Free Alabama License Plate Lookup and Owner Search

Updated: 15 Jan 2026 5 min read

Alabama license plate lookup is a vehicle information search by license plate number that helps find out the vehicle's key characteristics, registration history, accidents, mileage, and other data without disclosing the owner's personal information.

Why Trust EpicVIN's Alabama License Plate Lookup

Alabama-scale coverage (1981-2025) - Alabama currently has ≈6,334,391 registered vehicles (Alabama Department of Revenue, FY 2024 Registration Statistics, Mar 2025); virtually all fall within EpicVIN’s 1981-2025 coverage window.
99%+ plate-to-VIN match rate in Alabama - Our Alabama license plate lookup reliably resolves plates to the correct 17-character vehicle identification number for the vast majority of active registrations (EpicVIN Analytics, 2024-2025).
Official NMVTIS-approved provider - EpicVIN is an authorized NMVTIS data provider and operates in compliance with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

What Is a Reverse License Plate Lookup and How Does It Work?

Plate-to-VIN Match

EpicVIN instantly resolves an Alabama plate to the vehicle’s VIN - no manual VIN decoding required.

Instant Check

We cross-check NMVTIS and trusted partner records for Alabama vehicles, surfacing title status, registration events, theft/rebuilt activity, and inspection history.

Vehicle History Report

Get a quick snapshot for Alabama vehicles: accidents/damage, title status, mileage readings (incl. inspection results where available), and open recalls—without exposing personal owner details.

Expect to see the VIN, basic vehicle specs, and any reported incidents (e.g., accidents, rebuilt titles, or recalls). Private owner details are not included, keeping the process legal and privacy-safe.

How to Look Up a Alabama (AL) License Plate

Enter the Plate

Type the Alabama license plate number (no spaces or special characters).

Select Alabama

Confirm the state is Alabama to route the search to the correct records.

Hit "Check Plate"

EpicVIN finds the sequence and basic vehicle info instantly for your vehicle plate lookup; Alabama residents can access a concise preview.

Read & Save

View the free preview (make/model/year, public record count) and decide if you need the full report for accident history, title status, and safety issues.

Why run a Alabama license plate search?

✅ What you can get from the report

Vehicle VIN & Manufacturing Details: Resolve the 17-character identifier from an Alabama license plate and view factory specs, engine, and equipment to confirm model and trim before purchase.
Mileage Tampering & History: See Alabama mileage entries and inspection timestamps to detect odometer rollbacks or inconsistencies that could affect value and future repairs.
Unreported Collision History: Surface insurer, auction, or police-indicated incidents in Alabama that may not appear in listings, helping you avoid hidden frame or flood damage.
Safety & Manufacturer Issues: Check open recalls and relevant TSBs; Alabama buyers can plan service promptly and prevent safety risks tied to unresolved defects.
Liens & Recovery Records: Identify active liens, theft/recovery notes, and any taxi/rental/fleet flags where documented for Alabama vehicles to assess title status and obligations.
Previous Owner Timeline: Privacy-safe: shows how many vehicle owners and each ownership period in Alabama, not names or addresses, supporting a transparent vehicle history vin search.

❌ You CANNOT get

Reports won’t show the owner’s name or address, live ALPR location, driver’s license, or insurance numbers. DPPA and applicable state privacy law restrict personal data; reports are informational vehicle tools and not for FCRA-regulated decisions.

Name: Protected personal comprehensive information; not available in public lookups.
Address: Restricted under DPPA and state privacy rules.
Phone Number: Not disclosed; privacy-protected contact data.
Email: Not provided in license plate searches for security reasons.
Live Location: Prohibited; no real-time tracking of persons.
Driver's License Number: Sensitive ID; unavailable to general requesters.

Report Example

An Alabama license plate lookup uses the tag number to query public vehicle records. Enter the plate and select Alabama; EpicVIN resolves the VIN and compiles the record from NMVTIS and partner sources, including inspection history where available.

Works with standard, personalized, and legacy Alabama plates; temporary tags may not return a VIN until registered.

2009 SUZUKI DR-Z400S

Odometer

No problems
Safety Recalls

No records
Accidents

2 problems
Last mileage

1mi
Auction Sales

1 sale found
Owners

No data

Year 2009
Make SUZUKI
Model DR-Z400S
Engine 0.4L K419-
Made in JAPAN

Alabama Vehicle Risks

Indicator	Alabama (2024)	Potential Risk
Accidents/Damage	≈143,487 cases in2024	Hidden damage, reduced safety, and resale value.
Theft	High theft incidence (≈8,923 cases in 2024)	Elevated theft risk; possible loss/confiscation and insurance complications.
Salvage/Rebuilt Titles	≈1 in 8 - salvage/rebuilt - ~12%	Serious prior damage; residual defects and safety concerns.
Odometer (mileage)	Odometer anomalies - ~1.3% (≈82,347 vehicles)	Mileage fraud risk; overpayment and unexpected repairs.
Open Recalls	Many open recalls - ~17% (≈1,076,846 vehicles)	Unresolved safety defects; increased accident risk until fixed.
Inspection/Emissions Patterns	No emissions testing required to register in Alabama	Engine/emissions issues; costly repairs and registration delays.

How to reduce these risks (quick plan)

Run a plate/VIN check first: Start with a quick EpicVIN screen; if red flags appear, buy the full report and review each section carefully before committing.
Check recalls directly: Use the NHTSA to confirm any open safety recalls and the required manufacturer fixes.
Verify theft/salvage status: Run a VIN check in Alabama to spot reported thefts and insurer-declared salvage where available, then compare against the report.
Inspect the car, not just the paper: Schedule a thorough test drive and pre-purchase inspection; reports complement mechanical checks and don’t replace them.
Match identifiers: Ensure the dash/door sequence matches the report and the Alabama plate matches records to rule out swaps or clerical errors.
Leverage maintenance records: Compare service invoices and auction photos for time-stamped mileage to detect rollbacks or recurring mechanical issues.

Alabama DMV or EpicVIN? Picking the Right Path in Alabama

The Alabama Department of Revenue’s Motor Vehicle Division (Alabama Motor Vehicle Division) can release a registration/title record via its Records Request Portal for permitted purposes, but it’s formal and registration-centric; EpicVIN delivers an instant multi-source history (NMVTIS title/brand/lien) useful for pre-purchase checks.

Q: Why is the DMV route slower and narrower?
A: It’s a formal request tied to permissible uses under DPPA; departments respond to permitted purposes and may omit accident or auction details.
Q: Will Alabama DMV give me the owner’s name and address?
A: Not for casual inquiries. Owner PII is restricted by DPPA and Alabama privacy requirements; releases occur only for permitted purposes defined by law.
Q: Is EpicVIN "official"?
A: Yes. EpicVIN is NMVTIS-approved; title/brand/lien indicators come from official sources. Reports exclude owner PII, and EpicVIN isn’t a CRA under the FCRA.
Q: When should I use each?
A: Use EpicVIN for fast due diligence before buying; use the Alabama portal when you need a certified record for a designated permitted purpose.

Prefer to double-check? Use NHTSA’s recall lookup to corroborate important findings. Alex Black, CMO & auto expert, EpicVIN

Guide to Alabama License Plates: Styles, Costs, and Rules

In Alabama, license plate costs are part of the overall vehicle registration process managed by the Alabama Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle Division. Annual fees vary by vehicle type and locality (ad valorem tax may apply). Key resources and forms live on the ALDOR Motor Vehicle site’s - License Plate & Registration Information page (https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motor-vehicle/license-plate-and-registration-information/) and the Registration File Information page (https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/motor-vehicle/registration-file-information/).

Are two plates required in Alabama? No - Alabama issues one rear plate for most passenger vehicles; motorcycles also use a single rear plate. (Temporary tag rules and special plate categories exist; see ALDOR.)

Driving without a valid plate? Operating without a valid license plate or with a mutilated plate can lead to penalties ($170-$210; total amount with court fees depends on the city). A theoretical maximum is up to $500, with a possible suspension of your driving privileges for 60-180 days.

Standard License Plates

Design: The current standard Alabama license plate features a white/blue motif with state branding.
Cost: $23 base registration for a standard passenger plate + $1.25 issuance fee; local/county ad valorem and sales tax may apply.
Renewal: Annual documentation to keep the plate and record valid.
How to Get: Access your county/city licensing department or MyDMV for select services; present proof of insurance. Dealers may assist.

Personalized (Vanity) Plates

Design: Personalized messages can be ordered across many Alabama specialty plates, including college and military designs.
Cost: You’ll pay standard registration plus an annual additional fee (varies by plate) + $50 annually for personalization + $5 upon metal plate issue (on top of basic registration).
Rules & Characters: Character limits vary by family; prohibited content includes profane or misleading messages; accepted messages must be eligible per rules.
How to Get: Check availability and order through your county/city licensing department; some websites support online steps.

Specialty License Plates

Design: Alabama offers many specialty plates (cause, university, and others).
Cost: Programs add an annual contribution; a $5 fee applies when a metal plate is first issued (not collected on straight replacements under §40-12-265).
How to Get: Apply through your local office after the title process is complete; the applicant must be eligible for the covered series.

Historic & Collector Plates

Design: “Vintage Vehicle” license plates (permanent) for older models; Alabama also supports original-year plate use with a vintage decal.
Rules & Requirements: Permanent vintage plates carry a one-time $10 state fee; usage is restricted to exhibitions, club activities, and parades.

Other Plate Rules and Processes

Temporary & Replacement: Licensing officials may issue temporary license plates; replacement plates/decals are available (replacement plate fee $2.00).
Transfers & Surrenders: You can transfer plates to a vehicle you purchase later; surrender plates to cancel a record as required by the Motor Vehicle Division; navigate local rules.

Alabama - Fees at a glance

Plate type/Action	One-time plate fee	Where to obtain	Form/official link
Standard passenger plates (new issue)	$1.25	Local Licensing Dept/Online (MyDMV)	ALDOR - General Registration FAQ
Vanity (personalized) plates (issuance)	$5	Local Licensing Dept	ALDOR - License Plates Archive
Classic/Antique background (Vintage Vehicle)	$10	Local Licensing Dept	ALDOR - Vintage Plates News Release
Specialty background plates (issuance)	$5	Local Licensing Dept	ALDOR - License Plates
Permanent Trailer license plate	$60	Local Licensing Dept	Rule 810-5-1-.240 (PDF)
Replacement plate (lost/mutilated)	$2	Local Licensing Dept	ALDOR - Replace your plates (training PDF)
Temporary license plate	$2.25	Local Licensing Dept	ALDOR - Sample Temporary Tag

- Local components may apply; amounts above exclude taxes.
- Some programs carry annual contributions; one-time issuance amounts shown here only.
- Fees verified: Sep 2025.

How Your Personal Information is Protected in Alabama

Federal Law:
The federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act restricts the disclosure of personal information from state motor vehicle records; Alabama’s official DPPA notice explains the statute’s permitted uses and penalties.
Local Law:
Alabama Administrative Code r. 810-5-1-.485 and ALDOR’s Records Request guidance require that motor vehicle records be released only for DPPA-permitted purposes through the department’s portal and with required fees.

EpicVIN complies with the DPPA and Alabama Administrative Code r. 810-5-1-.485; we do not sell vehicle owners' personal data (only de-identified vehicle data). We do not provide the owner's name, address, or contact information - this is prohibited.

Official Alabama Resources

ALDOR - License Plate & Registration Information - Overview hub for Alabama license plates, registration rules, and Motor Vehicle Division guidance.
MyDMV (ALDOR) - Online portal to access renewals, replacements, and title/status checks.
Registration File Information (ALDOR) - Updated fee schedules and references for plate categories.
Vehicle Licensing Offices (ALDOR) - County directory with contacts and online renewal links.
Motor Vehicle Records Request (ALDOR) - Official portal to access certified title/registration records for permitted DPPA purposes.

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States Base

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Louisiana

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Utah

Alabama Plate Lookup – FAQ

Double-check the entry (0 vs letter O, I vs 1) and make sure Alabama is selected. Very new or temporary tags may not be linked yet - try later or use the unique sequence. You can contact our support via chat or email. We update data regularly; very recent changes can take time to appear.

Temporary tags and freshly issued plates often aren’t in statewide databases yet. Ask the seller for the vehicle identification number or retry in a few days.

Yes. We don’t notify anyone about your lookup, and we don’t display owner PII. Results focus on vehicle data, not personal identity.

Alabama vehicle owners generally have 20 days to register after purchase or acquisition to avoid penalties.

Pickup trucks are assessed by weight; standard ranges apply to trucks and truck-tractors.

Apply for a replacement license plate; Alabama law sets a $2 plate replacement fee.

Yes - Alabama offers specialty plates, including university themes and military series.

Many Alabama motorcycles can use personalized license plates within plate family rules.

Use the vehicle identification number with NHTSA’s tool; EpicVIN reports also flag recalls and accident indicators.

Run an Alabama license plate search to review the title status, rebuilt, and accident history in a consolidated report.

Save Thousands of Dollars

Learn everything there is to know about your next car.

Why Trust EpicVIN's Alabama License Plate Lookup

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How to Look Up a Alabama (AL) License Plate