Verify a vehicle identification number (VIN)

Find out how to verify your VIN at the DMV

Verify a vehicle identification number (VIN)

Find out how to verify your VIN at the DMV

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) verifications

Vehicle identification number (VIN) verifications are required to register some motor vehicles. Certain vehicle types require a VIN verification to be done at a DMV Inspection Lane – see locations and hours — and others must be done at a VIN verification test center. See below for details of which vehicles qualify for which location.

Before verification:
Be prepared for a full vehicle safety inspection. Before any VIN verification is performed, all vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, etc., must be fully operational and in compliance with all Connecticut laws and regulations. 

All vehicles, trailers and motorcycles arriving on top of or within trailers, or in the back of trucks must be off-loaded by you and equipped to be able to test the brakes, lights, horn and all other legally required equipment. 

Please note:
VIN verifications won’t be performed on vehicles that are not legal for the road or that are presented in such manner to prevent DMV personnel from conducting a safety inspection.

What to do

  • Bring your vehicle to a DMV inspection lane or VIN verification test center
  • After VIN is verified, you will receive a verification form, which you can use to register your vehicle at DMV. If your verification form is lost 30 days or more after the date of verification, you must have your VIN verified again and pay the $10 fee.  You can get a copy of the form at the station that verified the VIN.
  • Proceed to the DMV to register your vehicle with your verification form.

What to bring:

  • The vehicle you want to register.

What it will cost:

If your VIN cannot be verified at the station
You will receive a document that must be brought to a DMV Inspection Lane.

Please proceed to a DMV Inspection Lane (see locations and hours) with your vehicle and the document to receive a VIN verification.

What to bring:

  • The vehicle you want to register.

What it will cost:

  • $10 fee paid directly to station. This fee is in addition to any other registration fees paid when you register your vehicle at a DMV office.

Testing locations

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  • DMV inspection lane
  • VIN verification test center

DMV inspection lane

Vehicle types that must have a VIN verified at a DMV Inspection Lane:

  • Vehicles that have missing, altered, or otherwise undetectable VINs;
  • Composite motor vehicles or trailers, including any homemade motor vehicles or trailers, dune buggies, and kit cars;  
  • Salvage vehicles;
  • Grey market vehicles (vehicles that are imported from other countries, including Canada, and may not conform to the federal safety standards);
  • Amphibious vehicles;
  • Former military vehicles;
  • Motorcycles with model years 1980 or older;
  • Three-wheeled vehicles, except Harley Davidson, and Can Am (Spyder);
  • Vehicles that are not listed on our approved list of manufacturers (except utility trailers)
  • ANY dirt bike or motorcycle that closely resembles a dirt bike regardless of whether the manufacturer is listed on the CT manufacturer's list MUST be brought to the Wethersfield DMV for a courtesy inspection.
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VIN verification test center

All other vehicles must be verified at a VIN verification test center.
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