Wisconsin License Plate Owner Search
Finding out information about a Wisconsin vehicle owner through their license plate can be a bit of a mystery for many. While it’s not something you might do every day, there are occasions when a license plate search becomes necessary. Whether you've been in a minor accident and need to file a claim with your insurance, or you're verifying details for legal purposes, knowing how to perform a Wisconsin license plate owner lookup can be quite useful. In the following sections we'll cover the various ways to locate a vehicle owner in Wisconsin, the acceptable reasons to do so, and the privacy restrictions you need to be aware of.
How to Conduct a Wisconsin License Plate Owner Lookup
The process for looking up a license plate owner can vary depending on the state, but here are some common methods applicable in Wisconsin:
1. Department of Transportation (WisDOT): The Wisconsin DOT is the state's official source for vehicle information. However, accessing this information online isn’t as simple as walking into an office and asking for details. Due to privacy laws, the WisDOT has restrictions on who can access personal information and for what purposes. To request information from the Wisconsin DMV, you typically need to fill out a request form and provide a valid reason that complies with state and federal privacy laws. While they offer a plate number search online, this will only yield basic vehicle details such as make, model, year and color.
2. Online License Plate Lookup Services: There are many privately-run website services offer license plate and VIN check resources. These services compile data from public records, including DMV databases, and third party resources, and make it available for a fee. While convenient, the information from these services might also have restrictions but they typically offer more detailed information that what can be obtained by government agencies.
3. Hiring a Private Investigator: If you need detailed information and want to make sure you get exactly what you want, hiring a licensed private investigator could be a viable option. Private investigators have the skills and resources to legally gather information that is not always accessible to the general public. While these services can be on the expensive side, there is a high degree of certainty that you will be able to track down the Wisconsin vehicle owner information you are looking for.
4. Law Enforcement Assistance: In certain situations, such as a hit-and-run, or reporting a suspicious vehicle, local law enforcement can assist in identifying a vehicle owner. However, this process usually requires that a police report be filed, you will need to give your information to the police, and then the authorities will take over the investigation.
Acceptable Reasons to Lookup a License Plate Owner
Not every reason you might have to look up a license plate owner is considered valid under privacy laws. Here are some acceptable reasons:
1. Legal Proceedings: There are certain acceptable legal reasons need to identify a vehicle owner, such as resolving a traffic incident or if you are involved in a lawsuit where vehicle ownership is relevant. These reasons will typically fall under the acceptable DPPA guidelines. Once approved, a court order can be issued to access license plate owner information.
2. Insurance Claims: Auto insurance companies routinely run license plate lookups to verify claims and gather necessary details for processing. They also use vehicle owner information to setup new policies and verify the ownership before issuing a policy.
3. Vehicle Verification: If you’re purchasing a vehicle, you may want to perform a license plate check to verify the vehicle’s history and verify there are no outstanding issues like liens, fraud, or title brands resulting from a major accident or flood.
4. Employment Background Checks: Employers in certain industries that require vetted drivers might need to verify vehicle ownership as part of a comprehensive background check for job candidates.
5. Impounded Vehicles: When a car, SUV, or Truck is impounded or towed, running a license plate owner search is necessary to let the registered owner know what has happened and how to retrieve their vehicle.
Privacy Restrictions in Wisconsin
The Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of personal information that is collected by the respective state motor vehicle departments. Here’s how it affects a license plate owner look up in Wisconsin:
1. Restricted Access: The DPPA restricts access to personal information unless you meet the specific criteria outlined by state and federal laws. This means that not everyone can request the information; you must have a permissible use under the law.
2. Permissible Uses: Some permissible uses include government agency uses, vehicle safety, insurance investigations, business verification, and certain research activities where personal information is only used for statistical analysis.
3. Penalties for Misuse: Misusing motor vehicle ownership information can result in harsh penalties, including large fines and legal action. It’s important to always verify that any inquiry is done for a legitimate, lawful reason.
Can I Lookup the Registered Wisconsin Vehicle Owner by License Plate?
Yes, it is possible to legally lookup a vehicle owner by it's license plate number or VIN number however there are privacy restrictions that limit what can be accessed. Your search must comply with the DPPA and state laws in order to legitimately lookup vehicle owner information.
Can I Run a Wisconsin License Plate Owner For Free?
It is possible to access vehicle owner information for free through the Wisconsin DOT if you have a permissible reason. You can also access registered vehicle information from various third-party providers as long as you comply with the state and federal privacy laws, including the DPPA.
Can You Get a Vehicle Owner's Name Through the License Plate Number in Wisconsin?
Yes, you can obtain the owner's name with a license plate or VIN search as long as your reason for doing so complies with the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). There are certain privacy laws in place that restrict access to this information, but if your reasons is in compliance you can find the registered owner's name of a vehicle.