Utah License Plate Search: License Plate Lookup in Utah

Buying a second-hand vehicle comes with a huge challenge. 

As a future vehicle owner, it is essential to consider all possible outcomes, including accident records, price-to-quality, safety ratings, etc. 

One way to do this is by conducting a license plate lookup. 

Utah license plate lookup is an excellent service that helps intending car owners select high-quality vehicles. 

The service is data-driven and provides information curated from various sources, including government agencies and insurance companies. 

A Utah license plate lookup helps you achieve the following objectives:

* Identify the vehicle’s actual market value
* Title and brand history 
* Provides you with the vehicle’s safety ratings 
* Identify potential warranty challenges 
* It helps you avoid vehicles with fraudulent history and title issues 
* Allows you to view the full specifications of the vehicle, including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
* Provides you with the vehicle’s accident history

Difference Between Utah Commercial and Passenger License Plates

The State of Utah requires license plates on the body of every vehicle plying its highways and roads. 

License plates are issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the Utah State Tax Commission. 

The state’s DMV administers two major types of license plates; commercial and passenger license plates. 

Most people usually conflate both license plates as the same; however, while they share specific attributes, they differ. 

Commercial plates are issued to vehicles engaged in commercial services, while passenger plates are issued to passenger cars. 

Commercial automobiles weigh above 12,000 1bs while passenger vehicles are employed for personal activities, including vans and sports-utility cars. 

Passenger plates are issued by default by the Division of Motor Vehicles. 

To be issued commercial license plates, vehicle owners must provide proof of registration and titling. 

Utah provides a uniform fee schedule for the registration of commercial license plates. 

The state requires the following for the registration of commercial vehicles:

* Completion of Form TC-656, also known as the Utah Title Application
* Provision of your personal information 
* Signed provisions of the state’s commercial vehicle titling information form
* Complete VIN inspection of the vehicle

The same procedures for obtaining commercial license plates also apply to passenger plates. 

Utah residents will be required to provide the following details for the registration of passenger vehicles:

* Proof of payment of uniform fees
* Utah emission certificate, where applicable 
* Payment of registration charges 
* Provision of a safety inspection certificate

How to Conduct License Plate Lookup in Utah

License plate lookup is vital for finding out details about a vehicle and its past owners. 

It is usually conducted while purchasing second-hand vehicles, and the results obtained from the search can help you make an informed decision. 

License plate lookup provides the searching party with details connected to the vehicle, usually details provided during the vehicle registration. 

This is because most vehicle dealers do not provide buyers with accurate details about the vehicle they are selling. 

Therefore, conducting a license plate lookup helps you avoid being duped by unscrupulous dealers. 

The following data are usually retrieved during Utah license plate lookup:

* Odometer and mileage readings 
* Records of repairs done on the vehicle 
* Vehicle title information
* Color and name of the vehicle 
* Lien and repossession history of the vehicle 
* Engine details 
* Manufacturer information
* Special purpose use
* Replica details 
* Theft and stolen vehicle information

Utah does not allow the provision of sensitive information about drivers. 

This is in line with the state’s privacy laws and the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act, which prohibits the provision of specific details concerning a driver’s personal information. 

The act permits the provision of these details to certain persons, such as government entities, law enforcement authorities, licensed security firms, and insurance companies. 

With these details, you are better placed to avoid fraudulent deals while purchasing vehicles that would not get you into challenges in the near future. How, then, can you go about a license plate lookup in Utah?

The easiest method to conduct a Utah license plate lookup is by visiting the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles. 

You can log into their official website and apply for the vehicle’s driving records. Interested parties can also visit the Utah DMV for further inquiries at the following address: 

Utah Division of Motor Vehicles,
Miscellaneous Services Unit,
P.O. Box 30412,
Salt Lake City, UT 84130 

Furthermore, parties can also hire the services of private investigators. These are trained experts involved in rendering research services. 

This option is usually the most expensive as most detectives charge between $300 to $500 per search. 

Finally, parties can also visit the state’s Department of Public Safety. This agency maintains driving and license plate records in Utah. 

You can recover records on license plate renewals, registrations, driver’s licenses, and more. Visit them at:

Utah Department of Public Safety, 
Office Address: 4501 South 2700 West,
Salt Lake City, UT 84114,
Phone Number: 801 965-4461

Conclusion

Utahns looking to purchase pre-owned vehicles must conduct license plate lookup to avoid falling into scams. 

The methods outlined above are some of the best ways to perform license plate lookups.