The first step in replacing a VIN plate in a vehicle is to contact the dealer where the automobile was purchased. The dealer needs to take specific steps to have the plate replaced, as the Vehicle Identification Number is an important legal identifier for the vehicle.
Once notified of a missing or damaged VIN plate, a dealer can contact the automobile manufacturer or the state motor vehicle agency for instructions. As it is illegal to tamper with an automobile's VIN plate or number, the owner is unable to simply affix a new one without proper authorization. Often the manufacturer sends a replacement plate to the dealer when warranted.
