Information about the use and meaning of vehicle signals

A vehicle signal/status is a vehicle or vehicle registration related circumstance or qualification, that normally emerged after registration of the vehicle. A signal/status may be temporary or definite.

The possibility to provide vehicle signals, applies to the EUCARIS services VHInfo/AVI, Prüm, mVHOH/sVHOH, eCall and VAT.

In the EUCARIS vehicle signals update of December 2017 a revised set of signals is introduced. The redesign of the value list was decided by EUCARIS General Assembly and Technical Working Group.

The redesign involves one new signal, as well as changes in several other signals. Sometimes only the description was changed, but for a number of signals, also the definition and intended use has changed. Which means that the consequences of the signal for enforcement and for re-registration, change as well.

This web page gives an overview of the new set of vehicle signals. It states the description, meaning and intended use of the signal, as well as the consequences for enforcement (can this vehicle use the public road or not?) and for re-registration (is the signal blocking for re-registration, should the former Member State of registration be consulted?).

Finally, the page identifies the differences between the new signals definitions, and the previous sets. It also denotes what happens with the signal if a message is downgraded to a lower message version.

Overview

If a vehicle is inquired, only signals present in the most recent value set (“active”) are communicated. So the signals 0 and 6 will not be exchanged after implementation of the EUCARIS system upgrade implementing value set 3.

A signal that applied in the past, is only communicated if a request is done with a reference date and time (this is possible in the Prüm service) and the signal did apply on that reference date and time.

In EUCARIS, three value sets of signals, are known and used:

The arrows indicate how a signal is downgraded, from a message version supporting a higher value set, to a message version supporting a lower value set.

This page focuses on explaining the newest value set (3), but does refer to previous value sets as well.

The following table lists, per EUCARIS service, what signals value is implemented in which message version:

EUCARIS service	Value set 1	Value set 2	Value set 3
AVI	N/A	N/A	1.0
eCall	—	1.0	2.0
mVHOH	1.0 and 2.0	—	3.0
Prüm	1.0	2.0	3.0
sVHOH	1.0	2.0	3.0
VHInfo	1.0 and 2.0	3.0	4.0
VAT	—	—	1.0

 

 

Vehicle signals definitions

Vehicle signals, value set 3, is denoted as the ‘current value set’. Vehicle signals, value set 2, is denoted as the ‘previous value set’.

0 = Not specified

Is abandoned in the current value set. If a Member State adapts to the current vehicle signal definitions, this signal shall not be used anymore. The signal is removed by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

The value is still present in the value list, to accommodate messages of lower versions, where the signal can be used.

In the future, the signal will be removed from the value list.

2 = Vehicle registration documents or plates stolen

Is abandoned, i.e. it has been split into two new signals, 18 and 11.

If a Member State adapts to the current vehicle signal definitions, this signal shall not be used anymore. The value is still present in the value list, to accommodate messages of lower versions, where the signal can be used.

In the future, the signal will be removed from the value list.

6 = Registration number changed

Is abandoned in the current value set. If a Member States adapts to the current vehicle signal definitions, this signal shall not be used anymore.

The value is still present in the value list, to accommodate messages of lower versions, where the signal may be used. The signal is removed by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

In the future, the signal will be removed from the value list.

1 = Vehicle stolen

Definition: ‘Vehicle has been reported stolen or missing by the police, insurance companies or other sources’

When this signal applies, the vehicle is not allowed to use the public road, and can not be re-registered in another Member State.

This signal is present in all value sets. The meaning of the signal and its consequences, are the same in all value sets.

9 = Registration suspended

Definition: “The authorisation for the vehicle to be used in road traffic is suspended for a limited period of time following which – provided the reasons for suspension have ceased to apply – it may be authorised to be used again, without involving a new process of registration.

This signal may be used for suspension on request of the vehicle owner, as well as suspension by the registration authority.

Suspension is an administrative matter, the signal does not say anything about the technical state of the vehicle.

If this signal applies, the vehicle is not allowed to use the public road. In a re-registration process, this signal has no impact.

This signal is present in all value sets. The meaning of the signal and its consequences, are the same in all value sets.

11=Vehicle registration plates stolen

Definition: “Vehicle registration plate has been reported stolen or missing by the police or other sources”

This signal is used if the vehicle registration plates are reported stolen, and no new plates have yet been issued. If new plates are issued, a Member State can choose either to not provide the signal anymore, or to keep on providing the signal as an alert message that multiple plates have been issued.

Please note that in this situation, some countries issue a new plate with a new licence plate number different from the previous one, while others issue a new plate with the same licence plate number.

Enforcement and re-registration impact: None, if the plate on the vehicle matches the vehicle registration certificate. Otherwise the vehicle is not allowed to use the public road and cannot be re-registered.

The signal is present in the current value set, as well as the previous value set, with the same description and definition.

In the oldest vehicle signals value set, signal 11 does not exist. If this value set is requested, signal 11 is downgraded by EUCARIS to signal 2.

12=Re-registration blocked

Definition: ‘Change of ownership and re-registration blocked for various administrative reasons”

The signal indicates that the Registration Authority wants to be contacted if the vehicle is offered for re-registration somewhere.

Possible reasons for providing this signal:

1. The holder or registered keeper of the vehicle has no legal right to sell or re-register the vehicle,
2. Because of tax issues,
3. Because of legal issues.

For the right to use the public road, the signal has no impact.

If this signal applies, re-registration is not possible (not before consulting the Registration Authority of the country where the vehicle is registered).

This signal is added to the value list in the current value set. In previous versions, the signal does not exist.

Signal 12 is removed by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

13 = Vehicle exported

Definition: ‘Vehicle registration ended due to the export of the vehicle’

The signal is used to indicate that the vehicle has been de-registered in the Member State, because of export. The signal also indicates that the vehicle is now registered in another country (and this new country may or may not be part of the EUCARIS network).

When this signal is provided, the vehicle data are outdated (this goes for the technical data, as well as mileages, recordings available have become outdated).

The licence plates and registration certificate have become invalid. The vehicle cannot use the public road, with the plates and registration certificate coming from the Member State that provides this signal. It will have plates and registration documents from the Member State where the vehicle is now registered.

It is not possible to re-register the vehicle, using the registration data, plates or documents from the country providing the signal. Re-registration must be based on the data, plates and documents from the new Member State of registration.

The previous version of this signal

3 = Export

is also still available. Note that the previous signal definition is broader than the current, it covers ‘intended export’ (i.e. an application for export has been made, but the export procedure is not yet final) as well as finalised export (and re-registration in another country). The consequences are different.

When this signal is provided, there are two possible situations.

1. If the export is final, as in the current data set, the vehicle data are outdated, and the licence plates and registration certificate have become invalid.
2. If the export is intended, but not yet final, the vehicle cannot use the public road, with the plates and registration certificate coming from the Member State that provides this signal, but it may carry transit or export plates. Re-registration is possible. It can and should be based on the data, plates and documents from the Member State providing the signal.

Signal 3 can still be used for vehicles exported in the past, for which it is not clear if the export fits into the new, narrower, definition.

For current cases of export, please stop using signal 3.

Signal 13 is converted to 3 by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

It is the intention to abandon signal 3 eventually, only using 13 or 15

14 = Vehicle registration cancelled due to destruction

Definition: ‘Vehicle has been reported end-of-life in accordance with Directive 2000/53/EC. The authorisation for the vehicle to be used in road traffic has been cancelled permanently’.

This signal is used for officially destructed vehicles, by a licensed destruction company, after which a Certificate of Destruction (CoD) has been issued.

When this signal applies, the vehicle does not exist anymore, it cannot be restored with the same VIN. Therefore, it is not possible that a vehicle with this signal uses the public road. Also, it is not possible to re-register a vehicle with this signal.

The previous version of this signal

4 = Scrapped

is also still available. Note that the previous signal definition is broader than the current, since it also allows cases of ‘unofficial’ destruction.

Signal 4 can still be used for vehicles destructed in the past, for which it is not clear if the destruction fits into the new, narrower, definition.

For current cases of export, please stop using signal 4.

Signal 14 is converted to 4 by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

It is the intention to abandon signal 4 eventually, only using 14 or 15.

15 = Vehicle de-registered

Definition: ‘Termination of the registration for unspecified reasons’.

Situations in which this signal maybe used’:

1. “Unofficial” destruction, i.e. the vehicle is reported as destructed, but there is no official CoD. The technical state of the vehicle is unknown (it may or may not still exist, it may or may not be repaired, refurbished, restored in any way).
2. Export (if this event cannot be specifically distinguished from other de-registration events, and/or if export is intended but not final, i.e. de-registration in the current Member State has been carried out, but the registration in the new Member State has not been completed).
3. Withdrawal of the vehicle from road traffic, because there is no holder-owner anymore, or because there are holdership-ownership issues, or there are other administrative issues.

When this signal applies, the vehicle is not allowed to use the public road. The previous version of this signal

5 = Registration inactive

is also still available. Note that the use and meaning of this signal is not very well understood. There is no common understanding about the consequences of this signal. Signal 15 is converted to 5 by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

It is the intention to abandon signal 5 eventually, only using 15. Therefore, it is advised to stop using signal 5, as much as possible.

Please note, however, that the signal does not imply anything about the technical condition of the vehicle (since the reason to provide it, may be purely administrative). Therefore, the signal does not imply specific requirements for re-registration, e.g. a technical inspection. It is advised to consult the Member State providing the signal, prior to re-registration.

 16 = Duplicate vehicle registration certificate issued

This signal can be used if after loss, theft or severe damage to the vehicle registration certificate, this has been replaced by a new document, or a copy with the same document number.

The signal does not have a direct impact on enforcement or re-registration. It is merely an alert message to check the vehicle registration certificate carefully.

The previous version of this signal

7 = Duplicate documents issued

is also still available, for downgrading purposes.

The description of the signal was slightly altered, however the use is the same as for the new version.

After upgrading to the current value set, signal 7 should not be used anymore since it can be replaced by 16 in all cases where the signal applies.

Signal 16 is converted to 7 by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

It is the intention to abandon signal 7 eventually, only using 16.

17 = Vehicle seriously damaged

Definition: ‘The vehicle was seriously damaged in an accident or was reported to have dangerous defects at an inspection’.

If this signal applies, the vehicle is not allowed to use the public road, and cannot be re-registered, before having passed a technical inspection.

The previous version of this signal

8 = Waiting for inspection

is also still available, for downgrading purposes.

Various countries also use the signal for cases where the current PTI has expired, the time to schedule a new, regular PTI, has elapsed, and the holder/owner has been fined for the offence of failing to carry out a PTI. The technical condition of the vehicle has become unverified, and for that reason, the signal is given.

The use and definition have been narrowed for the new version.

After upgrading to the current value set, signal 8 should not be used anymore since it can be replaced by 17 in all cases where the new definitionl applies. For situations where the technical condition of the vehicle is unknown, no signal should be communicated. Expiration of the PTI may be indicated in other data elements.

Signal 17 is converted to 8 by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

It is the intention to abandon signal 8 eventually, only using 17.

18 = Vehicle registration certificate stolen

Definition: ‘Vehicle registration certificate has been reported stolen or missing by the police or other sources’.

This signal is used if the vehicle registration certificate has been reported stolen, but only when no new certificate has been issued to the vehicle owner or registered keeper (yet). As soon as a new certificate is issued, the signal is not provided anymore .

(After that, signal 16 may be used to alert that multiple certificates were issued).

If this signal applies, the vehicle is not allowed to use the public road, and cannot be re-registered.

The previous version of this signal

10 = Vehicle registration document stolen

is also still available, for downgrading purposes.

The description of the signal was slightly altered, however the use is the same as for the new version.

After upgrading to the current value set, signal 10 should not be used anymore, since it can be replaced by 18 in all cases where the signal applies.

Signal 18 is converted to 10 or 2 by EUCARIS in the downgrade.

In the oldest vehicle signals value set, signal 10 does not exist. If this value set is requested, signal 10 is downgraded to signal 2.

It is the intention to abandon signal 2 and 10 eventually, only using 18.

 

Multiple signals

It is possible to provide more than one signal. This is, however, not always advised.

There are two situations where the signal clearly denotes the ‘fate’ of the vehicle, and where providing multiple signals is not advised, because the only effect will be to cause confusion.

If signal 13 – Vehicle exported applies, the vehicle has officially ‘moved’ to another Member State. In this Member State, registration has ended. Therefore, other signals should not be provided.

If signal 14 – Vehicle registration cancelled due to destruction applies, the vehicle is gone. There is no option to repair or refurbish or restore the vehicle under the same VIN. Since the vehicle ceased to exist, any signal that may have applied, has also ceased to exist.

Of course, signals from different value sets, with the exact same meaning or roughly the same meaning, should not be used on the same vehicle. So, please do not provide a combination of signals 3+13, 4+14, 5+15, 7+16, 8+17, or 10+18, in any situation, on any vehicle.

Other signals may be used in combination.

EUCARIS will not remove any ‘redundant’ signals.