How to look up someones tag number

A vehicle license plate search is similar to a VIN check. You type in the license plate number of a given vehicle, and we provide you with information about it.

You can learn a wealth of information that has been recorded about the vehicle the license plate has been assigned to. This can include:

  • Any title branding
  • If it has been in any major accidents
  • If it has been reported stolen
  • Who the current owner of the vehicle is
  • If it has any vehicle registration issues
  • If it is on the road legally
  • If it has passed the most recent vehicle inspection
  • Other information publicly available

People do license plate searches for a variety of different reasons. For the most part, it's used when someone is thinking about buying a car and wants to get the vehicle history before they make a decision. They know that sellers won't always tell them about problems with the vehicle. This is a good route to go, if for some reason you don't have access to the VIN number.

It can also be used if you see someone give your car a minor ding in a parking lot and want to contact them without involving the police. Other people want to make sure that a car that belongs to someone their children may be riding with is a safe car.

It doesn't matter that much why you want to perform a license plate search. It's up to you.

Where Does The Information For A License Plate Search Come From?

There are many sources we use for our license plate search service. Much of it comes from various motor vehicle departments. Other information comes from insurance companies, and still more comes from service stations. We use a wide variety of sources in our license plate search system, including federal motor vehicle databases.

Yes it is. Various laws including the Freedom of Information Act give people the right to access data collected by the government. This is because the people and equipment used to collect and record the data are paid for with your taxes. Since you paid for the data to be created, the government feels that you own it and should be able to access it.

Beyond that, the government has an interest in cutting down on used car fraud and auto theft. For that reason, they want you to be able to access this information.

Are You The Only Company That Offers A License Plate Check?

No. Vehicle History is not the only license plate check provider. However, most of the other companies out there will charge you money to check out a license plate. Our service is free, yet still delivers a high level of value. We think that makes us the right choice when you want to perform a license plate check.

Could I Do A License Plate Check On My Own?

In theory you could, but in practice it would be much harder. You'd have to contact every DMV, police department, federal agency, service station and insurance company yourself. That would not only cost you a lot of time, but it would also be fairly expensive. By the time you finished it, the car you were thinking of buying might already have been purchased by someone else!

On the the other hand, when you use our free license plate check service, it costs you no money at all and you get the information delivered to you laptop, desktop or mobile device in a matter of minutes. We think that's a better deal.

How to look up someones tag number

license plates image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com

If you were in a recent auto accident or an abandoned car is sitting on your property, you can pursue obtaining the tag number through a local resource like your insurance company or the police. According to the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, DMVs are restricted as to the amount of personal information they can give out and you would need to fall into one of the categories for authorized recipients of this personal information. If you were not in an accident, however, numerous private agencies are listed online that can obtain information on a tag number for you.

Step 1

Report an accident to the police immediately, so that the incident is documented. The police and your auto insurance company can provide you with the other person's insurance information, free of charge, if you have the tag number. For other situations, check out a fee-paying license search site.

Step 2

Examine the Reverse License Plate Search website. The company states on their site that you can locate a person by the plate number or the VIN. The current pricing allows you access to DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) records and enables you to use other search tools. With this particular site, you are not limited to your state; you can search all 50. If this meets your needs, select the reason you are doing the search. Click on the link that says immediate access. Enter your credit card billing information and card number. Your order is processed instantly, giving you the right to use their database of records.

Step 3

Consider the Public People Finder site. They clearly list specific states that you can find a person by plate number and state but all states are not included. Review the list of states. If this site is good for you, select the package you prefer and choose order now. Verify that the person you are attempting to locate has a vehicle registered in one of the states listed. Complete the form asking for your information and continue. Fill out the final order page with your billing information and select "complete order." Wait for your order to process and you will have access to the site records.

Step 4

Check the License-Plate-Search website. Read the details of what the site offers in exchange for your payment. The website states they offer the search for 50 states. They do charge a fee for the service, like all online companies that allow you to locate a person via tag number. Fill in the vehicle tag number you are seeking, the state and click "search" on the website. Complete the form with your personal information. Select the payment option you want to use. Pay for the information. Once the order is processed, you have access to the information.

References

Warnings

  • If you are considering locating someone by tag number, make sure you have a legal reason for doing so.
  • Read the terms of service and applicable information on each site, to avoid buying access to a database that does not include the information you need.

Writer Bio

Charley Prescott has been writing since 2004. She has traveled the country and world extensively while working in the fashion industry. Her work appears on eHow, focusing on topics such as gardening, fashion and travel.

How do I find a name from a tag number?

You can begin your search for a person's name and address by contacting the local DMV in your state. They will inform you if this information is given out to the public. Also, you can go to the DMV website for your jurisdiction and enter the license plate number if that option is available.

Can you look up a license plate in SC?

Allows authorized users to search License Plate Numbers or Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) registered in the state of South Carolina to obtain information about that vehicle or obtain lien information associated with the entered VIN.

Can you look up license plates in Indiana?

In Indiana, you may do a license plate search through the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicle (BMV) or third-party web services. Appointments with the BMV may be necessary to conduct the plate lookup. However, vehicle history reports or information obtained from the BMV are typically updated and accurate.

Can you look up a license plate in NC?

Yes, it is possible to look up a license plate with a VIN in North Carolina. A VIN and license plate number are linked in the state's public vehicle record, implying that an individual can look up a license plate number with a VIN lookup tool that supports such a function.