License plate search privacy question
 

My son, a new driver, was followed by an aggressive driver that my son apparently turned in front of. He said the guy was pretty agitated but broke-off the tail-gating and following thing after several blocks. Can people look up a license plate and find out where we live or are there sufficient firewalls to keep that information undisclosed to the general public?

Thanks in advance.

I think you are in WA state? If so, one can go to DOL (DMV), fill out a form, pay $5 and get info on a registered owner (RO) ....It is public information. The person making the request states a reason and the RO is sent a notification. Other states have varying procedures.

ON the other hand, tempers cool and this almost never happens......I wouldn't worry...

Yeah, WA state. I found some online stuff where you pay and find out the info on a plate. Just curious and thanks for the reply. My son said the guy was pretty wound-up and so he was headed for the police station just in case. The guy broke-off and hopefully chilled-out.

People generally cool off over minor stuff like that but license plate search info is dangerous for other reasons. CA. changed their laws many years ago after a famous murder in which a young actress was killed by a stalker who got her address from the DMV using one of those $5 forms.

That sucks that WA allows that. If they do, you should look into changing your address they use to a PO Box. I'm sure the guy was just trying to intimidate your son and it's over. If your son got his plate, then you know what to do...

Does you state have an online service where you can check driving records? If so, you can also search by license plate. If you have a parking ticket, it may show up and you can cross reference and may come up with a name. After that you can use Zabasearch, Pipl or Spokeo to get an address.

Don't, just don't, you'll end up the criminal if you do anything and they'll have the proof that you tracked him down.

If you feel like you need to do anything, get ahold of a police supervisor at the station and tell them what happened and the plate number. But like others have said, just "write it off" as some jerk being a jerk.