New Jersey License Plate Lookup

When conducting a license plate lookup in New Jersey through GoodCar, users may gain access to valuable vehicle information that extends far beyond basic identification. GoodCar is designed to offer comprehensive and premium data reports.

Comprehensive Data Reports

When available, GoodCar's comprehensive license plate lookup tool provides the following information, serving as a reliable starting point for a preliminary check on New Jersey vehicles:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The VIN is a unique identifier for the vehicle, which may be uncovered simply by entering the license plate number. This is essential for verifying the vehicle's identity and matching it with its physical frame tag.

Vehicle Specifications

New Jersey's diverse driving conditions, from coastal areas to urban environments, affect vehicles differently. GoodCar aims to provide comprehensive vehicle details, including manufacturing origin, drivetrain specifications, braking systems, engine displacement, transmission type, and New Jersey-specific trim packages that may have been designed for regional conditions.

Title History and Brands

GoodCar is designed to thoroughly check the vehicle's title history, including any salvage, junk, or rebuilt titles. It also includes more than 60 additional title brands, such as flood damage, fire damage, or hail damage, so buyers are aware of any major issues that could affect the vehicle's value and safety.

Accident History

Based on available reports, GoodCar may reveal whether the vehicle has been involved in any accidents or major collisions. Knowing this information is critical, especially when considering a used car, as it gives insights into the extent of any prior damage.

Mileage Verification

GoodCar may help verify the vehicle's odometer reading to ensure there are no discrepancies or signs of potential tampering. This is especially important when purchasing used vehicles, as incorrect mileage may significantly impact the vehicle's value.

In addition to these, a comprehensive report, when available, may generally include crash test ratings, recalls, details about any remaining warranties on the vehicle, and more.

Premium Data Reports

GoodCar's premium reports provide users with more detailed information. When available, key features in this report type may include:

Ownership Records

This report provides a history of potential previous owners, including the length of ownership and the locations where the vehicle was registered. It also tracks the frequency of ownership transfers.

Market Values

The premium report includes estimated market values, such as trade-in value, wholesale value, retail value, and residual value. These values help assess the vehicle's worth from various perspectives, whether buyers are looking to purchase, sellers wish to set a price, or businesses are evaluating the car.

Sales History

This generally includes where the vehicle was listed for sale, such as online marketplaces, dealerships, or auctions. If the original listing is still available, the premium report will provide a link to it, allowing users to view the details directly. This is a valuable tool for tracking how the vehicle was marketed and the price it was initially offered.

For more details about what GoodCar's license plate lookup tool provides, users can check out the Sample Report to see exactly how these features work and understand why GoodCar stands out in providing well-sourced vehicle history reports for New Jersey.

GoodCar is an approved and trusted data provider for the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), a federal database offering vehicle history reports. As an NMVTIS-approved provider, GoodCar adheres to federal legal and data standards and offers users vehicle information sourced from official records.

To run a New Jersey license plate lookup on GoodCar, you may follow these steps:

1. Input the full license plate number in the search field below.
2. Choose "New Jersey" from the dropdown menu to ensure the correct data is retrieved.
3. Hit the "Search" button to generate a detailed vehicle report instantly.

New Jersey License Plate Design and Types

New Jersey's standard license plates have a distinct design that is easy to identify. Here are the key features of a typical New Jersey plate:

• Background Color: The plate features a reflective yellow background that fades into white.
• Text: The phrase "Garden State" is printed in black font at the bottom of the plate.
• State Name: The state name, New Jersey, is displayed at the top-center of the plate.
• Vehicle Registration Number: This is printed in bold black font in the center. The registration number typically consists of a combination of letters and numbers.
• State-Shaped Separator: A small state-shaped separator separates the first three characters from the remaining registration number.

Source: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)

In addition to standard plates, New Jersey issues these plate types:

• Commercial Plates: Issued for business vehicles, commercial plates have different markings compared to personal plates.
• Specialty Plates: For an additional fee, specialty plates are available for specific causes or affiliations, such as supporting charities or showcasing interests.
• Personalized Plates: Drivers may customize their license plates with a unique combination of letters and numbers.
• Trailer Plates: Trailers are issued a single rear-mounted plate designed for visibility.

When running a license plate lookup for these New Jersey non-standard plates, there may be some limitations in the available data. These limitations may include:

• Incomplete or Missing Title History: Non-standard plates, such as those used for commercial vehicles or trailers, may be subject to different registration processes, potentially leading to incomplete or inconsistent title history records.
• Limited Accident or Recall Information: Certain types of vehicles with non-standard plates may have less detailed accident or recall data available, as these vehicles often have different reporting requirements or are categorized separately in databases.
• Specialty or Customized Plates: Vehicles with specialty or personalized plates may not always align with standard vehicle registration data, possibly leading to fewer data points or discrepancies in the vehicle's historical records.

While GoodCar's NMVTIS-approved tool strives to offer the most accurate and complete information, users should be aware that non-standard plates may sometimes result in limited data availability. Despite this, GoodCar works to provide users with verified and trustworthy information.

New Jersey Personalized Plate Availability

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) allows personalized plates with up to 7 characters. All requests undergo review for objectionable content. New Jersey drivers may avoid the state's notoriously busy MVC locations by using GoodCar's Vanity Plate Lookup tool, which quickly shows whether their creative plate idea is still available without fighting Garden State traffic for an in-person check.

We collect vehicle data primarily from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which compiles information from state motor vehicle titling agencies, junkyards, salvage yards, and insurance carriers. This generally helps provide important details about a vehicle's title history and status.

In addition to NMVTIS, we source data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as well as private data providers like Black Book, J.D. Power, MarketCheck, and DataOne. These partnerships allow us to include vehicle valuations, market trends, safety recalls, and other valuable insights.

Finally, we enhance our reports with information from our own internal databases that gather public records for added context.

By integrating data from multiple sources, GoodCar strives to provide detailed and timely vehicle reports tailored to New Jersey's regulations and market conditions. However, the exact information available in each report may vary depending on the vehicle and data received from these sources.

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law regulating the use of personal information contained in motor vehicle records. It aims to protect individuals' privacy by limiting the access and use of sensitive data related to vehicle registration, driver's licenses, and other motor vehicle records.

In addition to the federal DPPA, New Jersey has its own privacy laws that provide further protection against identity theft, fraud, and the misuse of personal data. Under both federal and state laws, personal details such as names, addresses, and contact information in motor vehicle records are strictly protected, except for ZIP codes, which remain publicly accessible.

GoodCar prioritizes data security and fully complies with both the DPPA and New Jersey's privacy laws. To prevent unauthorized access or sharing of personal data, GoodCar implements multiple security measures, including:

• Data encryption: All sensitive information is encrypted to prevent unauthorized access or misuse.
• Access control systems: Strict protocols ensure that only authorized users may access personal data.
• Audit trails and monitoring: Every data access attempt is recorded, and suspicious activity is flagged and investigated.

While privacy is a top priority, there are specific circumstances where personal information may be legally disclosed, such as:

• Law enforcement & government agencies for investigations or enforcement
• Attorneys & investigators for legal proceedings
• Insurance providers for claims processing and fraud detection
• Authorized companies for recalls, safety checks, and regulatory purposes

The New Jersey MVC generally maintains comprehensive records for all registered vehicles throughout the state. While these records may contain detailed information about vehicles and their registration history, the MVC does not provide direct online public access to license plate information.

Individuals seeking license plate information may contact the MVC through official channels by either calling their main service line at (609) 292-6500 or visiting an MVC service center in person. The process typically involves completing a request form and paying applicable processing fees, though access remains restricted to specific types of vehicle information.

For those needing to visit an MVC location, the commission maintains a directory of vehicle centers across the state where residents may find the nearest service location. Many transactions requiring in-person visits now offer appointment scheduling options to minimize wait times and improve service efficiency.

In addition to GoodCar and the New Jersey MVC, the sources below may provide access to vehicle history reports in the state:

• NHTSA Recall Lookup Tool: The NHTSA provides a free online recall lookup tool. By entering a vehicle's license plate number, users may check for open safety recalls issued by manufacturers.
• New Jersey Law Enforcement Databases: Local and state law enforcement agencies maintain vehicle-related databases that include records of stolen vehicles, crash reports, and other law enforcement data. Access to these records is typically restricted to official investigations and authorized entities.
• New Jersey Public Court Records: Some New Jersey court records contain information about vehicles involved in legal disputes, repossessions, or liens. These records may be accessible through the New Jersey Courts website or at county court offices.

While license plate lookups provide an easy way to access vehicle history, New Jersey offers several alternative methods that require additional details, such as a VIN, instead of just a plate number. These methods may include:

• New Jersey MVC Certified Title Search: Individuals may request a certified photocopy of a vehicle's title, which generally includes current ownership information. Requests may be submitted online or by mail using Form DO-22, along with a copy of the requester's driver's license and a $15 payment. Mailed requests should be sent to the New Jersey MVC's Certified Information Unit.
• Registration Records: Certified copies of vehicle registration application records may be requested by completing Form DO-11A. Requests require notarization, a copy of the requester's driver's license, and a $15 fee. Processing typically takes approximately three to four weeks.
• NICB VINCheck: The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) offers a free service that enables users to check if a vehicle has been reported stolen or salvaged by participating insurance companies using the vehicle's VIN. Users are limited to five searches per day.
• NHTSA VIN Decoder: The NHTSA offers a VIN decoder tool that provides manufacturer details about a vehicle's specifications. While useful for verifying technical information, it does not include ownership history.
• GoodCar's Other Tools: In addition to license plate lookup, GoodCar offers VIN Check, Vehicle History Search, VIN Decoder, Recall Lookup, Residual Value Lookup, Car Depreciation Check, Lease Calculator, Car Loan Calculator, and Car Title Check. These features assist in verifying vehicle history, identifying recalls, evaluating depreciation, estimating loan or lease costs, and checking for title issues.