Have you ever encountered a situation where you urgently need to find the owner of a car by license plate number? Perhaps your car was hit in a parking lot and the culprit got away, or you want to check the car's history before purchasing. The Internet is full of offers to “find out everything in 5 minutes,” but most of them are fraud or violation of the law on personal data (413-FZ).

In this article we will look at legal ways obtaining information about the owner of the vehicle through official sources: from requests to the traffic police to verification through a notary. We'll also explain why. “databases with phone numbers by license plate number” - it’s always a scam, and how not to run into a fine for illegal collection of information. Spoiler: without a good reason (road accident, lawsuit, car purchase), access to the owner’s personal data is closed even to lawyers.

Before trying to find the owner, check whether your situation falls under the exceptions in Federal Law No. 413-FZ “About personal data.” Otherwise, you risk getting a fine up to 300 000 ₽ for illegal collection of information (Article 13.11 of the Administrative Code). Here three legal grounds for request:

  • 🚨 Accident or damage: if the culprit’s car fled the scene of the accident, you can request data through the traffic police or the court to recover damages.
  • ⚖️ Trial: if the owner of the vehicle is a defendant in the case (for example, in debts or property disputes).
  • 📄 Check before buying a car: A notary or car dealership can request an owner's history via EAISTO (Unified automated information system for technical inspection).

In all other cases - for example, if you just want to “get to know” the owner of the car you like - access to data prohibited by federal law. Even if you are offered a “traffic police database” for 500 ₽, this is either fraud or stolen data (which is even worse for you as a buyer).

⚠️ Attention: Since 2023, for the distribution of personal data without the consent of the owner (including through Telegram bots or websites) criminal liability according to Art. 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation - up to 4 years in prison.

2. Official request to the traffic police: step-by-step instructions

If you have a legal reason (for example, an accident), you can submit a request to the traffic police to provide information about the owner. Here's how to do it:

  1. Collect documents:
    • 📝 Statement addressed to the head of the regional traffic police (sample can be downloaded on the website traffic police.rf).
    • 📸 Photo/video of accident (if the request is related to an accident).
    • 📋 Copy of passport and STS of your car (if you are a participant in the incident).
  • Submit a request:
    • 🏛️ Personally to the traffic police department at the place of registration of the vehicle.
    • 📧 By mail (registered letter with notification).
    • 🌐 Via Autocode (if you have access to the system as an authorized person).

      • The deadline for consideration of the request is until 30 days. If the traffic police refuses, you can appeal the decision in court. Important: in the answer you will only be given Full name and registered address of the owner — you will not receive a phone number or email.

      Application with justification for the request|Copy of the applicant's passport|Documents confirming the basis (certificate of an accident, court decision)|Receipt for payment of the state fee (350 ₽ for individuals)-->

      3. Online services: what you can learn legally

      There are hundreds of sites on the Internet that promise to “find the owner by number in 5 minutes,” but 99% of them are either scammers or use stolen data. However there is legal servicesthat provide limited information about the car (but not about the owner!):

      Service What you can find out Cost Link
      Autocode Ownership history (number of owners, terms), mileage, participation in an accident 349 ₽ per report autocode.rf
      Traffic police.Online Presence of fines, search, restrictions on registration Free traffic police.rf/check
      CarVertical Mileage, damage, tachograph data (for trucks) from 499 ₽ carvertical.com

      These services do not show the owner's name or contacts, but they will help you check the car before buying. For example, if the report Autocode It is indicated that the car had 5 owners in a year - this is a reason to be wary.

      Yes, before buying|Yes, after an accident|No, but I plan to|No, I don’t trust such services-->

      4. Notary request: how it works and how much it costs

      If you are buying a used car and want to make sure that the seller is actually the owner, you can do notary request at the traffic police department. The notary has the right to request information about the owner of the vehicle at your request.

      The process looks like this:

      1. You contact a notary with a request to verify the owner of the car using the license plate number.
      2. The notary sends an official request to the traffic police (through the system Unified notary register).
      3. During 5–10 days you receive a response with the owner’s full name and PTS data.

      Service cost: 1 500–3 000 ₽ (depending on the region). Important: the notary will not give you the owner’s contact information - only confirmation that the person selling the car is really its owner.

      💡

      If the seller refuses to provide a title or vehicle title for inspection, this is a reason to refuse the transaction. The car is probably pawned or listed as stolen.

      5. Through the courts: when this is the only way out

      If you were harmed (for example, your car was damaged in a parking lot) and the owner escaped, you can sue identifying the perpetrator of harm. The judge has the right to request information about the owner of the vehicle from the traffic police.

      To do this you need:

      1. Collect evidence (photos/videos from cameras, witness statements).
      2. File a claim in the district court at the location of the incident.
      3. In the statement of claim, indicate a request to identify the owner of the vehicle (indicating the license plate number).

    Case consideration period: 1–3 months. If the court satisfies the claim, the traffic police will be required to provide information about the owner. The disadvantage of this method is the long process and the need to pay state fees (300–1 000 ₽ depending on the amount of the claim).

    ⚠️ Attention: If the damage is less 50 000 ₽, the court may reject the claim due to “disproportionality of demands.” In this case, it is better to contact the police regarding the fact of causing harm (Article 167 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

    6. Fraudulent schemes: how to avoid becoming a victim

    The Internet is full of “services” that promise to find the owner by number for money. Here signs of scammers:

    • 💰 Asking for payment up to provision of data (these services operate on a postpaid basis).
    • 📱 They promise to give phone number or address - this is not possible legally.
    • 🔗 The site has been registered for less than a year or has a suspicious domain (for example, .xyz or .top).
    • 📧 They ask you to send a scan of your passport “for verification” - this is a way to steal your data.

    A common pattern: you receive an SMS like “Your car was involved in an accident! Find out the details at [link].” By clicking on the link, you will be taken to a phishing site where your bank card details will be stolen. The traffic police never sends out an SMS asking you to follow a link..

    Example of a scam site

    On the website "AvtoBaza-2026.ru" offer “full information about the owner” for 299 ₽. After payment, you receive a file with random data (for example, full name and address of a person from another region). In fact, scammers simply substitute data from open sources (telephone directories, social networks) and pass them off as the “traffic police database.”

    7. Alternative methods: when the number does not help

    If legal methods don't work, you can try indirect methods:

    • 🔍 Search by VIN code: if you know the VIN (for example, you took a photo of it through the windshield), you can check the car's history on vin.history.
    • 📸 Social networks and forums: sometimes owners post photos of their cars on Instagram or on Drive2. A search by license plate number may give results.
    • 🚔 Contacting the police: if we are talking about an offense (theft, fraud), the police can help establish the identity through operational search activities.

      • Important: even if you found the owner through social networks, It is prohibited to use this data for pressure or blackmail. The maximum you can do is to politely contact to resolve the conflict (for example, regarding an accident).

      💡

      No legal method provides a 100% guarantee of obtaining the owner’s contacts. If you are refused by the traffic police or the court, it means that your situation does not fall under the exceptions of 413-FZ.

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions

      Can I find out the owner by the license plate number if the car is parked in my place?

      No, this is not a legal reason. You can call a tow truck (if the car is parked in violation), but you cannot obtain the owner’s information without an accident or a lawsuit.

      How much does checking through Autocode cost?

      Cost of the report - 349 ₽ for one request. If you buy a subscription, the price is reduced to 250 ₽ for the report.

      Is it possible to find out the owner by number through the insurance company?

      Only if you have an MTPL policy and an accident occurs. The insurance company may request the details of the culprit for compensation, but will not give them to you directly.

      What happens if I buy owner data from a “hacker”?

      You risk running into fine up to 300,000 ₽ (Article 13.11 of the Administrative Code) or even criminal case (Article 137 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation), if the data was obtained illegally. In addition, there is no guarantee that the information is reliable.

      Is it possible to find out the owner through State Services?

      No, Public services do not provide such data. Maximum - you can check your fines or the history of your car.