The Expert Podcast

So how can you get vehicle information like ownership or background on a motor vehicle from the official records? As you know, motor vehicle information is normally kept by the Department of Motor Vehicles or some other titling division in your state. You might want to do an owner's check or background check on a vehicle. How does that work?

Be aware that in every state, the release of vehicle owner information is protected under a law called the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). It's in U.S. Code 2721, which prohibits the disclosure of personal information originating from a state Motor Vehicle Record.

What that means is that your registration, title, driver's license, and other information pertaining to your Motor Vehicle Record are considered highly restricted personal information. Disclosure of this information must be justified by a permissible use. These permissible use categories are standardized across all states because the DPPA is a federal law.

If you meet one of these permissible use categories, you can access private information about a vehicle. However, if you fail to provide a justification, you won’t be able to get the records.

For example, here’s a form from one jurisdiction. No matter where you are, there will be a similar form. You’ll need to provide your name and address as the requesting party. Anonymous requests are not allowed. In fact, the records for your request will be kept for five to ten years, so if there’s a need to find out who accessed the background of a vehicle, they can trace it back to you.

On the form, you’ll also specify the types of records you’re requesting—such as driver’s license, registration, ownership, or liens—and whether you want current or historical information. The most important section is the permissible uses. This is where you check off or circle the reason you’re requesting the information.

One permissible use is if you have written consent. For instance, if you’re requesting your own records, you can give yourself consent. If you’re a parent or legal guardian, you can request the records for your child. If you’re requesting the records of another person, you’ll need written and notarized consent.

Other permissible uses include situations like:

A vehicle manufacturer notifying owners about a recall.
A government agency carrying out its functions.
A court accessing records for legal proceedings.
For example, courts can access your driving information in cases such as lawsuits. By "driving information," we mean data like your name and address. This protection prevents someone from looking up your address using your license plate, which could otherwise lead to harassment or harm.

Law enforcement agencies can also access these records, but only for official purposes. Similarly, authorized agents or employees of a business can verify driving records to ensure accuracy, prevent fraud, pursue legal remedies, or collect debt. For instance, a loan company can check if your address is current if you stop paying your car loan.

Permissible uses also apply to civil proceedings. If you’re involved in a lawsuit and need to find out who owns a vehicle, you can petition the court or use a subpoena to obtain this information. Research activities are also allowed under DPPA, as long as personal information is not published.

Insurance companies can use the records to investigate claims, perform underwriting, or prevent fraud. However, they cannot use the information for marketing or advertising purposes. Towing or impound companies can access records to notify vehicle owners but must not misuse the information for other reasons.

Licensed private investigators may verify driving records, but only for legitimate DPPA-permitted purposes. Employers issuing Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) can also access records for employment purposes. Private toll companies can use the information to bill drivers who bypass tolls.

Improper use of this information is taken seriously. The U.S. Department of Justice enforces DPPA regulations and may impose civil or criminal penalties for violations. Private citizens can also seek civil damages if their information is improperly obtained or used.

As a consumer, you can use the DPPA process to access driver records, ownership records, or contact information for legitimate purposes. When conducting vehicle title searches or title histories for clients, public information that doesn’t require DPPA requests can be provided. Additionally, clients are given the necessary forms to submit for more detailed information, such as names and addresses, if they qualify under permissible uses.

The Driver’s Privacy Protection Act protects people from having their vehicle information used improperly. However, under the right circumstances and with the proper forms, it is possible to access this information. Every state has its own specific form for submitting these requests.