Abstract: A method for identifying a vehicle including retrieving characterizing data stored by an electronic system with an on-board control unit, transmitting vehicle identity data and the characterizing data with the on-board control unit to a central control system, transforming the vehicle identity data and the characterizing data into at least two data sets which combine to define a unique identifier, storing at least a first data set on the central control database, transmitting at least a second data set to the on-board control unit, and storing the second data set on the on-board control unit that defines an identification number for the vehicle.