Free North Dakota License Plate Lookup

Enter any North Dakota license plate number and get the VIN, title status, accident history, and market value in under 30 seconds

Where to find the VIN?

Looking for the VIN?

Here is there you’ll find it:

  • On the driver’s side dashboard near the windshield
  • Inside the driver’s side door near the latch
  • On the owners insurance card or other docs
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  1. Home
  2. License Plate Lookup
  3. North Dakota
Author avatar by Robert P Allred
5 min read

North Dakota license plate lookup helps you find out the VIN and history of a vehicle. Simply enter the plate and state, and the system will search public records for the information.

Why Trust EpicVIN's North Dakota License Plate Lookup

  1. North Dakota-scale coverage (1981-2026) - North Dakota currently has ≈1,060,838 registered vehicles (FHWA, 2024); virtually all fall within EpicVIN’s 1981-2026 coverage window.
  2. 99%+ plate-to-VIN match rate in North Dakota - Our North Dakota license plate lookup reliably resolves plates to the correct 17-character VIN for the vast majority of active registrations (EpicVIN Analytics, 2024-2026).
  3. 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 a North Dakota plate to the vehicle’s 17-character VIN - no manual VIN decoding required.

Instant Check

We cross-check NMVTIS and trusted partner records for North Dakota vehicles, surfacing title brands, registration events, theft/salvage activity, and inspection history.

Vehicle History Report

Get a quick snapshot for North Dakota 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, salvage titles, or recalls). Private owner details are not included, keeping the process legal and privacy-safe.

How to Look Up a North Dakota (ND) License Plate

Enter the Plate
Select North Dakota
Hit "Check Plate"
Read & Save

Enter the Plate

Type the license plate number (no spaces/special characters) into the plate finder. Tip: Use letters/digits only for the plate number.

Select North Dakota

If not auto-selected, choose North Dakota so the numbers decode correctly.

Hit "Check Plate"

The search tool resolves the VIN and shows a free preview with basic details.

Read & Save

Review title history, accident records, and liens as obvious red flags; save the vehicle history report as a PDF for your records.

Why run a North Dakota license plate search?

✅ What you can get from the report

  • Vehicle VIN & Manufacturing Details: Resolve the VIN from a North Dakota plate, then view factory equipment, engine, and other vehicle specifications for most cars sold in the U.S.
  • Current Market Analysis: Estimate market value using comparable sales records and price trends in North Dakota; helpful when negotiating on a used car or used vehicle purchase.
  • Mileage Tampering & History: Spot odometer fraud by reviewing mileage chronology, inspection timestamps, and gaps that suggest inconsistencies for North Dakota vehicles.
  • Liens & Recovery Records: See lien records and theft/recovery notes where documented, plus registration records flags that may impact vehicle owners transferring title in North Dakota.
  • Safety & Manufacturer Issues: Check open recalls and relevant TSBs for North Dakota passenger vehicles; use results to plan repairs and verify completion with a dealer.
  • Previous Owner Timeline: Privacy-safe: show how many previous owners and the length of each ownership period, not names or addresses.

❌ You CANNOT get

Reports don’t reveal the owner’s name or address, live ALPR location, driver’s license, or insurance numbers. Under the DPPA and applicable state privacy law, results are for vehicle information only - not for FCRA-regulated decisions like employment, credit, or tenant screening.

  • Name: Protected personal detailed information under DPPA/state rules.
  • Address: Not available in public lookups; privacy-restricted.
  • Phone number: Restricted personal data; not disclosed.
  • Email: Not shared; privacy protection applies.
  • Live location: No real-time tracking in lawful lookups.
  • Driver’s license number: Restricted; requires written consent or lawful purpose.

Report Example

A North Dakota license plate lookup uses the tag number to query public vehicle records. Enter the plate and select North Dakota; EpicVIN resolves the VIN and compiles the record from NMVTIS and partner sources (including inspection history where available).

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

Results for VIN Decoding for
VIN# WMWZG3C54BTY31382

2011 MINI Clubman

BLOCKCHAIN Confirmed Data Approved NMVTIS Data Provider
2011 MINI Clubman

  • Odometer

    No problems

  • Safety Recalls

    No records

  • Accidents

    1 problem

  • Last mileage

    85,184mi

  • Auction Sales

    1 sale found

  • Owners

    2 owners
  • Year

    Year 2011

  • Make

    Make MINI

  • Model

    Model Clubman

  • Fuel Type

    Fuel Type Gasoline

  • Engine

    Engine 1.6L

  • Made in

    Made in UNITED KINGDOM (UK)

North Dakota Vehicle Risks

Indicator North Dakota Potential Risk
Accidents/Damage ≈10,400 accidents (2023) Hidden damage, reduced safety, and resale value.
Theft High theft incidence (1,999 cases in 2022) Elevated theft risk; possible loss/confiscation and insurance complications.
Salvage/Rebuilt Titles ~2%-4% Serious prior damage; residual defects and safety concerns.
Odometer (mileage) Odometer anomalies - ~1.3% (≈13,800 vehicles) Mileage fraud risk; overpayment and unexpected repairs.
Open Recalls Many open recalls - ~17% (≈180,000 vehicles) Unresolved safety defects; increased accident risk until fixed.
Inspection/Emissions Patterns No statewide mandatory vehicle safety inspection or emissions testing program for personal vehicles 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 comprehensive report and review each section carefully.
  • Check recalls directly: Use NHTSA’s VIN recall lookup to confirm any open safety recalls and required fixes before purchase.
  • Verify theft/salvage status: Run a VIN check in North Dakota to spot reported thefts and insurer-declared salvage where available.
  • Inspect the car, not just the paper: Do a thorough test drive and pre-purchase inspection; reports complement mechanical checks, not replace them.
  • Match identifiers: Confirm the VIN on the dash/door matches the report and the plate matches registration to rule out swaps.
  • Leverage maintenance records: Compare service invoices and auction photos for time-stamped mileage to detect rollbacks or recurring issues in North Dakota vehicles.

How to Look Up a North Dakota (ND) License Plate

  1. Enter the Plate - Type the license plate number (no spaces/special characters) into the plate finder. Tip: Use letters/digits only for the plate number.
  2. Select North Dakota - If not auto-selected, choose North Dakota so the numbers decode correctly.
  3. Hit “Check Plate” - The search tool resolves the VIN and shows a free preview with basic details.
  4. Read & Save - Review title history, accident records, and liens as obvious red flags; save the vehicle history report as a PDF for your records.

North Dakota DMV or EpicVIN? Picking the Right Path in North Dakota

The North Dakota DMV within the North Dakota Department of Transportation can release a registration record for permitted purposes, but the process is often slower and registration-only. EpicVIN provides an instant, multi-source history from NMVTIS title/brand/lien relevant data, useful for pre-purchase checks.

  • Q: Why not just request data from the DMV?
    A: DMV records are formal and registration-focused, often taking days or weeks and usually omitting accident/salvage-auction details. EpicVIN aggregates broader vehicle records for faster due diligence (not a CRA under the FCRA).
  • Q: Will the DMV give me the owner’s name and address?
    A: Not for casual inquiries. Owner PII is protected by the DPPA and state privacy law; access is limited to permitted purposes like government/law-enforcement requests, court orders, safety/recall & inspection, insurance, and legal proceedings.
  • Q: Is EpicVIN “official”?
    A: Yes. EpicVIN is NMVTIS-approved. Title/brand/lien indicators come from official sources; reports exclude owner PII and are not for FCRA uses.
  • Q: When should I use each?
    A: Use EpicVIN for quick pre-purchase screening; use the DMV for formal registration data tied to a permitted purpose under North Dakota law.
Prefer to double-check? Use NHTSA’s recall lookup to corroborate important findings. Alex Black, CMO & auto expert, EpicVIN

Guide to North Dakota License Plates: Styles, Costs, and Rules

North Dakota license plates highlight the peace garden state identity with blue sky Badlands styling on standard samples. The Motor Vehicle Division of the North Dakota Department of Transportation manages plates for motor vehicles and passenger vehicles statewide - see NDDOT Motor Vehicle (https://www.dot.nd.gov/motor-vehicle) and the Forms Library (https://www.dot.nd.gov/dot/view/forms.aspx) for official steps and forms.

Are two plates required in ND? Yes - most vehicles must display front and rear license plates under North Dakota law; antique/collector exceptions exist.

Fines: Failure to display license plates can result in a noncriminal fee (commonly $20) plus any local surcharges.

Standard License Plates

  • Design: The standard North Dakota license plates show a Badlands scene and sunrise - an iconic Dakota license plate look for North Dakota drivers.
  • Cost: No separate one-time “standard plate” fee; issuance is included in vehicle registration (varies by weight/age and registration fees).
  • How to Get: File SFN 2872 (Application for Title & Registration); you’ll receive numbers with your registration data. After issuance, a license plate search/plate lookup can confirm license plate information and vehicle details.

Personalized (Vanity) Plates

  • Design: Works with standard plates, specialty plates, and many backgrounds; request a custom license plate message using the online search bar/plate number search.
  • Cost: $25/year personalized fee added to registration. Some backgrounds include one-time fees: Antique (personalized) $100, Collector (personalized) $160.
  • Rules & Characters: Passenger up to 7 characters; no profane/misleading messages on personalized plates/vanity plates.
  • How to Get: Submit SFN 53612 (Personalized/Special Plate Request) with proof and applicable fees; by mail, include a check or money order. Under the DPPA (18 U.S.C. §2721) and NDCC Sec. 39-33, the owner's personal information (name, address, etc.) is not released without a permitted purpose/consent.

Specialty License Plates

  • Design: Options include Organization, Firefighter, National Guard (military service), and patriotic plates (including a bald eagle design). North Dakota offers numerous choices for vehicles registered in-state.
  • Cost (one-time background fees): Examples: $5 one-time (military/National Guard), $10 one-time (FFA), $15 annually (Firefighter), $25 annually (Organization). If personalized license plates, add $25/year.
  • How to Get: File SFN 53612; once issued, you can find the VIN by license plate using a search tool to confirm the vehicle identification number pairing (privacy-safe vehicle owner lookup only).

Historic & Collector Plates

  • Design: Antique (40+ years) and Collector backgrounds suit a used vehicle or show car.
  • Rules & Requirements: Antique plates have restricted use; keep title and vehicle records current under North Dakota law.
  • Cost: Antique (non-vanity) $10 one-time (permanent). Personalized Antique $100 one-time; Personalized Collector $160 one-time.

Other Plate Rules and Processes

  • Temporary Registration: A 75-day temporary registration is available; some temporary registration permits (e.g., non-resident temporary registration) have an additional $10 permit fee (registration varies).
  • Replacement plates: $5 per plate for lost/damaged plates; your plate numbers may change when reissued.
  • Transfers & Surrenders: Plates follow the owner; transfer to another vehicle for a $5 fee with SFN 2872.

Shopping tip: For a used car, run a North Dakota license plate lookup to screen for accident records, lien records, reported stolen flags, and vehicle history/accident history and sales records before buying.

North Dakota - Fees at a glance

Plate type/Action One-time plate fee Where to obtain Form/official link
Standard passenger plates (new issue) $0 (included with registration) Motor Vehicle Division SFN 02872 - Application for Title & Registration
Personalized Antique / Collector (vanity on historic classes) $100–$160 one-time Motor Vehicle Division SFN 53612 - Personalized/Special Plate Request
Specialty backgrounds (selected one-time fees) $5–$10 one-time or $15–$25 annually (varies by design) NDDOT/by mail SFN 53612 - Price groups & eligibility
Classic/Antique (non-vanity) $10 one-time (permanent Antique license) Motor Vehicle Division Registration Manual - Antique section
Replacement samples (lost/damaged) $5 per plate Motor Vehicle Division SFN 61982 - Application for Duplicate Credentials
Temporary registration (resident 75-day permit) $10 permit fee (registration varies) NDDOT Online 75-Day Temporary Registration

- Amounts shown are one-time plate/background/permit fees; registration & taxes vary by weight.
- Some programs add annual contributions (e.g., personalized $25/year, some patriotic plates).
- Keep your renewal invoice and registration details for records.
- Fees verified: Feb 2026.

How Your Personal Information is Protected in North Dakota

  • Federal Law:
    The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act governs how state motor vehicle records can be used; NDDOT forms explicitly state requests are subject to DPPA and NDCC Chapter 39-33.
  • Local Law:
    North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-33 prohibits the disclosure of personal information from motor vehicle records, allowing only permitted disclosures (e.g., safety/recall, law enforcement, court orders, with written consent).

EpicVIN complies with the DPPA and North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-33; 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 North Dakota Resources

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North Dakota Plate Lookup – FAQ

Double-check the entry (0 vs O, I vs 1) and make sure North Dakota is selected. Very new or temporary tags may not be linked yet - try later or use the VIN. You can contact our support via chat or email.

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

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

If registration records are sparse, you may see only basic details until more vehicle data arrives from official sources.

No - PII is restricted by the DPPA and state rules; we provide vehicle-related information only, not personal identity.

Yes. License plates of many backgrounds, including personalized license plates and specialty license plates, are supported; just enter plate numbers exactly as issued.

Recently reissued plate numbers can take time to synchronize; use the VIN or the previous plate if available.

No. Backgrounds don’t change the registration; the license plate number and VIN pairing are what matter.

Yes - use it to screen for accident records, title history problems, and liens before committing, then confirm with a mechanic.

For personal information, yes - consent or a permitted purpose is required; EpicVIN focuses on vehicle history and compliance.

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