Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) BA State Certification Practice Exam

What is one piece of information that a VIN number does not indicate?

1. Vehicle make

2. Vehicle color

3. Vehicle model

4. Vehicle year

The correct answer is: Vehicle color

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle when it is manufactured. This number contains a wealth of information, including details about the vehicle's make, model, year of manufacture, and country of origin, among other specifications. The specific structure of the VIN allows it to convey vital information about the vehicle's identity and specifications. For instance, it includes information such as the manufacturer (the first few characters), the model year (indicated usually by a character in the VIN), and the vehicle series or type (identified by subsequent characters). However, the VIN does not provide information about the vehicle's color. This is because color is not a standardized characteristic that is encoded within the VIN. Vehicle color can vary widely and is subject to change over time due to repainting or modifications made by owners after the vehicle's manufacture, which is why it is not included in the VIN structure. Thus, the correct piece of information that a VIN number does not indicate is the color of the vehicle.