BS AU 175-4A-1997 (2011) PDF

Full title and description

STB BS AU 175-4A-1997 (2011) — National adoption (STB) of British Standard BS AU 175-4A:1997, "Vehicle identification numbers (VIN). Specification for a visible vehicle identification number". The document defines requirements for a visible VIN plate/marking applied under the control of the vehicle manufacturer to allow unambiguous vehicle identification without needing physical access to hidden VIN locations.

Abstract

This standard specifies visibility, secure location, marking style and fixing requirements for a vehicle's visible VIN so that vehicles (passenger and light commercial) can be identified reliably from the exterior. It covers size, contrast, placement and fixation/fastening to resist removal or tampering and is intended to complement the content/structure rules for VINs in related standards.

General information

• Status: Active / Confirmed.
• Publication date: National adoption: 2011 (designated STB BS AU 175-4A-1997 (2011)); original BSI designation: BS AU 175-4A:1997 (published / republished by BSI with a 2004 publication record and reviewed/confirmed in 2011).
• Publisher: For the STB designation — State (national) standard registry of the Republic of Belarus (STB); original text / originating publisher — British Standards Institution (BSI).
• ICS / categories: 43.020 Road vehicles in general — vehicle identification, marking and theft-prevention measures.
• Edition / version: Designation shows the 1997 BSI edition (BS AU 175-4A:1997) as adopted nationally in 2011; BSI record shows a 2004 publication entry and a confirmation review in December 2011.
• Number of pages: 8 pages.

Scope

The standard applies to motor vehicles with at least four wheels used for carriage of passengers (up to eight seats in addition to the driver) and to light goods vehicles with a maximum gross weight not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. It sets requirements so a visible VIN provides consistent identification without accessing internal or concealed VIN locations and requires the visible VIN to be applied and controlled by the vehicle manufacturer.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and purpose of a visible VIN (complementary to VIN content/structure standards).
• Visibility criteria: character size, font/legibility, contrast and orientation to ensure external readability.
• Location and placement requirements: recommended/mandated positions on the vehicle exterior to support inspection without disassembly.
• Fixings and resistance to tampering: secure attachment methods and measures to deter or reveal removal or alteration.
• Manufacturer control and application: issuance, application under manufacturer control and traceability of visible VIN markings.
• Applicability limits: passenger vehicles (≤8 seats plus driver) and light commercial vehicles (≤3.5 t).

Typical use and users

Used by vehicle manufacturers and OEM bodyshops to design and apply compliant visible VIN markings; by vehicle registration authorities, border/customs agents and law-enforcement for visual identification; by vehicle inspection and compliance organizations and by aftermarket and repair operators to ensure marking integrity and traceability.

Related standards

Closely linked with VIN content/structure standards and WMI rules such as BS AU 175-1b (specification for VIN content and structure), ISO 3779 / ISO 3780 (VIN and World Manufacturer Identifier rules), and other parts of the BS AU 175 series covering marking and identification. Implementers often reference the underlying BSI and ISO documents for full VIN coding and assignment rules.

Keywords

VIN, visible VIN, vehicle identification number, marking, location, visibility, fixings, tamper resistance, vehicle manufacturer, STB, BS AU 175-4A.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: STB BS AU 175-4A-1997 (2011) is the Belarusian (STB) national designation/adoption of the British Standard BS AU 175-4A:1997, providing requirements for a vehicle's visible VIN marking so vehicles can be identified externally in a consistent way.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers visibility, placement/location, marking characteristics (size/contrast/legibility), secure fixings and the requirement that visible VIN application is performed under manufacturer control for specified classes of passenger and light commercial vehicles.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Vehicle manufacturers, vehicle registration and inspection authorities, customs and law-enforcement, vehicle repair and bodyshops, and compliance/certification bodies dealing with vehicle identification and anti-theft measures.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The underlying BSI document BS AU 175-4A:1997 is recorded as a confirmed/current BSI publication (BSI publication records show a 2004 publication entry and a review/confirmation in December 2011). The STB-designated text is presented as the 2011 national adoption; users should check the national STB registry or the BSI catalogue for any later amendments or replacements before relying on the document for certification or legal compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is one part of the BS AU 175 family addressing VINs and related identification topics; other parts include specifications for VIN content/structure and related identification provisions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: VIN, visible VIN, vehicle identification, marking, placement, tamper resistance, vehicle manufacturer, STB, BSI, ISO 3779, ISO 3780.