How to Track a License Plate
by Mark ValletThere are a number of situations that require tracking a license plate number. Debt collectors often use license plate tracking to find debtors. If you are the victim of a hit and run, but managed to get the license plate number of the vehicle, you can track down the owner of the vehicle using reverse look-ups. Online resources tend to be easy to use and inexpensive.
Step 1
Verify the license plate number that you want to track. The most important part of this process is to get the license plate number you want to look up. If possible, re-check and verify the plate number before starting this process.
Step 2
Check with your local DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) in regards to their guidelines and policies. You local DMV will sometimes provide this information, but it varies by state. There are a few states that provide this information for free, but the majority will charge a fee.
Step 3
Find a website that you are comfortable using by searching license plate look-up. Hundreds of websites offer reverse license plate look-up services, so it is important to find a reputable one that you trust. While almost all of them will make claims of free look-up, you will have to pay a fee before you are given any helpful information. The prices usually start around $25 and go up to $75 as of 2009 for access to their information for a pre-determined amount of time, often 6 months to a year.
Step 4
Sign up, enter your credit card information, and search the license plate number. Once you have found a website, opened an account and paid the website's fee, you will be able to conduct unlimited license plate look-ups. You will receive the name of the driver, the issue date of the plate, the city, and state and zip code of where the plate was issued. The report should also include the details of the vehicle owner, weight, height, eye color and the last recorded address, which can be very handy in tracking someone down.
References
Tips
- If your state DMV does provide license plate look-ups, it is often cheaper to use their service.
Writer Bio
Mark Vallet is a a stay-at-home dad who began freelance writing in 2009. He has produced online content for Demand Studios, Autos.com and CarsDirect.com. He has traveled extensively within the U.S. and internationally. Vallet holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Iowa.
