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updateUpdated 2026-10-11

North Dakota License Plate Lookup

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

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NORTH DAKOTA123 ABC

870K

Registered Vehicles

North Dakota (FHWA)

Since 1911

North Dakota Department of Transportation

123 ABC

ND License Plate Lookup: Quick Facts

Agency	North Dakota Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle Division
Issuance year	1911
Current format	123 ABC — Seven characters on the current 'Legendary' Theodore Roosevelt design: three digits, a space, and three letters. North Dakota is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$5
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	870K (approx.)
DMV contact	1-701-328-2725 · www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/mv/

How do I look up a North Dakota license plate?

Three steps to a complete nd license plate lookup. The ND license plate lookup workflow below works for any North Dakota-registered plate.

1
Enter the North Dakota license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm ND 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 ND plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a North Dakota license plate lookup reveal?

Free North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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

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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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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 North Dakota license plate format look like?

Seven characters on the current 'Legendary' Theodore Roosevelt design: three digits, a space, and three letters. North Dakota is a two-plate state.

NORTH DAKOTA123 ABC

North Dakota license plate format history

Era	Format	Example
1911–1955	Sequential numeric / county-prefixed	12-345
1956–1974	County-coded numeric (counties numbered by 1953 population)	1-12345
1975–1989	3 letters + 3 digits ('Peace Garden State' green/yellow)	ABC 123
1990–2003	3 letters + 3 digits ('Discover the Spirit' refreshed)	ABC 123
2004–2015	3 letters + 3 digits (buffalo / 'Legendary' tagline)	ABC 123
2016–present	3 digits + 3 letters ('Legendary' Theodore Roosevelt design)	123 ABC

North Dakota license plate laws you should know

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

Two plates required

North Dakota requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under NDCC § 39-04-11. 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 § 39-04-11.

Registration stickers & display

North Dakota issues a registration sticker affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually based on the first letter of the owner's last name.

Inspection / smog check

North Dakota does NOT require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. The state has no I/M program — one of the most lenient regulatory regimes in the US.

Types of North Dakota license plates

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

Standard North Dakota / Legendary

Default plate with the Theodore Roosevelt 'Legendary' design issued in the 123 ABC format. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $25 initial + $25/year through North Dakota DOT.

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

NDSU Bison, UND Fighting Hawks, Choose Life, Lewis & Clark, Wildlife Federation, and dozens of cause plates.

Antique Vehicle / Year of Manufacture

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

How much does a North Dakota license plate cost?

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

Annual registration (passenger, varies by weight + age)	$49–$274 (based on vehicle weight class and age)
Replacement plate (per pair)	$5
Personalized plate (initial)	$25
Personalized plate (annual)	$25
Title fee	$5
Motor vehicle excise tax (on title transfer)	5% of vehicle purchase price

Source: North Dakota Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle Division — https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/mv/

What if my North Dakota plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a North Dakota 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 North Dakota DOT Motor Vehicle office or your local County Treasurer.
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates (Form SFN 2486) with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $5 replacement fee.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

North Dakota DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

North Dakota Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle Division

call1-701-328-2725

languagewww.dot.nd.gov/divisions/mv/

DPPA privacy notice

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

How do I run a North Dakota license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any North Dakota 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. Vehicle data only; personal driver information is not returned.

Does North Dakota require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. NDCC § 39-04-11 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 North Dakota plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $5 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at any North Dakota DOT Motor Vehicle office or your local County Treasurer using Form SFN 2486.

What is the current North Dakota license plate format?expand_more

The standard North Dakota passenger plate uses a 7-character format: three digits, a space, and three letters (e.g., 123 ABC) on the 'Legendary' Theodore Roosevelt design introduced in 2016.

Does a North Dakota license plate lookup show driver or owner information?expand_more

No. This lookup returns vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by free public lookups.

Does North Dakota require an inspection or emissions test?expand_more

No. North Dakota does not require statewide emissions testing or safety inspections for passenger vehicles. It's one of the most lenient inspection regimes in the US.

How do I get a personalized North Dakota plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through North Dakota DOT at dot.nd.gov for $25 initial fee and $25 annual renewal. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

Why does the North Dakota plate feature Theodore Roosevelt?expand_more

Theodore Roosevelt ranched in the North Dakota Badlands in the 1880s before his political career and often credited the experience as formative. The 'Legendary' design (introduced 2016) features his silhouette and the state's badlands landscape, with the 'Legendary' tagline tying back to North Dakota's long-running 'Legendary North Dakota' tourism branding.

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