Abstract: A technique for vehicle classification and identification from images successively narrows the classification of a vehicle down to vehicle make, model, and other specific characteristics. This process uses location, size, color, shape, and other image characteristics that help differentiate vehicles from other kinds of objects in an image. A broad categorization of the target vehicle is performed by classifying the vehicle according to a predetermined set of general vehicle types. A short list is then created of potential matching vehicle makes and models within the broad category that have the best chance of matching the target vehicle. Specific visible points on the target vehicle are identified and then a wire-frame matching with pre-recorded wire-frame models of the short listed vehicles is performed to produce a set of selected vehicle makes and models.