Alaska License Plate Lookup

An Alaska license plate lookup typically provides a wealth of information about a vehicle's history, which is usually available via comprehensive and premium data reports:

Comprehensive Data Reports

Comprehensive data reports generated via a GoodCar license plate lookup typically offer essential information that may be useful for a preliminary vehicle check. This information usually includes:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

A license plate lookup can typically be used to uncover a VIN (if one isn't displayed in the listing). This, in turn, generally allows buyers to verify the VIN against the physical tag on the vehicle and conduct a deeper history check, where available.

Vehicle Specifications

This section of the report typically provides a breakdown of the car's make, model, year, body style, drivetrain, engine specifications, transmission type, and trim level. This information generally helps users confirm that the details on the listed vehicle matches official records and prevent potential scams involving misrepresented models or false advertising.

Title and Problem Records

GoodCar typically examines over 60 different title brands to ensure a comprehensive check and identify titles that have been branded as salvage, junk, rebuilt, flood or fire-damaged, and other similar designations indicative of issues with the vehicle.

Accident and Damage History

GoodCar's comprehensive report typically provides details on reported accidents, collision repairs, or structural damages involving the vehicle. The report may contain total-loss insurance claims, junk or salvage records from auctions and insurance companies, estimated damage costs, and affected areas (when available).

Mileage Verification

Odometer fraud is a common issue in the used car market - the NHTSA estimates that over 450,000 vehicles are sold with deliberately altered odometer readings annually. A license plate lookup service may also include a verification of the vehicle's recorded mileage at each title transfer or inspection to ensure consistency. If discrepancies are found, such as lower reported mileage at a later date, this could indicate odometer tampering.

Recalls and Safety Ratings

Safety is a top priority for any vehicle purchase. GoodCar's license plate lookups - and the subsequently generated comprehensive reports - are designed to include information about unresolved recalls, consumer complaints, and crash test ratings, where available, thereby providing users with key insights into safety defects, accident performance, and other common vehicle-related issues.

Comprehensive data reports may also include cost of ownership estimates, warranty details, and vehicle awards. However, note that the availability of this information may vary.

Premium Data Reports

For users needing more in-depth details, GoodCar's premium reports may be a good source for additional data, when available:

Market Values

A GoodCar premium report may contain a full breakdown of the vehicle's market value, including trade-in value, wholesale value, retail value, and residual value. Buyers who are armed with this information are typically able to negotiate better deals and avoid overpaying for a vehicle.

Sales History

Premium reports generated from a GoodCar license plate search may also include a section on the vehicle's sales history, covering areas ranging from past sales handled by auction houses, dealerships, or private sellers, to the car's listing prices at different points in time, and possible links to original sale listings if they are still available. Tracking a vehicle's previous sale listings helps buyers understand its pricing patterns and demand - a vehicle with frequent price reductions or multiple failed sales might indicate underlying issues.

GoodCar's premium features aim to provide a deeper look into a vehicle's history and value, making them especially useful for buyers, sellers, and businesses. However, it is important to note that certain statutorily protected information, such as vehicle ownership details like names and addresses, may only be disclosed to eligible requesters, in compliance with federal and state privacy laws.

For a closer look at what GoodCar's license plate lookup tool offers, explore a Sample Report.

GoodCar is an approved and trusted data provider for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). This system, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Justice, is designed to prevent title fraud, protect consumers, and reduce vehicle theft. To this end, it provides authorized users with real-time access to title history, branding, and salvage records, which may then be disseminated to interested parties.

To perform a license plate lookup in Alaska using GoodCar, follow these simple steps:

1. Enter the License Plate Number: Input the full license plate number of the vehicle being researched.
2. Select the State: Choose “Alaska” from the dropdown menu to ensure the search retrieves relevant results.
3. Click “Search”: After entering the necessary details, select “Search” to instantly generate a comprehensive vehicle history report.

Alaska License Plate Formats and Designs

When performing a license plate lookup in Alaska, it is important to verify that the plate follows the correct format to ensure it belongs to the state; otherwise, the lookup may not return relevant/appropriate information. Alaska license plates typically follow specific formats depending on the type:

• Standard Passenger Vehicles: Three letters followed by three numbers (e.g., ABC 123)
• Commercial Vehicles: These may have varying formats with specific designations
• Special/Vanity Plates: Custom combinations following state guidelines

In addition to verifying the license plate format, recognizing the current plate designs is essential for ensuring the plate is valid and registered in Alaska. Different designs indicate various plate types, such as standard, personalized, or special plates. Identifying these variations helps ensure accurate search results and avoid errors.

Here are some of the current Alaska license plate designs:

Source: Images are from the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website

• Standard Gold Design: The classic Alaska license plate features a gold background with blue lettering. This standard design is issued to most Alaska residents and displays "Alaska" at the top.

GoodCar typically aggregates data for Alaska vehicle reports from multiple sources and compiles this information to provide a broad overview of a vehicle's history. One key source is the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which aggregates information from state motor vehicle titling agencies, junkyards, and salvage yards.

In addition, GoodCar incorporates data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which offers safety and recall details. GoodCar also partners with private data providers such as Black Book, J.D. Power, MarketCheck, and DataOne. These organizations contribute data on vehicle specifications, pricing, ownership history, and market listings.

By drawing from various publicly available and private sources, as well as in-house, proprietary databases, GoodCar aims to help interested parties gather useful information when considering a vehicle purchase in Alaska.

Alaska's vehicle information is protected under dual regulatory frameworks:

• The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA): this federal law restricts access to personal information contained in state motor vehicle records and prohibits the disclosure of personal information obtained from motor vehicle records without the express consent of the individual to whom it pertains.
• The Alaska Public Records Act (APRA): this state-enacted law compliments the DPPA, allowing public access to non-confidential information (which includes information contained in motor vehicle records) while maintaining privacy protections for sensitive personal data.

GoodCar maintains strict compliance with these laws to protect personal data while providing valuable vehicle history information. To this end, when a GoodCar vehicle report is requested, certain private information is usually protected from public disclosure such as:

• Names and addresses of current/previous owners
• Driver's license numbers
• Social Security numbers
• Medical information
• Disability status
• Telephone numbers
• Photographs

Note that certain personal information may be disclosed under specific, statutorily-permitted circumstances, such as:

• Law enforcement investigations and activities
• Court proceedings and judicial orders
• Insurance claim investigations
• Vehicle safety recalls
• Licensed private investigators with legitimate cases
• Research activities (using anonymized data)

In addition to this, GoodCar educates intending users on the potential consequences (both criminal and civil) of misusing license plate information, as outlined under Alaska's privacy statute. Note that the DMV may deny access to records if misuse is suspected, and GoodCar equally maintains the right to terminate service to users who violate the terms of use regarding appropriate data access.

Unlike many states, the Alaska DMV does not maintain a dedicated online system for public license plate searches. Individuals seeking vehicle information through license plates are typically required to follow a more traditional approach by visiting the Alaska DMV office or one of the authorized Contract Agent Office locations throughout the state. Be aware that an appointment may be required for these visits, especially at the relatively busier locations - the Alaska DMV offers an online platform that may be used to schedule these appointments.

During the visit, DMV staff (or duly-authorized representatives, where applicable) are usually on hand to assist interested parties with accessing available license plate information (note that certain privacy restrictions may apply regarding the type or scope of information that may be disclosed).

Individuals who are unable to make an in-person visit to a DMV location (which may often be the case given Alaska's vast geography and remote communities) also have the option of contacting the DMV's main line at (907) 269-5551 to inquire about the process for obtaining license plate information and what documentation may be required to establish a legitimate need for such information.

In addition to the Alaska DMV, license plate information and other important vehicle-related data may be sourced for several other alternative sources. For instance, individuals and/or entities with legitimate legal needs for accessing this information, such as legal professionals, licensed investigators, and authorized businesses, may utilize law enforcement databases and specialized systems like the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS). Note that this system comes with strict usage guidelines.

Additionally, federal databases like the NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool may be utilized to access vehicle information using a license plate number. Insurance companies also typically maintain extensive databases of claims and vehicle histories, and may sometimes make these databases available to policyholders and other interested parties (note that the submission of a formal request is usually required).

Beyond traditional license plate lookups, Alaska residents have multiple options for obtaining comprehensive vehicle information. For instance, individuals seeking official governmental verification of motor vehicle-related information may also submit a Request for Research or Verification of Motor Vehicle Record (Form 851) to the Alaska DMV at

4001 Ingra Street
Suite 101
Anchorage, AK 99503

The completed form may also be submitted via email. Be aware that requesters will be required to provide detailed information, as well as certification of a legitimate purpose (for the request) under Alaska Statute 28.10.505. There is a $10 fee per vehicle search and requests are typically processed within 8 - 12 weeks.

At the national level, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) VINCheck service also offers interested parties with free theft and salvage record checks (limited to five searches daily per IP address). Similarly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) offers a VIN Decoder tool that may be used to access a vehicle's manufacturing details.

Lastly, platforms like GoodCar generally offer several online tools that may be used to access vehicle information using other identifiers (in addition to a license plate number), such as a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These tools include

• VIN Check
• Vehicle History Search
• VIN Decoder
• Recall Lookup
• Residual Value Lookup
• Car Depreciation Check
• Car Title Check

GoodCar's integrated tools are designed to provide users with a complete vehicle profile through a seamless, user-friendly interface. In addition to this, GoodCar also combines comprehensive data compilation from multiple sources, instant results delivery, and strict legal compliance with relevant laws and regulations, to offer a superior user experience, making it stand out as a choice for accessing vehicle-related information (where available) in Alaska.