Indiana License Plate Lookup: Access Vehicle History in Seconds

Ranked among the states with a notable number of vehicle thefts in recent years, an Indiana license plate lookup is essential for anyone buying a used vehicle. Checking an Indiana plate allows you to verify the vehicle’s history and ensure it is legally registered and safe to buy.

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What is an Indiana License Plate Lookup?

An Indiana license plate is issued for passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, trailers, mopeds, and certain specialty vehicles. Plates stay linked to the vehicle, while older or classic vehicles may have historic or antique designations.

An Indiana license plate lookup lets buyers and sellers review a vehicle’s background using the plate number. This ensures that the listing information aligns with official records before the decision is made.

With a reliable Indiana license plate lookup, a vehicle history report can provide details including: year, make, model, engine specifications, title and lien records, accident history, mileage readings, and more. This helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures informed transactions.

Why Run an Indiana License Plate Search?

Running a license plate lookup in Indiana provides valuable details about a vehicle before any payment is made. Here’s why it’s recommended:

Buying a Used Vehicle

If you buy a used vehicle, you should search the license plate in Indiana. Here are the reasons why:

Check Ownership and Title History

View previous ownership records and verify whether the title is clean, salvaged, or rebuilt. Avoid legal or registration issues before buying.

Spot Past Issues Early

Identify accidents, damage reports, or irregularities that may not be noticeable during a visual inspection.

Selling a Vehicle

As a seller in Indiana, having a trusted car report is crucial. It helps you to ensure your listing is trusted and earn buyers’ confidence.

Support Your Listing With Facts

Provide buyers with an accurate and verifiable vehicle history report to strengthen trust in your listing.

Earn Buyer Confidence

Transparent records reduce doubts, making buyers more comfortable and speeding up the sales process.

Verifying Auction or Private-Party Listings

Be sure to verify if the vehicle was sold at an auction or when you plan to purchase a used vehicle through a private seller.

Confirm Listing Accuracy

Compare the vehicle’s official records with auction or private sale listings to ensure all details match.

Avoid Misleading Descriptions

Spot inconsistencies or omitted information that could indicate hidden issues or misrepresented vehicles.

Avoiding Fraud and Hidden Problems

Not all vehicles come in good condition. That is why getting a vehicle history report and doing a manual inspection is important.

Check the Legality

Ensure the vehicle isn’t stolen or involved in illegal activity by reviewing its plate history.

Examine Hidden Damages

Some damages, like flood, fire, or past collisions, may not be obvious at first glance. Vehicle reports reveal these issues to protect your investment.

Information You Will Find in Our Indiana License Plate Lookup Report

With the Indiana license plate lookup, you can access detailed information about a vehicle on its vehicle history report. Including specifications, past ownership, title records, accident history, liens, recalls, mileage, and insights that help buyers and sellers make informed decisions.

Vehicle Specifications

This section provides a complete overview of the vehicle’s specifications, including engine type, fuel type, transmission, and country of manufacture. Understanding these basics helps you determine whether the vehicle meets your requirements, budget, and daily use needs.

Ownership History

In the report, you can find the vehicle’s ownership history from the previous owner. It shows the number of previous owners, the duration of ownership, and prior vehicle locations. Personal information such as names, addresses, or contact details is never disclosed due to strict privacy protections.

Title Status

Check the vehicle’s title status to ensure you avoid legal complications. The report shows whether the title is clean, salvaged, rebuilt, or otherwise branded, giving you confidence about the vehicle’s legitimacy before any transaction occurs.

Theft Records

This section provides information on whether the vehicle was ever reported stolen, including dates and locations if applicable. Purchasing a stolen vehicle can lead to legal issues and potential seizure by authorities, making this check essential.

Accident Records

The report shows all reported accidents involving the vehicle, including dates and locations. It also provides details about the number of collisions. Be sure to examine this section to check if the vehicle has any hidden damage caused by an accident.

Mileage Verification

Indiana license plate reports compare recorded mileage over time, helping to identify inconsistencies or possible odometer tampering. You can review both the first recorded mileage and the most recent readings for complete transparency.

Auction Insights and Photos

If the vehicle has been sold at an auction, this section provides details such as auction date, location, final price, and status. Up to ten photos from the auction may also be included for visual verification of vehicle condition.

Lien or Loan Information

This section reveals any outstanding loans or liens linked to the vehicle. Open liens can affect ownership transfer, so it is crucial to confirm all financial obligations are resolved before completing a sale or purchase.

Warranty Coverage

View whether factory or extended warranties are still active, including mileage limits and coverage periods for items such as roadside assistance, corrosion protection, manufacturer warranties, and any applicable extended warranties.

Damage Records

Check for any past damage caused by accidents, natural disasters, or other incidents. This helps ensure the vehicle’s reported condition is accurate and that any damage has been properly repaired.

Maintenance Records

This section lists maintenance and service history provided by previous owners, including service dates, locations, and specific repairs or maintenance performed, giving a clear picture of the vehicle’s upkeep over time.

Recall Information

If the manufacturer has issued a recall for the vehicle, this section provides the recall date, current status (open or fixed), the reason for the recall, and the corrective actions taken. Also, you can check the recall status, whether it is still open or closed.

How to Search the Indiana License Plate?

You can use our license plate search tool to check the plates and get the vehicle history report in Indiana. Here are the easy ways to follow.

Find the License Plate Number

Check on the rear or on the front side of the vehicle. If you can’t find the plate, you can ask the seller directly.

Fill in the Form

Click on the form above, then write down the license plate number. After that, click on the “submit” button.

Get the Report

Wait for a few seconds until the report is generated. Then, proceed to payment to get the full vehicle history report.

Can You do a Free Indiana License Plate Lookup?

Yes. You can do a free Indiana license plate lookup with our free service. Here’s what you will be getting with our free license plate lookup service.

Indiana Laws on License Plate

In Indiana, license plates must be securely mounted to the rear of the vehicle, visible, at least 12 inches off the ground, and illuminated at night. Frames and covers are prohibited if they obscure text or registration stickers, which must be in the upper right corner and show the expiration year.

Security of Information

In Indiana, license plates are linked to vehicle and owner records within the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) system. These records contain important details such as the vehicle’s specifications, registration status, and ownership history. However, this sensitive information is safeguarded by state and federal privacy laws.

Please note that not everyone can access full license plate information. Law enforcement and authorised entities may access this data for legitimate reasons, such as legal investigations or safety concerns. The general public is not allowed to view personal details, like the owner’s name or address, simply by looking up a plate number.

Indiana License Plate Design and Format

Indiana license plates offer a variety of designs, including options like the state flag, covered bridges, and the “In God We Trust” motto.

Standard plates typically follow a format of three digits followed by one to three letters (e.g., 123A, 123AB, 123ABC), and they often include expiration stickers for monthly or yearly registration.

A popular choice in recent years is the “Blackout” plate, a sleek, minimalist design, while specialised plates are available for specific causes, colleges, and vehicle types.

Plate Formats (Serial Numbers)

Generally consists of three digits followed by one to three letters (e.g., 123A, 123AB, 123ABC). The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) issues these plate combinations randomly across counties.

License Plate Design in Indiana

Indiana offers a wide range of license plate designs, with popular choices like the red Covered Bridge plate celebrating the state’s rural heritage and the sleek, modern “Blackout” plate featuring white text on black.

Covered Bridge Plate (Active): This plate features a red covered bridge at its centre, symbolising Indiana's rural heritage.
"In God We Trust" Plate (Active): A classic plate design with white text on a blue background, it includes both the state motto and the "Crossroads of America" slogan.
Blackout Plate (Newer): A premium option with white lettering on an all-black background, available for an extra fee.
Bicentennial Plate (Retired): This special plate was issued to celebrate Indiana's 200th anniversary, showcasing a blue outline of the state, a torch, and stars.

License Plate Cost in Indiana

Indiana license plate costs can vary depending on the type of plate you choose. Generally, there’s a base fee for standard plates ($21.35), along with an annual excise tax that depends on the vehicle’s age and value:

Standard Car Plate: Around $21.35 (plus excise tax).
Truck Plate: Around $30.35 (plus excise tax).
Personalized Plate: Additional $45.
Secure Indiana Plate: Extra $40 for public safety.
Hybrid/Electric Vehicle Plate: Varies, e.g., $74 for hybrids, $221 for EVs.
Blackout Plate: $45 for the plate itself, plus $45 for personalisation if desired.

License Plate Lookup by States

If you live outside of Indiana, we cover many states that you can choose.

Alabama

FAQs About Indiana License Plate Lookup

Can I look someone up by their license plate?

No, you generally cannot access a person's name and address from their license plate due to privacy laws like the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Only law enforcement and authorised entities (such as insurance companies) can access this personal information for specific, lawful purposes. However, you can use our license plate lookup tool to see the vehicle’s basic details like make, model, and year, as well as its history.

How to find out who owns a car in Indiana?

To find out who owns a car in Indiana, you need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and a valid, legal reason (such as being involved in an accident or suspecting theft). You can then contact the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to request information or use authorized service providers for reports. However, personal details are restricted by federal privacy laws (DPPA), so you will likely receive limited information, and for full details, you may need to go through law enforcement.

How do I find the owner of a US number plate?

As a private citizen, you generally cannot legally access the owner of a vehicle based on its license plate due to privacy laws (DPPA). However, you can report incidents to the police, use the NICB database for theft or insurance-related issues, or try paid reverse lookup services (with caution). If you have a legitimate reason (e.g., a car sale), you can contact the DMV and fill out the necessary forms.

Should I be worried if someone took a picture of my license plate?

You typically don't need to worry too much about someone seeing your license plate, as it is public information. However, it's good to be cautious, especially if the plate is associated with an incident. Someone could use it to report a minor infraction or, in rare cases, for fraudulent activities like creating fake plates for tolls. While accessing your personal information is restricted by law, it's wise to document the situation and remain aware of potential false claims.

Is it bad to share your license plate number?

Yes, sharing your license plate number is generally a bad idea, as it could lead to identity theft, scams (such as fake car sales), unwanted tracking, and legal issues like plate cloning, despite privacy laws limiting direct public access to your personal details through the plate alone.