the left front door pillar post. If this is not practical because of the construction of the vehicle, alternate locations should be used in the following order of preference: first, in an engine compartment on the body of the driver's side of cowl; second, any portion of the left front vehicle main frame that is visible and yet protected from possible damage or destruction. A windshield decal shall be placed on the inside left lower corner of the windshield, near the original VIN plate location, stating that the vehicle is equipped with an Ohio replacement VIN plate. The registrar shall prescribe the design and specifications of the windshield decal;

(2) On motorcycles, affix the replacement VIN plate to a clean surface area on the left side near the headstock;

(3) On trailers and semitrailers, affix the replacement VIN plate to the left front corner of the trailer or semitrailer body six inches from the traffic side;

(4) On commercial cars, affix the replacement VIN plate to the left front door pillar post;

(5) On school buses, buses, house cars, and motor homes, affix the replacement VIN plate to a portion of the left front door pillar post if available. If a left front door pillar post is not available, then affix the replacement VIN plate to the main passenger entryway door pillar post. If the pillar post is not available, then affix the replacement VIN plate to any portion of the left front main frame which is visible and protected from possible damage or destruction;

(6) On mobile homes, affix the replacement VIN to the left front corner of the vehicle six inches from the traffic side.

(D) The replacement VIN or derivative replacement VIN plate shall be riveted securely to the body or on any other vehicle part by, or under the direct supervision of, a state highway patrol officer.

(E) The installation of any replacement derivative replacement VIN shall be done by, or under the direct supervision of, a state highway patrol officer. The applicant shall bear the cost of any professional, mechanical, or labor costs incurred in the installation of any VIN plate, replacement derivative VIN, or decal.

(F) The state highway patrol inspection station shall give written notification to the applicant of the results of the inspection as soon after the completion of the inspection as is practical.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4501.02, 4549.62
Amplifies: 4549.62
Five Year Review Date: 11/15/2024

Rule 4501:1-11-03 | Duties of the clerk of courts and replacement vehicle identification number (VIN).

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Promulgated Under: 119.03

Upon a motor vehicle owner's presentation of documentation that an authorized replacement VIN or derivative thereof has been successfully installed by the state highway patrol, the clerk of courts shall issue a replacement Ohio certificate of title. The face of the title shall be clearly marked "replacement vehicle identification number installed" or "replacement VIN installed."

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4501.02, 4549.62
Amplifies: 4549.62
Five Year Review Date: 11/15/2024