Free Virginia License Plate Lookup and Owner Search

Updated: 29 Dec 2025 5 min read

A Virginia license plate lookup is a fast, DPPA-compliant license plate search for VA vehicles that resolves plate-to-VIN and delivers vehicle history reports.

Why Trust EpicVIN's Virginia License Plate Lookup

Virginia-scale coverage (1981–2025) - Virginia currently has ≈8,685,250 registered vehicles (Virginia Traffic Crash Facts, 2024); virtually all fall within EpicVIN’s 1981–2025 coverage window.
99%+ plate-to-VIN match rate in Virginia - Our Virginia license plate lookup reliably resolves license plates to the correct 17-character VIN 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 a Virginia plate to the vehicle’s 17-character vehicle identification number - no manual VIN decoding required.

Instant Check

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

Vehicle History Report

Get a quick snapshot for Virginia vehicles: accidents/damage, title status, mileage readings (incl. emissions 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 Virginia (VA) License Plate

Enter the Plate

Type the full license plate number (letters and numerals only; no spaces/special characters).

Select Virginia

Make sure the state is Virginia (VA).

Hit "Check Plate"

EpicVIN resolves the VIN and shows basic information instantly. Check the displayed make/model/year.

Read & Save

View the free preview (VIN, make/model/year, public records count). Decide if you need the full vehicle history report for accidents, title brands, recalls, and other details.

Why run a Virginia license plate search?

✅ What you can get from the report

Vehicle VIN & Manufacturing Details: Resolve the 17-digit VIN, factory options, and Virginia build-compliant specs to verify trim, engine, and equipment before you pay or register.
Mileage Tampering & History: Time-stamped readings, including Virginia emissions inspection entries where available, help spot rollbacks or inconsistencies that could signal odometer fraud.
Safety & Manufacturer Issues: Open recalls and relevant technical service bulletins so Virginia drivers can schedule repairs promptly and avoid safety risks.
Liens & Recovery Records: Where available, flags for active liens, theft/recovery notes, or prior taxi/rental/fleet use to help Virginia buyers assess legal and usage risks.
Current Market Analysis: Estimate today’s value using comparable sales so Virginia residents can decide whether the car price aligns with the condition and history.
Previous Owner Timeline: Shows the number of owners and the length of each ownership period, not names or addresses.

❌ You CANNOT get

This report doesn’t include restricted personal data such as the owner’s name or address, live ALPR (automatic license plate recognition) location, driver’s license, or insurance numbers. The DPPA and applicable state privacy law apply; results are informational and not for FCRA-regulated (Fair Credit Reporting Act) decisions.

Name: Protected personal information under DPPA/state privacy law.
Address: Not available in public lookups; privacy-protected.
Phone number: Restricted; not disclosed by the local DMV.
Email: Not released; privacy rules limit disclosure.
Live location: Not provided; outside permissible DPPA uses.
Driver’s license number: Highly restricted; not available for lookups.

Report Example

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

Works with standard, personalized, and legacy Virginia plates. Temporary tags may not return a VIN until registered.

2017 FORD Focus

Odometer

No problems
Safety Recalls

8 record
Accidents

1 problem
Last mileage

178,600mi
Auction Sales

1 sale found
Owners

2 owners

Year 2017
Make FORD
Model Focus
Fuel Type Gasoline
Engine 2L In-Line 2.0L GDI
Made in USA

Virginia Vehicle Risks

Indicator	Virginia (2025)	Potential Risk
Accidents/Damage	≈129,244 accidents (2024)	Hidden damage, reduced safety, and resale value.
Theft	High theft incidence (14,859 cases in 2023)	Elevated theft risk; possible loss/confiscation and insurance complications.
Salvage/Rebuilt Titles	No official statewide statistics	Serious prior damage; residual defects and safety concerns.
Odometer (mileage)	No official statewide statistics	Mileage fraud risk; overpayment and unexpected repairs.
Open Recalls	No official statewide statistics	Unresolved safety defects; increased accident risk until fixed.
Inspection/Emissions Patterns	Virginia requires emissions inspections only in specific Northern Virginia areas.	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.
Check recalls directly: Use NHTSA’s VIN recall lookup. Confirm any open safety recalls and required fixes before purchase.
Verify theft/salvage status: Run a VIN check in Virginia. Spot reported thefts and insurer-declared salvage where available and compare with your report.
Inspect the car, not just the paper: Do a thorough test drive and independent pre-purchase inspection. Reports complement but don’t replace mechanical checks.
Match identifiers: Confirm the VIN on the dashboard and door matches the report, and the plate matches registration to rule out swaps.
Leverage Virginia Air Check Virginia history: Regular emissions test records create time-stamped mileage entries to catch rollbacks; administered by Virginia DEQ.

Virginia DMV or EpicVIN? Picking the Right Path in Virginia

The Virginia DMV can release a vehicle record via CRD-93 or online for permitted purposes, but the process is formal and registration-focused. EpicVIN provides an instant, multi-source vehicle history (NMVTIS title/brand/lien) for pre-purchase checks.

Q: Why not just request everything from the DMV?
A: Such requests are slower and centered on registration; they may omit accident or salvage-auction details a shopper needs quickly.
Q: Will DMV give me the owner’s name and address?
A: Not for casual inquiries. Owner PII is protected by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act and Virginia privacy rules; it is released only for permitted purposes.
Q: Is EpicVIN “official”?
A: Yes. EpicVIN is NMVTIS-approved; title/brand/lien indicators come from official databases. Reports exclude owner PII, and EpicVIN isn’t a CRA under the FCRA.
Q: What about emissions/odometer context?
A: Where available, EpicVIN surfaces inspection entries that help check mileage progression and recurring emissions faults.

Trust but verify: confirm the VIN via NHTSA recall lookup to validate any red flags before you decide. Alex Black, CMO & auto expert, EpicVIN

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

In Virginia, license plate costs (including license plate fees for certain actions) are part of the total vehicle registration fee and certain one-time plate actions. Key resources and documents are on the Vehicle License Plates page (https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/license-plates) and the Forms page (https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/forms).

Are two license plates required in VA? Yes - most motor vehicles must display two license plates - front and rear. Exceptions include motorcycles, mopeds, trailers, and certain plate classes.

Fines: Driving without a front plate where required can result in a citation under Virginia Code §46.2-715 and mounting rules in §46.2-716.

Standard License Plates

Design: Virginia standard license plates use a white background with blue letters and numerals, with the state name “Virginia” displayed at the top and an optional slogan. Information collected from official databases helps check the displayed combination each January renewal cycle.
Cost: Issued as part of registration; no separate one-time issuance charge is listed by DMV; standard registration fees still apply.
Renewal: Renew your registration on time to avoid DMV late fees and keep your license plates displayed properly on the rear and front.
How to Get: Register the vehicle with the Virginia DMV online or in person; citizens can access the service portal to register, and plates are issued by the government department.

Personalized (Vanity) Plates

Design: Personalized plates are available on many Virginia backgrounds (standard, special interest, colleges, military). Custom license plate requests may include a word or slogan, subject to rules.
Cost: Personalization is $10 (annual add-on) in addition to registration and any special-plate fees; some designs require an additional fee at order.
Rules & Characters: Up to seven letters and numerals; DMV guidelines prohibit profane/obscene or misleading messages toward any person or group.
How to Get: Check availability and order via Create a Plate online. If the plate is lost or you opt to change, submit the appropriate form and payments. Eligible applicants may upload a plate picture for certain backgrounds.

Specialty License Plates

Design: Virginia offers 300+ special backgrounds supporting causes, colleges, and military/veteran groups. They are administered by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles.
Cost: Special plate fees vary; $10, $15, or $25 annually or one-time $10/$25/$50 depending on design; personalization +$10/year.
How to Get: Submit VSA 10 (License Plate Application) to the department or order online; keep proof of eligibility for certain categories (e.g., military).

Historic & Collector Plates

Design: “Antique” and permanent “vintage” plates for vehicles ≥25 years old.
Rules & Requirements: One-time $50 fee; usage restrictions (exhibitions/parades, limited pleasure driving). For some designated spaces or disabilities placards, medical proof is required. Use VSA 10B with any needed documents.

Other Plate Rules and Processes

Temporary Trip Permit (non-dealer): $5; use when moving an unregistered vehicle; insurance certification and bill of sale required.
Replacement Plates (lost/stolen/damaged): $10 reissue fee; exchange to a different plate type/combination is $10; submit a request and proof of identity.
Transfers & Surrenders: You may transfer plates between vehicles; titling records must match the displayed plate and VIN.

Virginia - Fees at a glance

Plate type/Action	One-time plate fee	Where to obtain	Form/official link
Standard passenger plates (new issue)	Included with registration (no separate issuance fee listed)	DMV Customer Service Center or online	DMV - License Plates overview
Vanity (personalized) order (setup)	$10 (personalization add-on; annual thereafter)	Online - Create a Plate	DMV - Create a Plate
Antique/Vintage background (non-vanity)	$50 one-time	DMV	Form VSA 10B
Specialty background plates	$10, $15, or $25 one-time annually (design-dependent)	DMV	Form VSA 10 (fee groups)
Replacement plates (lost/stolen/damaged)	$10 reissue (pair)	DMV	VSA 14 I - Registration info & fees
Temporary Trip Permit (non-commercial)	$5 (valid single trip)	Online or DMV	DMV - Trip Permit

- Municipal/county components may apply; amounts above exclude registration & taxes.
- Some specialty programs also have annual contributions; see plate detail pages.
- Fees verified: Oct 2025.

How Your Personal Information is Protected in Virginia

Federal Law:
The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act protects personal data in DMV records and limits disclosure to permitted uses (e.g., safety, recalls, emissions).
Local Law:
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles restricts release of driver and vehicle information and outlines conditions for disclosure; Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act adds statewide privacy protections.

EpicVIN complies with the DPPA and Virginia’s Consumer Data Protection Act; 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 Virginia Resources

License Plates Overview - Virginia DMV - Explore all plate types, personalization rules, and renewal links at dmv.
Create a Personalized Plate - Virginia DMV - Check character availability and order vanity plates online.
Emissions Inspections - Virginia DMV - See which localities require emissions checks and how RAPIDPASS works at Emissions Inspections.
Antique & Vintage Plates - VSA 10B (PDF) - Official application and program rules for historic plates.
Trip Permit - Virginia DMV - Apply for a $5 trip permit to move an unregistered vehicle legally.

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2019 FORD EDGE

States Base

Delaware

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Louisiana

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

Utah

Vermont
Virginia

Virginia Plate Lookup – FAQ

Double-check the entry (0 vs O, I vs 1) and make sure Virginia 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. Results focus on vehicle data, not personal identity.

No - owner identity is protected by DPPA and Virginia law. Reports focus on vehicle events, not who owns it.

Yes, Virginia personalized plates generally return the VIN once active; availability and content follow official rules.

Yes, but select the correct state; match rates vary by jurisdiction and data coverage window.

Request a reissue from DMV (typically $10) and update your registration so the displayed number matches the records.

In Northern Virginia, emissions entries may add mileage checkpoints that appear in reports, helping flag rollbacks.

No. In Virginia, a license plate search is a first-pass screen for a used car, delivering a comprehensive vehicle history; do the rest - VIN search, test drive, and a professional inspection.

Run a Virginia license plate search for each used car to pull a comprehensive vehicle history before deciding.

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Learn everything there is to know about your next car.

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