License plates tell stories. They can reveal a wealth of information about a vehicle, from registration details to accident history. Maybe you’re in the market for a used car and want to ensure you’re making a wise investment. Or perhaps you’re eager to track down a car that once held a special place in your life, similar to this curious forum user¹. Whatever the reason, a license plate number lookup can be a powerful tool. This guide demystifies the process of license plate lookups, outlining available resources, and walking you through every step to uncover the information hidden behind those metal tags.

Method 1: Look up license plate record with the DMV

Looking up license plate records with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is one way to get information about a vehicle. The most straightforward approach to do is is to visit your local DMV office and request a vehicle information lookup using the license plate number. You may need to provide proof of identity and a legitimate reason for the inquiry. Some states also offer online vehicle information lookup services through their DMV websites. Regardless of the method chosen, fees may apply.

The information you can access through DMV will vary depending on your state and the reason for your inquiry. It could possibly include vehicle registration details, accident history and recall information.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that DMV records come with limitations. DMV records are generally considered public information, but getting them usually requires a lot of paperwork. Regarding to the completeness of the records, some states may limit records to 10 years, and periodic database updates may lead to older information being purged. Additionally, response times can vary. For instance, a California resident made three direct inquiries hoping to trace his car’s history, but received no response from the local DMV².

If you want to skip all the hassle, you should probably try the second method below, taking advantage of professional online vehicle lookup tools.

Method 2: Research the vehicle with BeenVerified

BeenVerified is an expert in vehicle lookup, with a large database (over 150 MM vehicles) that is updated constantly. In the past 15 years, the site has been offering to the general public an easy and efficient way to access different kinds of public records.

What information can you search for using just a license plate number

When you run a vehicle lookup with BeenVerified, what you get may actually be more than expected:

• Accident history
• Ownership history
• Sale listing history
• Theft records
• Market value
• Vehicle specifications
• Salvage records
• Recalls and warranties
• And more…

How to run a license plate lookup with BeenVerified

1. Go to BeenVerified license plate search page.
2. Input the license plate number of the car and select the state. Then click the Search button. (If you have the VIN number, you can try that too.)
   
3. Wait for BeenVerified to search its millions of vehicle records in its database. After a few seconds you’ll get a full report that contains all the available data.
   

If you have the VIN number of the car (the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number),a VIN lookup may actually bring up even more information:

In fact, BeenVerified is a well-known people search tool. It offers 7 different features in total: People Search, Reverse Phone Lookup, Reverse Email Search, Reverse Address Lookup, Username Search, Unclaimed Money Search, and Vehicle Lookup. You could use the site, for example, tolearn more about the car dealer or the owner with just a name or a phone number.

Method 3: Look up vehicle details with Bumper

To learn more about a vehicle you own or plan to buy, you can also use Bumper. Exploring abundant and reliable data coming from government agencies and trusted partners in the automotive industry, Bumper can help you know a vehicle’s accident history, salvage, theft records and much more. It can also help you compare two similar cars if you want.

Here’s how you run a Bumper search:

1) Go to Bumper.

2) Click the License Plate option, then enter the License Plate and select the State. Click SEARCH to get your result. (If you have the VIN number, don’t hesitate to try this option and see what information it can bring up.)

3) Wait for the site to scour its database and give you a report with all the information you need.

Can you access owner details of a car?

In the US, the privacy of vehicle owner information is controlled by the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Personal information of vehicle owners is protected by the act, so personal information such as the vehicle owner’s name or address would not be provided except for permissible uses.

If you’re facing a hit-and-run situation…

One of the most common reasons people turn to license plate lookups is the aftermath of a hit-and-run accident. Take this forum user, for instance³. He was rear-ended by a truck, and as he pulled over hoping to exchange information, the driver slammed the gas and vanished. He scribbled down the license plate number, and immediately began searching for any scrap of information he could find about the hit-and-run driver.

That’s completely understandable. However, if you ever find yourself in a similar situation, remember that your safety comes first. Putting yourself in harm’s way, by confronting the driver for example, is simply not worth the risk. A driver who flees after a crash is likely unpredictable and potentially dangerous, so it’s best to avoid contact entirely. Instead, focus on gathering evidence that can help the police catch them. For example, you could check nearby businesses for cameras, look for paint chips or debris from the car, and document everything you remember about the incident. Then, report it all to the police. Let them track down the driver and handle the rest.

Conclusion

In short, if you have the time and energy, you can try checking the vehicle information at your local DMV. If you prefer getting all the information associated with the license plate or the VIN number in just one single search, use professional search sites like BeenVerified instead to save your time.

1. Grassroots Motorsports [Rusnak_322]. (2013, Jan 16). How to track down your previously owned cars [Online forum post]. Grassroots Motorsports. https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/how-to-track-down-your-previously-owned-cars/59275/page1/ ↩︎
2. General [Nickleback]. (2016, Jul 26). I had the same issue trying to trace my car’s history last year with California DMV – no response after 3 [Comment on the online forum post Car history search in California]. The ‘E’ Type Forum. https://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php?t=6944 ↩︎
3. General [eKretz]. (2017, Apr 23). OT: Any of you guys that can or know how to run a license plate lookup? [Online forum post]. Practical Machinist. https://www.practicalmachinist.com/forum/threads/ot-any-of-you-guys-that-can-or-know-how-to-run-a-license-plate-lookup.334337/ ↩︎