§ 511. Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1. 1984

   Motor Vehicle Theft Law Enforcement Act of 1984

   Pub. L. 98–547 title II § 201(a) · 98 Stat. 2754

   Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 511

   Added Pub. L. 98–547, title II, § 201(a), Oct. 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 2768

   Source evidence

   Code source credit
   Added Pub. L. 98–547, title II, § 201(a), Oct. 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 2768

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Chapter 25 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new sections: “§511. Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers “(a) Whoever knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle, or motor vehicle part, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both. “(b) (1) Subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration by a person specified in paragraph (2) of this subsection (unless such person knows that the vehicle or part involved is stolen). “(2) The persons referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection are— “(A) a motor vehicle scrap processor or a motor vehicle demolisher who complies with applicable State law with respect to such vehicle or part; “(B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair; and “(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law. “(c) As used in this section, the term— “(1) ‘identification number’ means a number or symbol that is inscribed or affixed for purposes of identification under the 15 USC 1381 note. 15 USC 1901 note. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act; “(2) ‘motor vehicle’ has the meaning given that term in section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings 15 USC 1901. Act; “(3) ‘motor vehicle demolisher’ means a person, including any motor vehicle dismantler or motor vehicle recycler, who is engaged in the business of reducing motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts to metallic scrap that is unsuitable for use as either a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part; “(4) ‘motor vehicle scrap processor’ means a person— “(A) who is engaged in the business of purchasing motor vehicles or motor vehicle parts for reduction to metallic scrap for recycling; “(B) who, from a fixed location, uses machinery to process metallic scrap into prepared grades; and “(C) whose principal product is metallic scrap for recycling; but such term does not include any activity of any such person relating to the recycling of a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle part as a used motor vehicle or a used motor vehicle part. “§512. Forfeiture of certain motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts “(a) If an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part is removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered, such vehicle or part shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture to the United States unless— “(1) in the case of a motor vehicle part, such part is attached to a motor vehicle and the owner of such motor vehicle does not know that the identification number has been removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered; “(2) such motor vehicle or part has a replacement identification number that— “(A) is authorized by the Secretary of Transportation under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966; or 15 USC 1381 note. “(B) conforms to applicable State law; “(3) such removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is caused by collision or fire or is carried out as described in section 511(b) of this title; or “(4) such motor vehicle or part is in the possession or control of a motor vehicle scrap processor who does not know that such identification number was removed, obliterated, tampered with, or altered in any manner other than by collision or fire or as described in section 511(b) of this title. “(b) All provisions of law relating to— “(1) the seizure and condemnation of vessels, vehicles, merchandise, and baggage for violation of customs laws, and procedures for summary and judicial forfeiture applicable to such violations; “(2) the disposition of such vessels, vehicles, merchandise, and baggage or the proceeds from such disposition; “(3) the remission or mitigation of such forfeiture; and “(4) the compromise of claims and the award of compensation to informers with respect to such forfeiture; shall apply to seizures and forfeitures under this section, to the extent that such provisions are not inconsistent with this section. The duties of the collector of customs or any other person with respect to seizure and forfeiture under such provisions shall be performed under this section by such persons as may be designated by the Attorney General. “(c) As used in this section, the terms ‘identification number’, ‘motor vehicle’, and ‘motor vehicle scrap processor’ have the meanings given those terms in section 511 of this title.”.

2. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–272 § 5(e)(3)(A) · 108 Stat. 745

   Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 511(c)(1)

   Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(e)(3)(A), substituted “chapter 301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49” for “the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(e)(3)(A), substituted “chapter 301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49” for “the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (A) in clause (1), strike “the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, or the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act” and substitute “chapter 301 and part C of subtitle VI of title 49”; and

3. 1994

   Pub. L. 103–272 § 5(e)(3)(B) · 108 Stat. 745

   Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 511(c)(2)

   Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(e)(3)(B), substituted “section 32101 of title 49” for “section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 103–272, § 5(e)(3)(B), substituted “section 32101 of title 49” for “section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act”.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (B) in clause (2), strike “section 2 of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act” and substitute “section 32101 of title 49”.

4. 1994

   Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act

   Pub. L. 103–322 § 220003(a) · 108 Stat. 1796

   Amended · 18 U.S.C. § 511(a)

   Pub. L. 103–322, § 220003(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “Whoever knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle, or motor vehicle part, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, § 220003(a), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) read as follows: “Whoever knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle, or motor vehicle part, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.”

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (a) Basic Offense.— Subsection (a) of section 511 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(a) A person who— “(1) knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part; or “(2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle, knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.”. (b) Excepted Persons.— Paragraph (2) of section 511(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “and” after the semicolon in subparagraph (B); (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting “;and”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device by— “(i) the owner or his authorized agent; “(ii) applicable State or local law; or “(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.”

5. 1994

   Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act

   Pub. L. 103–322 § 220003(b) · 108 Stat. 1796

   Added · 18 U.S.C. § 511(b)(2)(D)

   Pub. L. 103–322, § 220003(b), added subpar. (D)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 103–322, § 220003(b), added subpar. (D).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   SEC. 220003. ALTERING OR REMOVING MOTOR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS. (a) Basic Offense.— Subsection (a) of section 511 of title 18, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: “(a) A person who— “(1) knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part; or “(2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle, knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.”. (b) Excepted Persons.— Paragraph (2) of section 511(b) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking “and” after the semicolon in subparagraph (B); (2) by striking the period at the end of subparagraph (C) and inserting “;and”; and (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: “(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device by— “(i) the owner or his authorized agent; “(ii) applicable State or local law; or “(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.” (c) Definition.— Section 511 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(d) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term ‘tampers with’ includes covering a program decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act for the purpose of obstructing its visibility.”. (d) Unauthorized Application of a Decal or Device.— (1) In general.— Chapter 25 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding after section 511 the following new section: “§511A. Unauthorized application of theft prevention decal or device “(a) Whoever affixes to a motor vehicle a theft prevention decal or other device, or a replica thereof, unless authorized to do so pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000. “(b) For purposes of this section, the term ‘theft prevention decal or device’ means a decal or other device designed in accordance with a uniform design for such devices developed pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.”. (2) Technical amendment.— The chapter analysis for chapter 25 of title 18, United States Code, Is amended by adding after the item relating to section 511 the following new item: “511A. Unauthorized application of theft prevention decal or device.”.

6. 1994

   Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act

   Pub. L. 103–322 § 220003(c) · 108 Stat. 1796

   Added · 18 U.S.C. § 511(d)

   Pub. L. 103–322, § 220003(c), added subsec. (d)

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 103–322, § 220003(c), added subsec. (d).

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (c) Definition.— Section 511 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “(d) For purposes of subsection (a) of this section, the term ‘tampers with’ includes covering a program decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act for the purpose of obstructing its visibility.”.

7. 1996

   Economic Espionage Act of 1996

   Pub. L. 104–294 title VI § 604(b)(8) · 110 Stat. 3488

   Changed · 18 U.S.C. § 511(b)(2)(D)

   Pub. L. 104–294 realigned margins

   Source evidence

   Code amendment note
   Subsec. (b)(2)(D). Pub. L. 104–294 realigned margins.

   Enacted provision · exact public law section
   (8) Subparagraph (D) of section 511(b)(2) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adjusting its margin to be the same as the margin of subparagraph (C) and adjusting the margins of its clauses so they are indented 2 ems further than the margin of the subparagraph.

   Effective date note
   Amendment by Pub. L. 104–294 effective Sept. 13, 1994, see section 604(d) of Pub. L. 104–294, set out as a note under section 13 of this title.

7 of 7 references resolved to an enrolled provision