Utah License Plate Lookup
How To Lookup Utah License Plates
You can look up Utah license plates with the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Utah State Tax Commission or online via third-party online lookup services. The Utah DMV maintains motor vehicle records of all registered vehicles in the state. However, the division only releases personal information of license plate owners under the limited circumstances permitted in the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act. Some of the organizations allowed to look up personal information related to motor vehicle records maintained by the Utah DMV include law enforcement, government agencies, insurance companies, and license security services. Hence, the general public cannot readily access motor vehicle records with the Utah DMV.
If the DPPA allows you to lookup motor vehicle records, you must submit a completed Release of Protected Motor Vehicle Information and appropriate payment (varies between $3 and $6.50 depending on the form in which the record will be provided) to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 30412
Salt Lake City
UT 84130
Due to the strict privacy provisions of the DPPA, most persons seeking to conduct a Utah license plate lookup in the state use third-party online services. GoodCar, a top-rated online license plate lookup service, allows users to perform license plate searches using license plate numbers and VINs.
License Plates
GoodCar allows visitors to its website to use Utah license plate service by providing the complete license plate number, selecting “Utah” in the state field menu, and clicking on the search button to reveal vehicle information. This three-step process offers a wealth of information on the vehicle with the license plate provided.
VIN
Visitors to the GoodCar website seeking vehicle history reports are not limited to the license plate search option. They can also use the VIN serial to look up Utah license plates. The VIN is a 17-character serial that may be located in several places in a car. Once in the license plate lookup by VIN option on the GoodCar website, provide the VIN serial in the search bar and select the search button. Since VINs are longer and more difficult to locate they are chosen less frequently than license plate numbers are when performing searches.
Why Run a License Plate Search in Utah?
A license plate search in Utah can be useful to law enforcement, insurance companies, and even individuals. Utah law enforcement often runs license plate searches in traffic violations or accident cases for investigative purposes. Insurance companies may perform license plate checks to identify discrepancies with odometer readings or identity title washing scam. This can help them in accurately valuing a vehicle and adjust their policies appropriately. Individuals may also run license plate searches to check the history of a used car.
What Can You Get Out of a Utah License Plate Lookup?
history, and VIN. While the majority of this information may only be available from a premium license plate lookup, you can still get basic vehicle information, such as vehicle make, model, year, VIN, color, and engine size, from a free Utah license plate lookup.
However, personal information is not typically permitted to be revealed in a Utah license plate lookup. The state abides by the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DDPA) and will only release sensitive information under the situations listed in the Act. Therefore, if you are not eligible under the DPPA, you cannot obtain a vehicle owner’s name, address, medical information, or driver's license number from a Utah license plate lookup.
Vehicle Records
If you perform a Utah license plate lookup, you can access comprehensive vehicle records, especially if you opt for a paid search option. Vehicle records can reveal accident history, repair records, and accurate odometer readings.
Title Brands and Problem Checks
Title brands show whether a vehicle has issues that may significantly impact safety or usability. Title brands, such as salvage, flood damage, hail damage, rebuilt, or lemon, each provide serious insight into a vehicle's condition and history. An insurance company can use this information to readjust its coverage policy to a customer to refrain from offering its services on an automobile. Other problems that may affect the finances of a vehicle buyer, such as details of past collisions and repairs and odometer rollback information, can also be uncovered in a license plate search.
Tracing a Vehicle’s History for Used Car Purchases with Utah Plate Checks
If you are buying a used vehicle in Utah, it is recommended that you track the vehicle's history in order to avoid potential financial pitfalls. Via a Utah license plate lookup, you can access outstanding recalls, lien information, and stolen vehicle alerts. If there are stolen alerts put out by law enforcement against a vehicle, running a license plate search can help you make an informed decision to avoid buying a stolen car.
Why Choose GoodCar for Utah 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.
Utah License Plates
Utah license plates are issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Utah State Tax Commission. The DMV requires motorcycles and trailers to only have rear plates, while both front and rear plates are required for most other classes of vehicles.
For years, the color scheme of the Utah license plates changed yearly. However, since 1968, Utah began its standard-issue plates with color schemes not changing from year to year. The Utah license plate is made of aluminum and is issued upon registering a vehicle with the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Standard Issue License Plates
The Utah DMV currently issues four standard plate designs (In God We Trust, Life Elevated Skier, Life Elevated Arches, and Off-Highway Vehicle) and four additional license plates that are not issued any longer but are still valid for use on vehicles. The In God We Trust plate has a dark blue 5-character serial consisting of four numbers followed by a letter. The design has a white background with "Utah" screened in a red font in the top center area and the United States flag on the left-hand side. Below the national flag are the words "In GOD We TRUST" in a blue font, while the words "UNITED WE STAND" are screened in a red font at the bottom center.
The Life Elevated Skier design contains 6 characters, consisting of one letter followed by three numbers and two letters. The plate number is printed in a deep blue color with a skier faded in the background, separating the first three characters of the plate number from the other three characters. "UTAH" is printed in white at the top and "LIFE ELEVATED" underneath it. At the bottom, the word "GREATEST SNOW ON EARTH" is printed.
The Life Elevated Arches design follows the Life Elevated Skier design closely. It uses a dark blue 6-character design with one letter followed by three numbers which are then followed by two letters. "UTAH" is printed in a brown font at the top center, while "LIFE ELEVATED" is printed at the bottom center in a black font with white shadow.
The Off Highway Vehicle plate is issued to off-highway vehicles. Snowmobiles, motorcycles, and implements of husbandry cannot be issued this license. The design features a beige-colored background and a 5-character serial printed in black. The serial consists of one number followed by two letters, and then two numbers. "UTAH'' is screened in a black color at the top, while "OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE" is printed in black color and a white shadow.
Personalized License plates
The Utah DMV allows the personalization of the standard issue and special group license plates. The In God We Trust plate can be customized with up to 5 characters and the Life Elevated Skier and the Life Elevated Arches plates with up to 7 characters, or 4 characters for motorcycles. However, the Off-Highway Vehicle plate cannot be personalized. Special group plates can be customized with up to 5 characters, except for the B&W Historical Support plate, which can be personalized with up to seven characters.
Per Utah DMV plate personalization guidelines, a character is a letter (A-Z) or a number (0-9). Special signs, such as periods, hyphens, commas, question marks, and exclamation marks, are permitted on personalized plates. Note that the letter "O" will be printed on the plate as the number zero.
Plate personalization allows owners to display configurations that reflect their interests or unique desires.
Specialty License Plates
Special group license plates in Utah are issued to generate funds for specific purposes or to recognize or honor specific people or groups. Utah special group license plates have a f-character combination on the right, while a sticker or emblem of the special group is printed on the left-hand side. A descriptive phrase is also screened on the bottom of the plate to provide additional information on the special group, while "Utah" is screened in a red color at the top center.
How to Get a
License Plate in Utah
Getting a standard-issue Utah license plate occurs when you complete a vehicle titling and registration process with the state DMV. To start the process, you must have the original title or the bill of sale obtained from the previous vehicle owner. Also, your vehicle must complete a VIN inspection. Hence, if you are registering a vehicle, you must have a Certificate of Inspection (Form TC-661) completed by a Utah DMV employee, a DMV employee from another state, a law enforcement agency, a designated contractor, a certified safety inspector, a licensed dealer, or an individual that the DMV authorized in writing.
The application may be completed at any local DMV office. However, it is recommended that you check the business hours and guidelines to verify if an appointment would be required before visiting your DMV office of choice. At the DMV office, you will need to show proof of Utah vehicle insurance, a valid Utah driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership, and proof of vehicle registration fee payment.
Upon approving your application, the Utah DMV will mail your license plates to your address within 6 weeks. For additional help completing the vehicle titling and registration process, call the Utah DMV at 1-800-368-8824.
UT License Plate Renewal
If you renew your Utah vehicle registrations in a timely manner, your license plates are renewed also. The Utah DMV sends vehicle registration renewal reminders by email or a postcard mailer.
Vehicle registration renewals can be done online, at approved on-the-spot locations, by mail, or at local DMV offices. Online renewals can be completed via the Utah RenewalExpress portal. Automaticatic renewals are also possible via the DMV Motor Vehicle Portal if you sign up for automatic renewal via the TC-505 Form and submit the completed form to:
Utah State Tax Commission
Division of Motor Vehicles
PO Box 30412
Salt Lake City, UT 84130
To complete a vehicle registration by mail, send the required items as indicated in the renewal notice to the address above.
To complete a vehicle registration renewal at a local DMV office, you may need to schedule an appointment prior to your visit. The Utah On-The-Spot scheme authorizes its approved locations to allow vehicle owners complete vehicle registration renewals. Note that the Utah DMV allows vehicle owners to verify their renewal information and calculate vehicle registration fees.
UT License Plate Replacement
You can get a replacement plate for a small fee if your current license plate is lost or stolen. The Utah DMV allows applications for replacement plates to be completed at local DMV offices, online via the Motor Vehicle Portal, or via mail.
When visiting your local DMV office for a replacement plate, you will need a copy of your most recent registration, vehicle identification number, and license plate number. If completing the process by mail, submit a written request for a replacement plate with a copy of your registration certificate and a check or money order (made payable to Utah State Tax Commission (USTC)) for the applicable fee. Also, include an additional $4 for postage. Send all required items to:
Division of Motor Vehicles Mail and Correspondence
P.O. Box 30412
Salt Lake City, UT 84130
If you are requesting a replacement for a personalized plate, you must complete Form TC-817 (Application for Personalized and Replacement License Plate). However, you must indicate on the form that you want a replacement plate. Submit the completed Form TC-817 and a check for the replacement plate fee ($22 for a standard plate, $27 for a special group plate, or $17 for a motorcycle plate) to the DMV address state above or your local DMV office.
Frequently Asked Questions about
Utah License Plate Lookups
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Can I Look Up UT License Plates for Free?
Yes, you can look up a Utah license plate for free. While a free Utah license plate search does not provide an in-depth report, you can get a detailed vehicle history report using GoodCar license plate lookup services for as little as $2.95.
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Can I Use Utah License Plate Lookup Services to Find Out About a Vehicle’s Accident History?
If you use a reliable NMVTIS-approved vehicle data provider such as GoodCar, you can find out about a vehicle’s accident history as long as you have the vehicle’s license plate number or the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
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How Can I Register a Vanity License Plate in Utah?
- Be considered profane, vulgar, obscene, or derogatoryTo apply for a vanity license plate in Utah, you must first fulfill the guidelines and standards for getting a customized plate approved. For instance, your chosen configuration must not:
- Make reference to genitalia, bodily functions, or sexual acts
- Make reference to drugs or their paraphernalia
- Express or suggest endangerment to the public welfare
- Express ridicule, contempt, or superiority of a national origin, color, or race
You may order Utah vanity plates online via the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP), by mail, or via an in-person visit to your local DMV office. You can also confirm if the wording you chose on your plate is available via the MVP. Note that the availability of the wording via the MVP does not mean that the plate will be approved by the DMV if it is found to contravene the personalized plate guidelines.
To apply for a vanity plate by mail, submit a completed Application for Personalized Plate form and the appropriate fee (using a check or money order) as indicated on the application to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Vehicle Compliance Services (VCS)
P.O. Box 30412
Salt Lake City, UT 84130It may take up to eight weeks for your vanity plates to be available. The Utah DMV will mail the vanity plates to the mail address of the requester on the motor vehicle database upon receipt from the plate manufacturer. An additional annual $10 fee is required each year for a personalized plate at the time the registration is renewed.