FAXVIN offers a free plate lookup tool that allows you to obtain a complete dossier on a vehicle's history, simply from its registration number.
By entering the plate into our Florida license plate checker, you can unlock a wealth of information maintained by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This unique code is essential for accessing detailed records, such as theft, repairs, and title changes in Florida.
Why Run Florida Plates Search?
Understanding a vehicle's past is crucial, especially if you're considering a purchase. A Florida license plate lookup can reveal if the car has been involved in accidents, used in demanding roles like a taxi or police car, or if it has a history that might affect its value and safety.
With just a few clicks, you can bypass the uncertainty of buying a used car as you’ll be armed with knowledge about the model, make, and extensive vehicle history. So why wait? Enter the Florida license plate and let the journey to a transparent car purchase begin for free.
What Information can You Uncover with Lookup?
A free FL license plate lookup from FAXVIN is the gateway to uncovering all other historical motor vehicle records. And it’s quite easy to use. Start by entering the vehicle’s code and selecting "Check Plate". The Florida license plate lookup will decode the plate records and return the following details:
- VIN: This is the 17-digit code associated with the car. The VIN never changes throughout the car’s history even if it has crossed state lines or shipped internationally. That makes it a more definite identifier than the vehicle tag numbers which may change periodically. Using the VIN, you can obtain all the reported information associated with the vehicle from the moment it leaves the production line. If the seller is being honest, the VIN should physically match the tag on the vehicle.
- VIN validation: Our Florida license plate lookup tool instantly tells you if the Check Digit is a match. This is the 9th digit of the VIN used to validate if the VIN is correct using a mathematical computation.
- Vehicle description: Our FL license plate lookup free tool matches the plates to the vehicle's make, model, style/body, engine specs, and age. You can use this free information to deduce if the vehicle registration is correct.
The check digit, the ninth digit of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serves as a validation tool. It is calculated using a specific formula that includes the other characters in the VIN.
Free vs Paid Check
With the VIN Number in hand, you can perform two subsequent searches: a free VIN Check or a paid VIN Check.
The free VIN check with us will typically offer details about the vehicle attributes, in addition to the basic information offered by other free car tag checks. You get additional details on the drive train, seating, fuel, dimensions, suspension, MSRP pricing, safety, and color.
Note that the free tag checks furnish you with the vehicle’s and manufacturer’s specifications. In addition, we’ll notify you if the vehicle under consideration has historical data that offers a full picture of the vehicle’s condition from information reported in vehicle databases across the US and Canada.
There is a cost involved in reporting this data as it's maintained in third-party databases. Our job is just to aggregate and present it to you in a legible report that even contains our assigned score. The goal is to make it easier to evaluate the vehicle's condition and make an informed decision. So, let's find out what the full reports contain:
Due to restrictions in the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) Policy, the Florida tags check doesn’t disclose the driver's personally identifiable information, such as their name or address.
Comprehensive FL Vehicle Reports
Our paid Florida license plate search unlocks detailed history reports. Here is some of the information you'll have access to:
- Accidents History: This is a particularly meaningful part of the report. It will let you know whether the car has had any accident or whether it has ever been damaged. For instance, our report will highlight hail, fire, or flood damage.
- Title records: The title records catalog all the historical events for the vehicle in chronological order. This often begins with the date the car was manufactured and shipped to the original owner. Next, you’ll see the date the registration was issued or renewed. You’ll also see major service records, such as oil changes and brake replacements.
- Reported Odometer Reading: You shouldn't worry anymore about rigged odometers because you will be able to compare the mileage reported on the car with the one present in the databases.
- Recalls & Defects Some of the used motor vehicles on the market could belong to a faulty lot and have defects. If the examined car happens to match this category, you will know it with the help of our free Florida license report.
- Theft and recovery records: If the vehicle was ever stolen and recovered, you’ll get to know about this in this section. The information here comes from the National Insurance Crime Bureau as reported by law enforcement, consumers, and insurance companies. Vehicles with prior histories of theft have diminished value as there is no certainty that the car was repaired correctly. Recovered cars may be harder to insure.
- Salvage auction records: This section of the Florida license check contains salvage auction listings. The listings will describe the primary damage area, estimated damage cost, and exterior color of the car. You get more information than what a branded tag on a title can provide.
- Lien & Repossession Record: If the car is currently used in a loan, you will end up paying for something you shouldn't have to. This part of the report will help you avoid such problems.
- Sales records: Are you getting the best possible price or is the vehicle overpriced? Referencing past sales records collected from dealerships and auto auctions allows you to find out when the vehicle was previously listed, reported mileage, and listing price.
- Title status checks: Florida car titles can have different brandings. According to the Florida DMV office, the most common brandings to watch out for are salvage, rebuild (cars repaired and inspected after being totaled), and lien holder. Other lesser-known brands include Low-speed, Off-highway, Mobile Home, and Duplicate Titles. The title will also identify if the car has had a kit assembly or if it contains a reused VIN.
Source of Records
A high quality Florida registration plate search must provide only accurate and up-to-date information. So, in order to provide you with a great service, we rely on a list of very reliable sources of information like U.S. NMVTIS, FLHSMV, Canadian Motor Vehicle Agencies, car auctions, insurance companies, car operators, car makers, and a few other reliable sources.
Our look-up Florida service is based only on trustworthy databases because we want to provide reliable assistance to every kind of driver. Whether you're a watchful buyer or an honest seller, we bet that you would like to make the process much faster and easier.
NMVTIS stands for National Motor Vehicle Title Information System, introduced in 1996 as a means for DMV agencies to electronically share information and prevent various types of fraud and theft.
Florida License Plate Owner Lookup
The report presents a comprehensive timeline of the vehicle's ownership history, detailing the dates and locations of each registration. It highlights the number of previous owners and the states where the vehicle has been registered. Analyzing this data can help uncover potential red flags, such as frequent ownership changes or registration in states with more lenient inspection standards, which could signal underlying issues with the vehicle's condition or history.
Laws on Florida License Plates
Access to license plate records is governed by Florida's Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) policy. It restricts public access to personal information in motor vehicle and driver's license records.
For instance, running a Florida license plates lookup will not reveal the owner's social security numbers, license or identification card numbers, names, addresses, telephone numbers, and medical or disability information. Personal information can only be obtained if an exemption is met, which includes law enforcement agencies, auto manufacturers, government agencies, towing companies, and parties that have written permission from the individual.
In Florida, vehicle tag lookups are governed by several legal aspects. For instance, did you know that according to Section 320.06(1)(b) of Florida Statutes, all Florida license plates are to be replaced every 10 years? What's more, temporary, these are also available for specific purposes, such as for motor vehicle dealers to allow customers to drive their newly purchased motor vehicles off the lot. These plates are valid for 30 days, from the date of issue.
Florida Tags Designs and Formats
Florida's registration plates showcase the state's identity and offer a variety of options for vehicle owners. The state provides three standard designs: the county nameplate, which is available only in participating counties, the "Sunshine State" plate that reflects Florida's well-known nickname, and the "In God We Trust" plate, allowing owners to display this national motto.
Personalized Tags
A personalized license plate in Florida lets vehicle owners create a custom plate with up to 7 characters (8 for some specialty plates) that reflect personal interests or identity. These plates can include letters, numbers, and some symbols, but must follow state guidelines. An additional fee applies, and availability must be checked. Personalized plates are renewable annually and can be updated as needed.
Collegiate License Plates
This type of specialty plate that feature logos or designs representing various colleges and universities. These plates allow vehicle owners to show support for their favorite school or alma mater while also contributing to funding for that institution. The proceeds from the sale of these specialty plates often go toward scholarships, programs, and initiatives that benefit students at the respective colleges or universities.
Military Plates
In Florida, Military Plates are specialized license plates for veterans, active-duty military members, and their families to honor their service. These plates include options for honorably discharged veterans, combat-wounded veterans, disabled veterans, ex-prisoners of war, and Gold Star families.
Temporary Plates
Florida Temporary Plates are short-term vehicle registration tags issued to drivers who have purchased a vehicle but are waiting for permanent plates. They are typically valid for 30 days and are issued by car dealerships or, in some cases, private sellers. To obtain a temporary plate, you need proof of ownership and insurance. Once it expires, permanent plates are required to continue driving the vehicle legally.
How to Use Florida License Plate Information
You can utilize information from the Florida license plate lookup in a myriad of ways. By conducting a VIN check, you can access a vehicle's specifications to ensure it hasn't been illegally modified. This is crucial as modifications can affect the car's safety, performance, and warranty. Additionally, verifying the VIN helps confirm the vehicle's ownership history, protecting you from purchasing a car with a dubious past.
Historical data from these Florida license checks can reveal if the car has any persistent defects, particularly those not addressed by recalls. Such insights are not only vital for safety but also serve as a strong negotiating point when discussing the price, potentially leading to a better deal.
Conclusion
Our Florida license plate lookup delivers valuable reports that offer insights beyond what a standard mechanical inspection can uncover. This essential information helps you avoid overpaying for a car and ensures you're purchasing a vehicle with a meaningful lifespan.
FAXVIN simplifies the process for all buyers by offering a free FL plate lookup that provides the VIN. Our detailed reports, often several pages long, offer a thorough and comprehensive overview.
Additional Resources
- FLHSMV - Renew or Replace Your Registration
- FLHSMV - Vehicle Information Check
- Florida Motor Vehicle Fraud
- Florida DMV Fees
Frequently Asked Questions
- Proof of identity (required for all owners);
- Proof of Florida Insurance;
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (HSMV form 82040);
- Visit www.flhsmv.gov.
- Select "Specialty License Plates" under License Plates & Registration.
- Choose your desired plate and complete the order with your vehicle details and payment.
- Plates will be mailed or available for pickup.
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