Minnesota License Plate Lookup

GoodCar typically offers comprehensive and premium reports by combining relevant data from reliable sources, when available.

Comprehensive Data Reports

GoodCar's comprehensive data reports are meant to provide information about the vehicle's history to assess its condition and authenticity. When available, these reports include, but are not limited to, the following:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The VIN is an alphanumeric code with 17 characters assigned by the manufacturer to each vehicle. Matched numbers may confirm a vehicle's authenticity before purchase.

Vehicle Specifications

This section typically details the vehicle's make, model, year, body type, transmission type, drive system, and more.

Title & Problem History

This history may contain title brands, such as flood, salvage, kit, reconstructed, dismantled, and 60 more. In Minnesota, where extreme winter conditions can lead to salt corrosion and structural damage, title verification helps buyers avoid problematic vehicles.

Accident & Damage Reports

These reports are designed to display accident history, junk/salvage records, and insurance company total loss declarations.

Safety Information

This includes recall notices, crash test ratings, and consumer complaints from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Odometer & Mileage Verification

This report aims to verify reported mileage which may help detect odometer fraud or inconsistencies.

Warranty & Ownership Costs

The report may help users find warranty details and ownership cost estimates, covering fuel, insurance, maintenance, and depreciation.

Premium Data Reports

When available, GoodCar's premium reports seeks to provide additional data beyond the comprehensive report, including:

Ownership Records

These details may reveal potential past owners, duration of ownership, registration location, and transfer frequency. In Minnesota, vehicles registered in urban areas like Minneapolis and St. Paul often have higher turnover rates due to leasing and frequent sales.

Market Values

This section may assist with trade-in, wholesale, and retail price estimates. Vehicle values in Minnesota may fluctuate based on location, with rural areas sometimes experiencing lower resale prices than metropolitan regions.

Sales History

This section may help users find past listings and pricing trends from major marketplaces (with possible links to the listings). Buyers in competitive markets, such as the Twin Cities, may use this data to assess fair prices based on local market conditions and leverage it for potential negotiations.

To understand how GoodCar compiles data in a single report, check a sample report.

GoodCar is officially approved by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data provider, serving both commercial entities and individual consumers. Running a license plate lookup through GoodCar in Minnesota involves a straightforward process:

1. Enter the vehicle's license plate number into the search field below.
2. Select "Minnesota" from the list of state options to filter results accordingly.
3. Click the "Search" button to retrieve a comprehensive vehicle history report.

To successfully complete a Minnesota license plate lookup on GoodCar, users may provide the complete license plate number without any omissions or errors.

A Minnesota standard license plate follows a specific format of three letters followed by three numbers (AAA 000). The new format and design were introduced in 2017. It features a blue-and-white design with Explore Minnesota.com on top and "10,000 Lakes" at the bottom. The blue state map serves as a separator.

Source: Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS)

Other Minnesota plates include:

• Special Registration Plate: This plate replaces a license plate when an individual receives an Order of License Plate Impoundment.
• Personalized License Plate: This plate can have a maximum of 7 characters, subject to Minnesota laws on allowed license plate characters.
• Original License Plate: This plate is available to owners whose vehicle model year is 1976 or older.
• Tax-exempt License Plates: Eligible individuals or entities with non-profit causes and state agencies use these plates. These vehicles are usually used to transport disabled persons or respond to disasters.

Minnesota Personalized Plate Availability

GoodCar's Vanity Plate Lookup tool may help Minnesota drivers find out if their chosen custom license plate is available. This tool aims to provide an easy way to check availability online, so you can avoid the hassle of visiting a nearby office and confirm if your plate number is free to use.

Report Generation Time and Data Limitations

GoodCar generally generates Minnesota license plate lookup results within seconds of submission. The platform typically accesses various public databases to compile vehicle history reports. However, users should be aware of potential limitations, including:

• Some recent title registrations may not yet appear in the system.
• Information on vehicles with salvage, rebuilt, or reconstructed titles may be detailed at varying levels depending on reporting requirements at the time of the incident.
• Certain service records may only be available if performed at facilities reporting to national databases.
• License plates, especially non-standard plates, may have varying results due to different serial formats, designs, and registration processes.

GoodCar compiles vehicle reports for Minnesota by accessing various data providers and public sources:

• National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS): As an approved NMVTIS provider, GoodCar may access this federal database that contains vehicle information from all states. NMVTIS sources data from state vehicle services departments, junk/salvage yards, insurance carriers, auto recyclers, and more.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): Provides recall information, crash test ratings, and safety-related details for vehicles registered in Minnesota.
• Private Data Providers: The platform also utilizes data from private providers like Black Book, which supplies market-based vehicle valuations, J.D. Power for consumer reliability ratings, MarketCheck's listings and pricing trends, and DataOne for detailed vehicle specifications.
• Internal Databases: GoodCar further aims to enhance its reports by integrating proprietary internal databases and cross-referencing all data to deliver vehicle reports tailored to Minnesota users.

GoodCar strives to maintain up-to-date information through regular update cycles. However, the timeliness and completeness of updates often depend on how frequently the source database adds new information, which may result in occasional gaps or delays.

The DPPA (Driver's Privacy Protection Act) regulates the disclosure and use of personal information contained in vehicle records. In Minnesota, this federal legislation works alongside Minnesota Statute 171.12 and the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA), which further restricts the disclosure of driver's license and motor vehicle registration information.

These laws are designed to protect personal data from misuse while permitting access for authorized purposes. In compliance with the DPPA, GoodCar works to safeguard certain personal information, including:

• Name
• Home and mailing addresses
• Contact details (phone numbers and email addresses)

When generating vehicle reports, GoodCar typically redacts or excludes this personal information unless the requester has demonstrated a legitimate permitted purpose under the DPPA, such as:

• For use by government agencies to carry out their functions
• In connection to motor vehicle safety, theft, emissions, or product alterations
• For use by legitimate businesses to verify the accuracy of information
• For research activities and statistical reports (with personal information removed)
• For use in insurance claims investigation
• For use by licensed private investigators for permitted purposes
• With written consent from the record owner
• In response to a valid court order

Individuals can perform Minnesota license plate searches through the Minnesota DVS, which is a state division of the Department of Public Safety that handles motor vehicle records. Several ways are available to obtain license plate information.

Check the official Minnesota DVS website for online services. If the site does not provide an online tool to pull up vehicle information by entering a license plate, alternative methods are available.

For those who prefer immediate assistance, visiting a local Minnesota DVS office is an option. Bring relevant identification to the counter, complete the request form available there, and pay the applicable fee to receive basic information immediately. Depending on the nature of the requests, they may be fulfilled on the same day.

Individuals may also contact the Minnesota DVS for assistance with checking vehicle information associated with license plates:

• By Phone: Call the DVS Records Unit at 651-296-2940 (or 651-282-6555 for those with hearing difficulties) from Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• By Email: Send inquiries about license plate information to DVS.motor.vehicles@state.mn.us.
• Online Forms: If the division can't be reached by phone or email, individuals can use the vehicle services contact forms available on the DVS website.

Several other authorized sources provide access to license plate information. The following sources can offer varying levels of vehicle history details:

• NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool: This tool allows the public to check for vehicle recalls using a license plate, helping identify safety concerns before purchasing a used vehicle.
• Law Enforcement Databases (Restricted Access): Comprehensive vehicle histories are available only to authorized personnel for criminal investigations and law enforcement purposes.
• Insurance Company Records: Insurers maintain detailed accident and claim records for vehicles they have covered, which may provide additional insights.
• Public Records Databases: Some vehicle-related details may be found in court or property records, but these usually require more than just a license plate number for access.
• Licensed Private Investigators (Restricted Access): With proper authorization, private investigators can access specialized databases containing ownership and history details not available to the general public.

Individuals have alternative methods for verifying vehicle information besides license lookup. These methods include:

National Resources

Several national agencies provide free tools that allow consumers to verify a vehicle's history before purchasing using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). These tools include:

• NICB VINCheck: Allows users to check if a vehicle has been reported stolen or declared a total loss by an insurance company.
• NHTSA VIN Decoder: Analyzes the 17-character VIN to provide vehicle specifications and manufacturing details.

Minnesota Resources

Individuals can check with the Minnesota Vehicle Inspections Division for inspection records with VIN and partial owner information. This division's online services are limited to inspection schedules and do not allow for obtaining relevant information. Individuals may need to visit the division or call 651-282-2173 for assistance.

Minnesota deputy offices also entertain requests for vehicle information using other details such as name and VIN. The process is the same when requesting information using a license plate number. Still, restrictions related to personal information apply.

Crash reports are also valuable sources of vehicle information and help verify accidents. An online search tool is available for crash updates, but records require an in-person visit and submitting a completed crash record request.

In addition to these resources, interested parties may request data using the MN Government Data Practices Act and address it to the responsible authority. They may need to include a written request, prepayment of search copies, and identification.

GoodCar's Comprehensive Tools

GoodCar generally strives to offer users vehicle report information by aggregating data from third-party sources into a single, easy-to-understand report. While government resources may offer valuable information, they often require navigating multiple systems.

For many users, GoodCar's suite of tools is intended to offer a balance of convenience, compliance, and reporting.

• VIN Check: Cross-references multiple databases for complete vehicle history
• Car Title Check: Identifies clean, salvage, or rebuilt title designations
• Recall Lookup: Compiles all manufacturer recalls with email alerts for new issues
• Vehicle History Search: Reconstructs complete ownership history and identifies former fleet or rental vehicles

Aside from these commonly used GoodCar tools, users can also leverage the services below:

• VIN Decoder
• Residual Value Lookup
• Car Depreciation Check
• Lease Calculator
• Car Loan Calculator

GoodCar's tools are generally intended to provide access to data that may assist users in evaluating ownership records, recall notices, and vehicle value estimates. This information may often help users approach a purchase or sale with more context.