Can I find a VIN from a license plate?

Yes. A plate number plus the state that issued it points to one vehicle registration, and the registration records the VIN. Plate Decoder returns that VIN with the vehicle’s year, make, model and trim.

Why do I need to choose a state?

Each state issues its own plates, so the same plate number can be on a car in Texas and a different car in Ohio. The state tells us which one you mean.

Can you tell me who owns a car from its plate?

No. Owner names and addresses in DMV records are protected by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and curiosity is not one of the purposes it allows. We show vehicle information only, and so should anyone else selling to the public.

Is the lookup live yet?

Not yet. You can try the form to see what a result looks like, and join the list to get one email when live lookups open.

A Vehicle Identification Number is the 17-character code a vehicle gets when it is built. It stays with the vehicle for life. A license plate can be moved to another car; the VIN cannot.

Are you part of the DMV?

No. Plate Decoder is an independent service and is not affiliated with any DMV, BMV, tag office or other government agency.

License plate lookup

Find the VIN from any US license plate

Enter a plate and the state that issued it to get the vehicle’s VIN, year, make, model and trim. Not a history report you have to buy to see one line of, and never a promise of the owner’s name.

✓ All 50 states and DC
✓ The full 17-character VIN, ready to copy
✓ Result on the page, no email gate

What a plate lookup shows

The VIN is the main thing. It is the 17-character code the vehicle was built with, and unlike the plate, it never changes. With it come the year, make, model, trim, body style and engine.

A plate can move from one car to another, especially in states where plates stay with the owner. A lookup shows the vehicle the plate is registered to now.

What we don’t show, and why

No owner names, addresses, phone numbers or photos. Owner details in DMV records are protected by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and looking someone up out of curiosity is not a purpose it allows. Any site that promises the owner of a plate for a few dollars is either breaking that law or not going to deliver.

Who can get owner records, and what to do instead

Example result

2019 Toyota Camry SE

VIN

4T1B11HK•••••••••

Year: 2019
Make: Toyota
Model: Camry
Trim: SE
Body: Sedan
Engine: 2.5L 4-cylinder

Vehicle information only. We do not provide owner information.

How it works

Plate in, VIN out

1
Enter the plate and state
Type the plate number as it appears, with or without spaces and dashes, and pick the state that issued it.
2
We match it to the registration
A plate number is unique within its state. The state’s registration record says which vehicle the plate is on.
3
Get the VIN and vehicle details
The 17-character VIN, ready to copy, with the year, make, model, trim, body and engine. On screen, no email gate.

By state

License plate lookup by state

Every state issues its own plates, in its own formats, from its own agency. Pick a state for its plate formats, temporary tag rules and where to go in person.

ALAlabama
AKAlaska
AZArizona
ARArkansas
CACalifornia
COColorado
CTConnecticut
DEDelaware
DCDistrict of Columbia
FLFlorida
GAGeorgia
HIHawaii
IDIdaho
ILIllinois
INIndiana
IAIowa
KSKansas
KYKentucky
LALouisiana
MEMaine
MDMaryland
MAMassachusetts
MIMichigan
MNMinnesota
MSMississippi
MOMissouri
MTMontana
NENebraska
NVNevada
NHNew Hampshire
NJNew Jersey
NMNew Mexico
NYNew York
NCNorth Carolina
NDNorth Dakota
OHOhio
OKOklahoma
OROregon
PAPennsylvania
RIRhode Island
SCSouth Carolina
SDSouth Dakota
TNTennessee
TXTexas
UTUtah
VTVermont
VAVirginia
WAWashington
WVWest Virginia
WIWisconsin
WYWyoming

Why people need it

When the plate is not enough

A plate can be moved from one car to another. The VIN cannot, which is why it is the number that gets asked for.

Buying a used car

Get the VIN from the listing photo’s plate before you drive out to see the car, then check it matches the VIN on the dashboard and the title.

Ordering parts

Two cars of the same model and year can take different parts. Parts counters match on the VIN, because it is the only thing that says exactly which one you have.

Insurance and paperwork

Insurers, lenders and warranty companies ask for the VIN. It is quicker to look it up than to go out to the car and read it through the windshield.

Shops and dealers

A customer on the phone knows their plate, not their VIN. One lookup gets you the number you need to quote the job before the car arrives.

FAQ

License plate lookup questions

Can I find a VIN from a license plate?: Yes. A plate number plus the state that issued it points to one vehicle registration, and the registration records the VIN. Plate Decoder returns that VIN with the vehicle’s year, make, model and trim.
Why do I need to choose a state?: Each state issues its own plates, so the same plate number can be on a car in Texas and a different car in Ohio. The state tells us which one you mean.
Can you tell me who owns a car from its plate?: No. Owner names and addresses in DMV records are protected by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, and curiosity is not one of the purposes it allows. We show vehicle information only, and so should anyone else selling to the public.
Is the lookup live yet?: Not yet. You can try the form to see what a result looks like, and join the list to get one email when live lookups open.
What is a VIN?: A Vehicle Identification Number is the 17-character code a vehicle gets when it is built. It stays with the vehicle for life. A license plate can be moved to another car; the VIN cannot.
Are you part of the DMV?: No. Plate Decoder is an independent service and is not affiliated with any DMV, BMV, tag office or other government agency.

Guides

More about plates and VINs

What a plate can tell you, what it cannot, and what to check before you buy.