New York statute
N.Y. Penal Law § 170.65 — Forgery of a vehicle identification number
Current through 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17)
Part of Article 170: Forgery and Related Offenses, New York Penal Law.
Criminal charges under this statute
Full text of N.Y. Penal Law § 170.65
Statutory text current through the 2026 legislative session (LBDC text via OpenLegislation as of 2026-07-17). This publication reproduces the text of the Consolidated Laws of New York as provided by the New York State Senate's Open Legislation service (Legislative Bill Drafting Commission statutory text); it is not the official statutes of the State of New York.
170.65 Forgery of a vehicle identification number.
A person is guilty of forgery of a vehicle identification number when:
(1) He knowingly destroys, covers, defaces, alters or otherwise
changes the form or appearance of a vehicle identification number on any
vehicle or component part thereof, except tires; or
(2) He removes any such number from a vehicle or component part
thereof, except as required by the provisions of the vehicle and traffic
law; or
(3) He affixes a vehicle identification number to a vehicle, except in
accordance with the provisions of the vehicle and traffic law.
(4) He or she, with intent to defraud, knowingly manufactures,
produces or reproduces a vehicle identification number label, sticker or
plate which was not manufactured, produced or reproduced in accordance
with the rules and regulations promulgated by the United States National
Highway Safety Administration and/or in accordance with the provisions
of the state vehicle and traffic law.
Forgery of a vehicle identification number is a class E felony.
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