Michigan License Plate Lookup
Michigan License Plate Lookup Tool
With over 8 millions vehicles on the road in Michigan, there is a lot of need for vehicle related services. One of these vehicle services is an online Michigan license plate lookup tool. The process is simple, you input the full MI license plate lookup number, determine if your search is valid and select a reason for running your vehicle search. Next you’ll be able to find information such as the vehicle owner, vehicle history reports, vital statistics and vehicle options, verify the title is clean and much more. This search tool can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection and a smartphone. This service is not offered by any motor vehicle department and is to be used for verification and unofficial purposes only. It’s important to make sure that your search is compliant with federal and Michigan driver privacy laws, some personal information may be restricted.
Michigan License Plate Search Can Include
Depending on the specific service and legal limitations, a Michigan license plate lookup may reveal the following information however, some information may be limited or restricted depending on why this search is being performed and what is available:
- Vehicle Owner Information
- Vehicle History Reports
- Vehicle Specs and Options
- Vehicle Title Status Check
- Salvaged and Junk Records
- Vital Statistics of The Vehicle
- Accident and Damages
- Total Loss Records
- Odometer Verification
- Vehicle Safety Inspection Results
How to Access Michigan Vehicle Records
Typically, to access Michigan vehicle records you can either run a Michigan license plate number lookup, or you can run a VIN check. Below are some of the popular ways to accomplish this:
- Online Public Record Websites: There are various online platforms that provide access to public record databases. Some services are free, while others may require a fee. These databases gather vehicle information from various public and private sources that make it convenient to find a multitude of information on the fly.
- Michigan Department of State: You can request publicly available vehicle records from the Michigan Department of State through a FOIA request. However, you must qualify under the Michigan DPPA permissible uses.
- Private Investigators Services: In some situations, hiring a private investigator can be an option, especially for more difficult to find vehicle records. Sometimes older vehicles or vintage vehicles can be difficult to track down information on so hiring someone who is well adept in finding information such as a Private Investigator might be an option.
Why Run a Michigan Vehicle Record Search?
The used car market is huge in Michigan and with over 8.4 million cars on the road, as of 2022, vehicle records are an important part of the used car buying process. The Michigan license plate search tool gives people the ability to verify a vehicle’s information such as it’s history, owner information, manufacturer specs and options, if the title is clean or if there are any manor safety issues. Other popular uses are to check for stolen vehicles, fraud, abandoned vehicles and driver safety related issues. Below are some of the more popular reasons to run a Michigan license plate search:
- Vehicle History Reports are a great resource for people researching used cars. A car’s history can be critical for potential buyers who want to avoid scams or undisclosed problems. A Michigan license plate check can provide information about accidents, recalls, or maintenance history.
- Accident Investigations are another use for running a Michigan plate search. In situations like a of hit-and-run accidents or suspicious activity, a license plate lookup can be crucial in identifying the vehicle’s owner.
- Insurance and Legal Matters are a common place for running a vehicle’s license plate number. For example, insurance companies and law enforcement might use this service for verification and investigation purposes.
- Debt Collectors and Skip tracing: A license plate lookup can help debt collectors find information related to a debtor’s vehicle.
- Decoding a license plate number is also a common use for running a plate or VIN check. You can find out all the details and specifications of a vehicle by it’s license plate number or vehicle identification number.
More About Michigan License Plates
Michigan was one of the first states in the nation that started requiring license plates on all automobiles in 1905. It wasn’t until 1910 that the state actually provided the porcelain pates for auto owners, until then people had to supply their own. Today the state issues 2 aluminum plates to every vehicle owner, the one on the rear requiring tags and expiration date. There are two general types of license plates: standard Michigan license plate and specialty plates. Most vehicle owners in the state use the former. On the other hand, specialty plates are issued for vehicles owned by organizations or groups. You can apply for the Michigan license plate you need in-person, via mail or online. Michigan License Plate Lookup can be performed in the same manner too. You can access the license plate or vehicle information you need in person, via mail or online.
License Plate Checks By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- 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
Michigan License Plate Search - FAQs
Am I allowed to lookup a Michigan license plate number?
To find out if you are allowed to lookup Michigan license plate numbers you will need to either contact the Michigan DMV directly or follow the guidelines set by the Michigan DPPA rules and regulations.Is there a free Michigan license plate lookup?
Yes, there are many online vehicle record resources where you can research vehicles in Michigan by their license plate numbers or vehicle identification numbers. Some resources offer more free information than others but, most free Michigan license plate lookup resources offer limited information. You'll most likely need to pay for premium vehicle recordsWhat can I find with a Michigan license plate search?
You might be able to find details such as the vehicle's make, model, and year, registration status, title information, VIN number, lienholder information, accident history, recall information, and possibly safety inspection results.When did Michigan start issuing license plates?
Michigan began issuing license plates in 1905, becoming the third state in the US to require them.How much does a Michigan license plate lookup cost?
Some public record resources offer limited free vehicle information where other more detailed vehicle history reports can cost $20 or more.Can I find the vehicle history with a Michigan plate search?
Absolutely, you can find the vehicle history of most any vehicle with either the license plate number or VIN.Can I find accident history with a license plate search?
yes, you can typically find accident history, recalls and safety issues with a license plate number or VIN in the state of MichiganIs it legal to run a license plate search in Michigan?
Yes, running a license plate search in all states is legal as long as you obey the privacy laws of that state and the federal DPPA.Before Comments
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Last Updated: 2023-06-12
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How can I find the owner of a classic car in Michigan? I have the VIN# and the location of Milford Township.
We have a lost license plate at Greenwood Acres Campground. It is a Michigan Permanent plate. We would like to return it to the owner.
Naomi, you can give it to your local police department and they will follow up and return the plate for you. This is the safest way to return a lost Michigan license plate to the owner
Hi my plates are due 10 Dec22 . I have not gotten any paperwork. Will I get new paperwork? Thanks David Strine.
David, if you don’t receive your renewal notice you’ll still be responsible to pay your fees for your Michigan vehicle registration. You can login to the Michigan SOS website and renew your vehicle registration through their website
Can I get a duplicate plate.. mine got bent
How to replace a damaged Michigan license plate
You can replace the license plate as well as your tags on a damaged Michigan license plate by visiting a Michigan SOS in person. You will need to bring in your vehicle registration and your driver’s license and pay the nominal fee for replacing the damaged license plate and obtaining duplicate tags. You will then receive your new license plate in the mail in a few weeks.
Hi, I have the paperwork for an antique license plate lookup from Michigan. Are you doing lookups at this time?
Chris, we do still offer a Michigan license plate lookup service however our resources are for more modern cars, trucks, SUVs and motorcycles from the last 30 years
Purchased 1969 plate for my 69 Chevy Comaro was rejected because it is still in use.would like to find previous owner of plate to see if he will sign a release of plate!! Not sure how to do that?
Robert, unfortunately we cannot help you out with your Michigan license plate lookup. You must read through our terms and conditions before obtaining any vehicle related information as well as verify your state’s privacy laws
Sexual harassment at my Chicago hotel
Juanita, if you are being sexually harassed you should call the police and file a report with the hotel concierge as well. Unfortunately there is not much we can do for you as we are a public records website. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance with any Michigan license plate lookup or vehicle record inquiries.
Can someone track down someone by their license plate number. Can you find their address and things like that?
Stacy, thank you for reaching out about our Michigan license plate lookup blog. In order to obtain any vehicle information from a license plate lookup or VIN check, you will need to read through our DPPA privacy act as well as your state’s privacy laws to find out what information is allowed.
Been 3 weeks when I mailed for my Michigan auto tab and still have not recevied . Can you help me
Patrick, you will want to contact the Michigan SOS directly about your tags, we cannot lookup that information with our vehicle record resources
Found plate want to return to owner
If you found a lost Michigan license plate you should either hand it over to the Michigan SOS or your local police department as they can track down the vehicle owner for you.
BRT 162 orange Michigan peninsula plate, grey jeep.
In order to use our Michigan license plate lookup resources you must go through our process and read and select an applicable reason according to the DPPA regulations of your state. Then you can proceed with your license plate lookup
I have a trailer with license A694791 but lost registration. Is it mine?
Robert, we would like to assist you with a Michigan license plate lookup however, our license plate resources in Michigan are for highway legal motorized vehicle only. Your best option is to visit the Michigan SOS office and obtain a duplicate registration for your trailer.
Lost Michigan Trailer Registration
If you have lost your Michigan trailer registration and need a duplicate registration card you can visit any Michigan Secretary of State office. If your registration is current then there is no fee for a duplicate trailer registration in the state of Michigan
See something Say something
Suspicious behavior
May be drug lab in house.
Plate number BYRS229
I need to document info for report
This sounds like a matter you should report to the police. In order to use our Michigan license plate number lookup, you must read and agree to the terms and conditions of use.
I would like to find the owner of plate number Ace 193 who drives a Honda Accord
You will need to read and agree to the terms and conditions of our Michigan license plate lookup before we can further assist you with any vehicle records search.
Has the personalized Michigan license plate GP 4X4 been issued for 2018?
We do not show that Michigan License Plate Number in our vehicle records database. You will want to contact the Michigan SOS – Department of Motor Vehicles to confirm this license plate information
It was a compact or small silver older model car. The license plate was a Michigan one but had a UofM symbol on it followed by GT28F
Unfortunately we cannot run partial license plates. You will want to contact the police about this vehicle. They have the ability to run partial license plates with the information you mentioned.
A car followed me out of my neighborhood this morning all the way to my mother in-law’ driveway and then sped off. I couldn’t see the driver’s face just that it was a man with light skin, dark clothes and dark hair. This made me very nervous.
If you are concerned for your safety or that of your mother-in-law you should contact the Michigan police. If you were able to get the license plate number that would definitely be good information to offer the police so they can look into this situation for you. We are a public records website so we don’t have an affiliation with Michigan law enforcement. Follow the link below to find the nearest Michigan police department.
Click Here For a Michigan Police Department Listing By County