Car License Plates Lost or Stolen: How to File a Police Report

How to file the Police report

Filing a Police report may be required for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue you a set of new license plates.

If you know where your license plates were lost or stolen then contact the Police department in that area to file the report, otherwise, you are a victim where you live and you can file the report with your local Police department in your city.

You may be able to file the report on-line, over the phone or in person by going to the Police station. Most Police departments will not send a Patrol car to your location to take a report on lost or stolen license plates.

What you need to file the Police report

You will need proper identification to start the report. It is best, but not necessary, to provide the Police with the registration to your vehicle or the license plate number.

Why file a lost or stolen license plate report

Filing a Police report should cover you in case anyone who may have your license plate tried to use them in anyway. Having a Police report may be a requirement of the DMV to reissue you another license plate or set of new ones and covers you in case of fraud.

Filing Police reports also help the Police track where crime is occurring so they can put more Police resources in the areas where crime is highest.

Conclusion

Filing a lost or stolen license plate report with the Police is a very simple process. The license plate or plates will be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in case someone is using them for fraudulent reasons so if the plates are ever run by the Police they will come up as lost or stolen.

Make sure, once you file a Police report that you always get your Police report case number and either a receipt that you filed a report or an actual copy of the report for your records.

Article also posted on Triond by Scott Hallock