Have you ever wondered if it's possible for someone to track your license plate?
Don't worry, it's not like a GPS. In fact, the vehicle history tied to your license plate can keep you safe from buying stolen vehicles or falling victim to fraud.
But there are some things you should probably know about what your license plate can say about you. Make sure to read this post carefully to find out if your license plate can be used to track you.
License Plates
In the United States, you are required to display your license plate on your vehicle. The laws for obtaining information tied to a license plate can vary from state to state. However, all states through the DMV are required to protect personal information under the Driver Privacy Act (DPV).
The DPV prevents people from accessing your private information. Except in specific circumstances, such as a court order, detailed information, such as addresses, will not be easy to gain access to.
So don't worry! Your information is protected.
Now, there is some information that a license plate number can convey, if you know the state it's from as well. Such as whether the vehicle is registered and what type of registration it is. It's also useful to learn if the vehicle is stolen.
In the event that you need to look up a license plate because of a hit-and-run or similar problem, this information could help you. It's also useful if you are looking to buy a used car.
Be sure to learn more about how to find car owner registration details if you're in the market.
VIN Vehicle History
If you are looking to buy a car, you should do a VIN lookup. This is typically much more useful than doing a search with only a license plate number.
VIN stands for "Motor Vehicle Identification Number," a 17-digit number unique to a vehicle. The number is not randomly assigned, rather it contains key information about the model, year, country of origin, and more. VIN numbers are a serious matter—make sure your number follows local laws.
If you are buying a used car, this information can be valuable. Perhaps the car was once used as a taxi, was previously in an accident, or has undisclosed damages that would come up in a VIN report.
You can typically find a VIN number in these places:
- Insurance Card
- Vehicle Title
- Lowest corner of the windshield on the driver's side
- Door frame upon opening
- Front engine block (under hood)
So, Can Your License Plate Track You?
In short, yes, your license plate can be used to find information about a person. But, that information is only accessible in specific, protected circumstances.
A VIN, on the other hand, can provide much more information. Always check your vehicle history report with our free VIN check!
With this information, you're sure to make informed choices in any situation involving a vehicle.
