North Dakota VIN Check

Vehicle History

VIN Checks ensure the vehicle’s features match the seller’s claims. This is quite handy, especially when committing to transactions with any of the state's 77 used car dealers.

Title Verification

VIN searches also provide confirm registration and categorization to see if it is a worthwhile investment. 785,500 vehicles are registered in the state, some of which are used.

Accident History

Parties can search for previous manmade damage, including collisions, via VIN checks. This helps reduce the potential for future liabilities, as North Dakota experiences more than 95 vehicle crashes involving fatalities every year.

Mileage Verification

Mileage or odometer checks are necessary to ensure the seller's claims on distance traveled. Sellers may try to roll back the odometer to trick you into believing a vehicle is much newer than it actually is, thereby disguising wear and tear. This is illegal, though, and any encounters with mileage fraud are to be reported at the North Dakota Attorney General’s office.

Recalls and Safety Standards

North Dakota VIN searches also show interested parties if the vehicles were part of a recall. Manufacturers issue recall notices when they become aware of significant defects. Up to 50,000 recalls are open in the state, and some vehicles may still be in operation. The Department of Transportation also recommends that vehicle owners attend to recalls immediately after they are issued.

Theft Check

Theft checks are one of the highest-rated requests for buyers when considering a vehicle. The goal is to distance oneself from cars involved in an ongoing crime or have been involved in previous criminal activity. In North Dakota, 1,750 vehicles are stolen on a yearly basis. It is safe to say that some of these vehicles are resold to unsuspecting clientele.

Natural Disaster-Related Reasons

Spring runoffs and summer thunderstorms produce a lot of floods across North Dakota. Vehicles left in flooded areas do end up with water damage. A VIN check will reveal if a car you are buying has such damage or similar natural disaster-related damages.

The Title Transfer Process

If the vehicle is being purchased from the dealership, the personnel will likely take care of the title transfer, but for private sales, the process requires the buyer to handle most of the documentation. When the buyer and seller have completed the transaction, they can fill out and sign the certificate of title. To transfer the title, the buyer must get the signed Certificate of Title, completed DMV transfer form, odometer disclosure statement, and the required payment. In North Dakota, the title fee is $10.

North Dakota Insurance and Registration Requirements

North Dakota laws require that every motor vehicle registered in the state have a minimum insurance coverage level. Vehicle insurance is to cover the following:

Property damage liability: Vehicles are to be covered at a minimum of $25,000 per accident. This provides coverage for the claims brought against the vehicle owner for damage to property belonging to others.

Uninsured motorist coverage: The coverage should be at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This is for bodily injury claims that an individual could have against another driver who does not have insurance.

Bodily injury liability: There is a minimum of $25,000 per person, and the maximum amount payable to one individual injured in an accident is $50,000. The North Dakota Insurance Department assists with insurance queries and ensures compliance with state insurance regulations.

To register a vehicle in North Dakota, individuals must visit the local Department of Transportation office and provide a completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration. They must also provide a valid driver’s license, signed vehicle title, and the excise tax. New vehicles require a dealer's certificate of origin and an odometer disclosure statement. Vehicle registration in North Dakota also depends on the weight class. Vehicles that are less than 3200 pounds cost $73 to register up to the sixth year.

North Dakota Titling Requirements and Sales Tax

Vehicle owners may also register out-of-state cars by heading to a North Dakota Department of Transportation office. They must bring proof of legal name, an application for Certificate and registration of the vehicle, and the Signed out-of-state title. They also have to complete and provide a Certificate of vehicle inspection.

North Dakota-Assigned VINs

North Dakota vehicles are assigned VINs by their manufacturers upon production. However, there are scenarios where state-assigned VINs are issued, such as when the vehicle is stolen and recovered. If the VIN plate is damaged, law enforcement agencies may assign a VIN to the vehicle.