2013 Indiana Code
TITLE 9. MOTOR VEHICLES
ARTICLE 17. CERTIFICATES OF TITLE
CHAPTER 4. PRIVATE ASSEMBLY OF VEHICLES; ENGINE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
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IC 9-17-4
Chapter 4. Private
Identification Numbers
Assembly
of
Vehicles;
Engine
IC 9-17-4-0.3
"Assembled vehicle"
Sec. 0.3. As used in this chapter, "assembled vehicle" means:
(1) a motor vehicle, excluding a motorcycle, that has had the:
(A) frame;
(B) chassis;
(C) cab; or
(D) body;
modified from its original construction, replaced, or
constructed; or
(2) a motorcycle that has had the:
(A) frame; or
(B) engine;
modified from its original construction, replaced, or
constructed.
The term includes but is not limited to glider kits, fiberglass body
kits, and vehicle reproductions or replicas and includes motor
vehicles that have visible and original vehicle identification numbers.
As added by P.L.268-2003, SEC.10. Amended by P.L.125-2012,
SEC.85; P.L.262-2013, SEC.27.
IC 9-17-4-0.4
"Motor vehicle part"
Sec. 0.4. As used in this chapter, "motor vehicle part" means the
following:
(1) For a motorcycle, the:
(A) frame; or
(B) engine.
(2) For a passenger motor vehicle; the:
(A) frame;
(B) chassis; or
(C) body.
(3) For a truck or tractor, the:
(A) frame;
(B) chassis;
(C) cab; or
(D) body.
(4) For a trailer, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle, the:
(A) chassis; or
(B) body.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.28.
IC 9-17-4-0.5
Special identification number
Sec. 0.5. As used in this chapter, "special identification number"
means a distinguishing number assigned by the bureau to a privately
assembled motor vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle.
As added by P.L.268-2003, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.125-2012,
SEC.86.
IC 9-17-4-1
Assembly of vehicle by owner; procedure
Sec. 1. If a motor vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle has
been built, constructed, or assembled by the person who owns the
motor vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle, the person shall:
(1) indicate on a form provided by the bureau the major
component parts that have been used to assemble the motor
vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle;
(2) make application through the bureau for a special
identification number for the motor vehicle, semitrailer, or
recreational vehicle;
(3) after receipt of the special identification number described
in subdivision (2), stamp or attach the special identification
number received from the bureau in the manner provided in
section 2(3) of this chapter; and
(4) apply for a certificate of title for the motor vehicle,
semitrailer, or recreational vehicle from the bureau.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.12;
P.L.125-2012, SEC.87.
IC 9-17-4-2
Special identification number; placement on vehicle
Sec. 2. A certificate of title may not be issued for a manufactured
or privately assembled motor vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational
vehicle that does not have a special identification number stamped
on the motor vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle or
permanently attached to the motor vehicle, semitrailer, or
recreational vehicle until the person who owns the motor vehicle,
semitrailer, or recreational vehicle has:
(1) an inspection performed under IC 9-17-2-12;
(2) obtained from the bureau a special identification number
designated by the bureau; and
(3) stamped or permanently attached the special identification
number in a conspicuous place on the frame of the motor
vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle.
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.13;
P.L.125-2012, SEC.88.
IC 9-17-4-3
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.125-2012, SEC.89.)
IC 9-17-4-4
Certificate of title; description of identification of vehicle;
statement of liens or encumbrances; notation of parts
Sec. 4. A certificate of title issued under this chapter must contain
the following:
(1) A description and other evidence of identification of the
motor vehicle, semitrailer, or recreational vehicle as required by
the bureau.
(2) A statement of any liens or encumbrances that the
application shows to be on the certificate of title.
(3) The appropriate notation prominently recorded on the front
of the title as follows:
(A) For a vehicle assembled using all new or used vehicle
parts, "RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLE".
(B) For a vehicle assembled using a salvage vehicle or parts,
"REBUILT".
As added by P.L.2-1991, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.268-2003, SEC.14;
P.L.125-2012, SEC.90; P.L.262-2013, SEC.29.
IC 9-17-4-4.5
Body change title; requirements
Sec. 4.5. (a) A person must obtain a body change title whenever
a vehicle is altered so that the alteration changes the type of the
vehicle, as noted on the:
(1) current title; or
(2) certificate of origin;
of the vehicle.
(b) To receive a body change title, an applicant must provide:
(1) the former title or certificate of origin;
(2) a properly completed body change affidavit using a bureau
designated form; and
(3) proof of a vehicle inspection.
(c) An assembled vehicle and a vehicle that is altered such that the
vehicle type is changed must meet all applicable federal and state
highway safety requirements before the vehicle may be titled and
registered for operation on highways.
As added by P.L.125-2012, SEC.91.
IC 9-17-4-5
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.268-2003, SEC.33.)
IC 9-17-4-6
Repealed
(Repealed by P.L.262-2013, SEC.30.)
IC 9-17-4-7
Special identification number; application
Sec. 7. (a) Not more than twenty (20) days after a person becomes
the owner, custodian, or possessor of a motor vehicle that:
(1) was manufactured after December 31, 1954; and
(2) either:
(A) does not have a manufacturer's identification number
installed on the motor vehicle; or
(B) has an original manufacturer's identification number that
is altered, destroyed, obliterated, or defaced;
the person shall apply to the bureau for permission to make or stamp
a special identification number on the motor vehicle.
(b) The bureau shall prescribe the form of an application under
subsection (a). The application must contain the following:
(1) A description of the motor vehicle, including the make,
style, and year of model of the motor vehicle.
(2) A description of:
(A) the original manufacturer's identification number, if
possible; or
(B) any distinguishing marks on the engine or body of the
motor vehicle.
(3) The name and address of the applicant.
(4) The date on which the applicant purchased or took
possession of the motor vehicle.
(5) The name and address of the person from whom the
applicant purchased or acquired the motor vehicle.
(6) Any application fee required under IC 9-29 for a special
identification number.
(7) Any other information the bureau requires.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.31.
IC 9-17-4-8
Permission for special identification number on vehicle; special
identification number becomes lawful identification number
Sec. 8. (a) The bureau shall review an application submitted under
section 7 of this chapter. If the bureau determines the application is
complete, the bureau shall issue to the applicant written permission
to make or stamp a special identification number on the motor
vehicle. The bureau shall designate the special identification number
and the location of the special identification number on the motor
vehicle.
(b) A new special identification number may not cover or
otherwise obscure an original identification number that is visible on
a motor vehicle.
(c) A new special identification number that is stamped or
otherwise placed on a motor vehicle under this chapter becomes the
lawful identification number of the motor vehicle for all purposes,
including for purposes of selling or transferring the motor vehicle.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.32.
IC 9-17-4-10
Designation of special identification number; authority of
manufacturer to perform numbering on vehicles or parts
Sec. 10. (a) The bureau shall designate special identification
numbers under this chapter consecutively, beginning with the
number one (1), preceded by the letters "MVIN", and followed by
the letters "IND" in the order of the filing of applications.
(b) This chapter does not affect the authority of a manufacturer or
a manufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, to perform numbering on
motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts that are removed or changed
and then replaced with other numbered motor vehicle parts.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.33.
IC 9-17-4-11
Bureau prohibited from registering or issuing a certificate of title
for motor vehicle without identification number
Sec. 11. Except as specifically provided in this chapter, the bureau
may not register or issue a certificate of title for a motor vehicle that
does not have an identification number.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.34.
IC 9-17-4-12
Special identification number to be made or stamped on the motor
vehicle in workmanlike manner; authority of manufacturer to
perform numbering on vehicle or parts
Sec. 12. (a) Before the bureau may issue a certificate of title for
a vehicle that is required under this chapter to have a special
identification number made or stamped on the motor vehicle, the
bureau shall require the person applying for the certificate of title to
sign a statement that the special identification number assigned to the
motor vehicle by the bureau has been made or stamped on the motor
vehicle in a workmanlike manner. The statement must also be signed
by the law enforcement officer who inspected the motor vehicle and
determined that the special identification number was made or
stamped in a workmanlike manner.
(b) This section does not affect the authority of a manufacturer or
a manufacturer's agent, other than a dealer, to perform numbering on
motor vehicles or parts that are removed or changed and then
replaced with other numbered motor vehicle parts.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.35.
IC 9-17-4-13
Certain violations; penalty
Sec. 13. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person
who violates this chapter commits a Class C infraction.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.36.
IC 9-17-4-14
Certain violations relating to special identification numbers a Class
D felony
Sec. 14. A person who owns or possesses a motor vehicle that the
person knows violates section 7 or 8 of this chapter commits a Class
D felony.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.37.
IC 9-17-4-15
Damaging, removing, or altering an original or special
identification number a Class C felony; covering an identification
number to conceal a crime a Class C felony
Sec. 15. (a) A person who knowingly:
(1) damages;
(2) removes; or
(3) alters;
an original or a special identification number commits a Class C
felony.
(b) A person who, with the intent to conceal evidence of the
commission of a crime, covers an original or special identification
number commits a Class C felony.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.38.
IC 9-17-4-16
Selling or offering to sell a motor vehicle with destroyed or defaced
identification number a Class C felony
Sec. 16. A person who knowingly sells or offers for sale a motor
vehicle with an original or a special identification number that is:
(1) destroyed;
(2) removed;
(3) altered;
(4) covered; or
(5) defaced;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.39.
IC 9-17-4-17
Selling or offering to sell a motor vehicle part with an identification
number that is destroyed, removed, altered, covered, or defaced a
Class D felony
Sec. 17. A person who knowingly or intentionally sells or offers
for sale a motor vehicle part with an identification number that is:
(1) destroyed;
(2) removed;
(3) altered;
(4) covered; or
(5) defaced;
commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.40.
IC 9-17-4-18
Violations pertaining to identification number
Sec. 18. (a) For purposes of this section, "identification number"
means a set of numbers, letters, or both numbers and letters that is
assigned to a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part by:
(1) a manufacturer of motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts; or
(2) a governmental entity to replace an original identification
number that is destroyed, removed, altered, or defaced.
(b) Subsection (c) does not apply to a person who manufactures
or installs a plate or label containing an identification number:
(1) in a program authorized by a manufacturer of motor vehicles
or motor vehicle parts; or
(2) as authorized by the bureau under this chapter.
(c) A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a plate or
label that:
(1) contains an identification number; and
(2) is not attached to the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part to
which the identification number was assigned by the
manufacturer or a governmental entity;
commits a Class D felony.
(d) A person who knowingly or intentionally possesses a plate or
label on which the identification number is altered or removed
commits a Class D felony.
(e) A person who, with intent to defraud, possesses a plate or label
containing a set of numbers, letters, or both numbers and letters that
purports to be an identification number commits a Class D felony.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.41.
IC 9-17-4-19
Operation of motor vehicle with concealed, removed, defaced,
destroyed, or obliterated special identification number;
confiscation and return of motor vehicle upon proof of owner's title
Sec. 19. (a) A person who:
(1) either:
(A) with the intent to conceal evidence of the commission of
a crime, operates a motor vehicle with an identification
number that is concealed; or
(B) operates a motor vehicle with an identification number
that is removed, defaced, destroyed, or obliterated; and
(2) has not applied under section 7 of this chapter for a new
special identification number;
commits a Class C infraction.
(b) If a person who violates subsection (a) cannot prove to the
satisfaction of the court that the person owns the motor vehicle, the
court shall confiscate and sell the motor vehicle. The proceeds from
the sale shall be used to pay the fine and costs of prosecution, and the
balance, if any, shall be deposited in the motor vehicle highway
account fund.
(c) If the fine and costs are not paid not later than thirty (30) days
after judgment is rendered under this section, the court shall proceed
to advertise and sell the motor vehicle in the manner provided by law
for the sale of personal property under execution.
(d) If at any time at which the motor vehicle remains in the
custody of the court or the court's officers under this section, the
owner appears and establishes the owner's title to the motor vehicle
to the satisfaction of the court, the motor vehicle shall be returned to
the owner. The owner shall then make application for and may obtain
an identification number and a title as provided in this chapter. The
owner may then use the motor vehicle upon proper registration.
As added by P.L.262-2013, SEC.42.
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