When you’re eyeballing that shiny used car, a license plate lookup could swoop in like a superhero, revealing secrets about its past life—like how many owners it’s had or if it’s secretly been a speed demon.
Information from license plate lookup is your backstage pass to ensuring that what looks good on the outside isn’t hiding a drama-filled history under the hood—so don’t miss out, get that license plate check and avoid a total plot twist of fraud or a money-draining car catastrophe!
In this guide, we’ll explore the types of information you can access through a plate-based vehicle history lookup and more. Let’s read on to dive deeper into the details.
What is a License Plate Lookup?
A license plate lookup (or plate number search) is a tool that lets you access detailed information about a vehicle using its license plate number.
The data retrieved, linked to plate numbers, comes from government databases like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other sources that maintain records on vehicle ownership, accidents, and legal status. This is useful when buying a used car, verifying a vehicle’s history, or checking its legal status.
Key Insights You Can Get from a License Plate Lookup
Information from license plate lookup could help you avoid buying a ‘lemon’ or selling your car for less than it’s worth.
| Vehicle Specifications |
Vehicle Features: A list of the vehicle’s features, including safety technologies, infotainment systems, and optional upgrades. This information can help you assess the vehicle’s performance and features, ensuring it meets your needs. Engine Type: Information on the engine size and type (e.g., V6, diesel, hybrid). Transmission and Drivetrain: Details about the transmission (automatic or manual) and whether the vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. |
| Ownership Records |
Ownership history is one of the most important aspects of a vehicle’s background. Previous Owners: Information on how many owners the vehicle has had, along with their locations and the duration of ownership. |
| Title Issues |
A vehicle’s title status reveals whether the car has any legal or financial encumbrances. Salvage Title: Indicates that the vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurance company. Rebuilt Title: Refers to vehicles that were previously totaled but have been repaired and restored. Flood or Fire Damage: Certain reports may indicate if the vehicle was involved in incidents such as flooding or fires. |
| Registration Validity |
A vehicle with expired registration may have fines or legal issues that need to be resolved before it can be used. Registration Expiry: The status of the vehicle’s current registration, including whether it’s expired or up to date. Emissions Compliance: In some cases, you can learn whether the vehicle has passed emissions tests and if it meets local environmental standards. |
| Accident History |
Knowing the accident history helps you evaluate the true condition of the vehicle. Vehicles with a history of severe accidents may have hidden issues that could be costly to repair. Accident Reports: Data on the severity of past accidents, whether the vehicle was written off, or if it underwent repairs. Damage History: Details on repairs for significant accidents, which may affect the car’s safety or value. |
| Lien Status |
If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder may have legal claims over the vehicle until the debt is paid off. It’s essential to clear this before purchasing. Current Liens: Indicates whether the vehicle has any active liens, typically from a lender or financial institution. Past Liens: Historical information about any previously filed liens, even if they have been cleared. |
| Odometer Readings | Many license plate lookup services can provide odometer history, which can help verify if the car’s mileage has been tampered with. This can be an important factor when evaluating a used car’s value. |
| Recall History |
A license plate lookup can sometimes provide information about whether the vehicle is subject to any recalls, which could indicate potential safety or reliability issues. Major Repairs: Records of significant repairs or replacements like engine overhauls, transmission issues, or suspension work. Knowing the service history can help you gauge how well the vehicle has been maintained and whether it might require any immediate repairs. |
| Sales Record |
A license plate lookup may provide insight into the vehicle’s sales history as well as its movement across different regions. Sale Prices: In some cases, you may find historical sales data, which can help you gauge the car’s market value over time. Hazardous Areas: If the vehicle has been registered in a flood-prone region, it might have been exposed to water damage. |
| Stolen Vehicle Check | A plate number search can help identify if the vehicle has been reported as stolen. This is an essential step in protecting yourself from purchasing a stolen car, which could lead to significant legal trouble. |
| Insurance Claims History |
Some license plate lookups include details about past insurance claims. Type of Claims: Information on whether the vehicle was involved in an insurance claim for accidents, damage, or theft. Payout Information: Insights into the total payout for insurance claims, which can help you assess whether the vehicle has undergone major repairs or suffered significant damage. |
Please note that not all of these details are available to the same extent across different plate number search services. Some vehicle history lookups provide more detailed information in certain areas than others, largely due to the variety of data providers these services source their reports from.
DMV License Plate Lookup for Different States
Each state has its own quirky system for registering and tracking vehicles, and their DMV websites or equivalent might give you a treasure trove of vehicle information, or just leave you scratching your head.
Information from license plate lookup can sometimes reveal more about a car’s history than a gossip-loving neighbor, though some states still like to keep things mysterious, requiring third-party services to unlock the full story!
Below are some states with DMV license plate lookups or equivalent vehicle history lookup tools:
| Alabama | The Alabama Department of Revenue (ADOR) does not provide a direct online service for license plate lookups or VIN checks. However, you can request vehicle records, which will be subject to an eligibility process. |
| Alaska | The Alaska DMV does not offer a specific license plate lookup service for public use. However, you can request certain vehicle records. |
| Arizona | The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) offers a Vehicle Record Request service and Title Status Check for accessing certain vehicle information. However, there isn’t a direct “license plate lookup” tool provided by the ADOT to the public. |
| Arkansas | The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) offers an online service called the Title, Registration, and Lien Record Search. |
| California | Does not offer a direct license plate lookup or vehicle history check service. However, the DMV does provide a Vehicle Registration Status checker, where you can obtain certain details about a vehicle (such as ownership history and registration status). Also, see the Vehicle Record Request page. |
| Colorado | The Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers vehicle record requests, but it doesn’t provide a direct license plate lookup or VIN check service through their website for the general public. |
| Connecticut | The Connecticut DMV does not directly offer a public license plate lookup or VIN check service for vehicle records. However, they may provide a vehicle history report if a records request is submitted. Also, you can check out their free lien check. |
| Delaware | The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers vehicle record request services that allow individuals to obtain information about a vehicle registered in the state. |
| Florida | Vehicle Information Check: While not a full VIN or license plate lookup, FLHSMV offers a Motor Vehicle Check Search, which provides details on the title and registration, among other basic information, using the VIN. |
| Georgia | The Georgia Department of Driver Services offers a Vehicle Record Request service. Additionally, the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) provides a Title Status Lookup service. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii does not have a direct online license plate lookup or VIN check service provided by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) or the Hawaii DMV |
| Illinois | The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) offers a Vehicle Registration and Title Inquiry service, which allows individuals to look up some vehicle details based on Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). |
| Indiana | The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offers vehicle history lookups through its Vehicle Registration Record Search and Title and Lien Search. |
| Idaho | The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) offers services for vehicle record requests. You can check the status of a vehicle’s registration and title online through either the Vehicle Registration Status Check service or the Motor Vehicle Title and Registration Records Search. |
| Kansas | The Kansas Department of Revenue offers services to access vehicle records through its Motor Vehicle Records portal, where you can find information on titles, registrations, and lien records. |
| Kentucky | The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) offers a service to obtain vehicle title history records, which can be requested online or in person/by mail. |
| Louisiana | The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) does not offer a public license plate lookup or VIN check service. Access to such detailed vehicle information is restricted to protect personal privacy. However, the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) provides a Registered Vehicle Search database. This resource lists vehicles registered with the LPSC for passenger transport within Louisiana. |
| Maine | The Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) offers several online services for vehicle information lookup to those who subscribe to e-government services:
Vehicle Registration Records Search: This service allows InforME subscribers to search and retrieve vehicle registration records. A fee applies for this service. Title Records Search: Subscribers can search and retrieve title records. This service also requires a fee. |
| Maryland | The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) does not offer a specific license plate lookup or VIN check service directly on its website. However, Maryland residents or vehicle buyers can request vehicle history and information. |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts does not offer a direct online license plate lookup or VIN check service through the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), but you can request a vehicle record from the same agency. |
| Michigan | Michigan does not offer a direct public license plate lookup or VIN check service through the Michigan Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, the state provides an option to obtain vehicle records through the Vehicle Record Request. Michigan drivers can also access their vehicle information online. |
| Minnesota | Minnesota offers vehicle record request services through its Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division. |
| Mississippi | Mississippi car buyers and owners can purchase motor vehicle records through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. |
| Missouri | The Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR) provides a vehicle record request service, enabling individuals to access information such as registration and title details. For more information on obtaining motor vehicle records, contact the DOR at 573-526-3669, Option 3. |
| Montana | The Montana Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) offers a license plate lookup tool, but it primarily serves as a plate design search rather than a comprehensive vehicle history checker. Car buyers and owners may need to complete and submit a specific form to the MVD to request detailed vehicle records. |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers a vehicle history lookup service that allows individuals to obtain information about vehicles registered in Nebraska. |
| Nevada | In addition to the registration inquiry search option, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) also offers vehicle record request services. |
| New Hampshire | The New Hampshire DMV does not offer a specific license plate lookup or VIN check service directly on its website. However, New Hampshire residents can access their vehicle history and other details by requesting records from the DMV by submitting a form or online. |
| New Jersey | The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) offers the option to check registration records and inspection results for interested parties upon submission of the required documentation. |
| New Mexico | The New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division offers online services to businesses and government entities that meet federal and state statutory laws, with an annual subscription fee of $75 for up to 10 users, providing access to driver history records, driver monitoring, vehicle and lien registration records, and a vehicle registration suite, with additional subscriptions available for more users and monthly billing for associated fees. |
| New York | New York’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not offer a direct online license plate lookup or VIN check service for the public. Instead, it provides a title/lien status checker and a registration status checker, which can provide some vehicle details. |
| North Carolina | The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) offers services to request vehicle records, including crash reports, driving records, and vehicle records. These records can be requested online, by mail, or in person. |
| North Dakota | The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) offers an online service to check the status of a vehicle title, as well as providing vehicle reports for a fee. |
| Oregon | “Oregon does not currently offer an online license plate number search or VIN check through the DMV. However, vehicle records or history can be retrieved for a fee. |
| Pennsylvania | The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) does not offer a direct license plate lookup or VIN check service. However, vehicle information can be requested from the agency. |
| Rhode Island | The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers several services for vehicle information lookup, including registration and title status checks. The state also requires VIN checks for vehicle registration and titling. |
| South Carolina | South Carolina does not provide a direct online license plate lookup or VIN check service through its DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). However, you can inquire about vehicle plate, lien, title, and history information from the agency, as outlined on the official DMV website. |
| South Dakota | The South Dakota Department of Revenue (DOR) offers a VIN check to provide vehicle information, as well as a license plate lookup to check plate design availability. |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Department of Revenue offers an online service called “Motor Vehicle Data Services,” which allows subscribers to search for vehicles registered by license number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). |
| Texas | The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not directly offer a service for license plate lookups or VIN checks on their website. However, there are several ways you can obtain vehicle information from the agency. |
| Utah | The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not provide a public service for license plate lookups or VIN checks due to privacy regulations. However, certain individuals may be eligible to access vehicle information if they meet specific criteria. |
| Virginia | Individuals can request a vehicle record from the Virginia DMV by submitting a completed form and fee, or through online method. |
| Washington | Washington State does not offer a direct license plate lookup or VIN check service through its Department of Licensing (DOL) website. However, you can request certain vehicle records by following some steps. |
| Washington D.C. | Washington D.C. offers several tools to verify the authenticity of vehicle information, including out-of-state titles, insurance records, salvage status, and vehicle registration status. |
| West Virginia | The West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers a vehicle information check tool and an insurance checker for those interested. |
| Wisconsin | The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT) provides several tools to verify the authenticity of vehicle information, including Title Search, Vehicle Record Search, License Plate Number Search, and Lien Holder Search. |
| Wyoming | The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) provides a Title Search service, enabling individuals to request vehicle records. Each search costs $15 and requires the completion of the MV-220 Title Search form. |
These DMV lookup tools may vary in terms of the data available, so it’s always a good idea to check with the specific state’s DMV or equivalent agency for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
A plate-based vehicle history lookup will help you avoid costly mistakes while making sure you’re driving away with the truth, no matter how wild the ride. Give plate check a try today and be reassured before hitting the road!