What you can legally track using a license plate
You cannot track a license plate in real time the way you see in movies. Police can run plates through law enforcement databases, but civilians cannot access those systems. What you can do depends on whether you own the vehicle, whether you have the owner's permission, and what your reason is.
If you own the car, you can track it using GPS devices you install yourself or through your insurance company's app if they offer one. If you do not own it but have the owner's permission, they can share their location with you through their phone. If you are trying to locate a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run, a stolen car, or a safety concern, you report the plate to police and let them investigate.
The line between legal and illegal tracking is clear: you cannot use technology to follow someone's movements without their knowledge or consent, even if you know their license plate number. Doing so can violate state stalking and wiretapping laws.
Key Takeaways
- You can track your own vehicle using a GPS device you install or through your car's built-in system, but you cannot track someone else's car without their permission.
- If you own a vehicle and want to monitor it, insurance companies, car manufacturers, and aftermarket GPS trackers all offer real-time location services.
- Police can run a license plate through law enforcement databases, but civilians cannot access these systems no matter what information they have.
- If you suspect a vehicle is stolen or was involved in a crime, report the plate number to local police and provide any details you witnessed.
- Using GPS or other tracking technology to follow someone without consent is illegal in most states and can result in criminal charges.
Tracking your own vehicle with GPS
If you own the car, you have several options to know where it is. Many newer vehicles come with built-in GPS and a mobile app—check your owner's manual or your car manufacturer's website to see if yours does. Common systems include OnStar (General Motors), SOS (Ford), and BMW Connected Drive. These let you see your car's location on your phone in real time and often include features like remote locking and engine shutdown if the car is stolen.
If your car does not have a built-in system, you can buy an aftermarket GPS tracker. These are small devices that plug into your car's OBD-II port (a diagnostic port under the steering wheel) or attach to the frame. Popular options include Tracki, AirTag, and Tile. Some insurance companies offer discounts if you install a tracker, and some will provide one free or at low cost. Call your insurance company to ask what they offer.
GPS trackers work by sending location data to a server, which you view through an app on your phone. Most require a monthly subscription—typically $10 to $30 per month. Battery-powered trackers need charging or battery replacement every few months, while hardwired ones draw power from your car's electrical system.
Sharing location with someone you trust
If you want someone else to know where your car is—a family member, a friend, or a rideshare passenger—you can share your location directly through your phone. Both iPhone and Android have built-in location-sharing features that let you send your real-time location to specific people for a set time period.
On iPhone, open the Maps app, tap your profile icon, select "Share My Location," and choose who to share with and for how long. On Android, open Google Maps, tap your profile icon, select "Location sharing," and do the same. The person you share with can see your location on a map in real time, but they cannot see your license plate number or any information about your car—only where you are.
This method works only if you actively choose to share. The other person cannot track you without your permission, and you can stop sharing at any time.
What police can do with a license plate
Law enforcement can run a license plate through the National Crime Information (NCI) database and state motor vehicle records to find the registered owner's name, address, and phone number. They can also check whether the vehicle is stolen, has outstanding warrants attached to it, or is connected to an active investigation.
Police cannot share this information with civilians. If you give an officer a license plate number and ask them to look it up, they will not tell you the owner's name or address. They can only use the information for law enforcement purposes.
If you witnessed a hit-and-run, a dangerous driver, or a crime, report the license plate number to the police non-emergency line or file a report online through your local police department's website. Provide as much detail as you can: the color and make of the car, the direction it was heading, the time, and what happened. Police will investigate using their database access.
Why you cannot use third-party services to track someone
Several websites and apps claim they can look up a license plate number and tell you the owner's information or location. These services are either scams, illegal, or both. Legitimate motor vehicle records are not public in most states, and even where they are, they contain only the registered owner's name and address—not real-time location data.
If a service promises to track a car's location using only a license plate number, it is either lying or it is accessing data illegally. Using such a service to track someone without their consent is a crime in most states. You can be charged with stalking, harassment, or unauthorized computer access.
The only legal way to know where a specific car is right now is if you own it, if the owner has given you permission to track it, or if you are law enforcement with a warrant.
What to do if you think a car is stolen
If you see a car you believe is stolen, call the police non-emergency line or 911 if the theft is happening right now. Give them the license plate number, the location, and any details you noticed: the color, make, model, and condition of the car. If you know the owner, contact them directly to let them know where their car is.
Do not approach the car or try to stop the person driving it. Let police handle the investigation. If the car is registered to you and you cannot find it, file a stolen vehicle report with your local police department and your insurance company. Your insurance company will need the police report number to process a claim.
Police will enter the plate into the National Crime Information database as stolen. If the car is spotted by another officer or recovered, the database will flag it and police will contact you.
Legal risks of tracking without permission
Using GPS, a tracking app, or any other technology to follow someone's movements without their knowledge or consent is illegal in most states. The laws vary by state, but they generally fall under stalking, harassment, or wiretapping statutes. Penalties can include fines, jail time, or both.
Even if you have a reason you think is justified—you suspect infidelity, you are worried about a family member, you want to catch someone committing a crime—the law does not allow you to track them without consent. If you are concerned about someone's safety or behavior, contact the police or a lawyer instead.
If someone is tracking you without your permission, document it, save any evidence, and report it to police. You may also be able to file for a restraining order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I look up who owns a car if I have the license plate number?
In most states, motor vehicle records are not public, so you cannot look up the owner's name using only a plate number. Police can access this information through law enforcement databases, but civilians cannot. If you need to contact the owner, report the situation to police and let them investigate.
Is it legal to use an AirTag or Tile to track someone's car?
No, not without their permission. Placing a tracking device on someone else's car without their knowledge is illegal in most states and can result in stalking or harassment charges. If you own the car and want to track it, you can use these devices on your own vehicle.
What if I see a suspicious car in my neighborhood—can I track it?
No. If you are concerned about a vehicle, note the license plate number and report it to your local police non-emergency line with details about why it seemed suspicious. Let police investigate. Do not attempt to track it yourself.
Can my insurance company track my car without my permission?
No. Insurance companies can only track your vehicle if you have agreed to it in writing, usually as part of a discount program. Read your policy documents to see what you have consented to. You can always opt out of tracking programs.
What should I do if I think someone is tracking my car?
Check your car for unfamiliar devices attached to the frame or plugged into the OBD-II port under the steering wheel. If you find something, photograph it, do not remove it, and report it to police. Also check your phone and car's app settings to see if location sharing is turned on without your knowledge.