Free New Jersey License Plate Lookup
Lookup and search your New Jersey license plate and get a free complete vehicle history report including: salvage status, theft or accident records, recalls and more!
Check Accident History, Title Problems & Recalls Instantly—No Signup Needed
Buying a used car in New Jersey? Don’t leave it to chance. The free New Jersey license plate lookup helps you avoid costly mistakes by revealing hidden problems like theft, salvage branding, or flood damage. This service is 100% free and requires no signup.
VinCheck.info New Jersey license plate search gives you free access to these details, helping you spot red flags early. No fees, no accounts—just clear answers when you need them.
What Information NJ License Plate Lookup Provides
Using the NJ License Plate Lookup, you can VIN decode critical details such as:
- Vehicle Specs: Make, model, trim, year, engine type, and dimensions
- Title History: Ownership transfers, salvage/rebuilt branding
- Accident Records: Collisions, damages, repair and insurance claims
- Recalls & Defects: Open recalls and manufacturer notices
- Stolen Vehicle Alerts: Check if the vehicle is reported stolen
- Market Value: Get a fair market estimate based on real-time data
- Flood Damage & Salvage Auction Records
- Warranty & Equipment Info: Optional features, factory warranty status
- Ownership Costs: Projected expenses like insurance and maintenance
- Fuel Efficiency & Safety Ratings
New Jersey License Plate Serial Format:
A12-BCD
To contact the New Jersey DMV:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Customer Advocacy Office
P.O. Box 403
Trenton, NJ 08666-0403
Phone numbers by topic
Available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Monday through Friday
New Jersey Vehicle Insights at a Glance
Vehicle Registrations in New Jersey
- Total Registered Vehicles: As of 2024, New Jersey has approximately 7.2 million registered vehicles.
- Vehicle Types:
- Cars: 2.81 million (39.07%)
- Utility Vehicles (UVs): 3.08 million (42.77%)
- Pickups: 726,006 (10.09%)
- Vans/Minivans: 479,666 (6.66%)
Used Car Market Insights
- Market Value: The used car dealer industry in New Jersey is valued at approximately $4.9 billion as of 2025.
- Dealership Sales:
- Average dealership retail used vehicle sales: 715 units in 2023.
- Average dealership sales revenue: $85.7 million.
Vehicle Theft Statistics
- Statewide Decline: Vehicle thefts in New Jersey decreased from 16,694 in 2023 to 14,755 in 2024.
- High-Risk Areas:
- Newark, Elizabeth, and Paterson have been identified as cities with the highest car theft rates in 2024.
Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption
- EV Registrations: New Jersey surpassed 200,000 electric vehicle registrations in 2024, doubling its numbers since 2022.
- Market Share:
- EVs constitute 2.97% of total registered vehicles in the state.
- They account for 13.56% of new vehicle sales.
Vehicle-Related Tax Revenue
- Tax Contributions:
- Used vehicle sales taxes: $159.61 million.
- Sales tax on auto parts and services: $297.61 million.
- Vehicle use taxes (including gas taxes), licenses, and fees: $1.13 billion.
How to Lookup New Jersey Plates
Wondering how to lookup New Jersey plates for free? It’s easy:
- Enter the plate number and select NJ as the state
- Get results instantly—no VIN or personal info needed
- Review full report with specs, sales history, red flags, and others
Whether you’re buying from a dealer or a private seller, check NJ license plate free before you close the deal.
New Jersey License Plates
An NJ license plate is a vehicle registration plate issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) to motor vehicles registered in the state of New Jersey. These plates serve as a form of identification for vehicles and display a unique combination of letters, numbers, and symbols. NJ license plates typically feature the state’s name, a slogan, or a graphic representing New Jersey, along with a unique alphanumeric code assigned to the vehicle. NJ license plates are required to be renewed annually.
State law requires all motor vehicles in New Jersey to display license plates issued by the MVC. When you title and register a vehicle, you will receive two license plates. New Jersey is one of the states that require vehicles to display front and rear license plates. Motorcycles and trailers receive one license plate, for rear only.
Types of New Jersey License Plates
MVC offers different types of license plates. Specialty plates may be available for an additional fee to support specific causes or organizations. Aside from the standard plates, MVC issues the following:
- Personalized Plates
- Dedicated Plates (Special Interest)
- Specialty Plates (Organizational)
- Sports Plates
- Special Vehicle Plates (Historic/Hot Rod)
- Disability Plates
How can I get a replacement for a lost, damaged or stolen license plate in New Jersey?
If your plates are lost, stolen, or damaged, you can apply for replacement plates at a motor vehicle agency. If your plates were stolen, you must file for a police report to the municipality where the plates were stolen. If you plates are damaged, you must surrender your old plates upon receiving the new plates. The plates must also be returned to MVC if the vehicle insurance is terminated.
Can I transfer a license plate in New Jersey?
When you acquire a new vehicle, you can transfer your plates to the new vehicle as long as the same name is used for both registrations, and the registration code remains the same. If you sell a vehicle and do not wish to transfer its plates to another vehicle, you must surrender the old plates.
Why Should You Run a Free New Jersey License Plate Lookup?
Reveal Hidden Vehicle History
Get the full vehicle history behind the car—past accidents, salvage records, flood damage, or major repairs. These red flags can impact both the safety and value of the vehicle, helping you avoid a costly mistake.
Spot Unresolved Recalls
Find out if the car has any open safety recalls that haven’t been addressed. Driving a recalled vehicle can put you and your passengers at serious risk, so it’s crucial to check before you buy.
Confirm Vehicle-related Claims
Make sure the seller is the rightful owner and that the vehicle doesn’t have a lien, stolen record, or title branding. This simple check can save you from fraud and legal headaches down the road.
Don’t guess—verify. Run your free New Jersey license plate search today!
Yes. A license plate lookup can often provide vehicle history information even without the VIN. VinCheck.info allows users to search using just the license plate number and state to retrieve details about the car.
Yes. Performing a license plate lookup is legal as long as it complies with the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Public records about vehicle history and safety are accessible, but personal owner information is protected unless you have a permissible use.
The accuracy depends on the data sources used. VinCheck.info aggregates data from government agencies, insurance providers, and industry databases, which helps provide a reliable snapshot of the vehicle’s history.
In many cases, yes. A license plate lookup can reveal if the vehicle has any existing liens or if it has ever been financed. This helps protect buyers from unknowingly purchasing a car with unresolved debts.
While not always included, some vehicle history reports may show inspection results or emissions test records if available in public databases. For the most up-to-date inspection status, contacting the NJ MVC directly is recommended.