North Carolina License Plate Lookup

How To Lookup North Carolina License Plates

To perform a free North Carolina license plate lookup, simply find a public records portal online and type in the license plate number. You will see vehicle details like the year, make, and model. But if you are looking for more extensive details about the vehicle owner, you must qualify under strict state and federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) laws. North Carolina does not allow the general public access to motor vehicle records. However, they have a form that individuals and businesses can use to request records for permissible use. When you request records, you will need your name, address, phone number, and signature. Anyone who receives personal information (like name, address, social security number, etc.) must be careful. If you violate DPPA laws, you could be subject to steep fines, jail time and other penalties.

North Carolina Motor Vehicle Laws

Before registering a vehicle in North Carolina, you must have it inspected, and it must pass. It also must be titled in the state of North Carolina. Residents must renew their vehicle registration each year.

Before you can get license plates for your vehicle, it must be titled and registered in North Carolina by N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles. In some cases, you also have to pass an emissions test.

Renewal reminders will go out 60 days before it is due. You can renew online, but you must pay any vehicle property taxes due at the same time. If you renew online, you will pay an additional $3 processing fee. If you don't want to pay it, you can renew it in person at the DMV office.

If you renew your car or truck late (less than 30 days), you will pay a $15 late fee. One to two months late and the fee is $20 and two or more months; the fee jumps to $25.

North Carolina License Plates

North Carolina uses standard plates that are blue, white, and red. They offer three different designs for standard plates, and they are:

• "First in Flight," which commemorates the Wright Brothers' first powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C. in 1903
• "First in Freedom," which recognizes two important North Carolina milestones in the American Revolution
• "National and state motto," which includes both the United States motto ("In God We Trust") and North Carolina motto ("To Be Rather Than to Seem").

North Carolina also has more than 100 specialty license plates honoring specific causes, organizations, foundations, and schools. You can also order personalized plates (for an additional fee) with specific lettering on them.

What is the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) in North Carolina All About?

North Carolina abides by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and requires through state law, the Division of Motor Vehicles to disclose personal information contained in motor vehicle records in accordance with the federal DPPA. (N.C. Gen. Stat. Section 20-43.1)

"The Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act requires that personal information in Division of Motor Vehicle records be closed to the public. Personal information from these records, however, may be released to individuals or organizations that qualify".

Additionally, they mention that the federal DDPA "requires that personal information in DMV records be closed to the public. This refers to photos, social security numbers, driver license numbers, names, addresses, telephone numbers, and medical information.

General Purpose: A State Department of Motor Vehicles, and any officer, employee, or contractor, thereof, shall not knowingly disclose or otherwise make available to any person or entity personal information about any individual obtained by the department in connection with a motor vehicle record".

North Carolina License Plate Search Frequently Asked Questions