How to Find a Car’s History With a License Plate

You can often find a car’s history from a license plate by first converting the plate to the vehicle’s VIN through a state or national lookup, then running the VIN through official databases like NMVTIS (U.S.), NICB’s free stolen/salvage check, and reputable commercial history services; privacy laws restrict access to personal owner data and vary by country. Below, we explain the step-by-step process, legal limits, the best sources in different regions, what information you can realistically expect, and how to avoid scams.

What “car history” includes—and what it doesn’t

“Car history” typically refers to prior title brands (e.g., salvage, flood), odometer readings, theft records, registration events, accident claims reported to insurers, lien status, and recall information. It generally does not include current owner names/addresses (restricted by privacy laws), full service records, or every accident (unreported incidents may not appear).

Step-by-step: From license plate to a reliable history report

Step 1: Convert the plate to a VIN

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the key to any trustworthy history. Most official databases accept the VIN, not just a plate. Depending on where you live, you can use government portals or approved providers to map a plate to a VIN.

• United States: Many state DMVs provide online vehicle information lookups that may reveal the VIN or enough details to match a VIN. Start at your state DMV via USA.gov’s motor vehicle services directory: usa.gov/motor-vehicle-services. If online tools don’t show a VIN, you can request records for a permissible purpose under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), or ask the seller to provide the VIN.
• United Kingdom: Use the DVLA’s free Vehicle Enquiry Service with a plate to get make/model, year, CO2, tax/MOT status: vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk. You can then check MOT history (which often includes mileage and advisories) at gov.uk/check-mot-history. Commercial checks (e.g., HPI Check) can include plate-to-VIN mapping.
• Canada: Provincial services may show basic details from a plate; otherwise ask the seller for the VIN. CARFAX Canada reports require a VIN: carfax.ca.
• Australia: States and territories offer rego checks by plate (e.g., NSW Rego Check, VicRoads). For encumbrance/written-off status nationally, you’ll need the VIN for a PPSR search: ppsr.gov.au.
• New Zealand: Plate lookups via NZTA and services like CarJam can provide vehicle details and link to history products.
• EU (varies by country): Plate-to-vehicle info is often available via national transport portals; comprehensive histories usually require a VIN and permissible purpose under GDPR.
• India: The VAHAN portal can show basic registration info from the plate (registration number), but complete histories typically require a VIN and additional authorization: vahan.parivahan.gov.in.

If you can’t lawfully convert the plate to a VIN through official means, request the VIN directly from the seller, insurer, or dealer; legitimate sellers provide it. Avoid services that promise owner identities from a plate—those often violate privacy laws or deliver unreliable data.

Step 2: Run the VIN through authoritative databases

Once you have the VIN, use official and industry-backed sources to verify title brands, theft/salvage records, odometer readings, recalls, and liens where available.

• U.S. NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System): The foundational source for title brands (salvage, junk, flood), certain insurance total-loss events, and latest title state. Access via approved providers listed at the DOJ/BJA site: vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov.
• NICB VinCheck (U.S.): Free check for theft and salvage/total-loss records reported to participating insurers: nicb.org/vincheck.
• NHTSA Recalls (U.S.): Check open safety recalls by VIN: nhtsa.gov/recalls.
• State title/odometer records (U.S.): Some states offer title history or lien/encumbrance verification for a fee. Search your state DMV’s record request page.
• Canada: CARFAX Canada draws from insurance, police, and province data; some police services also provide stolen status checks.
• UK: Combine DVLA vehicle data with MOT history; use HPI Check or AA/RAC checks for finance (lien) and write-off markers.
• Australia: PPSR report (needs VIN) confirms finance owing and written-off/stolen status nationally.
• New Zealand: NZTA and commercial services (e.g., MotorWeb, CarJam) provide ownership history count, odometer, finance owing, and write-off data.

Authoritative checks reduce risk from tampered odometers, washed titles, or stolen vehicles. Cross-referencing multiple sources strengthens confidence.

Step 3: Optional commercial reports and cross-checks

Commercial reports can add accident/repair claims, auction photos, service visits, and mileage patterns that official databases may not include. Use them to complement, not replace, official records.

• Global vendors: CARFAX (U.S./EU), AutoCheck (U.S.), carVertical (many countries). Review what data sources each uses and sample reports before purchasing.
• Regional specialists: HPI Check (UK), CARFAX Canada, PPSR providers (AU), MotorWeb/CarJam (NZ).
• Dealer/OEM service history: Some franchised dealers can pull partial service histories by VIN; ask for a redacted printout.
• Auction history/images: Some services surface historical auction listings and photos, useful for spotting past damage.

If a commercial report conflicts with official records, treat the official source (e.g., NMVTIS, PPSR) as the baseline and investigate discrepancies with the seller, insurer, or DMV/registry.

Legal and privacy rules you must know

Access to data from a license plate or VIN is regulated. You can check a vehicle’s status, but personally identifying information about owners is generally restricted to specific, lawful purposes.

• United States (DPPA): The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act restricts disclosure of personal info from motor vehicle records. Permissible uses include matters like vehicle safety, recalls, anti-fraud, insurance underwriting/claims, and certain business verifications. Casual owner lookups are not permitted.
• European Union/UK (GDPR and national laws): Personal data is tightly controlled. Public portals (e.g., DVLA) provide vehicle facts and MOT records but not owner identities.
• Canada: Provincial privacy laws limit release of owner data. CARFAX Canada and police checks provide vehicle-focused information.
• Australia/New Zealand: PPSR/NZTA focus on encumbrance, write-off, and registration details, not owner identities, except under permitted circumstances.

When in doubt, use official portals and state your purpose accurately. Avoid services that advertise owner names/addresses from a plate—they may be unlawful or inaccurate.

What you can—and cannot—expect to learn

Even the best reports have limits. Set expectations and verify critical claims with documentation and a pre-purchase inspection.

• Commonly available: Title brands, prior salvage/flood/junk status, insurance total-loss, theft records, odometer readings from inspections/MOTs, open recalls, registration history by state/country, and finance liens (in some jurisdictions).
• Sometimes available: Accident claims details, repair shop visits, emissions tests, auction photos, number of prior owners (count, not identities).
• Rarely available: Current owner’s name/address, complete service history, every accident or repair (unreported events may be missing).

Use multiple sources to fill gaps: official registries, reputable commercial reports, and an independent mechanical inspection.

Tips to avoid scams and bad data

Vehicle history is a fraud-prone space. Protect yourself with these checks before paying for any report or purchase.

• Prioritize official sources (NMVTIS, PPSR, DVLA/MOT, NZTA) and well-known vendors (CARFAX, AutoCheck, HPI).
• Be wary of “instant owner lookup” or ultra-cheap reports pushed via text/social media—common phishing/scam vectors.
• Verify VIN integrity: Compare the dashboard VIN, door jamb sticker, windshield etchings, and service records; mismatches are a red flag.
• Cross-check odometer: Ensure a consistent upward trend across inspections, MOTs, and service entries.
• Confirm liens/finance owing via official registries (e.g., PPSR in AU, HPI finance check in UK); don’t rely solely on a seller’s word.

If anything seems off, pause the transaction and request documentation, a third-party inspection, or an escrow arrangement.

Costs and turnaround time

Expect a mix of free and paid checks; costs vary by country and data depth.

• Free: NICB VinCheck (U.S.), NHTSA recalls (U.S.), DVLA enquiry and MOT history (UK), some state/provincial rego checks.
• Low-cost: NMVTIS provider reports (U.S.) typically under $15; PPSR certificate (AU) is low-cost; NZ history checks are modestly priced.
• Premium: CARFAX/AutoCheck/HPI reports often range from $20–$50+, with multi-report bundles available.

Most online checks are instant once you have the VIN; manual record requests from DMVs or registries can take days to weeks depending on the jurisdiction and purpose.

If you uncover problems or suspect fraud

Don’t proceed with a purchase until issues are resolved. Document everything and use official channels.

• Stolen or cloned vehicle: Contact local police and provide the VIN, plate, and seller details; do not confront the seller alone.
• Undisclosed lien: Require a lien release or use escrow to pay the lender directly at closing.
• Title brand discrepancies: Verify with the state/provincial registry and request historical title abstracts.
• Dispute a bogus report charge: Contact your card issuer and the service; reputable vendors offer refunds for technical failures or obvious errors.

It’s better to walk away than inherit legal or financial liabilities tied to a problematic history.

Frequently asked quick answers

These concise points address common questions about plate-based history checks.

• Can I get owner info from a plate? Generally no—privacy laws restrict this except for specific lawful purposes.
• Is a plate enough without a VIN? Sometimes for basic status (tax/MOT, rego), but comprehensive histories require a VIN.
• Will all accidents show up? No—only those reported to insurers, police, or participating databases.
• What if a seller refuses to share the VIN? Treat it as a red flag and walk away.
• Are free reports enough? Use free official checks first, then add a paid report for depth and cross-verification.

Use these answers as a starting point, then follow the step-by-step process above for a thorough check.

Summary

To find a car’s history from a license plate, first lawfully obtain the VIN via official portals or from the seller, then run the VIN through authoritative databases (NMVTIS/NICB in the U.S., DVLA/MOT/HPI in the UK, CARFAX Canada, PPSR in Australia, and local equivalents). Respect privacy laws, cross-check data with reputable commercial reports, and verify everything against the physical vehicle and an independent inspection. If information is missing or inconsistent, investigate further or walk away.

Can you look up a license plate in MD?

Yes, you can look up a license plate in Maryland, but access to information is restricted and typically requires authorization from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) or a legitimate business need. For public safety reasons, individual owners are not granted access to license plate lookup tools for other citizens. 
Who can perform a license plate lookup in Maryland?

• Law Enforcement: Police and other law enforcement agencies have access to vehicle records to check for stolen vehicles or other criminal activity. 
• Businesses: Some businesses that require vehicle information for their operations, such as auto repair shops or insurance companies, may have authorized access through a secure, batch-based service called Batch Vehicle Access (BVA). 

What kind of information can be obtained?

• Information from the vehicle record, such as registration status and vehicle details. 
• Owner information, which is generally restricted and not available to the public. 

How can I request access (if applicable)? 

• If you have a legitimate business need, you would need to contact the Maryland Department of Motor Vehicles (MVA) to learn about authorized access to their systems, such as the BVA service.

Why is this information restricted? 

• Protecting personal privacy is a primary concern. The information on vehicle records is considered personal and is not available for public curiosity.

How to check car history with plate number?

Search for vehicle history records with a valid US license plate number! We’ve made it easier than ever to get an AutoCheck® vehicle history report. You can search with a vehicle identification number (VIN), or you can search with a valid license plate number and state.

How to see Carfax for free?

You can get free Carfax information by viewing cars listed on Carfax.com and other dealer websites, by using the Carfax Car Care app for service records, or by getting an offer on a platform like Carvana (which reveals accident details). Many car dealerships and online marketplaces provide a free report for every used vehicle they offer for sale. 
On Carfax.com and Dealer Websites

1. Visit Carfax.com: Go to Carfax.com/cars-for-sale to browse used cars. 
2. Check Listings: Each listing for a used car on their site includes a full Carfax report, which you can view for free. 
3. Contact a Dealer: Many car dealerships provide links to free reports on their websites for used cars. If a link isn’t available, you can ask a dealer directly for the report on a specific vehicle. 

Using the Carfax Car Care App 

1. Download the App: Install the free Carfax Car Care app from your app store.
2. Add Your Car: In the app, add a car to your digital garage by entering its vehicle identification number (VIN).
3. View Service Records: The app will display detailed information, including service and maintenance records, that have been reported to Carfax.

Using Other Platforms 

1. Try Carvana: Opens in new tabGo to the Carvana website, enter the VIN of the vehicle you’re interested in, and go through the process to get a cash offer.
2. Check for Accidents: Opens in new tabThe offer process on Carvana will provide a snapshot of the vehicle’s Carfax report, including the number of accidents.

Can you find someone’s information based on their license plate?

Contact the DMV To Find Name and Address by License Plate
The Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized to run license plate lookups — they have record of all registered license plates, as well as driver records.