LIcense plate information is restricted by the DPPA.
The government has severely restricted access to several different types of DMV records, including license plate information. In response to the murder of actress Rebecca Schaeffer, whose murderer found her address through DMV records, the government enacted the Drivers Privacy Protection Act of 1994, also known as the DPPA. You can still get hold of these records from the government, but you have to have a compelling legal reason.
Instructions
1. Read the Drivers Privacy Protection Act. It outlines the legal reasons acceptable for the state to release private information gleaned from license plate records. Go over the Permissible Uses section and make sure your reason for wanting to do the search is legally permissible.
2. Record the license plate number and the vehicle identification number, if possible. The VIN may prove useful and could provide more information than the license plate.
3. Go to your local DMV and request the records. You will need to fill out some forms, which will include certification sections that make you legally liable if you are obtaining the records under false pretenses or share the information with others who do not have permissible use.
Tips Warnings
Note the DPPA's False Representation section, which states the following: It shall be unlawful for any person to make false representation to obtain any personal information from an individual's motor vehicle record.
Tags: license, plate, license plate, Drivers Privacy, Drivers Privacy Protection, plate information, Privacy Protection
