New Jersey License Plate Search

A New Jersey license plate lookup is an invaluable tool for anyone considering buying a used car. By entering the number plate into our free online tool, you can quickly access a wealth of information about the vehicle's history. This includes details on accidents, theft records, and any potential title issues, such as salvage or flood damage. Understanding the special New Jersey license plate history is crucial, as it can reveal important insights about the car's past.

When visiting a local car dealer, simply note the numbers on the rear plates and use our tool to make an informed decision. In less than 5 minutes, you'll receive a concise report that helps you choose wisely. Give our New Jersey license search a try – it's easy and can save you from costly mistakes.

Why You Need a New Jersey License Plate Lookup

At FAXVIN, we understand the importance of being informed before purchasing a used vehicle. That's why we offer two versions of our New Jersey license plate lookup service to cater to your needs.

First, our free license plate lookup provides you with essential information at no extra cost.

With this service, you can find out:

• Basic Vehicle Attributes: Get to know the fundamental details about the vehicle, such as the make, model, year, and engine specifications.
• The Vehicle's VIN: We reveal the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) using information from official databases. The VIN is crucial for delving deeper into the vehicle's history and condition.
• Check Digit Verification: We ensure the accuracy of the VIN with our check digit verification process.
• Presence of Historical Data: Our free tool flags whether external databases show prior title events or ownership transfers.

These two vital pieces of data – the VIN and the vehicle attributes – are essential for securing a better deal. They provide a solid foundation for understanding the vehicle's background and current state.

While our free NJ license plate lookup gives you a great starting point, you still need more detailed information to make the best decision possible. Our comprehensive New Jersey license plate search offers a deeper dive into the vehicle's history, including detailed vehicle history, recall and repair data, and ownership history.

Comprehensive Vehicle History Reports

Our lookup works for passenger cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, and mopeds, as well as recreational vehicles. The search engine on this site gives instant access to a wide array of publicly available data, including reports from insurance companies, auction records, and private dealers.

Here is what you can discover about every single car:

• Car Title Status: We check for any negative branding on the current title. Problematic cars will have brands such as Salvage, Lemon, Junk, and Totaled.
• Records of Accidents: You don't want to be driving a vehicle that did not get proper care after an accident or two.
• Notes on Salvage, Hurricane, Fire, or Water Damage: Environmental disasters don't leave cars unaffected. If you find any records here but the dealer or seller fails to disclose them, don't trust them.
• Lien/Repossession Records: A vehicle may have an active lien if it was used as collateral for a loan. When buying a car, you want to know whether there is still any money owed.
• Mileage and Odometer Readings: Odometer rollback is a serious issue in the used-car market across the US. We report on past odometer disclosures, and you can compare past readings to the current reading reflected on the gauge to spot discrepancies.
• Gray Market Origin: We monitor the records of vehicles with controversial origins from non-compliant regions. Should the system spot such a vehicle on the gray list, we'll let you know at once.
• Active Theft Incidents: Stolen cars may end up on the used market. We protect you by highlighting if there are any current theft alerts for the item. Similarly, you get to know if the car has had theft incidents in the past.

Our New Jersey license plate lookup free service is absolutely legal for customers. It collects no personal data, neither of the car owner nor of the ones who search.

Choose FAXVIN for your NJ license plate lookup and gain the confidence you need to make the best vehicle purchase decisions.

New Jersey License Plate Design and Formats

New Jersey passenger plates use a clean yellow-to-white gradient with black characters, "New Jersey" at the top, and the state slogan "Garden State" at the bottom. The current passenger serial format is A12-BCD (one letter, two digits, three letters). Earlier bases used patterns like ABC-12D and D12-ABC. Specialty issues may feature different colors or emblems to represent organizations, causes, or universities.

To put today's design in context, the table below summarizes how New Jersey's passenger-plate serial formats and base designs have evolved over time.

Types of License Plates

There are a variety of New Jersey license plate types to accommodate different needs and preferences:

• Standard Passenger Plates: Default issue for most privately operated vehicles.
• Specialty / Dedicated Plates: Support causes, universities, and nonprofits. Typical pricing: $50 initial plus $10 annual (some designs differ). Many can be personalized.
• Organizational & Professional Plates: Issued to qualifying groups (e.g., first responders, professional associations) with distinct legends or emblems.
• Personalized (Vanity) Plates: Choose your own combination (letters/numbers). Allowed length: 3–7 characters. One-time fee $50 (order online via MVC).
• Commercial Plates: For business-use vehicles (separate serial blocks from passenger issues).
• Trailer Plates: For trailers and semi-trailers; single rear plate.
• Motorcycle & Moped Plates: Smaller format; single rear plate.
• Historic "QQ" Plates: For vehicles 25+ years, owned as collectors' items and used solely for exhibition/educational purposes; current MVC fee $44.
• Temporary Plates: Issued primarily by licensed dealers; valid for 30 days. As of November 1, 2024, temp tags must be printed on new security paper; second temp tags may require an enhanced fee and specific circumstances.

By understanding the design, legal requirements, and types of New Jersey license plates, vehicle owners can ensure they comply with state regulations and choose the plate that best suits their needs.

Where the Data Comes From

FAXVIN is committed to providing reliable and informative vehicle history reports. We ensure data accuracy by cross-referencing information from multiple reputable sources, including government databases, insurance companies, and auto auctions. This comprehensive approach helps consumers make informed decisions when purchasing a used vehicle.

• U.S. Motor Vehicle Title System (NMVTIS): As a federal database, the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) provides information on vehicle titles across the United States. It helps prevent fraud and theft by ensuring that title information is accurate, up-to-date, and accessible.
• Canadian Motor Vehicle Agencies: We source data on motor vehicles registered in Canada, allowing you to track the ownership history, title status, and any reported incidents such as accidents or thefts across North America.
• Auto Auctions: Information on vehicles that have been sold or listed for sale is provided by auto auctions, including details on the vehicle's condition, mileage, and any damage it may have sustained.
• Insurance Companies: Contributions from insurance companies include data on vehicles involved in accidents, declared total losses, or with insurance claims filed against them.
• Salvage Auctions: They provide details on cars deemed a total loss by insurance companies and report on the estimated cost of the damage, primary damage area, and the color of the car at the time, which are contained in our reports.
• Collision Repair Facilities: Reports from collision repair facilities include information on vehicles that have undergone significant repairs due to accidents or other damage.
• Car Dealerships: With many cars passing through dealerships at one moment in their past, this data source contributes details on previous ownership, service records, and any warranties or recalls.
• Manufacturers: We catalog data from manufacturers to reveal recalls, warranties, and original specifications of the vehicle.
• Rental/Fleet Vehicle Companies: From this data source, you get to know if the vehicle was ever used by rental and fleet vehicle companies for private hire or taxi use.
• State Inspection Stations: Reports from state inspection stations include the results of mandatory vehicle inspections and parts that were serviced.

Laws Associated with License Plates in New Jersey

New Jersey requires most vehicles to display two license plates – one on the front and one on the rear. Motorcycles, motorized bicycles (mopeds), trailers, and autocycles receive a single rear plate. Plates must be kept clean and plainly visible; the rear plate must be illuminated and readable from 50 feet at night. Using any frame or cover that obscures state lettering, numbers, or expiration details is prohibited and may result in a fine of up to $100 (see NJ MVC guidance).

• Registration & renewal: You can renew your registration online, in person (by appointment), or by mail. New passenger vehicles receive an initial four-year registration; after that, renewals are annual.
• Replacing plates: Standard lost/stolen or damaged plates can be replaced at NJ MVC agencies for $6 (special interest/dedicated: $11).

License Plate Privacy

When you run a free lookup, you won't see the vehicle owner's name or address. That's because the Driver's Privacy Protection Act limits disclosure and reuse of personal information from DMV records. Personal data may be released only for specific permitted uses – for example, law-enforcement activities, manufacturer recalls, and insurance underwriting.

FAXVIN complies with DPPA. Our New Jersey plate results focus on vehicle-level data – such as VIN (when available), title brands (e.g., salvage/total-loss), odometer readings, and open recalls – without revealing any owner-identifying information.

How to Use License Plate Information in NJ

A New Jersey license plate lookup can reveal critical information about a used car. Here are some practical tips on how to use plate information in New Jersey:

• Obtaining a Good Deal: When purchasing a used car, conducting a vehicle's license plate number search can provide valuable information about the vehicle's history. This includes details about previous owners, accident history, and any reported damages. By having this information, you can negotiate a better price based on the car's actual condition and history.
• Verifying Ownership: Before finalizing a purchase, it's essential to verify that the seller is the legitimate owner of the vehicle. A New Jersey license search can confirm that the details on the title match the seller's information, helping to prevent fraud and ensure a smooth transaction.
• Avoiding Scams: Information from New Jersey license records can help you avoid common scams such as mileage rollback, and hidden damage.
• Knowing the Title Status: Understanding the title status of a vehicle is crucial to avoid buying a "lemon" car. A New Jersey license search can inform you if the car has a clean title or if it has been branded as salvage, rebuilt, or involved in severe accidents. This information helps you make an informed decision and avoid potential future problems.

Official Resources

• NJ MVC – Plates: Surrender, Lost/Stolen & Replacement
• NJ MVC – Vehicle Registration Renewal (Online & In-Person)
• NJ MVC – How to Get Your Vehicle Inspected
• New Jersey State Police – Homepage