Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA): What It Means for Car Lookups
Also called: DPPA
The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act is a 1994 federal law (18 U.S.C. §§ 2721–2725) that bars state motor vehicle departments from disclosing personal information from driver and vehicle records — such as names, addresses, and phone numbers — except for 14 permitted uses. It is why a plate or VIN lookup can tell you about the car but not who owns it.
By the CarWhere Research team · Updated November 2026
How it affects a buyer
For a car shopper, the DPPA draws a clear line: vehicle facts are available, owner identities are not. A plate or VIN lookup can return the year, make, model, specifications, recalls, and records about the vehicle itself, but a legitimate service will not give a member of the public the registered owner’s name or address. The law lists 14 permitted uses — including government and law-enforcement functions, vehicle safety recalls and advisories, insurance claims and underwriting, court proceedings, towing and impound notices, and licensed private investigators acting for a permitted purpose. Bulk use for marketing requires the person’s express consent.
How to check it
If you need to contact a car’s previous owner — for example about a title problem — go through the seller, the state motor vehicle agency’s request process for a permitted purpose, or an attorney. Be wary of any site that promises owner names and addresses from a plate number for a fee. For the vehicle itself, start with a free plate-to-VIN lookup and a VIN decode.
Check it on a specific car
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to look up a license plate?
Yes, looking up information about the vehicle is legal. What the DPPA restricts is state DMVs disclosing the owner’s personal information outside its permitted uses.
What counts as personal information under the DPPA?
Information that identifies a person, such as name, address, phone number, driver identification number, Social Security number, photograph, and medical or disability information. Vehicle accident and violation details and driver status are not included in that definition.
Can a private investigator get owner information from a plate?
A licensed private investigative agency or security service may obtain it, but only for a purpose the DPPA permits — the license alone is not enough.