How should vehicles with an altered or removed VIN be treated?

Vehicles with an altered or removed Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) should be reported to a department representative. This is crucial because the VIN is a unique identifier for vehicles and plays a key role in tracking ownership, history, and safety compliance. An altered or removed VIN raises significant concerns regarding the vehicle's legality, potential theft, or tampering, which necessitates further investigation by authorized personnel. Reporting such cases ensures that proper protocols are followed and that any potential legal issues are addressed appropriately.

While other options suggest various levels of action, the recommended procedure of reporting the issue ensures that the vehicle's status can be assessed within the framework of the law and departmental policies, thus protecting both the inspector and the integrity of the vehicle registration process.