Free Florida License Plate Lookup

Looking to uncover vehicle history details with a free license plate lookup in Florida? Whether you’re buying a used car, verifying accident history, or checking title status, a license plate search can provide valuable insights.

Why Use a Florida Plate Lookup?

A FL plate check can reveal:

• Vehicle Specifications: View the car’s year, make, model, engine, transmission, drivetrain, and body style—decoded from the plate.
• Critical Issues: Identify major red flags like salvage, flood damage, theft, or severe accidents.
• Recalls and Defects: Check for active recalls or manufacturer defects to stay safe on the road.
• Sales Records: See when and where the car changed hands, including dealer and auction history.
• Market Value: Compare the vehicle’s estimated worth against current market prices.
• Ownership Cost: Estimate long-term expenses like maintenance, fuel, repairs, and insurance.
• Equipment Details: Find factory-installed features like trim packages, tech, and safety options.
• Fuel Efficiency: View city, highway, and combined MPG for budgeting and eco-planning.
• Safety Rating: Access crash test scores and safety ratings from NHTSA or IIHS.
• Inspection: Check available inspection records, including emissions and safety compliance.
• Timeline: Track the vehicle’s history from registration to service and ownership events.
• Title History: Reveal the title status—clean, salvage, rebuilt, or branded.
• Auto Insurance: See how the car’s history affects insurance rates and coverage options.

Vehicle.Report pulls data from official sources including NMVTIS, state DMVs, and trusted industry partners.

What You Can Access vs. What’s Restricted

What is a Florida License Plate?

A Florida license plate is a metal plate attached to a vehicle’s front and rear, displaying the vehicle’s registration information and a unique combination of letters and numbers. In Florida, license plates are issued by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) and are required for all vehicles operating on public roads. All Florida license plates are currently valid for a period of ten years.

Types of Florida License Plates

Standard Plates
These are issued by default and feature the iconic orange map of Florida along with the slogan “Sunshine State.” 

Specialty Plates
Florida offers over 100 specialty plate designs, making it one of the most diverse in the U.S. These plates raise millions annually for causes including:

• Wildlife and environmental conservation
  
• Education and state universities (e.g., “Gators” or “Seminoles”)
  
• Military and veterans support
  
• Healthcare, arts, and cultural awareness
  

New plates added in recent years include “Protect Marine Wildlife,” “Support Law Enforcement,” and “Clean Energy.”

Personalized Plates
Drivers can customize their plate with a unique combination of letters and numbers (e.g., “SUNFUN1”). Personalization is available for both standard and specialty plates. Fees vary by plate type and personalization request.

Temporary Plates
Issued for short-term use—typically valid for 10 to 90 days, depending on the purpose:

• 30 days for private vehicle sales
  
• 90 days for out-of-state registration waiting periods
  

Additional Plate Types

• Disabled Person Plates: Include wheelchair symbol and offer parking privileges
  
• Fleet Plates: Used by companies for commercial fleets
  
• Apportioned Plates: For interstate commercial vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan (IRP)

How to Perform a Florida License Plate Lookup

1️⃣ Enter the Plate Number:
Use the tool by typing in the license plate number in the search bar.

2️⃣ Review Vehicle Records:
Get access to vehicle specifications (make, model, year), accident history and title details.

3️⃣ Understand the Privacy Rules:
Florida adheres to Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) regulations, limiting access to personal information like names or addresses.

Can I look up the owner of a Florida license plate?

• • Investigating crimes or accidents
  • Enforcing traffic laws
  • Conducting vehicle safety inspections

Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

In Florida, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) is the office to go to if you want to title and register your vehicles as well as get a new license plate. The state requires you to have only one license plate displayed on the rear of your vehicle with the current registration decal properly attached. A license plate is required to be replaced every ten years.