You may want to look up a vehicle’s license plate in several instances, such as knowing the vehicle’s details when doing a background search before a purchase. Can civilians look up license plates? Yes, it is possible to check the plates, and easier if you rely on the best free license lookup platforms.
Various platforms offer lookup services, but most charge a fee, which can be inconvenient to many people. The good news is that you can look up license plate owner free of cost as long as you know the sites to visit.
Best Free License Plate Lookup Sites
As we know, the license plate is a crucial car part for identity purposes. You can get the vehicle and owner’s details for free using the sites we present.
01. Bumper.com
The best free license plate lookup Reddit discussions praise Bumper as one of the leading platforms. The bumper is a user-friendly site to check license plates without signing in. The lookup process is simple: key in the license plate, select the state, and click the search button.
It is also one of the best sites for a free VIN check, a hint at its versatility. You can also search for a car by year, make, and model. You will input the year, make and model and check a box to indicate that you own the vehicle. You then click on the search key.
The bumper has the approval of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) as a data provider, and the info it provides is accurate.
Other tools you find under Bumper’s banner are:
- A market value estimation tool
- A vehicle comparison tool
- Bumper Connect for monitoring your vehicle
- The vehicle marketplace inventory if you want to buy a car
Highlighted Features
- Easy to use
- Search without necessarily signing in
- Accurate results
- The platform has several extra tools
- An NMVTIS-approved data provider
Read Also: Find Driver’s License Number by SSN in all States in the USA
02. Vincheck
Vincheck is primarily a VIN lookup site, but a free license plate check is among its extra tools. It is a convenient tool, requiring you to enter the plate and the state. It will generate the information fast, taking less than a minute to yield the results.
Vincheck has an extensive database that captures several license plate info sourced from government networks and non-profit and auto industry sources. A thing to appreciate about this free license plate checkup platform is the detailed information it provides. The search results capture vehicle and equipment specifications, fuel efficiency, indications of fraud or any mess, market value, safety rating, and many more.
Highlighted Features
- A comprehensive output capturing info like car details and market value
- Fast processing
- No need to sign in
- Accurate information
03. Vinpit
The Vinpit license plate lookup site is one of the best, courtesy of the detailed info it provides. To look up a plate, you key in the number, select the state, and search. The results you get capture:
- Registration details
- Technical specs
- Accident history
- Recall history
- Warranty
- Servicing and repair information
Vinpit is the go-to site when buying used vehicles, as you get all the necessary details about a car you want. How does Vinpit get its information? The platform obtains accurate info from reputable sources, such as the Department of motor vehicles in all the states, insurance companies, NHTSA, NMVTIS, salvage yards, and more.
If you are new to the site, you can try the sample search to understand how it works. You must sign in and pay to get extra details about the vehicle. Other resources offered by Vinpit include VIN lookup, vehicle owner check, and motorcycle and ATV VIN lookup.
Highlighted Features
- Fast results
- Provides comprehensive info on the vehicle
- Accurate results coming from reputable sources
- Extra resources such as VIN and vehicle owner lookup
- The sample search feature hints at the site’s functionality
04. Find By Plate
Are you avoiding a physical DMV license plate lookup? If affirmative, Find By Plate is an excellent tool to save you from the hassles of visiting DMV offices. The features of this platform set it apart from others. For instance, you can search for a license plate by uploading its photo, which is more convenient than keying in the numbers.
The results comprehensively give the vehicle’s specs, violations, reports, pictures, and videos. You can also comment on the cars and add photos and videos to the page. You can sign in to the website via Google.
Find By Plate also allows you to report careless drivers and Uber or Lyft rides that gave a bad experience. You can check the license plate designs on the website to be sure of the state.
Highlighted Features
- Supports image search
- A history of previous searches
- You can add to the database by providing accurate links, pictures, videos, and comments.
- Well-detailed results
05. Vehicle History
Some license plate lookup sites can be complicated to use, with several functions on the homepage. This is not the case with Vehicle History, an utter embodiment of simplicity. The homepage has a subdued design, and the search function is easily accessible. You search for car info by keying in the license number and selecting the state.
Apart from looking up plates, you can also check out vehicle reviews. The cars are grouped into sedans, trucks, SUVs, sports, and diesels. Pick a category to see the cars and their reviews to help you decide on the one to buy.
Highlighted Features
- A simple website
- Fast results
- 100% accurate
- A vast car review section
06. Vehicle.Report
Vehicle. Report is a friendly site to conduct a background search for a car you want to buy or report. It is an easy-to-use platform that will present you with the vehicle’s info, like the make, equipment, color, and technical features.
On the report, there is the buyer resources section, giving you the market value in your local area safety ratings and fuel efficiency. The critical record research presents you with sales, accident theft, and lien records.
Highlighted Features
- Convenience
- Provides extensive info about the vehicle history and ownership
- A free VIN search and decoder
- You can check a vehicle’s market value
07. EpicVin
You can easily confirm a US license plate via EpicVin. It is the go-to platform if you want to know how to check if a car is stolen by license plate free of charge. You provide the license plate number and state and wait for the results coming out fast.
EpicVin partners with various bodies, such as the United States Department of Transportation and NMVTIS, to get its vehicle information. The results are 100% accurate.
EpicVin has several other resources besides the license plate check, such as a flood check and a free odometer check. Peruse the website to see its features.
Highlighted Features
- Fast processing
- Accurate results
- Additional resources like the flood and odometer check
- Multilingual support
Read Also: What size are license plate screws?
FAQs
Can You Look Up a Florida License Plate?
It is legal to look up a car license plate in Florida. You can visit the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles service centers to confirm the license plates. If you cannot access the service centers, it is better to use the online tools, where you key in the plate number and select Florida as your state. Depending on the tool you use, you will get all the necessary info about the car, such as its specs, owner, and accident history.
How Do I Look Up a License Plate in Texas?
For a Texas license plate lookup, you can visit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles offices. Alternatively, you can opt for third-party sites that will offer you info about the car and owners from the license plate. There are paid and free sites: most paid sites have accurate and updated information. Be keen on the free sites as some information might be missing or outdated.
How Can I Find Out Who Owns a Car in California?
You can check car owner information in California from the state’s DMV offices. The other option is to look up the info via license plate lookup websites. Pick a website that is easy to use and will provide extensive information about the car and the owner. You can use free websites, but you may need to pay extra to get a full report on the owner.
Can You Look Up License Plates In NJ?
An easy way of looking up New Jersey license plates is by using third-party platforms. In this case, you visit the websites, enter the license plate, select New Jersey as the state, and search. You will get the info you need. You should visit the state’s DMV offices for more accurate and updated results.
Can You Look Up a License Plate in Maryland?
To confirm a license plate in Maryland, you should visit its DMV offices for accurate results. You can also look up the license plate via online platforms. Go for reputable platforms that will give you authentic and complete information about the vehicle, including specs, accident, and repair history.
How Can I Trace the Owner of a License Plate Number?
It is easy to trace the owner of a vanity plate number due to its uniqueness; however, you need to look up the plate from reputable sources for accurate details. The same applies to regular plates. You can confirm the license plate details from your state’s DMV or other government agencies that deal with auto reports.
You can also trace the car owner through free license lookup sites. Use platforms with diverse and error-free results.
Can I Find Out Who a Car Is Registered To?
You can find a car owner’s details in several ways, starting by asking around. This is not reliable as you won’t get all the necessary information you want. The best way is to visit government agencies in your locality in charge of licensing. You must fill out the necessary forms to get the information you want.
The other way is by using vehicle license plate lookup websites. They are easy to use, with some offering free services and others requiring you to pay. It is a fast way to get the owner’s info, but you should look for sites that provide accurate and updated details.
What Does SV Mean on NJ License Plate?
From 1939 to 1958, New Jersey adopted a new number plate system, where the letters on the left side represented the county code. SV on the New Jersey plates represented Sussex County. Presently, the letter V represents Sussex County.
What Happens If You Don’t Surrender Your Plates In NJ?
You should surrender your plates in New Jersey after selling your vehicle or, if it was stolen, to the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC). Having the plates is a sign that you have updated your car insurance. Failure to turn them in may result in the suspension of your license.
What Does CK Mean on Maryland License Plates?
Maryland has several non-passenger and special registration license plates. Among the available plates will feature CK, a designation for the Church Creek Volunteer Fire Company.
Can Two Cars Have the Same Number Plate?
Cars from different states can have the same license plate. Within the state, the license plates are unique, and there are no duplicates.
Final Words
A license plate is an essential part for identity. We look at the best free license plate lookup sites, which you can visit to confirm a vehicle’s details. The platforms are handy as you don’t have to go to your state’s DMV or automotive registration offices for the records.
You should pick a legitimate lookup site that guarantees actual and up-to-date results. Furthermore, ensure your license is alright and make necessary upgrades to your license plate, like improving the lighting to be on the safe side of the law.
