Vermont License Plate Search: License Plate Lookup in Vermont

Due to the current increase in the cost of living, many people cannot afford new vehicles. 

Rising mortgage rates have made it difficult for people to take out loans on new vehicles. However, this is not the end of the road, as a valid alternative exists. 

Vermonters looking to purchase vehicles can still opt for fairly used second-hand vehicles with amazing features and excellent prices. You need not worry about various costs, such as insurance expenses, which many new car owners contend with. 

While buying a second-hand vehicle makes sense financially, it is vital to ensure that you are purchasing the right vehicle.

Conducting a test drive at the dealership may not show you all the possible details about the vehicle, but a license plate lookup will. 

A license plate lookup is an excellent way to gain valuable insight into the vehicle's history and specifications. 

It is imperative because most sellers and dealers do not disclose every detail about the vehicle. 

Therefore, potential vehicle owners need to conduct due diligence research to determine the quality and legitimacy of the vehicle. 

Administration of Vermont License Plates

Residents of Vermont must register their vehicles and have Vermont license plates attached to their vehicles before driving on the state's highways and roads. 

License plates in Vermont are metallic and aluminum tags bearing alphanumeric characters and symbols. 

The state's license plates are distributed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) on behalf of the Vermont Agency of Transportation. 

Vermont is a two-plate state, meaning vehicle owners are given two license plates to be attached on the front and rear sides of the vehicles. 

However, the Department of Motor Vehicles issues only one license plate for trailers, semi-trailers, tractor-trucks, and motorcycles. 

The present plate series is white on green, and the plate consists of three letters and three digits bound in a white frame. 

The letters "VERMONT" are inscribed in white on the plate alongside a white maple tree. 

This is followed by the state's slogan, "Green Mountain State," in white and the yearly revalidation sticker. The state format for license plates is ABC 123. 

Vermont allows vehicle owners to apply for a replacement if the original plate is faded, damaged, stolen, or lost. 

This is done at the local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and they will be required to complete the replacement plate application form and pay the necessary fees. 

If you no longer intend to use a plate, you must return the plate to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. 

You can also transfer your license plate to another vehicle; however, you will be required to:

1. Fill out Form VD 119, also called the Vermont motor vehicle registration, tax, and title form. Submit the completed form to the state's Department of Motor Vehicles
2. Include your present Vermont registration or fill out Section 7 of the state Vehicle Registration Application
3. Provide the plate number you intend to transfer 
4. Change the title information of the vehicle you intend to transfer

License plates must be visible at all times. The state requires stickers to be fastened on conspicuous areas of the automobile in the following fashion: 

* The registration validation stickers must be fastened to the upper-right side of the rear plate if the license plate is 7 x 4 inches
* Vehicles with 12 x 6 inches license plates must attach their validation stickers on the lower right side of the rear plate

The Department of Motor Vehicles issues various types of license plates, such as the following:

* Standard license plates
* Personalized license plates
* Specialty license plates: These plates are used to offer support to charities, organizations, and causes. Common examples include:

    - Service and safety organization plates, such as amateur radio operators' license plates, EMT license plates, professional firefighter plates, and national ski patrol plates
    - Military license plates, including a veteran of war license plates, ex-POW license plates, and Purple Heart plates
     - Special organizations, like Lions Club International plates, American Legion license plates, Freemason's plates, and Rotary International plates
   -  Special fund plates, such as conservation style plates and building bright futures license plates.
   -  Disability license plates

How to Conduct License Plate Lookup in Vermont

License plate lookup involves looking for details about an automobile using its license plate numbers. 

This provides users with vital information about the vehicle and its ownership history, including accident records, mileage and odometer readings, traffic infraction records, title information, flood, fire, and hail damage history, and repossession records. 

The state's Department of Motor Vehicles is responsible for issuing license plates. The department keeps an active record or database of vehicle owners in the state. 

No special procedures are involved in looking up license plates at the DMV. 

You can contact the office between Mondays to Fridays at 7:45 a.m. and 4: 30 p.m. at the following address: 

120 State Street,
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001

You can also reserve an appointment using the following steps:  

1. Navigate to the official website of the state's DMV
2. Click on "online services."
3. Click on "appointment scheduler."
4. Select "schedule appointment" on the next page. 
5. Follow the laid down procedures and click on services according to your convenience.

Finally, interested parties can also retrieve license plate information using third-party websites. 

These platforms collate license plate data from various private and public sources, such as insurance companies, car makers, the U.S. NMVTIS, and other motor agencies. 

They offer paid and free services, and retrieving records from these sites is relatively easier than government-based platforms. 

However, you must provide the required information, such as the license plate numbers. 

Conclusion

Interested parties can use any of the techniques outlined above to discover more information about their vehicle. 

Performing a license plate lookup in one of the due diligence practices required of potential vehicle owners. 

The service is especially vital for Vermonters looking to buy second-hand vehicles.