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updateUpdated 2026-10-17

Virginia License Plate Lookup

Run a free Virginia license plate lookup above. Decode any VA plate for make, model, year, trim, open recalls, and crash safety ratings — sourced directly from NHTSA. No account, no credit card.

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VIRGINIAABC-1234

7.5M

Registered Vehicles

Virginia (FHWA)

Since 1906

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

ABC-1234

Virginia (VA) License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts

Agency	Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles
Issuance year	1906
Current format	ABC-1234 — Seven characters on the 'Virginia is for Lovers' plate: three letters, a dash, and four digits — the standard passenger series established in the early 1990s and still in use today.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$10
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	7.5M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-804-497-7100 · www.dmv.virginia.gov

How do I look up a Virginia license plate?

A virginia license plate lookup (or VA license plate lookup) takes under 10 seconds. No account, no credit card, no upsells for the standard vehicle report.

1
Enter the Virginia license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm VA is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a VA plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Virginia license plate lookup reveal?

Virginia License Plate Lookup (free) returns vehicle-level data only. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal DPPA and is not accessible through this site or any other free lookup.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Virginia license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

Free — available here

check_circleMake, model, year, and trim
check_circleBody style, doors, curb weight
check_circleEngine size, cylinders, fuel type
check_circleTransmission and drivetrain
check_circleOpen NHTSA safety recalls
check_circleNHTSA crash test ratings
check_circleEPA fuel economy (MPG)
check_circleManufacturing plant & country

Paid — via NMVTIS partners

boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
boltReported accident history
boltOdometer rollback detection
boltNumber of previous owners
boltLien and loan history
boltAuction & insurance records
boltState of registration history
boltTheft / total-loss records

Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Virginia license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the 'Virginia is for Lovers' plate: three letters, a dash, and four digits — the standard passenger series established in the early 1990s and still in use today. The Virginia license plate number lookup tool above accepts spaces, dashes, and historical Virginia plate formats.

VIRGINIAABC-1234

Virginia license plate number lookup: format history

Era	Format	Example
1906–1930s	State-issued numeric	123456
1940s–1969	Alpha-numeric	AB 1234
1970–1982	3 letters + 3 digits ('Virginia')	ABC 123
1983–1992	3 letters + 3 digits ('Virginia is for Lovers', red/white/blue)	ABC 123
1993–2011	3 letters + 4 digits (updated Lovers design)	ABC 1234
2012–present	3 letters + 4 digits (redesigned Lovers plate)	ABC-1234

Virginia license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Virginia drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Virginia Code § 46.2-711 requires every registered motor vehicle (except motorcycles and trailers) to display a license plate on both the front and rear of the vehicle.

Front plate rule

There is no general exemption for vehicles sold without front mounting brackets in Virginia. The front plate is required, and failure to display it is a traffic infraction.

Registration stickers & display

Virginia affixes a registration sticker to the lower left corner of the windshield — not the plate — showing the expiration month and year (Va. Code § 46.2-715).

Inspection / smog check

Annual vehicle safety inspection is required at any DMV-certified station statewide (max $16). Biennial OBD-II emissions testing is additionally required in 13 Northern Virginia jurisdictions and select Hampton Roads localities.

Types of Virginia license plates

Virginia issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Virginia is for Lovers standard

Default passenger plate featuring the iconic 'Virginia is for Lovers' slogan with mountain and ocean imagery.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on any available background for just $10/year — one of the lowest vanity-plate fees in the United States.

Disabled Person / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates waive registration fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, POW/MIA, and all branch-specific designs.

Special organization

University plates (UVA, Virginia Tech, ODU, etc.), environmental, and cause plates — fees support the designated organization.

Antique / Horseless Carriage

For vehicles 25+ years old used for exhibitions and tours; exempt from annual safety inspection.

How much does a Virginia license plate cost?

Typical Virginia DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger, ≤4,000 lb)	$40.75
Annual registration (passenger, >4,000 lb)	$45.75
Replacement plate	$10
Personalized plate	$10/year
Title fee	$15
Annual safety inspection (max state fee)	$16 safety only / $28 combined emissions+safety

Source: Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles — https://www.dmv.virginia.gov

What if my Virginia plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Virginia license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit any Virginia DMV customer service center or use the online replacement portal at dmv.virginia.gov.
3
Complete Form VSA 14 (Application for Replacement License Plate) and pay the $10 fee.
4
If only one plate was stolen, surrender the remaining plate to receive a new matching pair.
5
Replacement plates arrive by mail within 7–10 business days; an interim registration document is provided in the meantime.

Virginia DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles

call1-804-497-7100

languagewww.dmv.virginia.gov

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Virginia license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Virginia license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Virginia license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Virginia plate in the search tool above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash safety ratings — free and no account required.

Does Virginia require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. Virginia Code § 46.2-711 requires display of two license plates on most registered motor vehicles. Failing to display a front plate is a traffic infraction in Virginia.

How much does a replacement Virginia plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $10. Visit any DMV customer service center or use the online portal at dmv.virginia.gov. Complete Form VSA 14 and pay the fee online or in person.

What is the current Virginia license plate format?expand_more

The standard 'Virginia is for Lovers' plate uses a 7-character format: three letters, a dash, and four digits (e.g., ABC-1234). Personalized plates can use up to 7 characters.

Are Virginia license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Virginia plate is protected under both the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and Virginia Code § 46.2-208. Free lookups return vehicle-level data only.

Does Virginia require emissions testing?expand_more

Virginia requires an annual safety inspection statewide (max $16) at any certified station. Biennial OBD-II emissions testing is also required in 13 Northern Virginia jurisdictions (including Arlington, Fairfax, and Alexandria) and select Hampton Roads localities.

How do I get a personalized Virginia plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are available through the DMV for just $10/year — one of the lowest vanity-plate fees in the country. Apply at dmv.virginia.gov or any customer service center. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

How often do I renew my Virginia registration?expand_more

Virginia vehicle registration is renewed annually. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 30 days before expiration. You can renew online, by mail, or in person at any DMV customer service center.

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