How to Identify a Motor Vehicle

Objectives Identify the make and model of suspect vehicle Identify the make and model of suspect vehicle Describe characteristics of the suspect vehicle Describe characteristics of the suspect vehicle Give a detailed description of the suspect vehicle to the police Give a detailed description of the suspect vehicle to the police

Common Identifiers Make – “Brand Name” who manufactured the motor vehicle Make – “Brand Name” who manufactured the motor vehicle Ex. Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, BMW Ex. Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, BMW Model – line of the vehicle Model – line of the vehicle Ex. Impala, Focus, Civic, Sonata, 3 Series Ex. Impala, Focus, Civic, Sonata, 3 Series

What type of vehicle is it? Cars Cars 4 door sedan 4 door sedan 2 door coupe 2 door coupe 3 or 5 door hatchback 3 or 5 door hatchback Convertible Convertible Sport Sport Luxury Luxury Station wagon Station wagon Classic Classic Trucks 2 door Single cab 2 door Extended cab 4 door Crew cab Side step Duely Utility Tonneau cover Camper shell

What type of vehicle is it? Van Van Mini Mini Conversion Conversion Panel Panel Full size Full size SUV Mini Luxury Off-road Crossover

Things to look for Make Make Model Model Color Color License plate License plate Head lights Head lights Tail lights Tail lights Brake lights Brake lights Decals Decals Spoiler Spoiler Sound Sound Tires Rims or hubcaps Tinted windows Ground effects Exhaust Damage Replaced panels Special Lighting Suspension Smell

Vehicle Manufacturers BMW 3, 5, M, & X series Buick Lacrosse, Enclave

Vehicle Manufacturers Cadillac CTS, SRX, Escalade Chevrolet Impala, Silverado, Tahoe Cobalt, Cruze, Colorado

Vehicle Manufacturers Chrysler 200, 300, Town & Country Dodge Avenger, Charger, Ram, Caliber, Durango, Caravan

Vehicle Manufacturers Ford Fusion, Focus, F-150, Ranger, Crown Victoria GMC Acadia, Sierra, Yukon, Canyon, Savannah

Vehicle Manufacturers Honda Accord, Civic, CRV, Fit, Ridgeline, Pilot, Odyssey Hyundai Accent, Sonata, Santa Fe

Vehicle Manufacturers Jeep Wrangler, Compass, Patriot, Liberty, Cherokee Patriot, Liberty, Cherokee Kia Sorento, Forte, Optima, Soul, Rio

Vehicle Manufacturers Lincoln Town Car, Navigator Mazda 3, 5, 6, CX-9, Protégé, Tribute,

Vehicle Manufacturers Mercedes-Benz C-Class, M-Class, SL-Class Mercury Milan, Grand Marquis Mariner, Mountaineer

Vehicle Manufacturers Mitsubishi Eclipse, Lancer, Gallant, Outlander Nissan Sentra, Maxima, Altima, Murano, Pathfinder

Vehicle Manufacturers Oldsmobile Alero, Aurora Plymouth Breeze, Neon

Vehicle Manufacturers Pontiac Grand Am, Vibe, Firebird, Sunfire, G6, Torrent Saturn Astra, Vue, Ion, S Series

Vehicle Manufacturers Scion Tc, Bbx, Iq Subaru Imprezza, WRX, Forrester Outback, Legacy

Vehicle Manufacturers Suzuki Swift, Kizashi, Vitara, Equator Toyota Camry, Corolla, Prius, Celica, Tacoma, Tundra

Vehicle Manufacturers Volkswagon Beetle, Jetta, Passat, Volvo C30, S60, XC90, V50

License Plate Car or SUV - AA#A#A Car or SUV - AA#A#A Truck - #AA### Truck - #AA### Truck 18k lbs - ##A#AA Truck 18k lbs - ##A#AA Trailer - ####AA Trailer - ####AA Tab Colors White on Black Black on Red Black on Green Black on Orange

Information to Police Crime or Suspicious Activity Direction of Travel and Time Frame MakeModelColor License Plate Identifiers Number of Occupants