North Dakota License Plate Lookup

Check License Plate Now GoodCar's license plate lookup provides interested parties with the right information on their vehicles.

Table of Content

How To Lookup North Dakota License Plates
Why Run a License Plate Search in North Dakota?
What Can You Get Out of a North Dakota License Plate Lookup?
Why Choose GoodCar for North Dakota Plate Lookups?
North Dakota License Plates
How to Get a License Plate in North Dakota
Frequently Asked Questions about North Dakota License Plate Lookups

How To Lookup North Dakota License Plates

You can look up North Dakota license plates with the State Department of Motor Vehicles or by using online third-party websites. While vehicle history information can be accessed via both sources, the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994, which the state abides by, restricts some information from public access. The Act makes certain exceptions such as when a court orders that private motor vehicle records be made public to specific persons.

If you fulfill one or more exceptions in the DPPA, you can make a request to the Department of Motor Vehicles via a completed Form SFN 51269. The completed form and a fee of up to $31 paid by check or money order must be submitted to:

Motor Vehicle Division
North Dakota Department of Transportation
608 E Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0780

If you are only interested in a basic or comprehensive vehicle history report and not personally identifiable information in a DMV record, using third-party online lookup services is the recommended option. GoodCar, a third-party NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) vehicle data provider, allows visitors to its website to conduct North Dakota license plate lookups using the license plate number or the VIN.

License Plates

To perform a North Dakota license plate lookup, you need a license plate number. On the GoodCar website or any other third-party license plate lookup service, input the license plate number on the search bar, select the state where the license plate is registered, and click on the search button. The result page will reveal basic vehicle information about the car registered with the plate, such as vehicle model, year, make, color, and Vehicle Identification Number.

VIN

Most third-party license plate lookup services also allow users to look up vehicle information using the VIN. The VIN is a serial printed on the interior or exterior of the car. It can be in different places, including the door area of the driver-side, on the chassis, underneath the windshield, or in the manufacturer's manual. On the GoodCar website, input the 17-digit VIN serial and click on the search button to get a result page with the vehicle information required. VINs are more difficult to locate and input than plate numbers, which is why plate numbers are the preferred method.

Why Run a License Plate Search in North Dakota?

Reasons to Run License Plate Search in North Dakota

A license plate lookup is useful in several scenarios. Law enforcement agencies can use it to track suspects, gather evidence for investigations, and locate stolen vehicles. This information can help keep the public safe. Individuals can also use it to get historical reports on vehicles, which may be helpful when purchasing a used car.

What Can You Get Out of a North Dakota License Plate Lookup?

A North Dakota license plate lookup can provide information on mileage rollback, accident records, flood, hail, and fire damage, and registration records. This information is available under different vehicle history categories, such as odometer history, title history, and accident history.

Vehicle Records

Vehicle records such as sales records, odometer readings, accident history, and vehicle specifications are revealed in a license plate lookup. This information helps a person buying a used car to negotiate a fair price for the car. Law enforcement can also use this information for criminal investigation purposes.

Title Brands and Problem Checks

If you are worried about purchasing a vehicle with a washed title, running a license plate lookup can help you avoid falling victim to such. As part of a vehicle history report, you get to view brand titles, such as hail damage, lemon, junk, rebuilt, salvage, and water damage. Therefore, conducting a license plate lookup can help you avoid vehicles that have been totaled in another state and brought to North Dakota for sale or are likely to have safety issues.

Tracing a Vehicle’s History for Used Car Purchases with North Dakota Plate Checks

A vehicle history report refers to a collection of records including information such as lien records, and stolen alert information. These reports can indicate whether any major repairs have been done due to accidents or mechanical problems. They can also indicate if the vehicle has been recalled for safety issues or whether the car is a stolen vehicle or one with an outstanding loan or lien placed on it. Being aware of these potential issues can save you a lot of stress or financial loss in the future.

Why Choose GoodCar for North Dakota Plate Lookups?

Requesters can benefit from extensive vehicle records and reports as they obtain information from accredited data providers like the NMVTIS. GoodCar also illustrates theft checks, collision records, recalls, flood, hail, or fire damage, and pricing.

North Dakota License Plates

North Dakota license plates are required for all vehicles registered in the state with the Department of Transportation. The requirement for motor vehicles in the state to display license plates was first made in 1911. Since then, the plate has undergone a series of redesigns to its current one. The current license plate is made of aluminum and measures 30 centimeters in length and 15 centimeters in height. Most classes of motor vehicles in the state are required to have front and rear license plates. Trailers and motorcycles are only required to have rear license plates. License plates are issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles of the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

Standard Issue License Plates

The design of the standard issue license plate has a badlands scene with a light blue, orange, and yellow gradient sky, yellow rising sun, and brown canyon background. A bison image is imprinted at the bottom right, and the text "NORTH DAKOTA" is printed in orange and centered above the serial, with three wheat stalks on either side of the text. The texts "LEGENDARY" and "PEACE GARDEN STATE" are also printed in black, centered above the state name, and in white in the left bottom corner of the plate, respectively.

Military License plates

Military license plates are available for veterans, service members, and, sometimes, surviving spouses and family members. Eligible persons can obtain military license plates such as Purple Heart, National Guard, gold star, disabled American veteran, prisoner of war, and veteran license plates.

Antique/Collector License Plates

The North Dakota DMV issues certain license plates as a recognition for the age of the vehicle to be affixed with the plate. Antique license plates are issued to vehicles at least 40 years old and not used for farm transportation or business. The collector license plates are issued for vehicles that are at least 25 years old.

Special Interest License Plates

Special interest license plates are issued to members of special organizations and unions to reflect their identification with such groups.

Patriotic License Plates

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) began issuing the patriotic plate to citizens in 2017. The law permitting the plate series was passed via HB 1360 during the 2015 Legislative Session. The patriotic plate includes Boonie Stomper, Flag of the United States, and Bald Eagle designs.

The cost of North Dakota's patriotic plates is $25, plus regular registration fees, with a percentage of the cost going to the Veterans Postwar Trust Fund used to benefit and service veterans or their dependents. The patriotic plates allow citizens to show their American pride and patriotism and to support North Dakota veterans.

How to Get a
License Plate in North Dakota

To obtain a North Dakota license plate, you must title and register your vehicle with the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The Department requires that motorists have the following ready to complete the titling and registration process:

Proof of legal name
Proof of valid North Dakota insurance policy
A certificate of origin, if the vehicle is new
A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Vehicle Form
Vehicle title and 5% excise tax. If the title cannot be provided, the following are required
- Loan account number
- Lienholder's name and address
- Evidence of payment of the excise tax
Odometer disclosure statement
Out-of-state registration document, if applicable
SFN 18609 (Damage Disclosure Statement Form) signed by the buyer and seller, if the vehicle is less than nine years old
Registration fees. This fee varies depending on the weight of the vehicle and the year of first registration (for a used vehicle). Contact the North Dakota DMV at (701) 328-2725 for exact registration fee

Completed application form and other required documents may be submitted to:

Motor Vehicle Division
North Dakota Department of Transportation
608 E Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0780

To register your vehicle, you can schedule an appointment with the North Dakota Department of Motor Vehicles by calling the Department at 1-855-633-6835 or using the online scheduler. Alternatively, check the local branches list for details about daily hours of operation. For more information on vehicle registration in North Dakota, see the DMV Registration Manual.

ND License Plate Renewal

To renew your North Dakota license plate, you must renew your vehicle registration when due. The Department of Transportation makes its Motor Vehicle Registration Renewal portal available for motorists looking to renew their vehicle registrations. Note that fleet, new, and apportioned vehicles cannot be renewed online. To complete your renewal online, you must have your registration card or renewal invoice available for reference and a credit or debit card for online payment of the appropriate renewal fee.

ND License Plate Replacement

A license plate replacement may be required when you have damaged or rusted plates. Also, it may be needed when you have lost your plates. You can complete a replacement plate application online via the Duplicate Vehicle Registration page of the Department of Transportation website or by completing the duplicate plates section of Form SFN 2872. It costs $5 to obtain a replacement license plate in North Dakota. If completing the replacement application online, you need to have the existing vehicle title number, license plate number, and a credit or debit card ready for payment. A paper application will need the following:

Proof of vehicle ownership
Proof of identification
Applicable fee

Note that if your plates were stolen, you may need to file a report with the local law enforcement agency and submit a copy of the report when applying for replacement plates.

Frequently Asked Questions about
North Dakota License Plate Lookups

Can I Look Up ND License Plates for Free?
Yes, several free North Dakota license plate lookup services exist, allowing the public to look up license plates for free. However, free lookup services only provide access to basic vehicle information. If you want a more detailed report, you must pay a token for a premium service.
Can I Use North Dakota License Plate Lookup Services to Find Out About a Vehicle’s Accident History?
Yes, a North Dakota license plate lookup reveals information about a vehicle, including any accident in the history of the car. Therefore, if you would like to know whether a car has been involved in an accident, you can run a license plate search.
How Can I Register a Vanity License Plate in North Dakota?
To obtain a North Dakota vanity license plate, you must first use the Special Request Plate (SRP) resource on the Department of Transportation (DOT) website to confirm the availability of the plate. Note that SRP availability may change from the time when you performed the search to when the order is received by the Motor Vehicle Division of the DOT. Also, some license plate numbers or letter combinations are only possible on certain plate types. Some plate types require approval and additional documentation to verify that the DOT requirements for vanity plates are met.

Upon confirming the availability of the vanity plate, submit a completed Personalized or Special Plate Request (Form SFN 53612) and the applicable fee (as indicated on the form) to:

Motor Vehicle Division
North Dakota Department of Transportation
608 E Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Phone: (701) 328-2725
Fax: (701) 328-1487

For additional help on registering North Dakota vanity plates, contact the Motor Vehicle Division at (701) 328-2725 or see the FAQ page on the North Dakota DOT website.