WMI Registration India | Get VIN Code for Vehicles

Defining Vehicle Identity

Apply for WMI registration in India. Mandatory for manufacturers of cars, bikes, and trailers. Expert guidance on BIS/SAE registration for VIN.

Get your unique World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) to legally assign Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) to your vehicles.

The DNA of your vehicle. Obtain a unique WMI code to globally identify your manufactured vehicles and ensure legal compliance with RTO and BIS norms.

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The WMI uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, the country of origin, and the vehicle type. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the authorized agency for assigning WMI codes.

Any entity looking to manufacture or assemble vehicles in India, including E-Rickshaws, Trailers, and E-Bikes, must obtain a WMI code. This code is critical for the vehicle's identity, tracking, and most importantly, for the registration process with the Regional Transport Office (RTO) via the Vahan portal.

QuickTaxperts provides professional support for WMI registration, ensuring your manufacturing license is in order and managing the technical application process with BIS.

• Category: Product Certification
• The WMI is recognized globally under international standards (ISO 3780).
• Each manufacturer is assigned a unique code that never changes.
• Essential for product recalls, insurance, and theft tracking.
• Required for obtaining Type Approval from agencies like ARAI or ICAT.
• Mandatory for all manufacturers of 2-wheelers, 4-wheelers, and trailers
• Issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in India
• Enables the generation of a unique 17-digit VIN for each vehicle
• Essential for vehicle registration with RTO (Vahan portal)

The 17-Digit VIN Anatomy

Understanding what your VIN says about the vehicle.

• Characters 1-3: WMI: World Manufacturer Identifier (Assigned by BIS).
• Characters 4-9: VDS: Vehicle Descriptor Section (Models and specifications).
• Characters 10-17: VIS: Vehicle Indicator Section (Year, plant, and serial number).

Documents required

Document requirements vary by entity type, state, premises, and authority. These are the usual groups we verify before submission.

• WMI Checklist: Manufacturing License / Factory License.; Udyam/MSME Registration (if applicable).; Certificate of Incorporation and MOA/AOA.; PAN and Aadhaar of the authorized signatory.; Detailed list of vehicle types to be manufactured.; Plant layout and machinery list.; Type Approval certificates (if already obtained).

Process and timeline

• Legal Check: Ensuring the company has the necessary manufacturing approvals.
• Application Prep: Drafting the WMI request letter and technical annexures for BIS.
• Online Filing: Submitting the application on the BIS portal for WMI allocation.
• Fee Payment: Paying the WMI allocation and administrative fees.
• Code Issuance: Receiving the official WMI allocation letter from BIS.
• SAE Notification: The code is shared with SAE International for global records.

Expert review

WMI Registration India | Get VIN Code for Vehicles content is reviewed by QuickTaxperts Automotive Compliance Team, Automotive Regulatory Consultants.

• Checklist-led review
• Document pre-verification
• Authority-specific next steps

Frequently asked questions

These quick answers cover common planning questions before you request a checklist or quote.

• What is WMI?: WMI stands for World Manufacturer Identifier, a 3-character code that identifies the maker and country of a vehicle.
• Is WMI mandatory for E-Rickshaws?: Yes, every vehicle manufacturer, including those of electric vehicles and trailers, must have a WMI.
• Who issues WMI in India?: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the national agency for assigning WMI codes in India.
• What is a VIN number?: VIN is a unique 17-digit code assigned to every individual vehicle; WMI is the first part of this code.
• How long is a WMI code valid?: A WMI code is assigned permanently to a manufacturer for a specific category of vehicles.
• Do I need a separate WMI for different vehicle types?: A manufacturer might be assigned different WMIs for different categories like 2-wheelers and 4-wheelers.
• What is SAE International's role?: SAE maintains the global database of all WMIs to ensure there are no duplicates worldwide.
• How long does the registration take?: WMI allocation by BIS usually takes 30 to 45 days after a complete application is submitted.