Are car VIN numbers public record?
Asked by: Jaqueline Hauck | Last update: October 29, 2025Score: 5/5 (34 votes)
Can anyone look up a VIN number?
On NHTSA.gov, you can query a particular vehicle's VIN to identify specific information encoded in the number. NHTSA's VIN decoder is publicly accessible at: https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/.
Is a VIN number confidential?
Additionally, a VIN can be determined by searching the license plate number, which is a practice we use to verify a vehicle's history. Having said that, it is perfectly safe to share your VIN. It's in plain view, openly visible, just like your license plate is.
Can you see who owns a vehicle by the VIN?
Usually, the owner's name is disclosed only when there is a crime that occurred and that the owner's vehicle was involved and only with permission from the concerned authority. But some tools are available and used to get the same information as there are several websites or sources that will do a VIN check or search.
Is it sketchy to give out your VIN number?
VINs are sensitive information and car owners should treat them like social security numbers. People shouldn't give out their VIN unless they deal with a trusted associate like a family member or friend. Exceptions apply if, for example, they're trying to sell their vehicle.
How To Find Car VIN Number
Is it bad if someone knows your VIN number?
You know, anybody can walk past your car and copy down the VIN number because it's right there in the windshield. Once they've copied your VIN number, they can apply for duplicate papers, and those papers can be used on another car that has been stolen or may have been reconstructed.
Does your VIN number have to be visible?
For cars manufactured after 1969, federal law requires that the VIN be displayed so that it is readable through the windshield, from outside the vehicle.
How to look up the owner of a vehicle?
- National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS)
- State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Commercial Vehicle History Report Services.
- Insurance Companies.
- Lien Check Services.
Is my VIN number public?
The VIN number is public and there are lots of online sites where you can enter the VIN and get the related information. Some people think that the name and contact information for the owner can be gotten from the VIN. This is not, directly, true.
Does CARFAX show owner name?
Carfax does not however report the name or personal information of any owner of the vehicle. If a dealer that utilizes and aligns with Carfax ever owns the car then it will often show that dealer's name, the lack of a dealer's name being present however does not mean that a transaction was not run through a dealer.
Why would someone ask for your VIN number?
It's a way to track a vehicle's ownership and can be important during a sale to know if a vehicle has been in prior crashes or received regular oil changes and maintenance.
Is it safe to share my VIN number?
It is completely safe to give out your VIN (it is within plain sight, after all). Sharing your VIN when selling your car is critical to you getting the best value for your vehicle. Being transparent with buyers is how you get top dollar for your car and avoid any legal snafus in the future.
Is there a free VIN lookup?
NICB's VINCheck is a free lookup service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle may have a record of an insurance theft claim, and has not been recovered, or has ever been reported as a salvage vehicle by participating NICB member insurance companies.
Should I give out my VIN on Facebook marketplace?
Should you put VIN on Facebook Marketplace? It's advisable to be cautious about sharing your VIN on public platforms, including Facebook Marketplace. Instead, consider sharing it directly with serious buyers through private messages.
Can a VIN number be traced?
The VIN is a unique code assigned to every vehicle and contains important information about the car, including its make, model, year, and country of manufacture. By tracing a car's VIN, you can uncover important details about its history, such as accidents, repairs, and ownership history.
Is your VIN number private?
Dealerships cannot release personal information to anybody else without your consent. You might not be surprised that your VIN or license plate number is not personal information. After all, you can walk up to any car and write down the VIN (visible on the base of the windshield) or license plate number.
Is a VIN number considered confidential information?
As part of the decision, the Court ruled that a VIN on its own is not personal data. But when a third party can use the VIN to identify the owner of the vehicle, it is considered personal data, the Court concluded.
Can a VIN number tell me who owns the car?
You can find out what state the car was owned in and how many owners it had… but not the name of the current owner. You would need to run a license plate number for that and it is illegal for anyone not in law enforcement to do so.
Can I find out what car someone owns?
To get this information, open your state's DMV and see the link named "Plate Inquiry" or "Request for Record Information".
What is the best free license plate lookup?
- Epicvin – Best for Best Value. ...
- Bumper - Best for Knowing Your Car's Estimated Value. ...
- VinAlert – Best for Federal Search Database. ...
- Carfax - Best for Vehicle History Information. ...
- Vinpit – Best Online License Plate Lookup Tool. ...
- Autocheck – Best for Automated Vehicle History Reports.
What is a hidden VIN number?
hidden VIN is a copy of the VIN, or a version of it, stamped onto the frame, engine, transmission, or other part of the vehicle.
Why would a VIN number not show up?
1) You may have mistyped the VIN. Verify the VIN you are entering is correct. You can find the VIN on your title/registration documents or get the VIN directly from the vehicle's dashboard or driver's side door jamb. 2) You may have entered a VIN with invalid characters.
Can I call the police to check a VIN number?
I want to further clarify that by far the #1 authority when it comes to VIN verifications in Los Angeles is the CHP (California Highway Patrol). They have a division completely dedicated to VIN verifications and also have highly specialized and trained individuals to conduct these inspections.