Canada License Plate Lookup: How to Find Who Owns a License Plate

What if you wanted to find the owner of a vehicle? You may consider using the variety of Canada License plate lookup services. However, finding the owner of a vehicle by license lookup alone can be tricky. In this article, we will show you the steps to look up information about any vehicle, alongside the numerous drawbacks and ways to improve your search outcomes. 

What is a license plate lookup?

A License plate lookup is a tool or service that allows you to uncover information about a vehicle. This service often demands using the license plate number of that vehicle. However, for best results, it’s often best to get the vehicle information number (VIN) as well. Using both information may help you discover data like:

• Vehicle’s Owner,
• Make and Model,
• Registration status,
• Mileage,
• History of accidents,
• Vehicle technical specifications (fuel consumption rate, curb weight, wheelbase length, engine type),
• and Warranty information.

A License plate lookup can be done online or in person at the police station or DMV. Searching via a local DMV often requires more time, energy, and money. In contrast, using an online license plate number lookup tool online requires less time and effort, but may offer incomplete information. 

Why perform license tag lookup?

The FOIP Act restricts the disclosure of personal information which also includes looking up license plate information out of curiosity. However, there are many reasons you may want to use a License plate or tag lookup tool. Here are examples:

• To confirm that the person driving a vehicle is indeed the owner
• As part of an investigation by appropriate law enforcement.
• Check for stolen vehicles and avoid being scammed by scam artists.
• Confirm ownership before purchasing a used vehicle.
• To report bad drivers who cross lanes without signaling, drive too fast, or make dangerous maneuvers, potentially making the streets and roads less safe.
• Gather information about vehicles involved in an accident, hit-and-run, or burglary.
• Track down a stolen or lost vehicle.
• To see if the vehicle has unpaid parking tickets, debts, or warrants.
• As part of an insurance claim or assessment.

How to find out who owns a license plate in Canada

Now let’s talk about the different resources, tools and techniques that can help your license plate lookup in Canada. These tools range from using official license tag lookup tools to third-party search solutions. 

Check government resource

The best way to access accurate information via your License plate lookup in Canada is by consulting the different available official and approved government resources. However, the information here is protected by privacy laws. So, you’ll need to have a real and legitimate reason for your Canada license plate lookup. Let’s talk about the different government resources and the varying information you can look forward to:

Certified Plate Search 

Some states like Ontario provide means to carry out a Canada license plate lookup with impressive results. A good example is Ontatio’s Ministry of Transportation which provides a dedicated website to look up the most recent owner of a vehicle’s license plate. Bear in mind that this means you would only find the owner’s name, vehicle description, plate, validation sticker number and permit number. It won’t offer any personal information. To use this approach:

• Search on Google for the State’s License Plate Search. For example, here’s Ontario Certified License Plate Recent Owner page.
• Enter the vehicle license plate number

• Pay the fee of about CAD 18 to receive the document by mail.

Vehicle Information Report (VIR) 

Different states such as Alberta offer means to get non-protected information about any vehicle registered in that state. Do note that such reports will only contain information about that vehicle if it’s registered in that state. This Vehicle Information Report would contain the vehicle’s description, year, make, model, style, color, and fuel efficiency. It would also contain the odometer reading, the vehicle’s status (salvage, rebuilt, or active), registration dates, and location, and liens against the vehicle. To use this method:

• Confirm the state in which their car’s vehicle license was registered.
• On Google, search for “State + Vehicle Information Report.” (For example: Alberta Vehicle Information Report)
• Go to the Motor vehicle data website for your state.

• Make a request using the Vehicle’s license number and VIN.

• You’ll receive a prompt stating your request is successful and how long you should wait to receive matched documents via email or mailing address.

Registry Agents

Registry agents are the ideal way for people with AMVIR Agreements (such as lawyers, organizations, and law firms) or individuals with a court order, to perform a personal property search like a vehicle license lookup. So, you can submit a formal request through a Registry Agent (e.g Alberta Registry Agent). This would involve:

• Confirm the state and region the vehicle was registered at.
• Search for the Registry Agent in that area. Many Registry Agents allow you to get a Request form online or book an appointment.

• Fill out the request form specifying your reason for the License plate lookup search.

• Provide supporting documents especially if your inquiry is about legal, business, or safety concerns.
• Pay any applicable fees.
• After you submit your request, you’ll receive details via email or the website.

Canadian Police Information 

If you suspect that the vehicle you want to look at is stolen, then you should check the Canadian Police Information website. But in this case, you’ll need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and not the license plate number. To use this:

• Go to the CPIC website

• Enter the Vehicle Information Number without spaces or other characters. Tap “Submit”

Google search

Doing a License plate number lookup in Canada with just a license plate number is tricky. This is why you want to take a step further to find out as much information as possible online. It’s very possible that someone has complained about the owner online, or you can be able to narrow down the city or county the plate was issued. 

• Go to Google.com and type in the license plate number.

• Go to Google Image Search. Consider uploading an image of the tag to carry out a License tag lookup may help you find some information.

• Also, try uploading an image of the actual car to uncover information about its make and model.

License Plate Lookup online

You can also try using an online License plate lookup service to see if you can uncover any more information about that vehicle. But also note that these websites charge fees and may not provide complete information. Nevertheless, these websites often provide information tailored to one state. 

Ontario license plate lookup

If you are looking for a great website to carry out an Online License plate lookup in Canada, then consider PlatesMania. This website relies on user-generated information and is used to alert people about stolen cars. To use it:

• Go to PlatesMania.
• Pick the State the Car was registered in (or even where you found it)

• Type in the License plate in the next tab
• Provide any information you have about the car. Finally, Tap Search.

Alberta license plate search

If you’re looking to carry out a License plate lookup in Alberta, Canada, you can also use the AllVehiclesData website. However, this website demands having the vehicle’s VIN to uncover the accurate information. AllVehiclesData also provides more dedicated pages for other states including Alberta, British Columbia, and more. 

• Go to AllVehiclesData.Com

• Pick the Alberta State.

• Enter the VIN and tap “Search”

Search by VIN(Vehicle Identification Number)

Beyond using the official government resources for VIN search, you can also do so online. Don’t forget VIN is a unique number, also known as a chassis number, given by the manufacturer. It is different from the Vehicle license plate number. A great online VIN search tool, you can try is Carfax. Here’s how it works:

• Go to Carfax VIN Lookup. Tap Decode.

• Wait to receive any results about the vehicle.

Track down the license plate owner

If you have the vehicle’s owner’s phone number, you can also track their whereabouts. This often comes in handy when you’re worried about a loved one, especially about their safety when driving in dark streets or in the rain. A fantastic phone locator you can try is LocatePhone. LocatePhone employs GPS, WiFi and cellular service data to uncover your phone’s geographical location. Using its three-pronged approach, you can look forward to impeccable accuracy up to 3 meters within your target’s position. To use LocatePhone:

• Go to LocatePhone
• Enter their Canadian phone number (with the country code of +1)

• Provide your email address.
• Wait for the result.

Can someone find your address on the license plate?

Yes, someone can find your address especially if it’s associated with your vehicle registration. However, accessing that information can be challenging, many license plate lookup tools may not offer the right address. Regardless, it’s possible to access such information through official government websites such as your local DMV or Police Information websites. Most online license plate lookup tools may only find information directly related to your vehicle. 

What information you can get from license plate lookup?

A License plate lookup service can offer information directly connected to your vehicle. It can provide details about your vehicle’s specifications including its make, year, model and color. It can also offer insights on registration status, expiration date and issuing state. In some cases, the owner’s information and address may also be available. Your license plate lookup may also uncover any traffic violations, if the vehicle has been in an accident and any liens or debts connected to it. Do note that all license plate lookup services are not created equally. And the best tools may also demand you have the Vehicle Information Number alongside. 

FAQ

Is it legal to look up a license plate?

The legality of looking up a license plate varies from one state and jurisdiction to the other. In some places it can be illegal and in others license plate lookups may only unravel basic information about the vehicle. Nevertheless, most resources try to limit the amount of personal information you can access when using a License plate lookup tool. 

What is the best license plate lookup site?

The best license plate lookup site depends on the type of information you want. You may have to conduct your license plate lookup search in several different ways to vary your outcomes. That said, always read the privacy policy attached to any third-party lookup service and ensure it complies with local laws and regulations. 

How to check a VIN number in Ontario?

To check a VIN number in Ontario, you can use Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation’s VIN lookup service or the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB.org). This service can provide details about the owner, vehicle’s registration status, and any other outstanding liens or traffic violations. Alternatively, you can try third-party websites like AllVehicleData and Carfax. 

Conclusion

Now you have all the most effective ways to carry out a Canada license lookup. Remember, checking out information about a vehicle’s owner can be legal depending on your purpose and outcomes you expect. Always use government resources or reputable third-party license plate lookup tools in Canada. Overall, feel free to experiment with the multiple tools we’ve talked about to improve the chances of finding accurate and detailed information.