Free New Jersey (NJ) License Plate Lookup

What you can get from the vehicle history report

• VIN and manufacturing details. Decode assembly information and original vehicle specifications tied to the VIN to check whether the advertised configuration matches the vehicle.
• Mileage and odometer history. Review dated mileage entries and odometer flags to identify gaps or readings that conflict with the seller's claims.
• Collision and damage records. Check reported collisions, recorded damage and salvage auction appearances to assess what may have happened before a private sale.
• Open recalls. See safety recalls tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), including repair campaigns that may still require attention.
• Liens and theft or recovery notes. Examine available lien, theft and recovery entries that may indicate unresolved ownership or financial issues.
• Previous owner timeline. Follow recorded ownership periods and states when available, while keeping the identities of previous registered owners private.

You cannot get

A public result will not tell you who the plate is registered to or disclose a registered owner's name, address, phone number, email address, live location or driver's license number. Registration expiration, traffic tickets and toll charges are also excluded. Law enforcement uses separate authorized channels for protected information.

Only MVC can release protected registered owner information through its record-request process. The owner may receive their own registration record, while other applicants need a permitted purpose under Form DO-11A. Qualified organizations may use the Customer Abstract Information Retrieval (CAIR) Program. For non-identifying ownership counts and states, try vehicle owner lookup by VIN.

NJ Courts searches by ticket, complaint, driver license number or name, not plate; toll road operator E-ZPass NJ requires a notice number plus the plate.

1. Vehicle registration record request

Request a certified vehicle registration record by plate or VIN through Form DO-11A, Vehicle Registration Application Request.

An MVC license plate lookup means a certified record request on Form DO-11A, not an unrestricted owner search. To obtain your own record, complete Sections A, B and D; to obtain another person's record, identify a permitted use in Section C. Include a copy of your driver's license and an original signature. Stamped signatures are rejected.

According to the MVC registration records page, a request sent by mail must be notarized by a Notary Public or Attorney at Law. The fee is $15 per record search, payable to NJMVC by check or money order.

MVC advises allowing approximately three to four weeks from receipt of a complete registration application and payment. Submit a separate request for each record to:

NJ MVC Certified Information Unit, 225 East State Street, PO Box 146, Trenton NJ 08666-0146

MVC also offers an online record-request option. Applicants should check the website for its current requirements.

2. CAIR for businesses

Qualified businesses and government agencies may request CAIR access, also called the Limited Online Access Program (LOAP), subject to MVC approval.

These services serve a company with documented recurring record needs. Applications require business credentials and a prepaid account. For current registrations, authorized plate information searches can return the registered owner's name and address, vehicle details, lease status and recent transaction dates.

VIN searches may reveal mileage and lienholder details. Ownership histories are available only to insurers, and searches by a person's name or address are not supported.

Review the CAIR program and application instructions, or call 609-292-4572.

3. Personalized plate availability

MVC checks personalized plate availability during an order rather than through a public availability checker.

Use MyMVC, the MVC online account, with your MVC User ID, or mail Form SP-1 listing up to four requested combinations in priority order. Applications are handled first-come, first-served, and no refunds are allowed once plates are ordered.

A one-time fee of $50 applies. Combinations need at least three letters and no more than seven characters, with no punctuation or symbols. Certain combinations are reserved for government agencies, dealers, physicians or collectors.

Review the personalized plate instructions and Forms SP-1 and SP-2 before ordering.

4. Registration status and renewal

MVC offers online vehicle registration renewal and duplicate registration services, but no public registration status lookup by plate number.

Available services include renewal using the PIN from a mailed notice, duplicate registration requests, address changes and orders for personalized, sports or dedicated plates. The latest Vehicle Inspection Report can also be printed using the VIN rather than the plate number.

The MVC online services directory lists the available transactions.

5. Lost or stolen plates

Report stolen plates to municipal police before requesting replacements at a motor vehicle agency.

Bring a copy of the police report, current vehicle registration, identification and the Vehicle Registration/Plate Status form, called BA-1 on MVC's plate page and RSC-6 in its forms list.

Standard replacement plates cost $6, while special interest or dedicated replacements cost $11. MVC issues the next available number.

To keep the previous number, request a duplicate by mail using Form SPU-89 for $11 and allow approximately 10-12 weeks. If the vehicle is no longer yours, notify the MVC Customer Advocacy Office in writing.

Review the MVC plate replacement instructions before the vehicle returns to the road.

Standard plates

Standard plates are issued when a vehicle is titled and registered, and their cost is included in the registration fee. The vehicle registration plates of New Jersey carry the words "Garden State" along the bottom of passenger plates.

Since April 1, 2014, MVC has issued flat screened plates instead of manufacturing embossed plates. Details of license plate designs are available on the standard plates page, with additional information in MVC advisories 2010-005 and 2014-04 at nj.gov/mvc.

Two plates, front and rear

MVC issues two plates at registration, and N.J.S.A. 39:3-33 requires owners to display them front and rear.

A plate issued as part of a pair must be mounted horizontally, between 12 and 48 inches above the ground, and secured against swinging. Per MVC, the rear plate must be illuminated so it remains readable from 50 feet at night under N.J.S.A. 39:3-48b.

A cover or frame obscuring the state name or plate characters can result in a fine of up to $100. Using a counterfeit plate can bring a fine of up to $500 or up to 60 days of imprisonment. See the New Jersey statutory provisions.

Personalized, dedicated and special plates

Personalized plates follow the MVC ordering process described above. The state's catalog includes Personalized, Dedicated (Special Interest), Specialty (Organizational), Sports and Special Vehicle (Historic / Hot Rod) categories. These specialty license plates serve different vehicle types and organizational purposes.

Reactivating a personalized plate after registration has expired for more than two years costs $50. Transferring a personalized plate to another person also costs $50.

Personalized plates may not be issued to applicants with a DUI (R.S. 39:4-50) or reckless driving (R.S. 39:4-96) conviction within the last 10 years.

Temporary tags and non-resident registration

Dealer-issued temporary tags remain valid for 30 days or until permanent registration arrives. When title processing is delayed, a second temporary tag may be issued under P.L.2023 c.285.

Non-residents may obtain a 30-day temporary non-resident registration at a motor vehicle agency for $5. This registration cannot be renewed and is valid only within the continental United States.

The MVC temporary non-resident registration page explains the procedure.

Inspection rules

Since August 1, 2010, most passenger vehicles have required emissions inspection every two years. The current process uses on-board diagnostics (OBD) and a visual inspection. Tailpipe emissions testing ended in 2016.

New vehicles receive a five-year inspection period. Fully electric vehicles and motorcycles are exempt from emissions inspection.

Driving on New Jersey roads with an expired inspection sticker can lead to a $100-$200 fine and/or up to 30 days of imprisonment.

MVC provides an inspection overview, a tailpipe testing update and an inspection exemptions list.