How to Complete a VIN Inspection in New Hampshire
Certain state vehicles are required to undergo a VIN verification in New Hampshire. In general, the NH VIN inspection process is very different from a standard VIN lookup, which is typically performed for the purposes of buying or selling a car. Instead, you may be required to verify a VIN number in order to make sure that the VIN displayed on a vehicle matches the VIN outlined on a car’s official credentials. Overall, the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for all of these procedures.
A vehicle verification can only be completed by authorized professionals and in certain locations. While there are many states that allow these inspections to be administered in numerous locations, New Hampshire only authorizes certain car inspection stations for motorists to request this type of procedure. To learn more information about VIN validations in NH, as well as when these inspections are required, continue reading the sections below.
When is a New Hampshire VIN verification required?
A VIN inspection in New Hampshire is not necessary for every vehicle to be registered in the state. On the other hand, a car verification will certainly be required in the case of certain motor vehicles. For example, the following types of vehicles will have to undergo a VIN validation in NH:
- Vehicles that have been abandoned.
- United States government vehicles.
- Antique vehicles.
- Vehicles that are being transferred from a foreign country.
- Vehicles that are being transferred from a different state.
- Vehicles registered in New Hampshire, but whose owners no longer have the previous registration for.
- Homemade trailers weighing less than 3,000 pounds.
If your vehicle does not fit any of the abovementioned criteria, then it will not need to have a vehicle VIN verification completed.
Where can I go to obtain a VIN inspection in New Hampshire?
Motorists need to obtain a New Hampshire DMV VIN verification form in order to proceed with legally operating or registering their car in the state. For that reason, these drivers must visit the appropriate location to complete this procedure in person.
In general, a VIN verification can only be completed through an approved inspection station in NH, by a local law enforcement officer or from an authorized vehicle dealership in the state. Conversely, a VIN inspection will be void if it is not completed by an inspector who has the appropriate authorization from the state DMV. In order to properly fill out the necessary paperwork, an authorized inspector will be required to provide:
- A badge number, in the case of NH law enforcement officers.
- An agency number, if applicable.
- An address for the agency.
- A Licensed Auto Dealer Plate number, in the case of car dealerships.
- An authorized New Hampshire inspection station number.
- The full name of the authorized inspector.
The inspector will need to complete the DMV VIN verification form and sign it in order to ensure its completion. To do so, a motorist will need to locate a nearby authorized inspection agency and request the verification of a VIN. Depending on the location, applicants may be able to request an appointment. For instance, in Dunbarton, motorists must contact a local police station over the phone and arrange the most convenient time for an officer to inspect the vehicle.
What to Bring to a VIN Number Verification in New Hampshire
In order to verify a VIN number in New Hampshire, motorists must be mindful of all of this procedure’s requirements before visiting an inspection station. The most important thing to bring for a VIN inspection is the vehicle and its accompanying DMV documents, such as a title certificate and/or a registration credential, if available.
Moreover, the official VIN number validation form must also be brought to the inspection. If for whatever reason a motorist cannot download the “Verification of Vehicle Identification” form online and print it out, he or she must ask the authorized location to provide that document before making it to the appointment.
The official New Hampshire VIN form is necessary for inspection procedures because it offers proof that a vehicle identification number was completed according to local DMV requirements. The types of information that must be provided on this form include:
- Year, make, model, body type and gross vehicle weight of a vehicle.
- Car registration number, if applicable.
- Vehicle identification number (VIN).
- Location of the vehicle.
- Odometer reading.
- Name and address of the vehicle’s
- Information regarding whether the VIN has been altered, unaltered, changed or is missing.
- Authorized inspector’s information.
Proof of any of the abovementioned pieces of information must be provided during a VIN verification appointment. If there are any other necessary documents for the inspection of a VIN, then an authorized inspector must inform the car owner in question.
Additionally, motorists may be required to pay a fee for this procedure to be administered. However, fees and acceptable payment methods will vary depending on the location, so it is important to verify in advance what to expect.
What to Do After Completing a VIN Inspection in New Hampshire
After a New Hampshire VIN verification is completed, motorists will obtain a signed copy, which must be submitted to a local DMV office. In general, car owners will not be required to pay any fees when turning in the completed form to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Once the form is processed by the division, the records regarding the vehicle and the driver will be updated accordingly.