Pennsylvania License Plate Lookup

The vehicle information obtained from GoodCar license plate lookup is divided into comprehensive and premium data reports:

Comprehensive Data Reports

When available, GoodCar comprehensive reports may provide users with the following information:

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Often found on a vehicle's frame or dashboard, the VIN is a 17-character code used to retrieve and organize the vehicle's complete history. GoodCar's comprehensive data may include this unique identifier to help Pennsylvania drivers trace a vehicle's background or confirm its identity.

Odometer Reading

The odometer reading represents the total miles a vehicle has traveled, as recorded on its odometer. This reading is one of the most critical indicators of a vehicle's usage and wear, and it protects buyers from deceptive practices like odometer fraud.

Title Records and Brands

This section details the state where the vehicle was titled, the date of title issuance, and the mileage recorded at each title transfer. It also may include the title brands associated with the car, such as salvage, rebuilt, flood, junk, and over 60 additional brands, which buyers may use to assess the vehicle's history and condition.

Accident Reports

Included in this report are details like accidents involving the vehicle, including the severity of the incident and the damages sustained, when available. Knowing this information helps Pennsylvanian drivers assess the vehicle's safety, potential repair costs, and overall reliability.

Recalls and Complaints

GoodCar's comprehensive reports typically detail any manufacturer-issued recalls or consumer complaints related to the particular vehicle. Recalls involve safety-related defects, while complaints may highlight unresolved issues.

Auto Specifications

The reports incorporate the vehicle's make, model, year, engine type, trim, and other technical features. This information helps buyers determine if the car meets their preferences and verifies that the seller's description matches the actual specifications to prevent potentially misleading claims.

Crash Test Ratings

Reflected in this section is the vehicle's safety performance in various crash scenarios provided by agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Premium Data Reports

GoodCar generally offers premium users access to in-depth details about registered cars in Pennsylvania when available:

Ownership Records

This premium data consists of a history of the vehicle's potential previous owners, registration locations, and mileage per owner. Pennsylvania drivers may refer to this information, as numerous ownership changes may indicate hidden issues, while the registration location may help assess the vehicle's wear and tear.

Market Value

GoodCar premium reports typically provide key pricing information, including used car value, trade-in value, wholesale value, retail value, and residual value. This information helps various stakeholders regarding pricing, negotiations, and the vehicle's current market position.

Sales History

This premium data generally provides detailed vehicle listing information, including the original listing via hyperlinks (if available), the platform where the vehicle was listed, the listing year, and the listing price. Pennsylvania motorists may track the vehicle's pricing trends, assess its market history, and evaluate its current value based on previous sale listings and platform data.

For further insights into the content of GoodCar's comprehensive and premium reports, review this Sample Report.

GoodCar is an approved data provider by the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), a federally mandated electronic system designed to protect consumers from fraud, unsafe vehicles, and the resale of stolen cars. With its NMVTIS affiliation, GoodCar may provide consumers with available vehicle information to support safer purchasing decisions.

To conduct a license plate lookup in Pennsylvania using GoodCar, follow these steps:

1. Enter the vehicle's license plate number (as it appears on the plate) in the search field below.
2. Choose Pennsylvania from the state drop-down list.
3. Click the search button to obtain the vehicle history report.

Pennsylvania License Plate Design and Format

Users should ensure the plate is from Pennsylvania to obtain the desired results when conducting a license plate search.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) issues standard plates that measure 12 by 6 inches.

The latest design features the Liberty Bell with the phrase "Let Freedom Ring" at the bottom, set against a white background. This design emphasizes patriotism and freedom. In contrast, the previous design showcased "PENNSYLVANIA" in bold letters on a dark blue background, with a yellow bar displaying the state's tourism website, "visitPA.com."

Both designs feature a seven-character registration number in blue, following the format ABC1234.

Note that different types of license plates may impact the lookup process because of their distinct formats and designs. In Pennsylvania, the following license plate types are available:

• Military plates
• Plates for special organizations
• Personalized plates

When looking up information for vehicles with non-standard license plates, there are a few factors to consider that may impact data availability:

• Limited Access to Detailed Information: Vehicles with military status are often associated with individuals' military service. As a result, vehicle information linked to such vehicles may be confidential or legally protected.
• Inconsistent Data Availability: Non-standard plates may not have the same level of data tracking as standard plates, which may lead to incomplete or missing data on vehicle reports.
• Outdated or Incomplete Records: Records for some special plates in Pennsylvania, especially personalized ones, may be less frequently updated. This could lead to users receiving outdated or inaccurate vehicle information.
• Search Complications: Personalized plates often feature unique configurations that may complicate search processes. Variations in spelling, formatting, or character arrangement may result in difficulties when trying to locate specific plates, leading to potential errors or missed information during lookups.

Pennsylvania Personalized Plate Availability

Pennsylvania residents may now check personalized license plate availability from the comfort of their home using GoodCar's Vanity Plate Lookup tool. This tool typically offers a quick way to see if your favorite plate is available, preventing unnecessary trips to a PennDOT location. You may even explore creative combinations, as the tool helps you brainstorm new ideas if your first choice is taken. It's an easy way to plan ahead and secure your ideal plate.

GoodCar generally gathers Pennsylvania vehicle data from a range of sources to create informative vehicle reports when data is available.

Primary information is drawn from the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which compiles records submitted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), insurance providers, salvage facilities, and auto recyclers. This may include details on titles, vehicle branding (like salvage or rebuilt status), and odometer readings.

Additionally, federal data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) typically provides recall alerts, crash test scores, and safety features.

Supplementing these are private data sources such as Black Book, J.D. Power, MarketCheck, and DataOne, offering vehicle valuation and ownership cost estimates.

All data is then reviewed and integrated via GoodCar's internal databases via a process design intended to deliver user-friendly reports, while avoiding absolute claims about the data's completeness or precision.

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), enacted in 1994, is a federal law restricting personal information disclosure from state DMV records. The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 6114 reinforces this privacy standard by prohibiting the sale or disclosure of personal data in motor vehicle records unless one of the statute's specific exceptions applies.

Both the DPPA and Pennsylvania privacy law prohibit the disclosure of the following personal information:

• Name
• Address
• Contact details

To legally request this personal information, one must have a legally justified purpose, such as:

• To carry out official government functions
• For research or statistical purposes
• Legitimate business purposes
• Use in legal proceedings
• For matters of insurance, fraud detection, or vehicle safety
• With the consent of the record holder

GoodCar strictly complies with these legal frameworks to ensure that all personally identifiable information is handled lawfully, ethically, and securely. Any data in our vehicle history report is either publicly available, non-personal, or shared only under authorized uses permitted by law.

Unlike DMVs in other states, PennDOT currently does not offer online license plate lookup services. As a result, individuals cannot retrieve vehicle or driver details using just a license plate number. Alternative options exist for those needing such information, but these options may require additional details beyond the plate number.

Those interested may visit a local Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) location or call the DVS customer service line at 1-800-932-4600 for guidance. Additionally, inquiries may be submitted to the PennDOT Central Office in Harrisburg using an official online form.

Apart from GoodCar and PennDOT, motorists in Pennsylvania may access vehicle information from these other sources:

• Local Insurance and Towing Companies: Local insurance companies often have access to vehicle title status and accident history. They may provide this information to policyholders or potential buyers, especially when assessing risk for insurance purposes. Towing companies may also reveal information about vehicles they have towed, including their condition and ownership history.
• NHTSA Database: NHTSA offers a lookup tool that reveals information on vehicle recalls, safety ratings, and other important vehicle-related data. Motorists may access this database to check for any recalls associated with a specific car by entering solely a license plate number.
• Law Enforcement Agencies: Various law enforcement agencies across the state may provide data related to vehicle ownership, registration, and any reported incidents involving the vehicle.
• Private Investigators: These services may conduct thorough searches using license plate numbers to provide detailed reports about a vehicle when available. However, their services typically come at a higher cost and are used for specific investigative purposes.

Individuals seeking vehicle information in Pennsylvania have alternatives beyond basic license plate lookups.

One primary method involves submitting the Request for Vehicle Information (Form DL-135) to PennDOT. This form requires the following details:

• Requester information (name, address, phone number, signature)
• Vehicle information (tag number, VIN, date of accident if applicable)
• Type of record being requested
• Intended use

The completed form, along with the $14 fee ($44 for a certified copy), may be submitted by mail to the following address:

Department of Transportation
Driver Licensing and Vehicle Record Services
P.O. Box 68691, Harrisburg, PA 17106-8691

In addition to requesting records from PennDOT, individuals may use the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) VINCheck to determine whether a vehicle was reported stolen or declared a total loss. The NHTSA's VIN Decoder tool may also be utilized for technical specifications, recall status, and manufacturing details.

Apart from the mentioned options, users may explore other GoodCar tools, like VIN Check, Vehicle History Search, Recall Lookup, VIN Decoder, and Title Check, for detailed vehicle information. Tools such as the Residual Value Lookup, Depreciation Check, Lease Calculator, and Loan Calculator also often help estimate payments for vehicles in Pennsylvania and beyond.