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New York Consolidated Laws

N.Y. Penal Law § 170.70 (2026)

Illegal possession of a vehicle identification number

✓ text as retrieved May 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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§ 170.70 Illegal possession of a vehicle identification number.
  A person is guilty of illegal possession of a vehicle identification
number when:
  (1) He knowingly possesses a vehicle identification number label,
sticker or plate which has been removed from the vehicle or vehicle part
to which such label, sticker or plate was affixed by the manufacturer in
accordance with 49 U.S.C. section 32101, et seq. and regulations
promulgated thereunder or in accordance with the provisions of the
vehicle and traffic law; or
  (2) He knowingly possesses a vehicle or vehicle part to which is
attached a vehicle identification number label, sticker or plate or on
which is stamped or embossed a vehicle identification number which has
been destroyed, covered, defaced, altered or otherwise changed, or a
vehicle or vehicle part from which a vehicle identification number
label, sticker or plate has been removed, which label, sticker or plate
was affixed in accordance with 49 U.S.C. section 32101, et seq. or
regulations promulgated thereunder, except when he has complied with the
provisions of the vehicle and traffic law and regulations promulgated
thereunder; or
  (3) He knowingly possesses a vehicle, or part of a vehicle to which by
law or regulation must be attached a vehicle identification number,
either (a) with a vehicle identification number label, sticker, or plate
which was not affixed by the manufacturer in accordance with 49 U.S.C.
section 32101, et seq. or regulations promulgated thereunder, or in
accordance with the provisions of the vehicle and traffic law or
regulations promulgated thereunder, or (b) on which is affixed, stamped
or embossed a vehicle identification number which was not affixed,
stamped or embossed by the manufacturer, or in accordance with 49 U.S.C.
section 32101, et seq. or regulations promulgated thereunder or in
accordance with the provisions of the vehicle and traffic law or
regulations promulgated thereunder.
  Illegal possession of a vehicle identification number is a class E
felony.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11 cases, 1986–2019 · leading case: Mark Cook v. Roberta Sheldon, 41 F.3d 73 (2d Cir. 1994).
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Mark Cook v. Roberta Sheldon, 41 F.3d 73 (2d Cir. 1994). “This is the nub of the case. We find the Troopers’ position unsupportable.”
United States v. Wallace, 937 F.3d 130 (2d Cir. 2019). “However, I write to note my concern with the district court’s finding that Wallace knew the federal label was missing from the doorjamb, as is required under N.Y. Penal Law § 170.70 . The district court made this finding for two 15 reasons: 1) Wallace’s “deep knowledge of .”
Smith v. Scott, 294 A.D.2d 11 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2002). “The attorney for the defendants stated in an affirmation that the plaintiffs son, Christopher, possessed a detached VIN plate which was a class E felony (Penal Law § 170.70). He did not state, however, that Christopher was actually charged with this felony.”
People v. Sullivan, 137 Misc. 2d 909 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1987). · cites it 10× “Defendant moves for inspection of the Grand Jury minutes and dismissal of counts 103 and 138 through 166 on the grounds that Federal safety stickers are not vehicle identification numbers (VINs) as defined by Penal Law § 170.70. statement of facts Defendant, a licensed auto…”
People v. Salley, 133 Misc. 2d 447 (1986). “They were charged with one count of violating Penal Law § 170.70 (3) (b) (illegal possession of a vehicle identification number plate), and two counts of violating Penal Law § 164.”
People v. Malatesta, 186 Misc. 2d 312 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 1999). “Penal Law § 170.70 (2) makes it a class E felony to possess a vehicle from which the VIN plate has been removed.”
People v. Steiner, 117 A.D.2d 692 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 1986). · cites it 2× “With respect to defendant’s conviction of illegal possession of a vehicle identification number plate, it is evident that the indictment alleged a violation of Penal Law § 170.70 (3). The court, however, mistakenly charged the jury on the law as it pertains to Penal Law § 170.”
Best Sound & Sec., Inc. v. New York City Police Dep't, 16 A.D.3d 528 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 2005). “On August 7, 2003, Zitserman was arrested and charged in a felony complaint with illegal possession of a VIN (see Penal Law § 170.70 [2]). Following a hearing, by order dated November 6, 2003, the Supreme Court, among other things, granted the plaintiffs motion and directed the…”
People v. Stephens, 177 Misc. 2d 819 (N.Y. City Crim. Ct. 1998). “45), knowingly exercised control of a vehicle without the consent of the owner (unauthorized use of a vehicle) (Penal Law § 165.”
People v. Ahing, 125 A.D.2d 476 (N.Y. App. Div. 2d Dep't 1986). “This observation, standing alone, was sufficient to establish probable cause for the defendant’s arrest (see, Penal Law § 170.70), and gave the officers reason to suspect other criminal activity (cf.”
People v. Codrington, 165 Misc. 2d 214 (N.Y. City Crim. Ct. 1995). · cites it 3× “Defendant was charged with illegal possession of a vehicle *215 identification number (Penal Law § 170.70 [1]) which was subsequently reduced to the attempt (Penal Law §§ 110.”
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