If you are driving your car and see someone operating their vehicle carelessly, you might want to find out who owns the vehicle. With a license plate number, you will be able to find out information about the name and address of the vehicle owner. So, how to lookup car owner by license plate number? Read this entire text to get the answer.
What is a License Plate Number?
A license plate number is an identification number assigned by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to each registered vehicle. The code assigned usually consists of a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. In most jurisdictions, license plate numbers are affixed to the front and rear of the car. These plate numbers can also be used to identify the vehicle if it is stolen or involved in a crime.
As a vehicle owner, you can use a personalized license plate number, where you can choose the license plate number you want. Of course, each state has its own license plate number design, including images, colors, and other features. Also, they offer special plate designs for police vehicles, fire departments, military, organizations, and even corporate plates.
When you buy a new vehicle, you will be given a temporary license plate number, which comes with an expiration date. You must register your vehicle to get a new license plate number. This also applies to old vehicles. Your license plate number is tied to your vehicle registration with the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In this case, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) sets the registration fee depending on the type of license plates and stickers you use.
How to Lookup a Name and Address of Car Owner by License Plate Number?
If you want to lookup the owner of the vehicle, there are several ways you can do. Let’s study them and see which one might be your best choice.
1. Contact DMV
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has the authority to conduct license plate searches. They have records of all registered license plates, as well as driver records. Therefore, when you want to find the name and address of the vehicle owner, you can contact the DMV. Before you contact the DMV, make sure you have the full license plate number and the state where the license plate originated. Ask the DMV if the driver’s information is considered public information in that jurisdiction. If driver record requests are allowed in the state, then you can submit them by phone or the DMV website.
You should visit the DMV website where the license plate is registered. That means if the license plate is a California license plate, then you must also contact the California DMV. Usually, the DMV website has a location where you can enter the license plate number to get information. They will provide you with the owner’s name and address information. However, in some states, you may not be able to ask for the name and address of the vehicle owner as it is illegal, only law enforcement officials who can get the name and address information from the license plate number.
Easily, you can find a car owner in only a few minutes. First, visit the official website of DMV. Remember that every state has its own procedures for finding this information. Thus, make sure you visit the right website. Once you are on the site, please look for a section which says “vehicle registration” or “license plates.” Next, you can click on that link. Please enter the license plate number of the car you want to search for. Then, the website will provide you with the name and address of the registered owner of that vehicle.
2. Prepare a Formal Request
Each state has different rules for obtaining this kind of information. In most states, you have to submit a formal information request if you want to get information about the name and address of the vehicle owner. Usually, you can get this form from your state government office or DMV. Some states make these forms available through municipal websites. In other states, you can also find the form on the DMV’s official website. Making this official request may incur a fee, and the amount of the fee depends on each state.
Once you make a formal request, some state governments will send you a copy of the document. While in some other states, you may only receive a link for the document to be viewed by you online. Sometimes, some state governments also ask you to visit a government office to view the document in person. Once you have viewed the document, you can copy the document by paying a copying fee.
3. Paid License Plate Services
On the internet, you may have come across websites where you can get information about driver records. Yes, it seems that many websites offer services to search for the name and address of the vehicle owner based on the license plate. If you are looking for information about the name and address of a car, you can try this method. Visit a website that provides this search feature. Enter the license plate you want to find the owner of and the state to get the information. Usually these sites charge a fee for the information. If you find a free site, then you should be careful as there is a concern that the information provided may be outdated or even incorrect. Apart from using the license plate, some of these websites also offer services for searching the name and address of the vehicle owner based on the VIN information.
Through these websites, you can get information about the name and address of the vehicle owner. Also, you will be able to get information on vehicle history reports, traffic citations, registration details, and accident reports for an additional fee. If you decide to use one of these websites, make sure you use a website that you can trust. Also, make sure you understand the terms and conditions provided.
4. Contact the Police
When you are driving a car, or walking down a street, you may have seen crimes such as hit-and-runs. You also remember the license plate of the vehicle used by the perpetrator. To find the identity of the perpetrator, you can check the name and address of the vehicle owner based on the license plate. You may be able to find information on the owner of the vehicle by using the methods mentioned above. However, in this case, you are better off reporting it to the police. Visit the nearest police station and provide the license plate of the vehicle used by the perpetrator to find information about the name and address of the vehicle owner.
Information You Can Get from a License Plate Number
The type of information you can get from a person’s vehicle license plate will vary from state to state. In most states, you will get information regarding the name and address where the car is registered. Whereas, in some other states, you can also get other information such as vehicle history, accident reports, traffic citations, and registration details. However, these details are usually only available through paid websites. If you want to try these paid sites, make sure you read the details before paying. Some sites only have information up to a certain date, which means that the information you will get is likely to be wrong or the information available is old and has not been updated. Others cannot guarantee that certain types of information are available on their site. You can customize your search according to what you need.
Legal Reasons to Lookup License Plate Number Information
You can indeed search for information about the vehicle owner based on the license plate. However, you can’t always get it easily. When you want to find out the name and address of the vehicle owner, you must have a reasonable reason. Each state has its own rules and procedures regarding driving record information. So, you must have a legal reason to require information about the owner of the vehicle. Here are some legal reasons to request this information:
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- You are the insurance provider processing the claim
- You are conducting a criminal investigation
- A credit company that wants to verify the identity of an individual
- Agencies conducting approved market research
- Public safety issues
Other Reasons You Should Take License Plate Number Information
As we have explained, you must have a legal reason to request information regarding the name and address of the vehicle owner. However, there are several situations where you have to get this information even if you don’t have the reasons we have stated above.
1. If you have experienced or witnessed an accident
You must immediately ask for information about the vehicle owner if you experience or witness a car or motorbike accident. For example, if you have been in a car accident and were not injured, the first thing you should do is take a photo of the license plate of the vehicle that hit you. With this number plate, you can report to the police to get information about the owner of the vehicle.
2. You’re Afraid of Being Followed
If you feel that someone is following you, so you are afraid and depressed, then you can look for information about the vehicle number plate used by the person following you. Take photos or videos that clearly show the car and its license plate. After that, immediately give it to the local police department. That way, you will get information about the owner of the vehicle that is stalking you.
3. There is a car parked for a long time
If you see a car parked for a very long period of time, which is not normal, especially if it disturbs or hinders other vehicle owners, then you can take a picture of the vehicle and its number plate, then submit it to the police or authorities. You never know what happens behind a car that is parked for a very long time. Therefore, let the police inspect the car to find out whether the vehicle owner deliberately parked the car for a very long period of time or whether there was another motive.
4. Something’s Not Right
When you are walking with your child, then you see something unexpected happen in front of you, such as a man running out of the house very quickly carrying a suitcase, and you suspect that the man has stolen, so you can take a photo The vehicle number plate used by the man must be given to the authorities. With this number plate, the police can reveal the identity of the perpetrator. Whatever the reason, quickly photographing a license plate and alerting law enforcement can help law enforcement solve potential crimes.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
