Tag Number Lookup

License Plate Tag Number Lookup

A vehicle license plate number combined with registration stickers, also known as tags, are proof that a vehicle registration is current. A license plate tag number lookup can also offer a lot of information about a vehicle, as well and owner information, depending on what information is available in that state. To run this search, you will need to know the full plate number and the state of registration, which can easily be found on the license plate itself. Then you’ll want to make sure you have a valid reason to run your search, there are privacy restrictions in some states that limit what license plate owner information is available. Then, if your reason for a tag number lookup is acceptable, you can continue using the following simple steps:

1. Find a reliable online vehicle record website 
2. Read through the terms of search and privacy restrictions 
3. Enter the full license plate tag number and search 
4. Review the results and make sure the make and model of the vehicle match 
5. Use the obtained vehicle records as directed by the relevant guidelines 

It’s important to review your results before proceeding with a vehicle history report or any other intended use of the vehicle records, one wrong tag number can bring up an entirely different vehicle. According to a 2023 Yahoo Finance report, there are 278 million vehicles owned in the United States, which means there are a lot of similar license plate tag numbers. It’s a good idea to double check the make and model match your results.

Where You Can Find Your Tag Number

 When people talk about “tags” they are usually referring to either license plate numbers or, more specifically, to their car’s registration stickers. So finding your tag number doesn’t always mean the same thing depending on the context. Usually, however, it means license plate number. Obviously, you can find your license plate number on your car itself. If you can’t reach your car at the moment, you should also be able to find your license plate number on your vehicle’s registration form or on your insurance policy.

 Keep in mind that registration stickers–which show that your registration is current–are usually found on your license plate. However, in some states, such as Texas, these tags are instead found on the windshield. Registration stickers usually include your license plate number, registration expiry date, and a number identifying the issuing county.

 Also, your tags are not the same as your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This number is unique to your particular car and can usually be found on the inside of your driver’s side door or on the windshield. The VIN is also found on the registration and title. A VIN lookup is another useful way of finding out the history of a particular vehicle, including recall notices and accident reports.

What Can Be Found from a Tag Number Lookup

Looking up a tag number can be really helpful for a lot of different circumstances, regardless of whether you are looking up your own tag number or another vehicle’s. The type of information that tags can reveal depends on the state. In some states, for example, tags are owned by individuals, meaning that when a car is sold or transferred then the tags for the vehicle will need to be replaced. In other states, the tags stay with the vehicle and not the driver, in which case those tags will reveal a lot of information about the vehicle, but not so much about the driver’s record.

You can look up a tag or license plate number online. Some states allow you to do this online either for free or for a small fee. A license plate number lookup may reveal very useful information like accident reports, recall notices, DUI arrests, and more. A tag lookup will also help you verify that your own tags are current. The specific information contained will vary from state to state. Many third-party databases, also allow you to perform a tag number lookup or VIN lookup online as long as you have an allowed reason as outlined by state specific privacy laws.

 How to Renew Your License Plate Tags

Keeping your tags current shows that you have paid your registration fees. If your tags are expired, then you run the risk of being pulled over by the police and fined, or have your vehicle impounded. You can renew or replace lost tags through your state’s department of motor vehicles. In some states, renewing your vehicle’s registration can be done entirely online so long as you have a debit or credit card, and your driving record is clean. In other states, you may still have to visit the DMV in person and renew your registration. If you have difficulty renewing your tags online, you can always call to make an appointment to visit a branch in person. 

History of Vehicle Tags in the United States 

The very first license plates were issued in 1901 by the state of New York to show that a vehicle was registered, and so that the vehicle could be traced back to it’s owner by highway patrol. These first license plates had very basic information, and these were basically the registration tags of the time. Over the next couple of decades, license plates were issued by each state and standardized which made it easier to index and reference vehicle owner information and registration information. Then during WW2 some states started to issue metal tabs to that were placed on the license plates to show the registration was current. Today those tags are now reflective stickers that are placed on a license plate to show the month and year the registration is current until.