A Wisconsin license plate lookup enables individuals to gather and scrutinize vital information about a vehicle based solely on its license plate number. It provides details on the vehicle’s specifications, registration, sales, lien status, and confirmation of any accidents or damages from fire or flooding.
This service is especially important in Wisconsin, where recent flooding has heightened the risk of purchasing damaged vehicles. In 2021, Carfax estimated that approximately 212,000 cars were affected by Hurricane Ida, with around 3,800 currently in use in Wisconsin. Fraudulent sellers often clean these vehicles and sell them without disclosure.
Conducting thorough lookups is essential for buyers to avoid these risks, as it also helps identify stolen vehicles, verify emissions or safety test results, and reveal any violations or convictions of previous vehicle owners.
Why Run a License Plate Search in Wisconsin?
License plate lookups in Wisconsin are valuable for several reasons, including the following:
- Buyers verify a used vehicle’s history to uncover hidden issues.
- Wisconsin police investigate stolen vehicles using these checks.
- Insurance companies validate claims and accident history.
- Debt collectors track down the assets of debtors.
- Traffic authorities enforce violations using this information.
- Legal professionals use it in court cases involving vehicle disputes.
- Manufacturers send recall notices using vehicle records.
- Dealerships establish the value of used cars.
- Residential buildings manage parking through these checks.
- Historians research vintage vehicles' histories.
Is it Legal to Perform a License Plate Lookup in Wisconsin?
Performing a license plate lookup in Wisconsin is legal, but accessing personal information from driver and vehicle records through such searches is strictly regulated by federal and state laws, notably the Federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).
Generally, access requires written consent from the record owner, a notarized statement specifying the intended use, or legal authority in limited situations.
Wisconsin's Open Records Law imposes stricter privacy measures concerning sensitive personal information. This includes highly restricted data such as signatures under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 343, dates of birth, and biometrics like fingerprints.
While this highly restricted data is not protected under the DPPA, it cannot be accessed under Wisconsin law unless explicitly permitted by federal or state legislation.
Personal information obtained from Wisconsin license plate lookups can be used for several legally valid purposes, including:
- With written consent from the individual
- Motor vehicle safety, theft, and recalls
- By government agencies for official functions
- Legal proceedings, including investigations
- Business verification and fraud prevention
- Law enforcement in official duties
- Research without personal identifiers
- Insurers for claims and underwriting
- Notifying owners of impounded vehicles
- Employers verifying commercial driver’s license holders
- Licensed private investigators for permitted uses
Unauthorized access, disclosure, or use of personal information can lead to fines of up to $27,500 and imprisonment for up to 14 years and 6 months. Federal regulations may also impose fines of up to $5,000 per violation, along with the establishment of a criminal record.
How Can You Conduct a Wisconsin License Plate Lookup?
Individuals can conduct a Wisconsin license plate search through both public and private services.
Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles
The Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), an agency under the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), provides a free license plate search app via its Online Services platform.
Motorists can use this app to access vital vehicle information by entering the license plate number. After the search, users will see the vehicle’s make, model year, registration expiration date, and renewal reference number RRN) used for online renewals.
Approved NMVTIS Data Providers
In Wisconsin, individuals can perform license plate lookups through National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data providers. These private companies collect vehicle information from government and private repositories.
NMVTIS, overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), was established under the Anti-Car Theft Act of 1992 and expanded by the 1996 Anti-Car Theft Improvements Act.
Its purpose is to prevent title fraud, odometer fraud, and the resale of stolen vehicles. Federal law mandates that states, insurance companies, junkyards, and salvage businesses report vehicle data to NMVTIS.
DOJ-authorized providers, such as GoodCar.com, InfoTracer.com, Recordsfinder.com, and StateRecords.org, offer vehicle history reports to the public, including dealerships and lenders. These providers follow strict DOJ guidelines.
What Information Can You Obtain from a Wisconsin License Plate Lookup?
Wisconsin license plate lookups allow individuals to access essential information about a vehicle, available as either basic or comprehensive vehicle history reports.
Basic Reports
A basic vehicle history provides the vehicle's specifications and features, including:
- The vehicle's make, model, and year (e.g., Toyota Camry, 2015)
- Body style such as sedan, SUV, coupe, or convertible
- Engine size and fuel type, such as gasoline, diesel, hybrid, or electric
- Transmission type, whether automatic or manual
- Drivetrain (e.g., front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive)
- Exterior color and trim level
- Tire specifications and safety ratings, including crash test scores
Comprehensive Reports
Comprehensive vehicle history reports offer more detailed information about a vehicle and its owner to help individuals make informed decisions. These reports contain:
- Title, sales, and lien records showing if the vehicle has debts or ownership claims
- Ownership history, including past owners (e.g., only available for valid requests)
- Theft, accident, and salvage records indicating serious damage or loss
- Recalls and warranties that might affect the vehicle’s safety or reliability
- The vehicle’s market value is based on condition and mileage
- Odometer readings and service history, revealing maintenance and mileage consistency
Wisconsin vehicle history reports obtained through license plate lookups do not include personal identifiers protected under Wisconsin’s Open Records Law and the DPPA.
Wisconsin Statutes (Wis. Stat.) Section 85.103 specifies six personal identifiers, including street address, post-office box number, and 9-digit extended ZIP code.
Additionally, WisDOT’s Privacy Notice states that highly restricted data deemed confidential cannot be accessed except for limited purposes authorized by federal and state legislation. Such data includes:
- Individual’s photograph
- Medical or disability information
- Signatures collected under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 343 (operator’s licenses)
- Biometrics, such as fingerprints
What Does a Wisconsin License Plate Look Like?
Before conducting a license plate search, individuals must ensure the plate is issued in Wisconsin.
The standard Wisconsin license plate has a white background, symbolizing the state's agricultural heritage. A small lake and farm graphic in the top right reflects Wisconsin's rural landscape.
The state name "WISCONSIN" appears in red on the top left, while "America's Dairyland" at the bottom emphasizes the state's dairy industry. The embossed black serial number, typically formatted as ABC-1234, is centered.
The Wisconsin DMV has issued plates since 1905. Early plates featuring black, grey, and yellow were reissued yearly for registration updates.
The vehicle class code was used until 1931 when the full state name was added. The last annual re-issuance occurred in 1979. In 2017, a fourth digit was introduced to serial numbers to accommodate growing vehicle registrations.
License Plate Types in Wisconsin
The type of plate issued impacts license plate lookups in terms of efficiency and accuracy. For example, standard automobile plates allow for faster and more accurate searches due to their consistent format, which is easily recognized by lookup systems.
In contrast, vanity plates require precise input of custom combinations, complicating the lookup process and increasing the chance of mistakes.
The following are some types of Wisconsin license plates:
- Regular Automobile Plates: Issued to passenger vehicles, such as sedans and SUVs, primarily used for personal transportation.
- Heavy Truck and Trailer Plates: Designed for large commercial trucks and trailers transporting goods across Wisconsin.
- Tribal/Indian Band Plates: These are available to recognized tribes, such as the Ho-Chunk Nation.
- Vanity Plates: Customized by vehicle owners, requiring precise entry during lookups.
More information can be found on Wisconsin DMV’s License Plate Guide page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some valuable insights into common questions regarding license plate lookups in Wisconsin:
Can I Look Up WILicense Plates for Free?
Through the Wisconsin DMV, individuals can perform Wisconsin license plate lookups without incurring charges. Additionally, some commercial and consumer advocacy organizations offer free license plate searches. However, these free services usually provide limited details regarding a vehicle's history, so comprehensive information may require a fee.Do All Wisconsin License Plate Lookups Work for Custom or Personalized Plates?
Vanity plates allow up to seven characters of personalization, but if they are not correctly registered or if individuals enter the wrong combination, they can lead to unsuccessful lookups and inaccurate information retrieval.How Long Does a Typical Wisconsin License Plate Lookup Take?
License plate lookups in Wisconsin typically take a few seconds to several hours, depending on the number of records and the complexity of the verification process. The Wisconsin DMV and approved NMVTIS providers utilize Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) systems for efficient data sharing and quick inquiry processing.Can I Perform Bulk License Plate Lookups in Wisconsin?
NMVTIS-approved providers enable dealerships, insurance companies, and businesses to perform bulk license plate lookups in Wisconsin, accessing vehicle data for multiple plates. Authorized agents can also utilize this service. However, terms, conditions, and fees may vary among vendors. Private individuals should verify with vendors to see if this service is offered.Are There Any Alternatives to a License Plate Lookup for Obtaining Vehicle Information in Wisconsin?
Besides its online license plate search service, WisDOT allows individuals to obtain vehicle information by completing a Vehicle/Driver Record Information Request. This option requires a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and other details to identify the requested records.Authorized NMVTIS data providers, such as InfoTracer.com, StateRecords.org, RecordsFinder.com, and GoodCar.com, also offer VIN lookups as an alternative method of accessing vehicle information.