French translation: numéro minéralogique / d'immatriculation
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The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2010-06-03 08:54:11 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
English to French translations [PRO] Law/Patents - Automotive / Cars & Trucks / vehicle insurance
Accident reports always quote the vehicle registration number, aka 'index number' — take it from me as a native speaker that this is just part of British culture and has to be accepted as such.
Sadly, a confusion arises, because some sources (including supposedly reliable ones!) incorrectly expand VIN [Vehicle Identification Number] to Vehicle Index Number instead; but do note that here it is 'index number of vehicle' — and this is what you will normally find quoted on an insurance report form etc.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 7 hrs (2010-05-30 20:06:14 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is housed in a mobile unit. Both colour and infrared cameras are used to capture images of vehicle number plates as they pass by. The index number is read automatically and checked against a number of databases (including DVLA) held on computer.
In your previous quesiton, you referred to an insurance report (in which case the index number would indeed be the licence plate number as I've said) — however, now you've changed the context to 'vehicle manufacturing', which could rather change things (as at the manufacturing stage, cars don't actually yet have a licence plate number). Please clarify!
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index number of vehicle
numéro de châssis du véhicule
Explanation: "Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and Classic Cars
Today, most of us know how Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) work. However, very few of us would actually have any idea about the VINs that existed before 1980. Only since 1980, have we had a standard VIN system and the VIN is now a 17 digit alphanumeric code that identifies the vehicle based on its country of origin, its manufacturer, manufacturing division, vehicle description, accuracy of VIN, model year, assembly plant, and serial number.
Your Zip Code
How were the VINs made prior to 1980? Were they as important as they are today? Well, maybe not. One major difference between the VINs before 1980 and the VINs of today is that the code is mandatory today. Today, every car is required to have a unique VIN code of 17 characters. In the past, the VINs were mostly serial numbers that represented the make, model, and year of the vehicle. Only a handful of the manufacturers actually went the extra mile to introduce characters to correspond with the assembly plant and type of engine.
Lack of Set Standards
There were no real set standards for VIN numbers existing before the introduction of the VIN standards in 1980. As a result, there are no proper instructions on how to go about decoding a VIN that existed before 1980. Classic cars are quite a rage among certain car lovers. It would mean a lot to them if they were able to identify if the car they own is unique because it rolled out first, hundredth, or last from the assembly line of its manufacturer. They have faced a daunting task of gathering data about the car with the help of Vehicle Index Numbers. However, with some extra effort and luck, they might be able to find the car's production number and information. " http://www.insuranceusa.com/Vehicle-Identification-Numbers-V...
"Les 17 premiers caractères du numéro de châssis du véhicule composent le V.I.N.. Le V.I.N. est constitué de trois parties : - Les 3 premiers caractères sont ..." http://www.autopratique.com/vin.php
FX Fraipont Belgium Local time: 13:12 Works in field Native speaker of: French PRO pts in category: 878
Accident reports always quote the vehicle registration number, aka 'index number' — take it from me as a native speaker that this is just part of British culture and has to be accepted as such.
Sadly, a confusion arises, because some sources (including supposedly reliable ones!) incorrectly expand VIN [Vehicle Identification Number] to Vehicle Index Number instead; but do note that here it is 'index number of vehicle' — and this is what you will normally find quoted on an insurance report form etc.
-------------------------------------------------- Note added at 7 hrs (2010-05-30 20:06:14 GMT) --------------------------------------------------
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is housed in a mobile unit. Both colour and infrared cameras are used to capture images of vehicle number plates as they pass by. The index number is read automatically and checked against a number of databases (including DVLA) held on computer.
Tony M France Local time: 13:12 Specializes in field Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 149
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): -1
