Everyone who has a vehicle has one, but many people have yet to unlock the secrets of the VIN. And there are secrets, Trucking Nation.
What is a VIN
A VIN or a Vehicle Identification Number (or even a Chassis number) is a unique code that includes a serial number. These codes are used by the auto industry for identifying specific vehicles.
Vehicle Identification Numbers were first introduced to the vehicle industry in 1954, but they were not standardized until 1981. That’s when they became the identification codes we know today.
Today, a VIN number is typically 17 characters long, and depending on the country your vehicle was made in, it can begin with a variety of letters– or even numbers in the case of North and South America.
The Purpose of a VIN
Before unlocking the secrets of a VIN, most people view them as some sort of mystery 17-digit identification code. But, there is a purpose!
VIN’s can even be used to identify the make, model, weight class, and model year of your vehicle…just by using a 17-digit serial code! They also don’t include the letters I, O, or Q, so that people won’t confuse those letters with a number 1 or a 0.
Where to Find My VIN
The easiest way to locate your VIN is one of two ways because your VIN will be placed on one of two areas on your vehicle.
The first way is to stand outside of your vehicle on the driver’s side and examine the corner of your dash where it meets the windshield.
If your VIN is not located there, open your driver’s side door and look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). The number should be located there.
What Does It Have to Do with E-filing?
Since VIN’s contain special coded numbers and letters that describe your unique vehicle, it is imperative you use that identification code for anything pertaining to said vehicle. That includes truck taxes!
As previously stated, VIN’s can be very telling. They contain your weight class, country of origin, the make, and model year. That means, it’s essentially a social security number for your vehicle.
Plus, you want to make sure you pay taxes on the right vehicle and that everything is up-to-date for your own convenience. Because you’ll quickly learn that dealing with government bodies like the IRS and DMV without an identification number would be a nightmare.
If you need any help taming the beast that is the IRS, we’re here for you! We have a dedicated support team located in Rock Hill, SC, standing by just for you. So give us a call at 704.234.6005 or send us an email at support@expresstrucktax.com for 24/hour support in English and Spanish!