Nebraska License Plate Lookup

Nebraska license plate lookups can help anyone retrieve certain details and history about motor vehicles registered by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Commonly obtained information from a license plate search in the state includes the vehicle's make, body style, color, mode, year of manufacture, odometer readings, mileage, registration, and various history reports.

In Nebraska, you can look up vehicle information online or by contacting the state's DMV. Online Nebraska license plate lookups can be done with vehicles' license plates or VINs through third-party websites like GoodCar. While a typical online vehicle search will reveal basic information associated with a license plate, a person can still obtain a comprehensive vehicle history report at a small fee.

The primary purpose of running a license plate search is to obtain information or details associated with a vehicle for several purposes. In Nebraska, law enforcement can run license plates to fetch as much information as possible about a motor vehicle and/or its owner if they need to solve a crime. They may also do so to identify vehicles with unpaid fines or outstanding warrants.

Running a license plate search in Nebraska, particularly before purchasing a used vehicle, is vital for an individual. A meticulous license plate lookup will reveal hidden information or history on any used car that a private seller or dealership may not disclose. For instance, if a vehicle has been involved in an accident or is stolen, the seller will not likely reveal this. However, a thorough Nebraska license plate lookup will disclose a vehicle's accident history, among other histories, and state if the car has ever been reported stolen.

According to a report by the Nebraska Crime Commission, at least 1,793 and 2,049 vehicles were reported stolen in the state in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Anyone who fails to run a license plate search may end up purchasing one of these vehicles. The reports obtained from a license plate search can help you make an informed decision when buying a used vehicle and save you from the financial and legal trouble that may follow if you purchase it.

The license plate assigned to any registered vehicle is unique and linked to several details/histories associated with that vehicle, and this is no different with Nebraska-registered vehicles. Such information is created and maintained by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and other relevant local and state agencies. Each registered vehicle in Nebraska has peculiar information and records that can be retrieved with a Nebraska license plate search. Hence, a Nebraska license plate search conducted using GoodCar, an approved National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data provider, can retrieve a detailed and comprehensive report about the vehicle registered to that license plate.

License plates primarily serve identification purposes for registered vehicles. All registered motor vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and buses in Nebraska, must display their license plates at the front or rear, depending on the vehicle type. Per Section 60-399 of the state's Revised Statute, no person may operate or park a vehicle on the highways unless the vehicle displays the appropriate number of license plates, as required by the Motor Vehicle Registration Act. The state has a long history of license plates with various designs, but it started issuing alpha-numeric license plates in January 2002. State law mandates that license plates be redesigned every six years. Currently, the Nebraska Division of Motor Vehicles offers several categories of license plates with varying designs, as discussed below.

NE License Plate Renewal

Nebraska license plates can be renewed online, in person, or by mail, and renewal happens at the point of vehicle registration renewals. For mail or in-person license plate renewal, submit the following documentation to your local County Treasurer's office:

• Vehicle registration renewal notice or the expiring documentation
• Valid proof of insurance (original copy of the document is required. No photocopies)

To renew your Nebraska license plate online, use the eDMV Portal managed by the state's Division of Motor Vehicles. Your proof of financial responsibility (insurance) will be verified using the Insurance Database.

1. Can I Look Up NE License Plates for Free?

   Yes, but a free Nebraska license plate search will only return basic information about a vehicle. You may obtain details such as the vehicle's specifications and a few history with a free license plate lookup. However, with as little as $2.95, you can obtain a full vehicle history and a more comprehensive report on a Nebraska-registered vehicle on the GoodCar website. Such details will include accident history, recall history, theft history, odometer rollback, market value, and salvage or loss history.

2. Can I Use Nebraska License Plate Lookup Services To Find Out About a Vehicle's Accident History?

   Yes. A Nebraska license plate lookup conducted through an NMVTIS-approved data provider like GoodCar will reveal whether a vehicle has been involved in an accident. In addition, it may disclose if the vehicle has been rebuilt.

3. How Can I Register a Vanity License Plate in Nebraska?

   You can register a vanity license plate in Nebraska by mailing a completed Application for Specialty Plates Form alongside the required documents and appropriate fee (money order or check) to the state's DMV at:

   Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and Vehicle Records Division
   301 Centennial Mall South
   P.O. Box 94789
   Lincoln, NE 68509-4789

   Make sure to indicate the type of plate (message plate) you want on the application by checking the appropriate box. Once the DMV approves your vanity license plate application, allow 4 to weeks for the plates to arrive at your local county treasurer's office, where you can pick them up. Alternatively, you can apply for a Nebraska vanity license plate online using the eDmv Portal.