LookupAPlate Logo
What Can You Do With LookupAPlate?
License Plate Lookup
Search a vehicle by license plate across all US states completely FREE.
Vehicle Details
Discover technical specifications of the vehicle, including make, model, sale history, accident history, recalls (if any), and more.
Report Bad Drivers
Submit comments, upload pictures and videos of traffic violations, rash driving, drunk driving, road rage and more.

Free License Plate Lookup for all U.S. states

LookupAPlate is a free nationwide license plate lookup service and a community platform to report unsafe driving and bad drivers. With over 294 million registered vehicles in the US, searching a license plate number may feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, but we’ve got you covered. 

LookupAPlate lets you quickly identify the vehicle by license plate number. You can view key vehicle specs, check recalls, submit bad driving reports, and request vehicle ownership details from our partner service (for valid reasons). You don't even need to sign up or create an account - just enter the license plate number and select the state to get started.

Scenarios that might require conducting a reverse license plate number search:

There are various instances where searching for a license plate becomes necessary. Here are some scenarios:

  • When the VIN isn’t available, the license plate number can help you identify the vehicle and obtain missing information. 
  • For pre-due diligence, especially when buying a used vehicle from a private party or online.
  • To obtain detailed vehicle records, history, service history, active recalls and accident records or to check if it was ever reported stolen.
  • To check if the vanity or personalised license plate is available for registration.
  • To check if there was an odometer rollback or if the vehicle has a salvage title.
  • Towing or insurance companies may need to search to identify the owner of the abandoned or damaged vehicle.
  • To check if there are any open recalls on the vehicle. 
  • To report bad drivers or leave public comments on online forums/platforms.

Typically, what data can you find with a license plate search?

The license plate search can yield detailed information about the vehicle and potentially the owner. However, some information might be restricted depending on who you are and for what reason you are searching.

In general, you can expect to find the following data:

  • Vehicle technical specifications include make, model, color, year of make, engine capacity, safety rating, and features.
  • Fuel efficiency, active recalls and warranty.
  • Vehicle sketch.
  • * Service history, lien records, title history, salvage, or total loss history. 
  • * Sale records and market value. 

To obtain Personal Identifiable Information (PII), such as the vehicle owner’s name, address etc., a valid reason that complies with DPPA regulations is necessary (more on that below). 

What are our data sources?

The license plate data comes from multiple official and reliable sources including but not limited to NMVTIS, various car auction websites, car manufacturers, dealers and others. 

How to use LookupAPlate?

Searching for license plates on LookupAPlate is quick, user-friendly and, of course, FREE. Additionally, unlike other websites, you can search directly without providing personal information or registering.

  1. Navigate to LookupAPlate.com in your browser. (You can also bookmark the page for easy access)
  2. Enter the license plate number in the search box and select the state from the drop-down.
  3. Click on the “Search” button.
  4. On the next page, you can view the vehicle details and see if there are any community-uploaded images, videos or feedback against the plate.
  5. You can also add your comments, images or videos to the same page against the plate.

And that’s about it - we told you it’s easy.

If not LookupAPlate, the traditional option is to fill out a DPPA-2 form with the local DMV office. This process can be time-consuming, especially when you just need vehicle-related information and are not interested in the ownership records.

Can anyone look up a license plate?

Yes, it’s perfectly legal to run someone’s license plate, provided you have a valid reason as defined in the Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). DPPA basically prohibits and regulates sharing of the personally identifiable vehicle owner data like name, address, photo and phone number without a legitimate reason.

As per DPPA, the permissible uses are:

  • For motor vehicle or driver safety and theft
  • By Government agency
  • For litigation/Pre-litigation
  • For debt recovery
  • For insurer and claim investigation
  • By licensed private investigator or agency
  • For employment
  • By consumer authority
  • Others; vary from state to state

Why should you report bad drivers?

As per the 2019 NHTSA report:

  • American roads had 228,679,719 licensed drivers and 299,267,114 registered vehicles.
  • A staggering 82% of drivers agree to commit or engage in road rage.
  • 6,756,000 police-reported vehicle crashes, 36,096 fatalities, and nearly 2,740,000 Americans were injured.
  • One person is killed every 15 minutes, and about five people are injured every minute in traffic-related incidents.
  • 40.88 million Americans received traffic citations.

Clearly, American roads are seeing an increasing number of bad drivers and reckless driving. When you encounter someone driving rashly or a bad driver, you can make a difference by reporting the plate on our website.

Publicly naming and shaming the plate owner may just be what it takes to deter them from bad driving!

Search license plates by states

Recent reports

216XBX  license plate in KY
216XBX
2017 SUBARU Legacy
vehicle logo
The car is blue and was recklessly driving on I-64 by tailgating, flashing headlights, brake chec... Posted on June 25, 2025
954BHJN  license plate in TN
954BHJN
1999 TOYOTA Tacoma
vehicle logo
June 24, 2025 - Witnessed driver of white Toyota Tacoma travelling south on US 127 into Crossvill... Posted on June 25, 2025
954BHJN  license plate in TN
954BHJN
1999 TOYOTA Tacoma
vehicle logo
June 24, 2025 - Witnessed driver of white Toyota Tacoma travelling south on US 127 into Crossvill... Posted on June 25, 2025
U282LG  license plate in UT
U282LG
2014 MAZDA CX-9
vehicle logo
They are parked behind cars which is preventing people from moving. Posted on June 25, 2025
JFL5414  license plate in OH
JFL5414
2020 HONDA Civic
vehicle logo
Is a distracted driver and brake checks, but maybe just doesn’t know how to drive well? Posted on June 25, 2025
MJN740  license plate in SC
MJN740
2016 FORD F-250
vehicle logo
Driver intentionally tried to run me into a guardrail twice. Posted on June 25, 2025
HEA7WD  license plate in AZ
HEA7WD
2000 SUBARU Legacy
vehicle logo
Best driver in Tucson, drives recklessly and passed in the center turning lane like a champ. Hope... Posted on June 25, 2025
FS6887  license plate in IA
FS6887
2023 CIMC REEFER TRAILER,INC CIMC REEFER TRAILER,INC.
The driver of this truck was speeding. I have it on video. He was trying to race me. I was doing ... Posted on June 25, 2025
KW322V  license plate in FL
KW322V
2020 KIA Sportage
vehicle logo
Went into oncoming traffic twice, had to honk once to alert him. Then he aggressively drove and g... Posted on June 25, 2025
87041MH  license plate in NY
87041MH
2011 CHEVROLET Express
vehicle logo
Road rage driver hit postal vehicle. Got out of his truck and hit postal truck left side mirror. ... Posted on June 25, 2025