Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Just picked up a tip on writing VIN's on all impound paperwork, thought i'd pass it on in case some departments don't do it already.

It is easy to mistake handwriting on VIN's or any other letter/number combo's. For example "5" can look like "S" or "1" could like like "i" or a "B" could look like "8"

The way i've just learned to do it is put the letters down a bit larger than the numbers on paperwork.

Something like this:



1G1BL1271XB272422

Just picked up a tip on writing VIN's on all impound paperwork, thought i'd pass it on in case some departments don't do it already.

It is easy to mistake handwriting on VIN's or any other letter/number combo's. For example "5" can look like "S" or "1" could like like "i" or a "B" could look like "8"

The way i've just learned to do it is put the letters down a bit larger than the numbers on paperwork.

Something like this:



1G1BL1271XB272422

Thanks

Psssh, only like, DUH!

LOL! That's awesome advice, I'm gonna be a hero!!!

I still write /say vins wrong sometimes. I'm just wanting to clarify, but it's true that there are no 'Os' only zeros?

I still write /say vins wrong sometimes. I'm just wanting to clarify, but it's true that there are no 'Os' only zeros?


Yes, and the 8th letter from the right is the year code. Do you have a code list?

Nah, but I know where to find one I think. Don't really get vin plate changes all that much here.

For those of you who don't have it, you can also get VinAssist Software free through the NICB. It will break down every digit in a Vin, and if you have a wrong letter or number, it will attempt to correct it for you.

Is this an online only database? If so I know that even if I did have access to the ncic through a computer we've never used it. Maybe our records department does, but we don't. If it is online that really will not help 'me' much yet, as I don't have NCIC access: therefor I can't get 'online' if I had a computer in the car I was using.

Obvious question now, where can I get it? I've been searching online through google and just getting info on 'what' it is.

VIN's are the bane of my existence. Thanks Stud!!

(Could you PM me a code list? It would really be helpful for my group.)

Good tip J.

NICB is a great resource. The NYPD offers a 1 week auto crime school that is so good NY State agrees and allows 2 hours college credit for such at thier schools if you took it.

The week I took it, a few NICB guys were in and out. They gave us the current book for VIN numbers. It is yearly. I suggest you buy your own for $10. YOu will use it so much you will wonder what you did before you had it.

http://www.nicb.com/public/publications/passengermanual.cfm

For those of you who don't have it, you can also get VinAssist Software free through the NICB. It will break down every digit in a Vin, and if you have a wrong letter or number, it will attempt to correct it for you.


Online VIN decoder:

http://www.analogx.com/contents/vinview.htm

VIN's are the bane of my existence. Thanks Stud!!

(Could you PM me a code list? It would really be helpful for my group.)


Is it the year coding you are looking for???

1971 = 1 1981 = B 1991 = M 2001 = 1
1972 = 2 1982 = C 1992 = N 2002 = 2
1973 = 3 1983 = D 1993 = P 2003 = 3
1974 = 4 1984 = E 1994 = R 2004 = 4
1975 = 5 1985 = F 1995 = S 2005 = 5
1976 = 6 1986 = G 1996 = T 2006 = 6
1977 = 7 1987 = H 1997 = V 2007 = 7
1978 = 8 1988 = J 1998 = W 2008 = 8
1979 = 9 1989 = K 1999 = X 2009 = 9
1980 = A 1990 = L 2000 = Y 2010 = A

Just picked up a tip on writing VIN's on all impound paperwork, thought i'd pass it on in case some departments don't do it already.

It is easy to mistake handwriting on VIN's or any other letter/number combo's. For example "5" can look like "S" or "1" could like like "i" or a "B" could look like "8"

The way i've just learned to do it is put the letters down a bit larger than the numbers on paperwork.

Something like this:



1G1BL1271XB272422

If you dang Oinkers wouldn't go around hassling people you would have no reason to impound vehicles therefore not requiring some ingenious method!!!


:D

Just picked up a tip on writing VIN's on all impound paperwork, thought i'd pass it on in case some departments don't do it already.

It is easy to mistake handwriting on VIN's or any other letter/number combo's. For example "5" can look like "S" or "1" could like like "i" or a "B" could look like "8"

The way i've just learned to do it is put the letters down a bit larger than the numbers on paperwork.

Something like this:



1G1BL1271XB272422

Stud, this is ACADEMY material here. What kind of hillbilly state did you learn your policing in??







:D

Just kidding...it is widely used here, but a great tip nonetheless.

Stud, this is ACADEMY material here. What kind of hillbilly state did you learn your policing in??
.



Why do I suddenly feel like i'm wearing my rubber helmet and riding the short bus to the police station? :o

Stud thanks, that will help greatly with writing parking cites. :D

Vin Assist is also good for finding out the model of the vehicle after it was towed away and you forgot to get it.

It also gives you the manufactured gross weight which can be useful when someone registers the weight down to or below 26,000 so they ( think) they don;t need a CDL.

The need for a CDL is based on the manufacturers max gross weight regardless of what they register it at. So a 28,000 lb truck registered at 26,000 still must have a CDL to drive. A truck built at 26,000 does NOT require a CDL to drive.

Stud, this is ACADEMY material here. What kind of hillbilly state did you learn your policing in??


I thought it was a good tip. Still learning every day.

Of course some of us went thru the academy when they
didnt put VIN numbers on our dinosaurs:p