Sometimes, you might need the answer to a question like, “who owns this vehicle?” Finding out might seem like an impossible task, but actually, it’s quite simple to determine a vehicle’s owner by looking up the license plate number. There are several reasons that you might want to search the records for a particular license plate and several methods for doing so. Follow this guide to help you understand why and how to perform a license plate lookup in the state of Hawaii.
What is a license plate?
First, you need to understand what exactly a license plate is. If you own a vehicle, you are probably aware the the license plate is located on the back of your car and contains a license plate number. This number will be the key to determining the owner of a plate. However, there is also some other valuable information printed on your plate. It contains such details as the state in which the plate was issued and the plate’s expiration date.
Every vehicle in Hawaii is required to have a license plate. It must be obtained within a month of purchase of the vehicle, whether new or use. A license plate shows ownership and is an essential part of a vehicle’s make-up. License plates are issued by the Hawaii Department of Motor vehicles and can be obtained by mail, in person, over the phone, or online.
What types of vehicles need license plates?
License plates are not just for cars and trucks. They are basically needed for any vehicle that will be traveling on public roads. The full list of vehicles which must have license plates includes:
- Cars
- trucks
- vans
- SUV’s
- Motorcycles
- Motor homes
- all-terrain vehicles
- and more
Every plate must be located on the rear of the vehicle for easy visibility.
Why do a license plate lookup?
There are several reasons why you might wish to look up a license plate. First, If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in a hit-and-run accident, but you happen to get a picture of the other driver’s license plate, you can use a license plate lookup to determine the owner of the vehicle for insurance or prosecution purposes. Also, even in an auto accident where both parties stop and exchange information, you may wish to double check that the details you have been given are valid. In most accident cases, the license plate lookup will be completed by the police officer called to the scene, but it doesn’t hurt to be a diligent citizen.
In addition to accidents, there are other reasons to look up a vehicle’s license plate. If you are purchasing a car, the license plate can give you details about the previous owner that might influence your decision about whether you’re getting a good deal. Also, every car, truck, van, etc has a vehicle identification number (VIN) which can be used to obtain a vehicle history report. The report gives detailed information about any accidents and damage the vehicle has incurred. If the VIN is not clearly legible, a license plate lookup can be used to obtain it.
How can you perform a Hawaii license plate lookup?
Several methods exist to find owner information or vehicle registration information using a license plate lookup.
- By mail
You can write to the Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicles requesting information on a particular license plate. You will probably need to include a valid reason for your interest in order to receive the information, and there may be an associated fee. The address to send your request is:
Hawaii Department of Motor Vehicles
1300 Aliiaimoku Building 869 Punchbowl Street
Honolulu, HI 96813. - By telephone
Similarly, you can contact the Department of Motor Vehicles by telephone to make a license plate look up request. The number is as follows: 808 587-2150. - Via an online public records database
By far the simplest and most convenient method for looking up a license plate is to use an online public records database. These databases allow you to enter the license plate number, the state where the plate was issued, and any other relevant information you have. They then return results matching your search criteria and giving you information about the vehicle and the owner. You can find information such as vehicle history reports, the VIN number, and the owner’s details. In contrast, you can also use a public records database to perform a reverse license plate search. This means that you enter the owner’s information and the search returns their license plate information. Online public databases make license plate searches quick and easy.
If you want to perform your own Hawaii state license plate lookup, you can visit FreeBackgroundCheck.org for a simple lookup that will give you the results you need quickly. Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We look forward to serving all of your public records needs.
