How to Check Vehicle Number Plates
Running a check on someone's vehicle plate number can be illegal if you do not have legitimate reasons. The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) states the specific reasons for which a search could be allowed, including: if you are the victim of a hit-and-run or need to verify information for employment or insurance purposes. You should review this act before attempting to perform a search. If your reasons are not in compliance with the law, you will not be able to legally run a check on a vehicle plate number.
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Instructions
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Call the state police department where the vehicle is registered. If your reason for running a check involves a crime or an accident, you will be required to complete a police report. Depending on the nature of the crime, the police may choose to provide you with the information from the check or take legal action and advise you to hire an attorney.
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Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in the state where the vehicle is registered. The DMV will have records on all plate numbers in that state.
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Complete a request form. Many states have these forms available online. If not, request a form from the DMV. Review the instructions. The form may require the signature of a business or government official. This signature is to verify the legal reason for which you need the requested information.
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Pay the appropriate fee. The DMV will charge a fee to run the search. The amount of the fee varies from state to state.
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Get the facts. If the DMV feels that your request complies with the law, it will run a check and release the results to you.
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Tips & Warnings
There are many Internet websites that allow you to search for information using a vehicle plate number. These websites may cost more money, however, than the DMV's scheduled fees. Also, these websites will not verify your reasons and cannot protect you legally if you are found to be out of compliance with the law.
