So apparently anyone with a license plate number can submit it to most DMVs to obtain detailed owner information, provided they claim they’re doing so in the “ordinary course of business” (eg to collect a debt). This isn’t verified or checked.
Anyone with a license plate number can reportedly submit it to most U.S. DMVs to…
Brief
Matthew D. Green reports that most DMVs will disclose detailed vehicle owner records to anyone who supplies a license plate number and asserts the lookup is for the “ordinary course of business” (such as debt collection), and that DMVs do not appear to verify or check those claimed purposes before releasing data.
Why it matters
Anyone with a license plate number can reportedly submit it to most U.S. DMVs to obtain detailed vehicle owner information.
Key details
- DMVs allegedly release that information if the requester claims the lookup is in the “ordinary course of business” (for example, to collect a debt) without verifying the claim.