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The VIN on my Toyota is displayed right beneath the windshield. Anyone can walk up to my car and read it.

• SomaticPirate 3y ago
  VINwiki leverages this to form a community
• int_19h 3y ago
  VIN being visible through the windshield is a legal requirement in US.
  • pnw 3y ago
    More accurately, you can’t alter or remove the VIN. I don’t believe it has to be visible at all times. Some car owners obscure their VIN because of public sourced databases like Vinwiki. https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual-1359-motor-vehicle-theft-prevention-statutes-general-overview https://www.justice.gov/archives/jm/criminal-resource-manual...
    • int_19h 3y ago
      I don't know if there's any liability for doing that, but some of those car owners occasionally find out that their car was seized by the cops to "investigate". This might depend on state law, too. E.g. in New York: "Members of the state police, any local police department or any peace officer acting pursuant to his special duties shall seize and confiscate a motor vehicle or trailer if any original identification number or special identification number is destroyed, removed, altered, defaced or so covered as to be effectually concealed."