The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the unique 17-character code that identifies a single vehicle worldwide. It encodes the manufacturer, model, year and plant of production, effectively the vehicle’s “fingerprint”.
Where to find it
The VIN is stamped on the chassis and printed on the registration and logbook, usually also on a plate visible through the windscreen. It’s used for registration, insurance, recalls and parts management.
Why it matters for fleets
In connected vehicle tracking, the VIN is the activation key: to enable a vehicle for hardware-free fleet tracking via Cloud OEM, you simply enter the VIN. Nothing to install. The manufacturer links the data feed to that vehicle and the platform starts receiving it. See also the guide to hardware-free tracking.
FAQ
How many characters does a VIN have?
A standard VIN has 17 alphanumeric characters (letters and numbers), encoding the manufacturer, vehicle attributes and a sequential serial number.
Why is the VIN needed for Cloud OEM?
Because it uniquely identifies the vehicle: by entering it, the manufacturer can link that vehicle’s data feed to the platform the fleet has chosen, activating tracking with no devices.