Vermont VIN Check
How to Perform a VIN Lookup in Vermont?
If you want to perform a VIN lookup in Vermont, you have an offline option and an online option available. Motor Vehicle records in Vermont are maintained by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. Hence, you can look up vehicle records by making a request to the Vermont DMV. However, the Vermont DMV only releases motor vehicle records to authorized persons under the federal Driver's Privacy and Protection Act. Also, to look up motor vehicle records with the DMV, you will need to provide more information than the vehicle identification number (VIN).
A reliable online VIN lookup service like GoodCar only requires the VIN number to perform a VIN check. Once you have the VIN number, submit it by filling it in the search bar on GoodCar's VIN search resource on the homepage of their website. Next, select the search button to query GoodCar's database to obtain a vehicle history report.
How to Find Your Car's VIN Number?
You can find a car's VIN number by looking at the inside of the vehicle's driver-side door. It is usually printed on a sticker on the doorjamb along with other vehicle specification items. Alternatively, you can find a VIN in older cars by looking at the front windshield or on the engine block. VIN numbers are also printed on the insurance card, registration card, or inside the vehicle owner's manual. GoodCar also allows vehicle owners to find their VINs using their license plate numbers.
The VIN usually contains 17 alphanumeric characters, each with a unique connotation. With a VIN number, you can determine the country of manufacture of the vehicle, vehicle type, year of manufacture, assembly plant, and production number. For more information on the specific connotation of each character in a VIN serial, use the GoodCar VIN decoder resource.
Why Should I Run a vt VIN Check?
VIN lookups serve various purposes. Insurance companies use them to check a car’s history for policy coverage calculations, while law enforcement may verify if a vehicle is stolen during inspections. Prospective vehicle buyers also run VIN to obtain the following information:
Vehicle History
A VIN check can help you view vehicle history information for any used car sold in Vermont. As of 2021, there are about 90 used car dealers in the state. By running a VIN check, you can review the vehicle history of any car sold by these dealers.
Title Verification
With a VIN lookup, you can check whether the vehicle has a branded title. A title status other than "clean" may portend trouble later. A VIN check will let you see the title status for any of the over 600,000 cars registered in the state, an average of 2.4 vehicles per household.
Accident History
Although less than 100 motor vehicle crashes are reported annually in recent years in Vermont, it is recommended that you run a VIN check if you are considering buying a used vehicle. A VIN check will reveal any hidden structural damages, if they exist.
Mileage Verification
More than 5,000 vehicles operating on Vermont roads are said to have had their odometer readings rolled back. You can avoid an odometer rollback scam by ensuring you run a VIN check before making a purchase. Vermont’s Enforcement and Safety Division of the MVD is in charge of odometer fraud.
Recalls and Safety Standards
Over 15,000 cars operating on Vermont roads have open recalls, indicating that they may not be safe to drive. A VIN check will reveal all open recalls on a car, allowing you to make an informed decision about purchasing it.
Theft Check
Car theft is a common property crime in Vermont. According to the NICB, over 1,000 motor vehicles are reported stolen in the state annually. By running a VIN lookup, you can verify whether a stolen alert has been issued for the car.
Natural Disaster-Related Reasons
Natural disasters such as flooding, blizzards, and ice storms can cause structural damage to cars, which can impact their reliability and safety. By performing a VIN lookup, you can determine if previous damage has impacted a car's systems.
Vermont Lemon Laws
and How They Relate to VIN Checks
A vehicle is described as a lemon if it has defects that have become irreparable. Vermont’s Lemon Law was promulgated to protect persons who purchase or lease passenger motor vehicles registered in the state that are still under the warranty of the manufacturer with a nonconformity. A nonconformity is a condition or defect covered by the vehicle's warranty that substantially affects the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle.
The state's lemon law compels vehicle manufacturers to repurchase or replace a vehicle if, after a reasonable number of attempts, the nonconformity cannot be corrected. A repair attempt three times without success suffices as a reasonable number of repair attempts. After the definition of a reasonable number of repair attempts has been met, the vehicle owner may notify the manufacturer of the nonconformity in writing and request for replacement or repurchase.
A VIN check will indicate if a vehicle has been previously labeled a lemon. Hence, a VIN check will save you from buying a vehicle that has a serious defect that may be unrepairable. If the vehicle has been repurchased by the manufacturer, you will also see the notification in a VIN check result.
The Title Transfer Process
In Vermont, a lien is placed on a vehicle when you purchase it unless you pay the full price with your own funds. When you buy a vehicle via a loan, the Vermont DMV will send your vehicle title with the lien recorded to your lienholder. Many states in the United States operate this way. For the few other states, the vehicle owner will retain the vehicle title with the owner's name and the lienholder’s name on it until the loan is paid off.
After paying off the loan on the vehicle, the lienholder will send you the title showing that you have satisfied the lien. After receiving the title, you can exchange it for a clear title and pay the fee for a new Vermont title or keep the title displaying the lien as satisfied.
To release the lien, a completed lien release application must be submitted to the Vermont DMV. The application must be accompanied by the existing title and a $42 fee to a DMV office location. If the release of a lien application is sent with an Application for Replacement Title, the total fee is still $42. A replacement title application is required when the original title is stolen, lost, stolen, destroyed, or illegible.
If you are transferring a title from another state, you will need the following:
- The out-of-state title and registration
- A completed Form VD-119
- An odometer disclosure statement (Form VT-005) or the Bill of Sale
- Proof of paid tax in the other state
- Proof of VIN verification
- Payment of applicable Vermont title fees and taxes
Vermont Insurance and Registration Requirements
Per Vermont law, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle that is not covered by a minimum amount of liability insurance in the state. Section 800 of Title 23 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated outlines the minimum amount of auto insurance liability in the state as follows:
- $10,000 for property damage for each accident caused by the person who owns or drives the insured vehicle
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in an accident caused by the driver or owner of the insured vehicle
- $50,000 for total bodily injury or death in one accident caused by the driver or owner of the insured vehicle
Vermont also requires uninsured motorist coverage per Section 941 of Title 23 of the Vermont Statutes Annotated. This coverage protects the driver of the insured vehicle and the passengers in the vehicle if the at-fault driver has no insurance. Also, uninsured motorist coverage is available if you are injured in a hit-and-run accident. The minimum limits for uninsured motorist coverage are $50,000 per person and $100,000 total per accident. There is a maximum limit of $10,000 for property damage under the uninsured motorist coverage.
Persons who violate auto insurance laws in Vermont may be issued a civil traffic citation, which may lead to a requirement to pay a fine, an assessment of points against their driving privileges or license, and a requirement to file Financial Responsibility Insurance with the DMV. Financial Responsibility Insurance is liability insurance coverage on an individual, not a vehicle. Anyone with this coverage can operate any vehicle, whether owned by the individual.
Vermont Titling Requirements and Sales Tax
To title and register a new vehicle not previously titled or registered elsewhere, you will need the following:
- The properly assigned Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- A Bill of Sale
- A New Vehicle Information Statement. This is applicable if the vehicle was manufactured in Canada.
- A completed Registration/Tax/Title Application
- An odometer disclosure statement if the vehicle is the model year 2011 or newer
- Payment for the applicable fees
If titling a used vehicle previously titled, you will need the following:
- The previous Certificate of Title (original copy) and the bills of sale. The title must be assigned to you by all parties named on the title. Death certificates and probate papers if one or more individuals are deceased. All liens must have been released
- A completed Registration/Tax/Title Application
- An odometer disclosure statement. This statement is only applicable to vehicles of the model year 2011 or newer
- Payment for the applicable fees
Note that a purchase and use tax is due at the time of titling or registration. This tax is 6% of the purchase price or the NADA (National Automobile Dealers Association) clean trade-in value, whichever is greater.
Vermont-Assigned VINs
The State of Vermont issues VINs to some types of vehicles in specific circumstances. The state assigns VINs to homemade vehicles, vehicles that have had their VINs destroyed or removed, salvage-titled vehicles, and vehicles rebuilt from component parts. If a vehicle qualifies for a Vermont-assigned VIN, the owner may submit a completed Application for Assignment of VIN/HIN and the required supporting items (listed in the application) to:
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
Why Choose GoodCar for Vermont VIN Lookup?
GoodCar is the one-stop shop for comprehensive vehicle history reports and contains everything from ownership data, vehicle specifications, fire damage, and accident history to the title history of the vehicle. The data provided is of the highest industry standards, placing customers in the best position to make informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
about Vermont VIN Checks
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Who Issues A Vehicle's VIN In Vermont?
Vehicle manufacturers issue VIN numbers, not Vermont authorities. However, if you have a vehicle with a destroyed VIN or a homemade vehicle, you may apply to the Vermont DMV for an assigned VIN.
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How do I verify a VIN in Vermont?
You can verify a Vermont VIN using GoodCar’s online VIN check service. Once you have the VIN ready, enter it in GoodCar’s VIN check search bar and select search. The next page will reveal whether the VIN number matches the vehicle from which it was taken.
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Is it safe to check a Vermont VIN online?
There are no legal consequences for checking a VIN online. Also, no personal information (of the requester and the owner of the vehicle with the VIN) is required or revealed in a VIN check.
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Do I need a VIN inspection in Vermont?
VIN verification is required in Vermont for the following:
- Vehicles with salvage documentation from any state, including Vermont
- Vehicles that are being titled under bond
- Vehicles older than 15 years, for which a Vermont resident wants an "Exempt Title"
- Vehicles with registrations from a foreign country
VIN verifications are completed by a Vermont law enforcement officer, an agent employed by a law enforcement unit employed for VIN verification purposes, and under the direct supervision of a law enforcement officer or a DMV employee designated by the state Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.
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Are Vermont VIN checks necessary for out-of-state vehicles brought into Vermont?
Yes, VIN verifications are required for vehicles with registrations from any foreign country, including Canada.
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What does a Vermont VIN check reveal?
A Vermont VIN check reveals information about a vehicle's standard specifications, colors, title status, collision records, OEM options, location history, manufacturer information, mileage, accident history, lien records, and much more.
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Can you ask for the VIN from a Vermont seller?
You can ask for a vehicle’s VIN number from a Vermont vehicle seller. It is standard practice for potential vehicle buyers to ask for VIN numbers from dealers or private vehicle sellers.