A New Hampshire license plate lookup queries public and private databases through the license plate number. It provides critical details such as vehicle history, title information, odometer readings, and related traffic or court records.
Between 2019 and 2022, traffic fatalities in the state surged 47%, from 101 to 148, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In July 2024, a 71-year-old cyclist was tragically killed in Manchester by a driver who fled the scene.
License plate lookups are critical in such cases, enabling law enforcement to trace offenders by accessing vehicle owner information, insurance status, and outstanding tickets.
Beyond aiding hit-and-run investigations, these lookups are invaluable for other purposes. They help verify vehicle history for prospective car buyers and assist in identifying stolen vehicles.
Why Run a License Plate Search in New Hampshire?
Common reasons for conducting license plate searches in New Hampshire include:
- Verifying a used vehicle's history before purchase
- Assisting in hit-and-run investigations or insurance claims
- Reporting suspicious vehicles to law enforcement or neighborhood watch
- Helping recover stolen vehicles by sharing plate numbers
- Supporting legal cases for attorneys and detectives
- Allowing insurance companies to verify accident and ownership history
- Enforcing toll violations with automatic plate readers
- Researching vehicle recalls or safety issues
- Locating vehicles for repossession
- Checking vehicle history before accepting donations from charities
Is it Legal to Perform a License Plate Lookup in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, accessing driving records through license plate lookups is legal but tightly regulated by federal and state laws. The Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) protects personal data in motor vehicle records.
Under New Hampshire Revised Statutes (NH RSA) Section 260:14, the Driver Privacy Act, driving records containing personal information cannot be accessed without consent or proper authorization. Law enforcement, insurance companies, and other approved entities can access this data only for valid purposes.
Violating these laws results in significant penalties. Unauthorized disclosure or misuse of sensitive information from driving records is a misdemeanor and can lead to the suspension or revocation of professional licenses.
Additionally, selling or distributing such information is a Class B felony, punishable by fines, imprisonment, and civil damages starting at $2,500 per violation.
Legally valid uses of personally identifiable information from New Hampshire driving records include:
- Banks verify customer details.
- Insurance companies investigate claims.
- Employers confirm commercial driver licenses.
- Towing companies notify owners of impounded vehicles.
- Public utilities meet service obligations.
- Private investigators use data legally.
- Life insurance companies assess policyholders.
- Attorneys gather legal information.
How Can You Conduct a New Hampshire License Plate Lookup?
Individuals in New Hampshire can perform license plate lookups through various sources, including authorized vehicle history report providers:
New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicle
The New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles (NH DMV), under the Department of Safety (NH DOS), does not support license plate lookups. Individuals, whether requesting their own records or someone else's information or acting on behalf of companies or employers, cannot access records using only a license plate number.
Individuals should contact the NH DMV at (603) 227-4000 to verify available options or visit its official website.
Approved NMVTIS Data Providers
In New Hampshire, license plate lookups can be done through authorized National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) data providers. NMVTIS protects consumers from title fraud, unsafe vehicle purchases, and the resale of stolen vehicles.
New Hampshire’s full participation in NMVTIS enables various organizations and companies to access its database and offer comprehensive vehicle history reports. These reports include:
- The current state of the title
- Last title date
- Brand history
- Odometer reading
- Total loss
- Salvage history
Additionally, some providers offer details beyond standard NMVTIS reports, such as repair histories, recalls, and maintenance records. Authorized providers include GoodCar.com, InfoTracer.com, RecordsFinder.com, and StateRecords.org.
What Information Can You Obtain from a New Hampshire License Plate Lookup?
When individuals use a New Hampshire license plate lookup, they can access detailed information about a vehicle or its owner. This data is compiled into basic or comprehensive reports.
Basic Report
With a basic report, individuals can gain vital insights into a vehicle, including:
- The brand or manufacturer of the vehicle (e.g., Toyota, Ford, Honda)
- Model name or number (e.g., Corolla, Mustang, Civic)
- The year the vehicle was produced indicating its model year
- Displacement of the engine (e.g., 2.0L, 3.5L)
- Engine’s power output, typically measured in horsepower (hp)
- Transmission system (e.g., automatic, manual, CVT)
- Fuel type (e.g., gasoline, diesel, electric, hybrid)
- Drivetrain (e.g., front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive).
- Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) or the initial price suggested by the manufacturer for sale to the public
Comprehensive Vehicle History Report
This extensive report provides an in-depth analysis of the vehicle's history while highlighting potential issues. It contains a wealth of information, such as:
- Registration details, including the issuing state, issue date, and renewal status
- Title status revealing any liens or unresolved issues
- Accident and repair history detailing past damage or significant repairs
- Traffic court records outlining past violations and fines
- Public records related to any arrests or DUIs
- Maintenance and recall history documenting safety issues or repairs performed
New Hampshire’s Driver Privacy Act safeguards personal information within basic and comprehensive vehicle history reports accessed through license plate searches, such as Social Security numbers and digital photos.
Disclosure of such information to private individuals or businesses is restricted to governmental, business, and other legitimate and authorized purposes.
Individuals can also file a non-disclosure waiver to prevent their personal information from being shared with banks, researchers, or marketing firms. However, governmental entities retain access for legitimate purposes.
What Does a New Hampshire License Plate Look Like?
The first step in a license plate lookup is confirming that the plate originates from New Hampshire and not from another state.
NH DMV issues license plates in the state. The standard design features green embossed lettering on a blue-grey gradient background, prominently displaying the iconic Old Man of the Mountain graphic. This image symbolizes the state's rugged beauty and resilience.
At the top, the state motto, “Live Free or Die,” reflects New Hampshire's spirit, while “New Hampshire” appears in green at the bottom. Each plate includes a unique 7-character numeric tag for quick identification.
Since 1969, New Hampshire has been the only state in the U.S. to issue all-numeric license plates.
License Plate Types in New Hampshire
Understanding the various license plate types in New Hampshire is critical for lookups, as each serves a specific purpose and impacts information access. Passenger plates provide standard registration details, making them easier to search, while vanity plates offer personalized identifiers that may require more effort to decode.
Here are some of the major categories of license plates in New Hampshire:
- Passenger Plates: Standard plates featuring the iconic "Old Man of the Mountain" design.
- Decal Plates: Similar to passenger plates, but include a 3"x3" blank square for a decal from an authorized organization specified in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3).
- Veteran Plates: Issued to veterans under New Hampshire Revised Statutes (NH RSA) Section 261:87-b.
- Conservative (Moose) Plates: Regular plates displaying a Moose logo on the left side.
- Vanity Plates: Personalized plates with letters, numbers, or symbols.
Individuals can obtain detailed information about these license plates and other types by checking the NH DMV's Plate Types page.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below addresses common questions many have about license plate searches in New Hampshire:
Can I Look Up NH License Plates for Free?
Individuals can use third-party sites and aggregators that offer free New Hampshire license plate lookups, but these typically provide only basic details like the vehicle's make, model, and year. For more comprehensive and reliable records, including title, registration, liens, and accident history, the NH DMV's paid vehicle record request services offer enriched data.How Long Does a Typical New Hampshire License Plate Lookup Take?
Due to streamlined digital systems, license plate lookups in New Hampshire via third-party vendors are usually fast and completed within hours or days. However, processing times can vary based on factors like the type of data requested, the complexity of the inquiry, and agency cooperation.Do All New Hampshire License Plate Lookups Work for Custom or Personalized Plates?
In New Hampshire, the customizable nature of vanity license plates can lead to inconsistent data across public and private databases and complicate lookup processes. For example, "FUN2DRV" might be recorded differently in various systems, preventing individuals from obtaining the accurate information they need during vanity plate lookups.Can I Perform Bulk License Plate Lookups in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, bulk license plate lookups can be performed through authorized NMVTIS data providers. These services enable users to request multiple vehicle history reports using license plate numbers simultaneously. For detailed information on pricing, available reports, and processes, it is recommended to contact a specific NMVTIS provider directly.Are There Any Alternatives to a License Plate Lookup for Obtaining Vehicle Information in New Hampshire?
In addition to a license plate lookup, vehicle information can be obtained by requesting motor vehicle records from the New Hampshire DMV using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). A VIN check is also available through authorized NMVTIS data providers such as InfoTracer.com, StateRecords.org, RecordsFinder.com, and GoodCar.com.