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vin verification in riverside county

VIN Verifier in Riverside County

Riverside County residents who need a VIN verification are not limited to having to go to the Department of Motor Vehicles. For your convenience & lifestyle there are more suitable alternatives for you that make it a lot easier for you to satisfy the Department of Motor Vehicles requirements for registering your car, truck, trailer or off-highway vehicle. In this article we aim to answer some of the most common questions when it comes to getting your VIN verification done in Riverside County.

First, what is a California VIN verification?

A VIN (vehicle identification number) verification is a California DMV inspection required to get your out of state vehicle registered in the California DMV database. It is a physical inspection of the vehicle – this inspection is documented on the REG31 / VIN verifier form. 

Second, what does a vehicle verifier look for when doing a California VIN Verifications?

A vehicle verifier follows the REG31 form from top to bottom, and fills out the sections as they go along. Several of those items that are required to be documented are the vehicle year, make and model, the VIN & its location, the number of wheels, the number of axles, the license plate on the vehicle, the fuel type the vehicle uses, the status of the US Federal Certification Label and the Odometer reading. In addition to this we document the type of vehicle it is, such as a commercial, automobile, permanent trailer, coach trailer or motorcycle. Here are a few photos of what we saw on this 2019 GMC Sierra.

Third, why do I need a California VIN verification?

The VIN Verification process is exactly as it says, to verify the vehicle identification number of the vehicle. This process ensures that the vehicle actually exists (not just on paper), and second, that the vehicle identification number on the vehicle itself matches what is on the title. To obtain a VIN verifier’s license is inexpensive and relatively easy – the training to become a verifier is minimal, however, the task that a Socal VIN verification entails is very important in protecting the public against theft, fraud and any other type of illegal things some people want to try to do. It’s a preventative measure to facilitate catching activity that is fraudulent. As an example, let’s say that you have a Vehicle with VIN number 1GCEC1111XXXXXXX, and there’s already a vehicle with that same VIN number in the CA DMV data base or another state’s DMV – this is an automatic trigger that there is something wrong. I would like to consider a vehicle verifier a gatekeeper against fraud to many degrees.

Requirements to Register an Out of State Vehicles in California

In addition to offer verification services for your vehicles we are closely associated with a registration service called Quick Auto Tags – call them to get your vehicle licensed & titled. Listed below are some of the other requirements & documents you will need to get your vehicle registered in California:

  1. Your out of state title, MSO (manufacturer’s statement of origin), or registration card (if you’re only registering your car).
  2. For all gas powered & some diesel powered vehicles, you must get a smog.
  3. For commercial vehicles, pickup trucks (this includes small pickups, like El Caminos) you must get a California Weight-master Certificate.
  4. For all cars, trucks, coach trailers and most PTI trailers (some exceptions apply with PTI trailers)
  5. PTI trailer exception: If you have a brand new trailer that falls within the permanent trailer category, and it has an MSO, and it was purchased out of state, you will not have to get one

Other Reasons I May Need a California VIN verification?

The VIN verification process is mostly used for bringing in vehicles that are not in the DMV database into the DMV system, however, it is also used for other reasons by the DMV and other entities. Below I will list a few of those scenarios:

  1. Vehicle was in a tow yard, the tow yard initiated a lien sale, the owner of the vehicle has recovered their vehicle from the tow yard but there is a lien authorized on file. To lift the lien authorized the DMV uses the VIN verification process to confirm that the registered owner has recovered their vehicle and has physical possession of the vehicle once again.
  2. You have a large commercial truck registered through IRP (international registration program). The IRP unit wants you to get a VIN verification to confirm the mileage (this process documents the mileage for them).
  3. Your vehicle is being converted from one type of vehicle to another (change in body type model). An example of this is, you have a 2021 Ram 3500 that is registered as a pickup, but now you put a camper shell on it, and it is now a pickup mounted camper (PM) changing it into an automobile.
  4. Your vehicle has fallen off of the DMV system and it needs to be re-introduced into the DMV system. (Our parent company Quick Auto Tags is a license registration service and can help you out with this).
  5. The VIN on my car does not match the VIN on my title – this is a simple fix that the California verification process can fix this.

Verifying Multiple Vehicles

Some individuals or companies may have multiple vehicles to get a vehicle verification on. For this scenario, by far, the #1 solution is to have a mobile VIN verifier come to your location and get all your VIN verification done. Call us to make an appointment: 951-394-7012

vin verification in riverside

Where Can I Get a California VIN verification?

There are 4 places that you can get a verification services, below I will list them for you:

  1. Quick VIN Verification
  2. AAA
  3. DMV
  4. CHP

How much does it cost to get a California VIN verification?

The costs associated with getting a VIN verification depend on whether you want a mobile VIN verification or if you are willing to drive to the respective businesses to get it done. Below are the costs associated with each of the aforementioned places:

  1. Quick VIN Verification – at our VIN verify place: $50 – mobile, licensed vehicle verifiers come to you: between $100-$200 in Riverside County
  2. AAA – at their VIN verify place – it is included in their membership, they do not service non-members
  3. DMV – no cost
  4. CHP – no cost

Things to Know About Your Options in Riverside County:

With each option that is available to you to get a SoCal VIN verification there are benefits and details that you must be made aware of before you choose which is more suitable to you:

  1. Quick VIN Verification: We are mobile. We are friendly. We are fast. We are predictable. You set the time and place – and we are there. Licensed vehicle verifiers keep you away from the DMV – and allows you to stay home, or at any place you’d rather be.
  2. AAA: If you are a member, your membership includes the vehicle verifications service, along with the other services they provide. The mobile VIN verification is NOT an option.
  3. DMV: There is no cost. But you must have your paperwork in order prior to seeing them for a VIN verification – you can no longer just drive up and have a vehicle verifier inspect your vehicle. The mobile VIN verification is NOT an option.
  4. CHP: There is no cost. But you must have your paperwork in order prior to seeing them, and you must be referred to them by the CHP. For more information on the CHP vin verifications please read this section of my website. The mobile VIN verification is NOT an option

Other Counties We Service:

What you need to know about CHP VIN inspections in California

If you are being referred to the CHP by the DMV it’s for a specific reason. In rare situations, a CHP referral is a mistake, and the result of a misunderstanding, laziness or flat out ignorance. So before I continue, I’ll address the reasons someone will mistakenly refer you to the CHP:

  1. It is common for rookie vehicle verifiers to automatically refer you to the CHP when they don’t know how to proceed. Example, how to determine the year of an early model vehicle, such as a 1959 Chevy Impala. There are ways to verify the year of these vehicles, but when a rookie doesn’t know how to look it up, they make it “simple” and refer you to the CHP.
  2. They don’t know that this particular early model vehicle doesn’t have a secondary VIN.
  3. They don’t know that the engine & VIN number are one in the same for an early model vehicle.

Now that we have addressed those mistakes, let’s talk about the legitimate reasons why you got referred over to a CHP VIN inspector:

  1. You have a late model vehicle that is a revive salvaged or junked vehicle. Late model vehicles are almost always referred to the CHP for the reason that they need the expert eyes of a CHP officer. In fact, things are so different, they fill out a form that only they have access to. What they mostly look for is that this recently crashed vehicle is not being rebuilt with stolen parts from other vehicles.
  2. You have a motorcycle that has fallen off of the DMV database and have NO supporting documents.
  3. You have a motorcycle that needs an engine change.
  4. You have armored vehicles.
  5. CLICK HERE FOR A MORE EXTENSIVE WRITEUP ON CHP VIN VERIFICATIONS

    quick vin verification chp

Locations Where You Can Get a VIN Verification (If you don't choose Quick VIN Verifcation)

Riverside CHP – 8118 Lincoln Ave, Riverside, CA 92504

AAA Temecula Branch – 26403 Ynez Rd, Temecula, CA 92592

DMV Temecula Branch – 27851 Diaz Rd, Temecula, CA 92590

AAA Hemet Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Banning DMV Office – 1034 W Ramsey St, Banning CA 92220

AAA Highland Branch – 27889 Base Line St, Highland CA 92346

Banning DMV Office – 1034 W Ramsey St, Banning, CA 92220

No AAA Branch Nearby

Blythe DMV Field Office – 430 S Broadway, Blythe CA 92225

AAA La Quinta Branch – 46-050 Washington St, La Quinta, CA 92253

Palm Springs DMV Field Office – 950 N Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

AAA Hemet Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Banning DMV Field Office – 1034 W Ramsey St, Banning CA 92220

AAA Temecula Branch – 26403 Ynes Rd, Temecula CA 92592

Temecula DMV Field Office – 27851 Diaz Rd, Temecula CA 92590

La Quinta AAA Branch – 46-050 Washington St, La Quinta CA 92253

Palm Springs DMV Field Office – 950 N Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

AAA Highland Branch – 27889 Base Line St, Highland CA 92346

Banning DMV Office – 1034 W Ramsey St, Banning, CA 92220

Palm Springs AAA Branch – 300 S Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Indio DMV Field Office – 44480 Jackson St, Indio CA 92201

Corona AAA Branch – 1170 El Camino Ave, Corona, CA 92879

Norco DMV Field Office – 3201 Horseless Carriage Dr, Norco, CA 92860

Palm Springs AAA Branch – 300 S Farrell Dr, Palm SPrings, CA 92262

Palm Springs DMV Field Office – 950 N Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Corona AAA Branch – 1170 El Camino Ave, Corona, CA 92879

Norco DMV Field Office – 3201 Horseless Carriage Dr, Norco, CA 92860

Hemet AAA Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Hemet DMV Field Office – 1200 S State St, Hemet, CA 92543

Hemet AAA Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Hemet DMV Field Office – 1200 S State St, Hemet, CA 92543

La Quinta AAA Branch – 46-050 Washington St, La Quinta, CA 92253

Palm Desert DMV Field Office – 74-740 Technology Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211

La Quinta AAA Branch – 46-050 Washington St, La Quinta, CA 92253

Indio DMV Field Office – 44480 Jackson St, Indio, CA 92201

Riverside AAA Branch – 3700 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Riverside DMV Field Office – 6280 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

La Quinta AAA Branch – 46-050 Washington St, La Quinta, CA 92253

Indio – 44480 Jackson St, Indio, CA 92201

Murrieta AAA Branch – 25125 Madison Ave 101a, Murrieta CA 92562

Temecula DMV Field Office – 27851 Diaz Rd, Temecula, CA 92590

Riverside AAA Branch – 3700 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Riverside DMV Field Office – 6280 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Riverside AAA Branch – 3700 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Riverside East DMV Field Office – 6425 Sycamore Canyon Blvd, Riverside, CA 92507

Temecula AA Branch – 26403 Ynez Rd, Temecula CA 92592

Temecula DMV Field Office – 27851 Diaz Rd, Temecula CA 92590

Corona AAA Branch – 1170 El Camino Ave, Corona, CA 92879

Norco DMV Field Office – 3201 Horseless Carriage Dr, Norco, CA 92860

Palm Springs AAA Branch – 300 S Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Palm Springs DMV Field Office – 950 N Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Hemet AAA Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Riverside East – 6425 Sycramore Canyon Blvd, Riverside, CA 92507

Palm Springs AAA Branch – 300 S Farrell Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Palm Desert DMV Field Office – 74-740 Technology Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211

Riverside AAA Branch – 3700 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Riverside DMV Field Office – 6280 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Hemet AAA Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Hemet DMV Field Office – 1200 S State St, Hemet, CA 92543

Murrieta AAA Branch – 25125 Madison Ave 101a, Murrieta CA 92562

Temecula DMV Field Office – 27851 Diaz Rd, Temecula, CA 92590

Murrieta AAA Branch – 25125 Madison Ave 101a, Murrieta CA 92562

Temecula DMV Field Office – 27851 Diaz Rd, Temecula, CA 92590

Hemet AAA Branch – 450 W Stetson Ave, Hemet, CA 92543

Hemet DMV Field Office – 1200 S State St, Hemet, CA 92543

Riverside AAA Branch – 3700 Central Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Riverside DMV Field Office – 6280 Brockton Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

Want to learn more? Click here on The Ultimate Guide to VIN Verifications & VIN Verifiers
Click to Schedule an Appointment or Call Us with Your Questions
Call 951-394-7012

Quick VIN Verification is located on 5586 Mission Blvd Ste B, Riverside, CA. From Mission Inn get on Mission Blvd heading west, then make a U turn on Rubidioux Blvd.

We’re open:  Monday to Friday 9 AM – 6:00 PM

Saturday: 10:00AM to 3:00pm

For additional questions, you can call us at 951-394-7012 or find  us on Yellowpages.