Your car registration number will often be needed when insuring your vehicle, finding more information about it in different records, checking the warranty, detailed specs, or recall information, or even checking the fines you may have got when passing automatic road cameras.
So, the car registration number is just the same as the car license plate number - it's the set of letters and figures you have on your license plate.
While most people have usual and traditional license plate numbers denoting their region and also some unique set of figures and letters to identify their cars, other drivers may have custom license plates. Anyway, the letters and figures that are written on your custom license plate are still your car's registration number and you can use it for everything you need it.
Where can you see your vehicle's registration number?
We got a lot of questions regarding the vehicle's registration number, so we decided to write a short guide to let you know everything we know about it. Whatever you need this number for, you may find it in several places.
- Your car's license plate
The safest place you should look for your car registration number is certainly your vehicle's license plate. You have two of them - in the front and in the rear part of the vehicle. This plate contains some special signs of the state your vehicle is registered in and also numbers and letters to denote the unique registration number. For example, 7TRR812.
- Your certificate of registration
Every car in the US has a certificate of registration. This is the most important document that DMVs issue. This certificate contains all the needed information on your vehicle and you can also find your car's registration number there.
Just look carefully at the document and find the "Registration Number" there. Some letters and digits after that phrase form the registration number of your vehicle. This should be just the same as on your plates.
- Your insurance documents
Also, the car license plate number will be written in the insurance policy you may have in your glovebox or in your home office. This is the document that every car owner should have.
Of course, now you may also have an electronic insurance policy with no printed papers. In this case, you should log in to the website of your insurance company and find your policy with the vehicle's registration number.
- DMV personal account
We also know that some states have launched online services for their citizens and DMVs take part in these programs. In some US states, you can register online with the DMV and form your own online cabinet where you will have access to all needed documents and will also be able to use some DMV services online without any queues and waiting.
One of the options is to find your registration documents for the vehicle there and see the registration number on these documents.
Are your VIN code and registration number the same?
The VIN code is the unique number of your car that the manufacturer gives it. Usually, you can see the VIN code in several places in the car. For example, you can find it under the windshield in a special small window, under the hood on a special metal plate, and in some other places in your car. The VIN code contains some basic information about your car and also acts as the main insurance identification.
But the VIN code and the registration number are not the same things. The VIN code is a long line of digits and letters that are given to a vehicle by the manufacturer. The registration number is much shorter and it's given to the vehicle owner by the DMV or by any other state representative when you get the license plates for your vehicle after you buy it.
Is it dangerous when someone knows your car's registration number?
No, of course, it's not dangerous at all. Any person can see your car's registration number just when your vehicle is on the street. A person can only check if you have any fines from speed cameras or check the model of your car online if he or she knows the registration number. Nothing else is possible to do.
The same with your VIN. Yes, people can get some information like title data, accidents, year of manufacturing of their car, registered service actions, etc. But no one can do anything bad having just your car's registration number or VIN number.
About the authors
The CarAraC research team is composed of seasoned auto mechanics and automotive industry professionals, including individuals with advanced degrees and certifications in their field. Our team members boast prestigious credentials, reflecting their extensive knowledge and skills. These qualifications include: IMI: Institute of the Motor Industry, ASE-Certified Master Automobile Technicians; Coventry University, Graduate of MA in Automotive Journalism; Politecnico di Torino, Italy, MS Automotive Engineering; Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Mechanical University in Skopje; TOC Automotive College; DHA Suffa University, Department of Mechanical Engineering
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