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VIN Guide

Where to Find Your VIN

Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code found in several places on your vehicle and its paperwork. Here are the five most common places to find it, then decode it for free.

5 common VIN locations

1

Driver-side dashboard

Look through the windshield at the lower corner on the driver's side. This is the most common location.

2

Driver door jamb

Open the driver's door and check the sticker on the door post or door edge, often near the door latch.

3

Vehicle registration & title

Your state registration card and the vehicle title both list the full 17-character VIN.

4

Insurance card & policy

Your auto insurance ID card and policy documents usually include the VIN.

5

Engine bay & frame

Many vehicles also stamp the VIN on the engine block, firewall, or frame rail.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the VIN on a car?+

The most common VIN location is the driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield. It also appears on the driver door jamb sticker, the vehicle registration and title, and your insurance documents.

How long is a VIN?+

A modern VIN is exactly 17 characters. It uses letters and numbers but never the letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0.

Can I find a VIN without the car?+

Yes. The 17-character VIN is printed on the vehicle's registration card, title, and insurance documents, so you can find it without physical access to the vehicle.