Vehicle Data · Recalls · Safety Ratings

updateUpdated 2026-10-17

New Jersey License Plate Lookup

Get the full NHTSA vehicle report for any New Jersey plate — make, model, year, recalls, and crash safety ratings — free with no signup. Vehicle data only.

directions_carLicense PlatepinVIN Decoder

boltInstant·payments100% Free·lock_openNo signup

NEW JERSEYABC 12D

7.4M

Registered Vehicles

New Jersey (FHWA)

Since 1903

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

ABC 12D

New Jersey DMV License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Issuance year	1903
Current format	ABC 12D — Six characters on the 'Garden State' plate: three letters, two digits, one letter — the standard series introduced in 2009 with the revised yellow-on-blue design. New Jersey was the first US state to require vehicle registration, beginning in 1903.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$6
Registration validity	2 years
Registered vehicles	7.4M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-609-292-6500 · www.nj.gov/mvc/

How do I look up a New Jersey license plate?

Need a New Jersey DMV license plate lookup-style vehicle report? Use the NJ license plate lookup tool above — same NHTSA data, no DMV trip required.

1
Enter the New Jersey license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm NJ 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 NJ plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a New Jersey license plate lookup reveal?

Every license plate lookup new jersey on this page returns NHTSA vehicle data instantly. Driver and registered-owner personal information is protected under the DPPA's 1994 federal restrictions and is not part of any free vehicle report.

shield_person

DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This New Jersey 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 New Jersey license plate format look like?

Six characters on the 'Garden State' plate: three letters, two digits, one letter — the standard series introduced in 2009 with the revised yellow-on-blue design. New Jersey was the first US state to require vehicle registration, beginning in 1903.

NEW JERSEYABC 12D

New Jersey license plate format history

Era	Format	Example
1903–1915	Owner-provided (porcelain/leather)	Porcelain numerals
1916–1951	State-issued numeric	123456
1952–1978	Alpha-numeric county-coded	AB 1234
1979–1992	3 letters + 3 digits (yellow on navy 'New Jersey')	ABC 123
1993–2008	3 letters + 3 digits (gold on blue 'Garden State')	ABC 123
2009–present	3 letters + 2 digits + 1 letter ('Garden State' revised)	ABC 12D

New Jersey license plate laws you should know

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

Two plates required

N.J.S.A. 39:3-33 requires both a front and rear plate on every registered motor vehicle in New Jersey. The rear plate must be illuminated at night under N.J.S.A. 39:3-66.

Front plate rule

There is no exception to the front-plate requirement in New Jersey. Operating a vehicle without a front plate is a motor vehicle offense carrying a fine.

Registration stickers & display

New Jersey issues a registration sticker displaying the expiration month and year, affixed to the rear plate in the upper right corner (N.J.S.A. 39:3-4). Most registrations are valid for two years.

Inspection / smog check

New Jersey requires a biennial vehicle inspection at MVC-authorized inspection centers, covering OBD-II emissions and safety checks. New vehicles are exempt for the first 5 model years; diesel vehicles and vehicles 26 model years or older are exempt from the emissions portion.

Types of New Jersey license plates

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

Garden State standard

Default passenger plate — yellow-on-blue with the 'Garden State' slogan, redesigned in 2009.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 8 characters (including spaces) on any available background for $50/year.

Disabled Person / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking and, for DV plates, reduced registration fees.

Military specialty

Gold Star Family, Purple Heart, POW/MIA, and all branch-specific designs available through the MVC.

Special organization

University, wildlife, and cause plates — including Rutgers, NJ Farm Bureau, and breast cancer awareness.

Antique / Classic

For vehicles 25+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, tours, and club events.

How much does a New Jersey license plate cost?

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

Annual registration (3,501–5,000 lb passenger)	$84
Annual registration (under 3,500 lb)	$46.50
Replacement plate	$6
Personalized plate	$50/year
Title fee	$60
Lien filing fee	$45

Source: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission — https://www.nj.gov/mvc/

What if my New Jersey plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a New Jersey 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 NJ MVC agency in person — replacement plates cannot be ordered online.
3
Present your current vehicle registration and a valid photo ID.
4
Pay the $6 replacement fee and surrender any remaining plate if only one was lost.
5
A new plate pair is issued on the spot at most MVC agencies.

New Jersey DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

call1-609-292-6500

languagewww.nj.gov/mvc/

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a New Jersey 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 New Jersey license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a New Jersey license plate lookup?expand_more

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

Does New Jersey require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. N.J.S.A. 39:3-33 requires every registered vehicle to display a plate on both the front and rear. There is no exception, and driving without a front plate is a motor vehicle offense.

How much does a replacement New Jersey plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $6. Visit any NJ MVC agency in person with your vehicle registration and a photo ID. Replacement plates are issued on the spot at most agencies; online replacement is not available.

What is the current New Jersey license plate format?expand_more

The current standard 'Garden State' plate uses a 6-character format: three letters, two digits, and one letter (e.g., ABC 12D), introduced in 2009 with the revised yellow-on-blue design.

Are New Jersey license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a New Jersey plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Free plate lookups return only vehicle-level data: make, model, year, specs, and safety recalls.

Does New Jersey require vehicle inspections?expand_more

Yes. NJ requires a biennial inspection covering OBD-II emissions and safety, performed at state-authorized centers. New vehicles are exempt for the first 5 model years. The inspection is included in registration costs — there is no additional inspection fee for most passenger vehicles.

How do I get a personalized New Jersey plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through the NJ MVC at nj.gov/mvc. The fee is $50/year on top of standard registration fees. You can request up to 8 characters including spaces.

How often do I renew my New Jersey registration?expand_more

New Jersey offers 1-year and 2-year registration options. Most passenger vehicle registrations are renewed every 2 years. Renewal notices are mailed approximately 60 days before expiration.

More vehicle tools