Section 4166 Of Article 2. Original Registration From California Vehicle Code >> Division 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 2.

. The department may assign a distinguishing vehicle identification number to a motor vehicle whenever the motor or other identifying number thereon is removed, destroyed or obliterated, and any motor vehicle to which a distinguishing vehicle identification number is assigned as authorized herein shall be registered under the number so assigned when registration of the motor vehicle is required under this code.