Florida Notary Practice Exam

What must a notary do when verifying a VIN?

1. Confirm the VIN through documentation

2. Inspect the vehicle and compare the VIN

3. Contact the manufacturer for verification

4. Take a photograph of the VIN

The correct answer is: Inspect the vehicle and compare the VIN

When verifying a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), it is essential for a notary to inspect the vehicle and physically compare the VIN listed on the vehicle with any documentation that may be presented. This hands-on approach ensures that the VIN has not been tampered with and that it accurately matches what is registered for the vehicle. Inspecting the vehicle allows the notary to confirm the authenticity of the VIN by visually checking it against the documentation provided by the owner, such as the title or registration. This step is crucial in preventing fraud and ensuring that the vehicle is being accurately represented, as the VIN is a unique identifier for each vehicle. While confirming the VIN through existing documentation is a standard part of the process, simply relying on documentation without verifying it against the actual vehicle does not provide sufficient assurance of accuracy. Taking a photograph of the VIN may help in record-keeping but does not fulfill the verification requirement on its own. Contacting the manufacturer for verification is usually unnecessary for notarial purposes, as the examination of the vehicle and present documentation suffices to validate the VIN effectively.