If you are like most people, you probably do not give much thought to your license plate. You might not even think about it until someone takes a picture of your license without your permission. So, is it legal for someone to take a picture of your license plate? What can they do with the photo? And what can you do to stop them from taking pictures of your car without resorting to violence? In most cases, it is legal for someone to take a picture of your license plate as long as they are not using the photograph for criminal purposes.
Read on to understand whether it is legal for a person to take a picture of your license plate and the steps you can take to stop them.
Is It Illegal to Take Pictures of License Plates?
It is not illegal to take pictures of a license plate in the United States. You can even post the pictures online. However, you have to take the pictures in a public place. If you take pictures of a person’s license plate in their private parking lot or break into their garage, you may violate the owner’s privacy rights. If you are unsure whether you are breaking the law, you should consult an attorney. Additionally, using the license pictures to incite violence against the vehicle’s owner is illegal. Using the pictures of the license plate to disseminate false information against the owner of the vehicle is also illegal.
See Also: Is it Illegal to Take Pictures of Someone’s House Without Them Knowing?
What Can Someone Do with A Picture of Your License Plate?
One of your greatest concerns may be, if someone takes a picture of your license plate what can they do? It is a common misunderstanding that your license plate number is all someone needs to find your intimate details, including your home address. It is true that your license plate is connected to your vehicle registration. While this includes your home address, a few steps are involved in finding someone’s address from their license plate number. In most states, the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) does not release personal information, like home addresses, to the public. This means that if someone were to request your address from the DMV, they would likely be denied.
However, there are some ways around this. In some states, private companies can access DMV records and sell this information. Additionally, law enforcement officers can run a license plate number to get someone’s address if they have a legitimate reason for doing so. This includes pulling someone over for a traffic violation. While it is possible for someone to find your address from your license plate number, it is not easy.
If you are concerned about someone finding your home address from your license plate number, you can do a few things. First, you can check to see if your state offers license plate covers. This can make it difficult to read the plate number. Additionally, you can contact your local DMV and ask them to add an address confidentiality program to your record. This will prevent your address from being released to the public, even if someone requests it. By taking these precautions, you can help to keep your home address private and safe.
What Information Can a Person Gather from Your License Plate Number?
Thankfully, even with your complete license number, an ordinary citizen can only obtain basic information about you. With your license number, a person can determine the car model, its year of manufacture, and the make. A person can also use third-party apps to acquire additional information. These tools let the individual know your car’s accident history, repossession history, natural damage, and other similar information. However, such information is not vital nor poses any danger to you as the car owner.
What Can I Do To Stop Them?
You can do several things to stop someone from taking a picture of your license plate. Another option is a license plate cover, making it difficult for someone to get a clear picture of your license plate. You can also park in a garage or a spot where it is difficult for someone to get a clear view of your license plate. Finally, you can always report your license plate to the police if you think it is being used for illegal purposes.
It is not illegal to take a picture of a license plate in the United States. However, you can be at loggerheads with the law if you do so in a private parking lot or a person’s garage. The information a person can acquire from your license plate is not usually a cause for alarm. However, you can use legal plate covers if you do not want a person to take a picture.
