What makes our Texas license plate search different?

A Texas license plate lookup is a search performed by entering a vehicle’s Texas license plate information into our search tool to find vehicle-specific info from our massive database—all sourced from public records provided by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and other government and third-party data sources such as NMVTIS. Whether you’re galavanting around the Gulf or scooting around the Panhandle, if a vehicle you’re interested in has a Texas plate, we could help you find more information about its history and specifications. The Lone Star State is massive (second largest by population and land mass), but no matter where you live in Texas, we’ve got you covered.

What info can you find with a Texas license plate search?

We pull data from NHTSA, JD Power, NMVTIS and other industry leaders, as well as state-level agencies like the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. That means you can use our TX license plate search to find detailed reports with available vehicle-specific information, including: Accident history, Past ownership, Liens on the vehicle, Salvage and other branded titles, Manufacturer recalls, Equipment and trim specifications, Sales history, Market value, Estimated ownership costs. Running a license plate search of a used vehicle you’re interested in can also be especially beneficial in order to show vehicles impacted by lemon laws or from title issues due to flooding damage from Texas’ notorious hurricanes. When you use Bumper, the result of our Texas license plate searches reveals a wealth of information to help you decide if buying or selling a vehicle is the right move. Want to know what your vehicle is worth in Texas?

Why use our Texas license plate search?

Rather than having to slog your way through a variety of sources, we can collate and compile need-to-know information about vehicles—all in one online dashboard, iOS and Google mobile apps, and downloadable PDF form. Whether you want to negotiate a better deal, manage the costs of owning your current vehicle or sell your ride, you can count on us. Our Texas license plate search will arm you with the data you need to stay in the fast lane of car ownership in the great state of Texas!

Texas License Plate Lookup

Q: How can a TX license plate lookup help you?

A Texas license plate search provides vital information to help you navigate the complex roads of car buying, selling and ownership. Perhaps you’ve got a car that you’d like to sell, but aren’t sure how much to ask for. Our license plate search can help you determine its market value, which is based on recent sales of similar vehicles, so you can set a reasonable price. On the other hand, if you’re a car buyer in the Lone Star State, running a license plate lookup in Texas can yield valuable information about the vehicle’s history, including flood damage, salvaged titles, and liens. In these cases, a vehicle can go from a must-have to a hard pass.

Enter a Texas license plate to learn all about a vehicle you’re interested in.

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Texas License Plates
Do you need front and rear plates in Texas?
License plate differences between vehicle types in Texas
Types of Texas license plates
Classic designs
Specialty license plates
History of the Texas license plate
How to check a Texas license plate online
What all is in a Texas license plate report?
License plate registration, transfer and renewal process in Texas

From vehicle history reports and title checks to vehicle market value and depreciation calculations, our license plate search for Texas can help you find the info you need about a vehicle with a Texas license plate. Our Texas license plate search provides access to a wide range of data, including recalls, accident history, vehicle specs and more.

Buying a second-hand vehicle is a significant financial commitment. Understanding the complete history of the car you are considering can save you from making costly mistakes. Our Texas license plate lookup services serve as a robust tool to try and ensure transparency in vehicle transactions. By accessing these services, you may uncover details about a vehicle, which can help you make an informed purchase—all sourced from public records provided by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and other government and third-party data sources such as NMVTIS.

Bumper’s Texas license plate lookup can reveal crucial information that helps you verify the vehicle’s factory details, including model year and equipment, even if the VIN is not immediately available.

Try a trial Bumper subscription to get up to 50 Texas license plate and vehicle history reports per month!

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Texas License Plates

License plates are alphanumeric identifiers issued by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to uniquely identify vehicles. These plates serve as an essential tool for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to manage vehicle registration, track ownership, and could help ensure compliance with legal requirements. The principal purpose of these plates is to link a vehicle to its registered owner, making it easier to track for purposes such as traffic enforcement, crime investigation, and toll collection.

A vehicle registration plate is usually made from metal or plastic and attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for these official identification purposes.

Do you need front and rear plates in Texas?

Yes, you need front and rear plates in Texas. Front and rear plates are required in many states because it makes identifying vehicles easier for law enforcement and for motorist insurance liability reasons. This can make it even more straightforward for you to find the license plate number of the Texas-registered vehicle you’re hoping to gather information about.

And if you want more information about a vehicle with a license plate from a neighboring state, our license plate data covers all 50 states, including Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and even the more populated states like California, Florida, Illinois, and New York!

License plate differences between vehicle types in Texas

These variations are important for several reasons. First, the size and character format need to be readable by both humans and electronic systems like toll booths and traffic cameras. This often means designing plates that can be easily distinguished under various conditions, such as different lighting levels. Second, the variations cater to specific regulatory requirements for different vehicle types. For instance, trucks might have additional registration details to comply with commercial transport laws.

Types of Texas license plates

Classic designs

Specialty license plates

History of the Texas license plate

Texas began registering motor vehicles in 1907 to fund public roadways. Initially, license plates were made of various materials like leather and wood, and their design was the owner’s responsibility. It wasn’t until 1917 that standardized plates were issued by the State. Since then, license plate designs have evolved significantly, with over 60 general issue designs introduced.

How to check a Texas license plate online

1. Enter the Texas license plate number in the search box at the top of this page.

Input the alphanumeric combination of the license plate you wish to look up. Ensure you enter the details exactly as they appear on the plate.

Note: You’ll either need to sign-up for a Bumper.com account or login to your existing account.

2. Review the search results: The results can return a list of details associated with the vehicle. Key information typically includes:

Accident
Salvage
Theft records
Market value estimates

When available, Bumper will supplement your report with information on:

Titles
Liens
Sales history
and more.

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What all is in a Texas license plate report?

Basic vehicle information

A Texas license plate lookup can provide detailed vehicle information crucial for assessing a second-hand vehicle’s condition and legitimacy. Key details include the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), make, model, year, and specifications. The VIN is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies every vehicle. It typically reveals the manufacturer, model, year, and country of origin, helping you cross-verify these details to ensure the vehicle matches seller claims.

Historical data and records

Historical data obtainable through a Texas license plate lookup may include accident history, recall notices, sales history, and last recorded mileage.

Accident history* details past collisions or damages, providing insights into the vehicle’s structural integrity and potential long-term issues. Recall notices inform you about safety defects identified by the manufacturer, crucial for ensuring the vehicle is safe to drive.
Sales history tracks the number of previous owners, helping you understand how the vehicle was used and maintained. Frequent ownership changes are often a red flag, possibly indicating recurring issues.
Last recorded mileage is essential in uncovering odometer rollbacks—a common fraudulent practice where sellers reduce mileage to increase the vehicle’s value. With Bumper, you can make more informed decisions, steering clear of vehicles with hidden flaws or dubious backgrounds. If a car seems perfect on the surface but has a history of severe accidents, it might be wise to reconsider the purchase.

Practical uses of license plate lookups

Legal uses - In legal investigations, license plate lookups serve as a valuable tool for trying to gather critical information about vehicles and their owners. Insurance companies utilize reverse license plate searches to try and uncover details relevant to investigating insurance fraud. By determining the connection between a vehicle and fraudulent claims, investigators can substantiate their findings and strengthen their cases. In hit-and-run situations, law enforcement agencies use license plate lookups to identify and locate offending vehicles. The information obtained, such as the vehicle’s make and model, can assist in tracking down the responsible party. Moreover, private investigators often rely on this method to locate potential witnesses or suspects in a case, thereby aiding in narrowing down the list of interviewees or persons of interest.

Common uses

When buying a car - License plate lookups can play a pivotal role in when buying a car, particularly in thee second-hand vehicle market. Prospective buyers can use these lookups to verify the legitimacy of a vehicle, ensuring it is not stolen or involved in any legal disputes.

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Vehicle history - By accessing records related to mileage, service history, and previous incidents of damage from floods, hail, or fire, buyers can make informed decisions about their purchases. This transparency is essential to help avoid falling victim to odometer fraud, enhance trust in transactions, and promote consumer confidence. And if you’re trying to decide between a few options, we can help you compare vehicles side by side.

When selling your car

Keep your information up-to-dateVehicle owners can also employ license plate lookups for routine checks on their vehicle’s history and status, ensuring all information is up-to-date before embarking on sale or resale. This step can help preempt potential disputes or confusion during the transaction process, thereby providing a clear, documented vehicle history.

Set your vehicle’s sale price - Perhaps you’ve got a car that you’d like to sell but aren’t sure how much to ask for. Our license plate search can help you determine its estimated market value, which is based on recent sales of similar vehicles, so you can set a reasonable price. Sellers equally benefit by demonstrating transparency and honesty, which can facilitate smoother sales processes and build a positive reputation.

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License plate registration, transfer and renewal process in Texas

Registration process

When you move to Texas, you have 30 days to register your vehicle. You will need a few things to get started.

Obtain insurance: In Texas, your insurance must cover at least $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for all injuries in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage.
Get an inspection: Begin by visiting a certified Vehicle Inspection station to get a passing Texas inspection. Don’t forget to bring your insurance card, as the inspection station will need to verify your insurance coverage.
Visit county tax assessor-collector’s office: Head to your local county tax assessor-collector’s office to get your Texas license plates and registration sticker. Be sure to bring your insurance card, the Vehicle Inspection Report from the inspection station, and proof of ownership such as the registration or title from your previous state. If needed, you can also present a current foreign/military ownership document or other acceptable proof of ownership.

Transfer process

To transfer license plates from one owner to another in Texas, begin by visiting your local county tax assessor-collector’s office. You will need to:

Remove the license plates and the registration sticker from the old vehicle.
Fill out an application form for transferring the license plates.
Pay the necessary fees, if applicable.

General-issue plates can only be transferred to passenger vehicles and trucks weighing one ton or less. You may transfer your plates between vehicles you own, to a vehicle purchased from a dealer or private party, to a leased vehicle, or from a vehicle titled jointly to a single owner. Always ensure you remove the registration sticker from the old vehicle’s windshield when removing the plates.

Renewal steps

Renewing your vehicle registration and obtaining replacement plates in Texas involves several straightforward steps:

Gather required documents: Have your current insurance card and proof of vehicle inspection, like the Vehicle Inspection Report, on hand.
Submit your renewal: You can renew online through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website, by mail, or in person at your local county tax assessor-collector’s office.
Pay fees: The base registration fee is $50.75, plus a $1 TexasSure fee. Note that additional fees may apply for specialty or personalized plates. For replacement plates, contact your local county tax assessor-collector’s office. Replacement plates cost $6 plus an additional $0.50 automation fee, which is used for computer upgrades to the Registration and Titling system.

Costs involved with Texas license plates

Other Texas License Plate fees may apply depending on your circumstances, here are some common costs that can go overlooked:

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) policies

Open records requests

Requests for public records, including license plate lookups, are handled according to the Texas Government Code Chapter 552, known as the Public Information Act (PIA). This code grants the public a right to access government records, which extends to vehicle information but excludes confidential data as mandated by 18 U.S.C. Chapter 123 and the Texas Transportation Code Chapter 730. Effective September 1, 2023, certain licensing application details like the General Distinguishing Number (GDN) are deemed confidential and exempt from public disclosure.

To make an official request for records, interested parties must submit a detailed Public Information Act request to TxDMV. This process can be initiated through their website. The TxDMV provides necessary forms for request submission and outlines the statutory requirements vital in processing and granting access to vehicle records. For vehicle-specific queries, separate procedures are mandated to ensure compliance with both state and federal privacy laws, safeguarding the personal data tied to vehicle

Legal aspects of Texas license plate lookups

The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) governs the legal framework for license plate lookups in Texas. The DPPA restricts access to personal details linked to someone’s vehicle information, ensuring that such lookups are conducted for permissible purposes only. These permissible purposes include use by government agencies, law enforcement, insurance companies, and certain legal proceedings.

Limitations

While license plate lookup services provide a wealth of vehicle-related information, certain personal details of owners remain protected by law to maintain privacy. These restrictions are in place to prevent misuse of sensitive data. For example, information such as the vehicle owner’s address, phone number, and driving record are not accessible through these services unless specifically authorized under the DPPA. Access to this protected information is typically limited to law enforcement and other authorized entities that have a legitimate need to know, such as during a legal investigation or by government agencies. This balance between providing vehicle data publicly and protecting individual privacy rights is crucial to prevent identity theft, stalking, and other potential abuses. Understanding these legal boundaries helps in using license plate lookup services responsibly, ensuring that users comply with legal requirements while safeguarding the privacy of vehicle owners.

Our Texas license plate lookup is a powerful tool for vehicle transparency, paramount for anyone involved in the buying, selling, or insuring of second-hand vehicles. It provides peace of mind by uncovering extensive vehicle history and ownership details, ensuring that both buyers and sellers are protected against fraud and costly mistakes. By leveraging all of the available resources, including both free and paid services, consumers can make smarter, more informed decisions in the complex market of used vehicles.

*Bumper reports are based on data available and may not include historical accident records in all states.