new jersey License Plate Search

New Jersey, or the Garden State, has an efficient system of issuing and renewing car license plates. From the owner or buyer of the vehicle to merely inquiring about needing information on a vehicle, a New Jersey license plate search can be very enlightening. This article aims to cover the most popular topics regarding New Jersey license plates, such as types, laws, and searching license plates.

What is a New Jersey License Plate?

A New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) license plate is an authorized state identification marker for most vehicles, including passenger cars, motorcycles, commercial trucks, trailers, and recreational vehicles. The standard New Jersey plates are yellow with black letters and are to be affixed on the front and rear of most vehicles.

New Jersey also provides several specialty license plates, which include:

• Personalized plates featuring customized combinations of letters and numbers.
• Disability Plates are meant for giving convenient parking to the disabled.
• Specialty Plates are for specialty causes, colleges, and military recognitions.
• Temporary plates are Short-term plates that are issued subject to permanent registration.

New Jersey License Plate Law

To register a vehicle in New Jersey, you will need a signed title, insurance, and applicable registration fees. Two license plates are to be mounted on each regular vehicle, one in the front and one in the rear, as required by the state. Motor cycles, trailers, and motorcycles only need the rear plate.

MVC possesses a complete database of registered vehicles, and therefore it becomes simple for the authorities to keep the records of ownership and registration updated in a seamless manner. License plate lookup can provide useful information of a vehicle, i.e., registration status and history, and validate compliance with state law.

How to Search for New Jersey License Plates

New Jersey plate search can assist an individual in verifying the history of a car before purchasing it. Below are some things you might discover from a plate search:

1. Car Details

The plate search may even reveal the make, model, year, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and registration record of a vehicle. It is for cross-checking information provided by the owner against official documents.

2. History of Accidents and Repairs

If the car had any prior involvement in an accident, a license plate search offers access to insurance and repair histories that allow consumers to steer clear of problem vehicles with questionable backgrounds.

3. Title and Lien Reports

Title history check is conducted to acquire possession and prevent future fraud. Other than that, lien record check confirms the vehicle has no mortgages that will prevent future sales. 

4. Traffic Offences and Public Records

Plate search even gives us information on traffic tickets, DUI arrest, and other legal information with regard to a vehicle and hence allows us to obtain some details about its use and possible danger.

Privacy and Legal Controls While plate checks are beneficial information, the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) forbids one from obtaining personal information, such as the owner’s name, address, and phone number. The data is only released to licensed and law enforcement agencies.

Types of License Plates Available in New Jersey

New Jersey has many special plates beyond standard issue, such as:

• Standard License Plates – Black and yellow plates for general vehicles.
• Specialty Plates – For reasons such as organ donation or military service.
• Personalized Plates – Special plates with custom word combinations.
• Disability plates and placards are for the medically impaired.

Classic and Vintage Plates are for cars over 25 years old.

Temporary and Transferring License Plates

When you buy a car from a dealer, you can be given temporary plates until you get the final registration. Temporary plates are valid for 10 days. When you sell or trade your vehicle, you can transfer your old plates to the new vehicle for a small charge.

New Jersey License Plate Renewal and Surrender

To ensure that your car stays on the road lawfully, you need to renew your license plates before they expire. You can renew:

• Online on the MVC website.
• Through the mail
• In person at an MVC office

If you are relocating out of state or no longer wish to keep your plates, you need to return them to the MVC so that you are not fined.

How Much Are New Jersey License Plates? 

A New Jersey license plate is of a different cost based on registration and plate. Some of the common fees are:

• Standard registration & renewal – By vehicle type & weight 
• Replacement plate – $6 
• Duplicate plate – $11
• Transfer fee – $4.50
• Personalized plate – $50

Special plates and personalized plates will have a surcharge at registration and renewal. 

A search of New Jersey car license plates is worth the trouble for anyone who would enjoy having access to automobile information, researching liens or accidents, or simply to make purchasing an automobile easier. From purchasing an old car, to searching for personal registration information, to researching specialty plates, understanding how to do it can make state compliance easier. If you must conduct a license plate search, utilize a company that is reputable and that stays within the confines of the law privacy acts. A New Jersey license plate search can be helpful information upon which to make an informed decision on car purchase.

Recent New Jersey License Plate Search