and in some cases where the engine has been changed they use the number on the vin tag.....AND in some instances the state will issue a an "ID" tag with number but this is mainly for vehicles that have lost titles or perhaps engine changes ect....
Just as Joe says it depends on the STATE laws. I know, I've been through this a couple times on vehicles from other states and even my own state.
Here in S.C. now every vehicle from out of state has to be verified either by driving it to the Highway Office or the guy will come to your house.
I bought the panel I have now from Florida. Well, I made sure the title #'s matched. Lucky for me the original engine was in it and the engine # was on the title. If it had not been I would NOT have bought the panel. The DOT guy came to my house, looked at my title, checked the engine # and gave me a piece of paper to take to get MY clear title. Without the engine # being correct I basically would have been up the creek and taken a loooong time to get it straight....if I ever did.
Bottom line is check the state laws BEFORE you buy and especially if from another state. LOOK at paper work carefully and if not correct do not buy until the PO gets it straight!!
EDIT: just so you'll know I'm currently "helping" a friend get a vehicle from Ca. straightened out....and it HAS a state ID tag on it...but that story is to long to tell and I've typed to much already. Maybe I should also add that the PO signed some papers using two different ways of signing his signature!!...
Last edited by Achipmunk; 01/22/2009 5:28 PM.
