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May 23, 2016

Alaska Vehicle Identification Numbers

As of June 1, 2000, it is a violation of both Alaska state law and federal laws to release information on vehicle records. It can be released if the person or entity meets certain conditions, which can be found on Form 851 – Request for Vehicle Record, and it is available to the owner of the vehicle for a fee of $10.00. The state will provide the information to any federal, state, or local government agency.

Residents of Alaska are expected to transfer the title of a new vehicle into their name within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle by getting a new title. The state issues titles for passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, vans, motorhomes, manufactured homes, motorcycle, and trailers. Camper Shells are neither titled nor registered by the state of Alaska. Information about this process, and information about titles from basic information to special titles and how to handle changes in ownership, can be found on Alaska’s Department of Motor Vehicle website. The laws regarding titles in Alaska can be found in Chapter 92 – Vehicle Registration, Transfer, and Title.

Form 851 – Request for Vehicle Record

Department of Motor Vehicles in Alaska

Alaska Legislature Code

Why are VIN checks so important?

VIN fraud is illegal and is a felony in the state of Alaska, including when the VIN is removed during the restoration of a car. One of the best ways to protect yourself from becoming the victim of vehicle fraud is to obtain a Vehicle History Report, which will include information such as:

  • Information on the past owners, including:
    • The number of owners the car has had; and
    • The odometer readings at the time of each change in ownership.
  • Whether there are liens on the vehicle – you want to ensure that any vehicle you purchase is clear of any liens against it;
  • Title and accident history – this will usually include any accident reports, information regarding whether the car was involved in a flood, whether the car has been in a salvage yard, and will also tell you the name of the legal owner of the car;
  • Odometer settings and rollback alerts – sellers of cars have been known to “rollback” the numbers on the odometer so that the car appears to have lower mileage which increases the value of the car; and
  • “Lemon” determination – a VIN check will alert you if your car has been deemed a “lemon” and been repurchased by the manufacturer.

Some VIN checks may even tell you information as specific as the dates of servicing of the vehicle or if it has previously been sold at an auction.

Where do you get a VIN check in the state of Alaska?

Alaska is one of the 40 states which is in in full compliance with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. The NMVTIS is a searchable database which provides data on cars that have been in recycling yards, junkyards, and salvage yards. There is also VINCheck which is run by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB.) They provide free VIN checks to the public which will tell you if the car has been reported stolen and not found, and if the vehicle has been marked for salvage. There are other private companies which will provide with more detailed information for a price.

NMVTIS

VINcheck

Lemon Laws in Alaska

Lemon laws (also called the Alaska Motor Vehicle Warranties Act) in the State of Alaska are one of the consumer protection laws under the Alaska Department of Law. The laws in Alaska only cover certain vehicles and generally do NOT cover used cars. Cars which are used and are found to be lemons may be covered under the federal “lemon law” (the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.) While many people chose to fight with car manufacturers without an attorney, there are lawyers who specialize in lemon laws. If you decide to hire an attorney you should hire one in the state of Alaska and who has experience with lemon cases, preferably cases with similarities to your case.

The Alaska lemon law covers vehicles which are mainly for personal or family use and doesn’t apply to used cars. To be covered the vehicle must have a problem or defect that is covered by the manufacturer’s warranty AND significantly reduces either the use of, or the market value of, the car. The law is very specific on the details:

  • For the car to be considered “substantially impaired” enough to be covered by the lemon law in Alaska, it must have a problem so severe that the car is either inoperable or unsafe to operate;
  • To “substantially impair” the market value, the car must be worth significantly less than a comparable car that does not have the same issue; and
  • If the defects in the car are not reported within the first year of purchase or lease of the vehicle they are not covered.

The law in Alaska presumes that the consumer has given the manufacturer the opportunity to repair the vehicle three (3) or more times or that the car has been in the repair shop for thirty (30) or more business days, not necessarily in a row, for repairs related to the defect which qualifies the car for coverage under the Lemon Law. After three (3) repair attempts, the consumer is expected to provide the manufacturer of the car with written notice and one more opportunity to repair the vehicle. If repairs are not made, or are not successful, after the written notice then the manufacturer is responsible for compensating the consumer with either a new vehicle of comparable value or a full refund of the purchase price of the vehicle.

The Alaska Department of Law provides a website for consumers which is easy to read and does not use legal jargon. Some of things recommended by the state include:

  • Read and UNDERSTAND the warranty before purchasing the car;
  • Keep a copy of the receipt and the information you receive when you purchase and take possession of the car;
  • Follow recommendations in the owners’ manual when it comes to recommended car maintenance;
  • Contact the dealer immediately if you are having problems;
  • If you begin to experience problems keep all the documentation together, including receipts, emails and notes from telephone conversations;
  • If you decide to consult with an attorney and do not have one, contact the Alaska Bar Association Lawyer’s Referral Service in Anchorage. The toll-free number is 800-770-9999;
  • When mailing paperwork to the dealer always use certified mail;
  • Contact the Consumer Protection Unit for the state of Alaska at 1-888-576-2529 or by email.

Alaska Motor Vehicle Warranties Act

Alaska Department of Law

Email address for the Consumer Protection Unit for the state of Alaska: consumerprotection@alaska.gov

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Anchorage Benson DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
1300 W Benson Blvd
1 907-269-5551
Open until 5:00 PMMotor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
1420 Alaska Hwy
1 907-895-4424

Eagle River DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
11723 Old Glenn Hwy #113
1 907-269-3750
Open until 5:00 PM

Motor Vehicles Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
City Hall at 300 State Highway, 300 State Hwy
1 907-543-2771
Open until 4:00 PM

Homer Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
3798 Lake St
1 907-235-7341

Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
517 W 7th Ave #200
1 907-269-5551
Open until 5:00 PM

Alaska DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
1300 W Benson Blvd #900
1 907-465-4361

Fairbanks DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
1979 Peger Rd
1 907-451-5180
Open until 4:30 PM

Division of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
515 E Dahlia Ave
1 907-707-1750
Open until 4:30 PM

Alaska Motor Vehicle Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
2760 Sherwood Ln
1 907-465-4361

Kodiak DMV Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
2921 Mill Bay Rd
1 907-486-4612

Soldotna DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles · Red Diamond Center
43335 Kalifornsky Beach Rd #9
1 907-262-4681

Ketchikan DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
415 Main St #103
1 907-225-4116

Alaska Tags & Titles
Auto Tag Agency
1008 W Northern Lights Blvd
1 907-332-2828
Open until 6:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
901 Halibut Point Rd
1 907-747-3253

Alaska Tags and Titles – DMV Express
Department of Motor Vehicles
1830 E Parks Hwy
1 907-373-3681

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
Alaska Hwy

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
217 Meals Ave
1 907-835-2443

Alaska Tags & Titles
Auto Tag Agency
607 Old Steese Hwy
1 907-456-3322
Open until 6:00 PM

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
410 Adams St
1 907-224-4037

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
506 2nd St
1 907-826-3959

State of Alaska Kotzebue DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
240 5th Ave
1 907-442-3202

City of Barrow Dmv
Department of Motor Vehicles
2022 Ahkovak St
1 907-852-5661

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
259 Main St #16
1 907-766-2553

Glennallen DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
188 Glenn Hwy
1 907-822-3999

Unalaska Department of Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
29 Safety Way
1 907-581-2833

Motor Vehicles Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
Lake Ave
1 907-424-6125

Express Title & Tag
Department of Motor Vehicles
2156 Bunge St
1 907-488-3106

Yakutat Department-Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
609 Forest Hwy No 10
1 907-784-3206

Petersburg City Police
Police Department
16 S Nordic Dr
1 907-772-3838

Dillingham Motor Vehicles Division
Department of Motor Vehicles
D St
1 907-842-5162

Aurora Title & Registration Services
Auto Tag Agency
283 Sylvan Rd
1 907-376-4368
Open until 5:00 PM

Wrangell Police Department
Police Department
431 Zimovia Hwy
1 907-874-3304

Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
214 E Front St #219
1 907-443-2350
Permanently closed

DMV Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
1800 Glenn Hwy #1
1 907-745-2185
Relocated

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