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VIN

PyPI - Version PyPI - Python Version license

VIN validates Vehicle Identification Numbers and decodes the vehicle's manufacturer, make, model, series, trim, and model year.

>>> from vin import VIN

>>> VIN('KNDCE3LG2L5073161').description
'2020 Kia Niro EX Premium'

>>> vin("5FNYF5H59HB011946").manufacturer
'Honda'

>>> vin("5FNYF5H59HB011946").model_year
2017

>>> vin("YT9NN1U14KA007175").manufacturer
'Koenigsegg'

VIN supports passenger vehicles manufactured since 1980:

  • Passenger Cars
  • Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
  • Light Trucks

VIN does not currently support:

  • Buses
  • Heavy Trucks
  • Incomplete Vehicles
  • Low Speed Vehicles (LSV)
  • Motorcycles
  • Off Road Vehicles
  • Trailers

Why use VIN?

  • Accurate — Uses U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration vehicle data.
  • Fast — Validate and decode hundreds of VINs per second.

Installation

Use pip to install the library:

$ pip install vin

Vehicle Identification Number

A VIN is a unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number.

  • Uniquely identifies vehicles manufactured for sale or use in the United States since 1980
  • Assigned by vehicle manufacturers
  • Governed by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

The structure of the VIN is:

                                  model year
                                      |
             WMI          check digit | plant
           |-----|                 |  |  |  |--- serial ----|
Position   1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9  10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
                    |-----------|     |---------------------|
                         VDS                    VIS

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) holds the country, region, and name of the vehicle manufacturer. Mass-market manufacturers are assigned a three-character WMI. Specialized manufacturers are assigned a six- character WMI (positions 1-3 and 12-14)

The Vehicle Description Section (VDS) is defined by manufacturers to identify the vehicle make, model, body type, engine type, restraints, and the weight class (for trucks and multi-purpose vehicles).

The Vehicle Identification Section (VIS) identifies the model year, plant where the vehicle was made, and the vehicle's serial number.

For more information, see the VIN specification.

Vehicle Data

Vehicle data is provided by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Product Information Catalog and Vehicle Listing (vPIC).

License

VIN is distributed under the terms of the MIT license.