Interpretation ID: aiam3195
Manager
Certification Department
American Honda Motor Co.
Inc.
P.O. Box 50
100 W. Alondra Boulevard
Gardena
California 90247;
Dear Mr. Gill: This is in response to your letter of November 18, 1979, requesting a interpretation as to whether the VIN plate samples you enclosed with your letter comply with the requirements of Standard No. 115, *Vehicle identification number*.; You enclosed two proposed VIN plates in your letter, one fo automobiles and one for motorcycles.The VIN plates themselves and the pre-printed lettering which appears on them seem to conform to the requirement of Standard No. 115. The lettering is clear and indelible, as required by S4.3, in that it cannot be removed without damage to the surface on which it is printed. Further, the plate when riveted to the vehicle would be considered to be permanently affixed in that it cannot be removed without damage (S4.3). The type face utilized for the lettering consists of capital, sans serif characters with a minimum height of 4 mm as required by S4.3.1.; The letters stamped on the automobile VIN plate 'SL5322AS000001', ca hardly be seen, and would not appear to meet the requirements of S4.3 and S4.4.; Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel