Identifying a Vehicle Owner and Sharing Dashcam Footage

Can You Find the Name and Address of a Driver Using Their License Plate?

Under the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), accessing a vehicle owner’s personal information from state motor vehicle records is generally restricted. This federal law limits the public’s ability to obtain driver details for privacy and security reasons. However, the DPPA does allow access under certain conditions, particularly for matters related to motor vehicle safety and theft.

Certain companies and licensed private investigators may have legal access to this information under specific circumstances. The ability to obtain a vehicle owner’s details by license plate lookup varies by state and must comply with legal requirements.

Can a Letter Be Sent to the Vehicle Owner About Unsafe Driving?

A potential solution to addressing unsafe driving incidents is mailing a warning letter to the registered owner of the vehicle, providing them with a link to the dashcam video. This would serve as an educational approach, helping drivers recognize and correct unsafe behaviors.

Currently, we are exploring partnerships with private investigative services to determine whether and under what conditions such a process would be legally feasible. As of now, the best option is to report dangerous driving incidents to local law enforcement, as they may be able to take action.

The goal of notifying vehicle owners is to encourage safer driving habits. Seeing footage of their driving behavior could prompt individuals to be more responsible on the road.

License Plate Lookup Services

Many online services offer license plate lookups, but they typically provide only vehicle-related details (e.g., make, model, year). Some paid services claim to provide owner information, but access to personal details is heavily restricted by the DPPA and is only available under legally permitted circumstances.

To learn more about the Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and its legal restrictions, [click here].

Important Note: Be cautious of websites that claim to provide personal information for a fee—most will not release such data unless you meet the legal criteria outlined in the DPPA.

Read more about The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) 

See a list of sites for looking up License plates