A vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection is required by the Department of Licensing (DOL) before the vehicle owner can receive a certificate of title.  The VIN inspection fee is $65 which is deposited into the State Patrol Highway Account.  The Washington State Patrol (WSP) or other authorized inspector is required to complete a VIN inspection when a vehicle:

• is declared a total loss or salvaged and not kept by the registered owner;
• has been rebuilt after the certificate of title was returned to the state; or
• has been presented to the state with documents that show the vehicle was a total loss or salvaged in another state and has not been reissued a valid registration certificate.

A VIN inspection is also required when certain kinds of vehicles are being titled in the state for the first time including a kit vehicle, a homemade vehicle, a street rod, a customer vehicle, or a vehicle where there is a question about the VIN documentation on the vehicle.

Other entities or individuals may be designated by the Director of the DOL to preform VIN inspections if the vehicle is in another state or country and the requirement for inspection by the WSP would cause undue hardship.

The VIN inspection requirements are exempted for all-terrain vehicles, wheeled all-terrain vehicles, and utility type vehicles that have been declared a total loss or salvaged.