License Plate Lookup in Oklahoma
A license plate lookup in Oklahoma is a procedure for getting license plate information. It is conducted by making a request at the Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission or by using a structured electronic information retrieval tool known as a license plate lookup tool.
Oklahoma residents sometimes conduct license plate lookups to determine the state of a used vehicle before purchasing it or to get background information on a vehicle. The Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) is responsible for issuing license plates to vehicle owners in the state. Typically, a paid license plate lookup provides more detailed information on a license plate than a free license plate lookup in Oklahoma. However, a free license lookup may still deliver some of the essential information you need. Oklahoma does not have any special requirements for a license plate lookup. Generally, a license plate lookup will provide selected Oklahoma traffic records as well as:
- Registration details of the vehicle
- Vehicle information and description
- Title Information
- Information on damages caused by disasters like fire and flood
- Repair information
- Market value
- Accurate mileage and odometer readings
- Accident history
- Repossession history
- Vehicle part details
- Inspection checklist
- Maintenance history
- Weather/natural damage
Note that some information may be protected by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) in Oklahoma, such as the vehicle owner's personal information, including their:
- Name
- Photograph
- Social security number
- Driver identification number
- Telephone number
- Address (excluding 5-digit zip code)
- Medical or disability information, excluding information on vehicular accidents, driving violations, and driver's status
What is an Oklahoma License Plate?
An Oklahoma license plate is a rectangular aluminum tag that displays the vehicle's tag code and expiration date. The license plate type determines other license plate features in Oklahoma. For instance, a specialty license plate has unique features not found on a regular Oklahoma license plate. A license plate is usually placed at the rear of a vehicle in Oklahoma, but the state requires some vehicles to have both a front and rear license plate. Such vehicles include:
- Truck tractors
- Trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 26,000 pounds
- Truck tractors registered under the International Registration provisions
The Oklahoma Department of Corrections handles plate creation in the state, and each plate costs $2.05 to make. However, the Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission issues the license plates created to applicants. Oklahoma issues standard, specialty, and disability license plates depending on the applicant's request. Specialty license plates are divided into military, education, tribal, special interests, civil service, and personalized license plates.
How Do I Get a License Plate in Oklahoma?
A license plate is typically issued after the vehicle has been titled and registered. An applicant for a license plate in Oklahoma may apply to the Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission to get one. A person applying to get a license plate in Oklahoma will need to provide the following:
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A filled-out Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title for a Vehicle (Form 701-6).
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Proof of ownership.
- Your out-of-state title may suffice if you are new to Oklahoma.
- The manufacturer's certificate of origin will be required if the vehicle is new.
- The current title transferred to you will be required if the vehicle is a used vehicle that you newly purchased.
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Proof of your Oklahoma car insurance.
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Payment for vehicle title and registration fees.
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Lien documentation will be required if your vehicle is financed.
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An odometer disclosure statement will be required if the vehicle is nine years old or less. This may be included in the transferred title.
After getting the required documents listed above, visit any Motor License Agent (Tag Agent) office close to you and submit all the documents. If you are registering a used vehicle or a vehicle purchased from another state, the tag agent will perform a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and an odometer inspection. When you have submitted the required documents, pay the required fees. Pay an $11 title fee and $96 registration fee for a motor vehicle or $99 for a motorcycle for first-time registration. If you newly purchased a vehicle, you will need to pay a title transfer fee of $17. Used or out-of-state vehicle owners are to pay a VIN inspection fee of $4. If your vehicle is financed, you will pay a lien processing fee of $10 if the lienholder is in Oklahoma, but if the lienholder is outside of Oklahoma, you will pay $13. You must also pay excise tax if you're transferring ownership. Finally, you will pay a postage fee of $3 to mail a license plate.
To get a personalized license plate in Oklahoma, complete Form 749 - Personalized License Plate Application (Not for Motorcycles) and read all the instructions. Mail the completed form, any additional requirements, and a $25 fee (Driver's license number must appear on check or money order) to:
Oklahoma Tax Commission
P.O. Box 26940
Oklahoma City,
Phone: (800) 522-8165
Phone: (405) 521-2468
Passenger License Plates vs. Commercial License Plates
Passenger license plates and commercial license plates in Oklahoma are pretty similar in appearance. However, what differentiates them is the purpose for which each is assigned. Commercial license plates are assigned to commercial vehicles such as trucks, trailers, and truck tractors. They are issued in accordance with the International Registration Plan (IRP). Commercial license plates are classified into commercial straight tags, prorated tags, and apportioned license plates. Apportioned license plates have the word "APPORTIONED" displayed on the plate. Apportioned vehicles have two or more member jurisdictions and are used mainly to transport persons for hire and maintained primarily for the transportation of property. On the other hand, passenger vehicle license plates are issued to non-commercial vehicles, sport-utility vehicles, and pickup trucks used for personal purposes.
The Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission issues both passenger and commercial license plates. The requirements for obtaining both are similar, but a commercial license plate is issued under the IRP. If the applicant for a commercial license plate is an Oklahoma resident and does not have an established business enterprise anywhere else, they may use the IRP Application Form. However, an applicant with an established place of business in any state or province apart from Oklahoma must obtain their prorated tag from that state or province.
How Can I Find the Owner of a License Plate in Oklahoma
You can find the owner of a license plate in Oklahoma by using a license plate lookup tool to perform a license plate lookup. The search results obtained from this lookup may be used to find the owner of a license plate by searching through the database of the Motor Vehicle Division of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. A search may also be conducted using a phone number lookup service.
Third-party aggregate sites are a reliable alternative for obtaining license plate information. These sites are maintained by independent establishments which collate the information from government-run repositories. Obtaining records from these sites often proves substantially easier than government alternatives. However, requestors may be required to provide any information required to facilitate the record search and pay any required fees to access the record of interest.
Oklahoma License Plate Renewal
In Oklahoma, before your license plate expires, you will receive a renewal notice, and you can then renew your car registration online, in person, or via mail.
Online Registration/License Plate Renewal
Follow the steps below to renew your Oklahoma car registration online:
- Log on to the Online Renewal portal of the Oklahoma Tax Commission website.
- Type in the last four digits of your vehicle identification number (VIN), your Oklahoma license plate/tag number, your insurance information, your Oklahoma driver's license number, and your Agriculture Exemption Permit (SMX) number, if necessary.
- Pay the required amount provided on the screen.
In-Person Registration/License Plate Renewal
Follow the steps below to complete your Oklahoma car registration renewal in person:
- Visit any Oklahoma Motor License Agent (Tag Agent) office close to you. Make sure you go along with your registration renewal notice, proof of your Vehicle ID Number (VIN), license plate number or Oklahoma title number, and your proof of your insurance policy.
- Pay the required fees.
Mail-in Registration/License Plate Renewal
To renew your registration via mail, package your proof of your Vehicle ID Number (VIN), license plate number or Oklahoma title number, proof of your insurance policy, and payment for the registration renewal in an envelope. Mail the package to:
Oklahoma Tax Commission
P.O. Box 26940
Oklahoma City, OK 73126
The required fee is determined by how long ago your vehicle was registered with the state. Asides from the $1.50 insurance and applicable mail fee, an applicant will pay any of the following fees as it applies to them:
- One to four years - $91
- Five to eight years - $81
- Nine to twelve years- $61
- Thirteen to sixteen years - $41
- Seventeen years and over - $21
Can You Look Up License Plates with VIN?
Using a VIN lookup tool, you can look up license plates with VIN in Oklahoma. This is possible because a VIN and license plate number are linked in Oklahoma's public vehicle record.
VIN Number Lookup
VIN means vehicle identification number, which refers to the distinctive serial number given to a vehicle upon manufacture. A VIN lookup is done by performing a VIN search using a VIN lookup tool. When a VIN lookup is performed, it reveals the vehicle's ownership history, market value, accident history, and sale history. An individual can also perform a VIN lookup using the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), which has a database of title information from states across the country.
For most vehicles, their VIN can be found on the windshield on the driver-side dashboard or a sticker on the driver's side door or door jamb. You can find a motorcycle's VIN on the frame close to the motor or the steering neck under the handlebars.
Can Civilians Lookup License Plates in Oklahoma?
Anyone can look up license plates in Oklahoma. However, the search must be done in line with the provisions of the Driver's Privacy Protection Act. The act prevents the disclosure of vehicle information except when requested for legal reasons, such as the use by a government agency, use for the compilation of vehicle statistics, or used to verify the accuracy of information submitted by an individual. Eligible persons can conduct searches with the Oklahoma Department of Motor Vehicles by submitting an application at the local DMV office.
What Do Police See When They Run Your Plates in Oklahoma?
When an Oklahoma law enforcement officer runs a license plate, the officer accesses information related to the ownership and status of the vehicle. This includes details like:
- The vehicle's registered owner
- The make, model, and color of the vehicle.
- The vehicle identification number (VIN)
- If there are any crimes linked with the license plates
In addition, Oklahoma officials may cross-reference the owner's name to see if there are any violations or outstanding arrest warrants. Law enforcement officials are only permitted to conduct traffic if they witness a traffic violation or during the course of an investigation.
Free License Plate Lookup in Oklahoma
Residents of Oklahoma in search of free license plate lookups may be able to find third-party platforms that offer this service. Some of the information that may be obtained using this process includes the vehicle's history, service history, vehicle specs, and reported accidents.
A free license plate lookup service may not provide additional information about the registered owner. The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety maintains such records.
How to Search for Ticket by License Plate in Oklahoma
To obtain a missing ticket, drivers must contact the local court where the ticket was issued. Depending on the county where the infraction occurred, drivers may also be able to search through Oklahoma State Courts Network using a citation number. However, this option is only valid for tickets issued by county police officers and the district court.
For tickets issued by city police officers, drivers may need to contact the corresponding municipal traffic court to search for the ticket. Some of the information that can assist with the search include the driver's license number, the date of the infraction, and details of the office that issued the ticket. Alternatively, drivers can search for traffic tickets by calling the country court where the ticket was issued.
