How to Look Up a Vehicle Tag Number

In certain circumstances you may need to look up the tag number, or license plate number, of a vehicle. For one, if another driver hits your vehicle and leaves the scene of the accident, you can look up the registered owner's information if you saw the tag number. This can be done in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles office, or online.

In Person

Step 1

Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles office and inform the clerk of your intention to look up a tag number. If you are looking up the tag number of a vehicle you don't own, because of a hit and run or other traffic incident, you must visit your local police department and file a report. The office will update your report with the registered owner's information.

Step 2

Provide the clerk with the tag number and your identification card or driver's license.

Step 3

Wait for the clerk to print out the report. In some states, you may have to pay a fee.

Online

Step 1

Visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website or a third party website that deals in license plate information (see Resources).

Step 2

Enter the tag number in the appropriate field, followed by the state in which the tag number is registered. Click "Next."

Step 3

Enter your payment information in the appropriate field. If you are using a state DMV website no fee may be charged. The average fee to run a license plate search on a third-party website is around $35 to $75.

Step 4

Click "Search" to submit your request. If your search yields any results, you will receive your report in the mail 48 hours to 5 weeks from the time of your initial search, not including non-business days.

References:

• DMV.org: How to Run a License Plate Check [http://dmvanswers.com/questions/64/How-can-I-run-a-License-Plate-Check]
• License Plate Lookup- Can You Conduct a License Plate Look up Online [http://reversesearchtools.com/license-plate-search/license-plate-lookup-can-you-conduct-a-license-plate-lookup-online/]
• Edmunds: What to Do After a Car Accident [http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/safety/articles/43805/article.html]
• Going Legal: Hit and Run Laws [http://www.goinglegal.com/article_955049_18.html]
• Abika: About a License Plate Report [http://www.abika.com/Reports/LicensePlates.htm]