Automobile Window Etching

The Arizona Automobile Theft Authority and the Oro Valley Police Department offer FREE automobile window  etching, also known as Vehicle Identification Number (V.I.N.) etching, to help protect your vehicle against theft.  V.I.N. etching is the process of permanently etching your vehicle's seventeen (17) digit vehicle identification number on each piece of glass window on the vehicle.  Etching your vehicle's V.I.N. serves as a permanent fingerprint of your vehicle.  It is considered an effective deterrent against auto theft.

When a vehicle is stolen, the thief must change the identity of the vehicle by changing the V.I.N. plate on the dashboard or else risk being discovered by law enforcement.  With a new V.I.N. plate, the thief now has a "new" vehicle, but if the V.I.N. is etched on the windows, the thief must dispose of and replace all windows, which is costly and time consuming.  As the thief contemplates stealing your car, he/she will notice the glass etching and may move on to an easier target vehicle.

V.I.N. etching in no way damages the vehicle's windows.  It takes approximately ten minutes to etch your vehicle by a trained law enforcement personnel.  The vehicle owner must be present and show proof of ownership through a driver's license, vehicle registration and vehicle insurance.