What are the right reasons to check the vehicle owner's details?
If you are planning to visit a government agency anytime soon to check the details of a vehicle owner, then you must have a good reason. Some good reasons that can grant you access to vehicle owner information are:
- You either witnessed a crime or were the victim of a hit-and-run.
- You are conducting research on motor vehicle ownership, and you require statistics.
- It is part of your job to have this information. For example, an insurance agent is in charge of towing vehicles.
Take note that if your reasons are invalid, your request will be denied, and if you give false information to the agency, you may face jail time.
Now we will examine the procedures for getting the ownership information using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or the License plate number.
Discover the vehicle owner’s details with the VIN number or license plate number.
There are several ways to discover vehicle owner information, and some of them are discussed in this section.
Providers of Vehicle History Reports
The easiest method to discover the ownership history of a vehicle is through a vehicle report provider such as Instant VIN Reports. The VIN number is a code that is made up of 17 characters (or less in classic vehicles). This code can be used to access all the records a vehicle has, from ownership history to auction/sales history, title brand history, and even theft history. If you are in a situation where you simply need to discover the ownership history of a used vehicle and not the personal information of the owner, then you can utilize Instant VIN Reports.
If you also just want to confirm if the vehicle was stolen, perhaps because the owner or seller looks suspicious, then you can carry out a VIN check. The vehicle history report from Instant VIN Reports carries every record about a vehicle, and if that vehicle has been reported stolen, you will know this and can report it to the police.
From the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
If you have a very good and legitimate reason for wanting to learn more about the vehicle’s owner, such as a crime, you can go to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They have all the information you need on any vehicle. The only problem with government agencies in situations like this is that there is a high probability that your required information may take time before it gets delivered to you. For example, if the license plate was issued in another state, you may need to travel to that state and visit the appropriate government agency before you can access the vehicle owner’s information.
Here are the steps to follow when you locate the Department of Motor Vehicles:
- Make sure you have a valid reason. There are some valid reasons listed above for gaining access to vehicle owner information.
- Complete an information request form. In this form, you will provide basic information about yourself and the reasons behind your request to discover the details of a vehicle owner.
- Submit all required documents and fees. You will have to pay a fee for your search at the agency. This amount is usually less than $50, and you’ll receive the requested information.
- Present any proof of identity if required.
If you do not receive your request in 2 to 3 weeks, reach out to the agency and find out what went wrong.
From the cops
If you were a victim of a hit-and-run, an accident, or any other criminal activity, you should report to the police and submit all the information you have about the crime, including the VIN number and license plate number if you have them. The cops will not provide you with the vehicle owner’s information, but the information will be provided to your insurance provider.
From a private investigator
Another bold and effective method is to hire a private investigator. Private investigators can be found online and locally. Getting a private investigator online is as easy as searching “private investigator in (name of state)”. There are also some sites where you can find private investigators online with great services. It is, however, easier to put your trust in a local private investigator. It is recommended that you do your research on the investigator before beginning the investigation process and be careful. When you have validated the competency, reputation, and integrity of the private investigator, you may not proceed to sign a contract and pay the requested fees.
READ ALSO: How To Check Accident History Using A VIN Number
From a license plate lookup
Earlier, we discussed how you can generate a vehicle history report with nothing more than a VIN number. In many cases, you may not be able to access the VIN number. In such cases, the license plate number comes in handy. There are several companies that provide vehicle history reports, and you can visit any one of them to gain vehicle history information on any vehicle of your choice. Instant VIN Reports provide you with complete access to all vehicle history information.
With a license plate lookup, you can access the auction history, ownership information, theft records, lien records, vehicle specifications, service and maintenance records, and more. Just like using the vehicle’s VIN, you may have access to the vehicle’s ownership history but not the specific information of its owners. You cannot gain access to the name or address, but you can find out how long the vehicle was used by different owners. You can also use theft records to determine if the vehicle is stolen.
Can you tell who owns a car by its VIN or license plate? No, you cannot have direct access to this information unless you visit a government agency with appropriate and valid reasons. If your application gets rejected at the DMV or any other agency, you can use any of the other methods above to discover as much information as possible on a vehicle and its owner.