VIN Bulletin 24VIN15 — Emission Label Requirements

Why California Dealers and Verifiers Must Double-Check Emissions Labels

With the release of VIN Bulletin 24VIN15, the California DMV has reinforced the importance of emissions label verification during VIN inspections. This new bulletin targets a common source of documentation errors — missing or incorrect emissions labels — and standardizes the inspection process across all verification types.

If you’re processing used vehicles, out-of-state cars, or gray market imports, this update is for you.

Sample California and EPA-compliant vehicle emission control label with model year, engine group, and fuel type.

What Does VIN Bulletin 24VIN15 Cover?

This bulletin clarifies how to handle vehicles that lack under-hood emission labels, or have labels that are illegible, tampered with, or inconsistent with the VIN or vehicle documentation.

It’s especially relevant for:

  • Out-of-state vehicles
  • Salvage or rebuilt cars
  • Vehicles that have undergone engine swaps

Key Requirements in VIN Bulletin 24VIN15

1. Label Must Be Intact and Legible

  • The emission control label must be located in the engine compartment.
  • It must show:
    • Certification standard (e.g., “U.S. EPA,” “California OBD II”)
    • Engine family and displacement
    • Model year

2. Missing Label = Mandatory BAR Referral

  • If a label is missing or unreadable:
    • Do not attempt verification
    • Direct the vehicle to a BAR referee for inspection and documentation
    • Annotations must be made on the REG 31 noting label absence

3. Gray Market and Import Vehicles

  • Vehicles without a federal EPA or California ARB label are considered non-compliant
  • These vehicles cannot be registered without BAR authorization

4. Photo Documentation Strongly Encouraged

  • DMV recommends attaching a photo of the emission label to every REG 31 when possible
  • This ensures consistency and reduces the chance of rejection
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards label with VIN and manufacturing data for compliance checks.
California and EPA emissions label on a Mercedes-Benz vehicle showing model year, OBD, and engine displacement.

Common VIN Rejection Scenarios

  • No under-hood emission label
  • Label doesn’t match engine family or model year
  • Label is in another language or region code (e.g., EU or Japan only)
  • Gray market import with no EPA or CARB data

    Why This Bulletin Matters

    Failing to verify emissions compliance can result in:

    • Rejected REG 31 submissions
    • Delays in registration
    • DMV audit flags for repeated violations

    With increased EPA and CARB enforcement, getting this part right is essential for California dealers.

    📁 Required Forms & Resources