761—400.51 (321) Assigned identification numbers. The department is authorized to issue to the owner an assigned vehicle identification number for a vehicle, an assigned component part number for a component part, and an assigned product identification number for a fence-line feeder, grain cart, or tank wagon. An identification number shall be assigned only if the department is satisfied as to the true identity and ownership of the vehicle, component part, fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon. When an assigned vehicle identification number has been issued for a vehicle, the vehicle shall be registered and titled under that number. An assigned component part number or an assigned product identification number shall be used only for identification purposes.
	 400.51(1) Issuance of an identification number. The department shall issue an assigned vehicle identification number, assigned component part number or assigned product identification number, as applicable, only if:
	  a.   	 The original number has been destroyed, removed or obliterated.
	  b.   	 The vehicle has had a cab, body, or frame change and the replacement cab, body, or frame is within the manufacturer’s interchangeability parts specifications catalog and is compatible with the make, model, and year of the vehicle. If the replacement cab, body, or frame change is not within the manufacturer’s interchangeability parts specifications catalog or is not compatible with the make, year, and model of the vehicle, the vehicle shall be considered reconstructed and subject to rule 761—400.16(321).
	  c.   	 The vehicle is a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle. See rule 761—400.16(321) for the requirements and procedures applicable to specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicles.
	 400.51(2) Procedures.
	  a.   	 Request. Whenever an assigned identification number is required under subrule 400.51(1) and the request does not apply to a specially constructed, reconstructed, street rod or replica motor vehicle, the owner of the vehicle, component part, fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon, or the person holding lawful custody, shall contact the department’s office of motor vehicle enforcement and request the assignment of a number.
	  b.   	 Examination. A motor vehicle investigator shall contact the owner and schedule a time and place for examination of the vehicle, component part, fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon and ownership documents.
If the vehicle has had a cab, body, or frame change, the owner shall have, for evidence of ownership for the replacement cab, body, or frame, a bill of sale with a description of the part, complete with the manufacturer’s identification number, if any, and the name, address, and telephone number of the seller. The bill of sale, the vehicle, and the cab, body, or frame that has been replaced shall be made available for examination at the time and place scheduled.
	  c.   	 Assigned vehicle identification number.
	 (1) 	 The investigator upon approval of the request shall affix to the vehicle an assigned vehicle identification number and give to the owner an assigned vehicle identification number (VIN) form.
	 (2) 	 The owner shall submit the VIN form, the certificate of title, and the registration receipt issued for the vehicle to the county treasurer. If the certificate of title is in the possession of a secured party, the county treasurer shall notify the secured party to return the certificate of title to the county treasurer for the purpose of issuing a corrected title. Upon receipt of the notification, the secured party shall submit the certificate of title within ten days. The county treasurer, upon receipt of the certificate of title, the registration receipt and the VIN form, shall issue a corrected title and registration receipt listing as the vehicle identification number the assigned vehicle identification number.
	  d.   	 Assigned component part number. The investigator upon approval of the request shall affix to the component part an assigned component part number and give to the owner a component part form. The owner shall retain the form as a record of issuance and attachment. The form shall be made available on demand by any peace officer for examination.
	  e.   	 Assigned product identification number. The investigator upon approval of the request shall affix an assigned product identification number to the fence-line feeder, grain cart or tank wagon and give to the owner an assigned product identification number form. The owner shall retain the form as a record of issuance and attachment. The form shall be made available on demand by any peace officer for examination.
	 400.51(3) Fees. A certificate of title fee and a fee for a notation of a security interest, if applicable, shall be collected by the county treasurer upon issuance of a corrected certificate of title.
This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code sections 321.1, 321.43 and 321.92.
[ARC 9048B, IAB 9/8/10, effective 10/13/10]