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updateUpdated 2026-10-10

Utah License Plate Lookup

Utah License Plate Lookup powered by NHTSA. The UT license plate lookup tool above returns make, model, year, trim, recalls, and crash ratings for any Utah-registered vehicle in seconds.

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UTAHA12 3BC

2.5M

Registered Vehicles

Utah (FHWA)

Since 1909

Utah State Tax Commission

A12 3BC

Utah License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts

Agency	Utah State Tax Commission — Motor Vehicle Division
Issuance year	1909
Current format	A12 3BC — Seven characters on the current 'Life Elevated' design: one letter, two digits, a space, one digit, two letters. Utah is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$11
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	2.5M (approx.)
DMV contact	1-801-297-7780 · dmv.utah.gov

How do I look up an Utah license plate?

Three steps to a complete utah license plate lookup. The UT license plate lookup workflow below works for any Utah-registered plate.

1
Enter the Utah license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm UT 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 UT plate lookuparrow_forward

What does an Utah license plate lookup reveal?

Free Utah plate searches return vehicle-level data: make, model, year, recalls, and NHTSA crash ratings. Personal information (driver name, address, contact) is protected under the DPPA and is not available here.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Utah 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

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boltTitle brand history (salvage, flood, rebuilt)
boltReported accident history
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boltNumber of previous owners
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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 an Utah license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current 'Life Elevated' design: one letter, two digits, a space, one digit, two letters. Utah is a two-plate state. A free Utah license plate lookup also works on legacy plate formats listed in the table below.

UTAHA12 3BC

Utah license plate formats through the years

Era	Format	Example
1909–1956	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed	12345
1957–1973	County-coded alphanumeric	AB-1234
1974–1985	3 letters + 3 digits ('The Beehive State')	ABC 123
1986–1998	3 letters + 3 digits ('Greatest Snow on Earth' skier)	ABC 123
1999–2006	3 digits + 3 letters ('Greatest Snow on Earth')	123 ABC
2007–present	Mixed alphanumeric ('Life Elevated' Delicate Arch design)	A12 3BC

Utah license plate laws you should know

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

Two plates required

Utah requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under Utah Code § 41-1a-404. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 41-1a-404.

Registration stickers & display

Utah issues a registration decal affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually.

Inspection / smog check

Utah requires emissions testing in five counties — Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber, and Cache. Frequency varies by county and vehicle age (typically biennial for newer vehicles, annual for older). All counties also require an annual safety inspection for vehicles 8+ years old (4-year intervals for newer vehicles).

Types of Utah license plates

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

Standard Utah / Life Elevated (Delicate Arch)

Default plate with the iconic Delicate Arch design and 'Life Elevated' tagline. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $55 initial + $50/year through Utah DMV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Utah Utes, BYU Cougars, Utah Jazz, In God We Trust, Mighty 5 (national parks), and dozens of cause plates.

Vintage / Year of Manufacture

Vintage plates for vehicles 30+ years old; YOM plates allow restored era-correct plates on classic vehicles.

How much does a Utah license plate cost?

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

Annual registration (passenger)	$44 base + age-based fee ($150 to $10 by age)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$11
Personalized plate (initial)	$55
Personalized plate (annual)	$50
Title fee	$6
Uniform Fee in Lieu of Property Tax (annual)	1.5% of vehicle market value (decreases by age)

Source: Utah State Tax Commission — Motor Vehicle Division — https://dmv.utah.gov

What if my Utah plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Utah 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 Utah DMV office or use the online portal at dmv.utah.gov.
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $11 replacement fee for a new plate pair.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

Utah DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Utah State Tax Commission — Motor Vehicle Division

call1-801-297-7780

languagedmv.utah.gov

DPPA privacy notice

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

How do I run a Utah license plate lookup?expand_more

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

Does Utah require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. Utah Code § 41-1a-404 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Utah plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $11 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at any Utah DMV office or online at dmv.utah.gov; a police report is required if the plate was stolen.

What is the current Utah license plate format?expand_more

The standard Utah passenger plate uses a 7-character format: one letter, two digits, a space, one digit, and two letters (e.g., A12 3BC) on the iconic 'Life Elevated' Delicate Arch design.

Are Utah license plate records public?expand_more

No. Owner information tied to a Utah plate is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and Utah Code § 41-1a-116. Free lookups return only vehicle-level data.

Does Utah require emissions testing or inspections?expand_more

Utah requires emissions testing in five counties (Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, Weber, Cache) — frequency depends on vehicle age. A safety inspection is also required statewide every 4 years for newer vehicles and annually for vehicles 8+ years old.

How do I get a personalized Utah plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through Utah DMV at dmv.utah.gov for $55 initial fee and $50 annual renewal. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

What is Utah's Uniform Fee on vehicles?expand_more

Utah's Uniform Fee replaces traditional personal property tax on vehicles. It's calculated as 1.5% of the vehicle's market value at registration time and decreases as the vehicle ages. The fee is collected with annual registration.

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