# VIN & Plate Identity

# VIN & Plate Identity

Vehicle OS adds a permanent VIN identity that is independent of the current plate.

## Why VIN exists

Plates can be changed. A VIN provides a stable identity for history, snapshots, access and service metadata even after a plate replacement.

## Plate aliases

Old plates can be retained as aliases/history so integrations can resolve previous identities.

Useful exports:

```lua
exports['nord_garages']:GetVehicleIdentity(plateOrVin)
exports['nord_garages']:ChangeVehiclePlate(plateOrVin, newPlate, actor)
exports['nord_garages']:CompareVehicles({ valueA, valueB })
```

Do not change a framework plate directly without also reconciling Nord Garages; use the supported export for integrated workflows.