License Plate Number Lookup

How to Run a License Plate Lookup

Running a license plate lookup has become a simple online process. Historically, this has been a tedious task of scouring multiple websites, using legacy state run resources or hiring a private detective. Now, with the advent of cloud based online databases that can index billions of public records in seconds, license plate information can now be obtained on the fly by anyone. With a simple search form, anyone can perform a license plate number lookup with a plate number or VIN number from the convenience of a laptop, tablet or smartphone. This search can uncover ownership information, vehicle title information, vehicle specifics such as the year and make and model and VIN. A license plate number lookup can be used for verification purposes or for other allowable personal reasons that are outlined by each state’s privacy laws. Businesses, on the other hand, can access much more detailed information for vetting drivers, applicants and employees, and other official purposes. The search starts by entering the full plate number and state into the license plate search field and selecting a reason to run this search. The next step is to verify the make and model of the vehicle and then the user can proceed to accessing the available information, such as vehicle owner contact details, title verification, or a vehicle history report. It’s a simple process that only takes a few moments to access a multitude of valuable vehicle information on the fly.

As of January 2023, there are over 285 million vehicles on the road, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, which means vehicle related public records are in high demand. With a simple online license plate number search, anyone with an internet connection and a smartphone can access these records instantly online. You’ll just need to verify that your reason for running a license plate lookup is within the guidelines of the state and federal privacy laws. You can look these up with the updated 2023 DPPA that is available to review online.

What You Can Obtain From a License Plate Number Lookup

You can find  license plate owner information, vehicle manufacturer specs and a breakdown of the vehicle options and components, vehicle history report, vehicle title information and recalls and reported safety issues. A vehicle’s license plate number is a good tool to use as research when purchasing a used vehicle and can give potential buyers a lot of information to help determine if the vehicle they want to buy is a good value. The ability to run a license plate number lookup on the fly with any device that has an internet connection has greatly assisted millions of people in purchasing a used vehicle and gives the buyer an advantage in this process. It’s very difficult for people or dealerships to be dishonest since most vehicle related information is publicly available to everyone. If you do not have the plate number available, it’s also possible to lookup vehicle information with the 17 digit VIN that is stamped on multiple locations on all cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles and RVs. If you are in the market to purchase a used vehicle from a dealership, they should provide you with a car fax or some kind of vehicle history report but you can run one on your own using either the plate or vehicle identification number, so make sure to request that before making the purchase. There can be a lot of hidden issue that can be uncovered with a quick license plate number lookup such as a salvaged title which means it was in a major accident at some point. According to national vehicle registration statistics from January 2023, over 800,000 vehicles on the road that have washed or salvaged titles in the United States. The majority of these vehicles have been damaged by flooding, weather events and accidents, and without running a vehicle background check, it may not be obvious.

Understanding the License Plate Lookup

In order to perform a license plate lookup with any vehicle record database it is important to understand terms and conditions of this type of search and what is available in your state of residence. There are both federal and state privacy guidelines, such as the Driver Protection Privacy Act, that only allow certain reasons for the general public to access personal information with a vehicle plate search, such as the owner’s contact information. Most all of the other information, such a car history report, or a title verification can be accessed by anyone. The intent of the search is what is important and as long as you’ve read through the acceptable reasons and have verified your intent for this type of vehicle record search, you can proceed with your inquiry. It is also important to note that if you’re using a non FCRA certified service, which most public records fall under, you cannot use the information you’ve obtained for any legal, official or application purposes. These non-certified resources are great for doing research for personal reasons but you’ll want to use a FCRA certified resource for job applications, tenant screening, academic applications and official legal purposes. It is also important to verify any information you obtain with other fields of data, such as the make and model of the vehicle you’re researching, to insure you’ve found the correct vehicle record. Occasionally there are inaccuracies with online cloud based public records so verify the information you’re accessing as best as possible. Also note that it is illegal to harass or stalk someone and you must make sure to follow the guidelines when using our license plate and vin lookup tools.

Finding VIN Information From License Plate Numbers

If you have the license plate number of a vehicle you can also find the VIN number with our online license plate lookup. This is a good means of identifying and verifying any vehicle you lookup. A VIN number will give you the make and model, manufacturer, body style, engine, year and much more. The VIN number is a 17 digit code that will allow you to verify every detail of the vehicle in question. A free license plate number lookup can also give you safety and recall information about a vehicle however if more detailed information is needed from a license plate lookup then running a vehicle history report from the vehicle identification number is a good option. It’ll usually cost a few bucks but it’s a worth while expenditure when purchasing a used vehicle, which can uncover any surprises that are not forthcoming from the seller. This happens more than people think and it’s not always intentional, especially if there were multiple owners in the vehicle’s history. Think of the VIN number like a social security number for vehicles, each of these 17 digit codes are unique.

License Plate Tag Search

Every vehicle that is registered in the United States has a license plate, a vehicle identification number, registration tags, a registration card and a vehicle title. The tag that most people refer to is the registration sticker that is placed on the rear license plate of a vehicle. A vehicle license plate tag search is typically used to verify if a vehicle is currently registered, one of the tags will have the year and the other tag the month that the vehicle is registered until. Many people that are trying to lookup license plate tags are either trying register their vehicle or are in the market to purchase a used car, truck, SUV or motorcycles. There is an easy way to find out if a vehicle is currently registered, and that is looking at the rear plate to see if the registration tags are current. If the tags on the vehicle are expired then there might be an issue with the used vehicle. Some examples can be there might be an issue with the vehicle title or if it was registered as non-operational for a period of time or perhaps it didn’t pass a smog test and has some mechanical issues, or it was in a major accident and deemed totaled by an insurance company. This can be a red-flag that should be investigated. A situation like this can lead to difficulties in registering or changing the title over to a new owner and lead to costly repairs or buying a used car that is not road-worthy.

License Plates of the United States

There are over 250 million registered vehicle in the United States, as of 2020, according to the Federal Highway Administration, and each state has its own Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or a similar agency responsible for registering vehicles and issuing license plates. License plates are required for most vehicles in the US, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, motorhomes and certain types of trailers. License plates vary quite a bit by state in terms of appearance, materials, lettering and numbering and special characters. Most states offer specialty plates that sponsor or represent various organizations, causes, or special interests. Each states also offers the ability to register personalized or vanity plates, allowing vehicle owners to choose a custom sequence of letters and  numbers and special characters, that must be first approved by the DMV. In the US, vanity plates account for as much as 10% of the registered vehicles in some states and their popularity is growing. It is also possible for someone to search vanity license plates with a wildcard in place of a number or letter in the search fields, depending on what resource is being used. If that is not an option then the VIN should be used in leu of the specialized plate number

Run a License Plate Search By State

• Alabama  
• Alaska  
• Arizona  
• Arkansas  
• California  
• Colorado  
• Connecticut  
• Delaware  
• Florida  
• Georgia  
• Hawaii  
• Idaho  
• Illinois  
• Indiana  
• Iowa  
• Kansas  
• Kentucky  
• Louisiana  
• Maine  
• Maryland  
• Massachusetts  
• Michigan  
• Minnesota  
• Mississippi  
• Missouri  
• Montana  
• Nebraska  
• Nevada  
• New Hampshire  
• New Jersey  
• New Mexico  
• New York  
• North Carolina  
• North Dakota  
• Ohio  
• Oklahoma  
• Oregon  
• Pennsylvania  
• Rhode Island  
• South Carolina  
• South Dakota  
• Tennessee  
• Texas  
• Utah  
• Vermont  
• Virginia  
• Washington  
• West Virginia  
• Wisconsin  
• Wyoming