MVR Wildcard Search

The MVR Wildcard search allows you to query motor vehicle data by combinations of full/partial motor vehicle information with wildcard characters. For example, if you enter car make Ford, color Red, state GA, and ?D* in the Tag Number field, the results page shows all the red Fords within the state of Georgia that have the letter D as the second character in the license plate tags.

You can search using combinations of any of the following:

• Tag Number
• Tag Type
• VIN
• Make
• Models
• State
• Zip
• Major Color
• Minor Color
• Make Year
• Gender
• Last Name
• First Name
• Middle Name
• Age Range

Note: Before searching, please click the Coverage link to see a list of areas covered by the search.

Topics in this help page are listed below:

• Quick Start
• Wildcard Usage
• Search Tips
• Results Display
• Next Steps

Quick Start

To find a Motor Vehicle record, try using one or more of the following search techniques:

• Search by Tag. You can also search using a partial tag. This can be accomplished by using the Tag Contains checkbox or by using wildcard characters. (See Search by Tag Number.) Select single or multiple Tag Types to sort matching records to the top of the search results.
• Search by VIN. You can also search a partial VIN with wildcard characters. (See Wildcard Usage.)
• Search by owner Name. This returns records that have the same owner names. This technique is helpful if the name is unique.
• Search by Name and Age Range. This returns records for the listed names whose age falls within the specified age range.
• Search by Make and Major Color. This returns records for the listed vehicles that match the major color specified.

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Wildcard Usage

Wildcard characters (* and ?) are available for use only in the Tag Number and the VIN fields.

* is used to designate any number of characters. If you enter *ann* in the Tag Number field the system returns all vehicle tags that contain "ann" in that order anywhere in the tag. Examples: Anne1, Vann1, or 32ann. Or if you enter a*t the system returns tags that begin with the letter "a" and end with the letter "t". Example: ABC32T.

If you enter *123* in the VIN field the system returns all VIN’s that contain “123” in that order anywhere in the VIN. Or if you enter 1*9 in the VIN field the system returns all VIN’s that begin with a “1” and ends with a “9”. Or if you enter 1*2*3 in the VIN field the system returns all VIN’s that begin with a "1", contain a "2" somewhere in the VIN after the “1”, and ends with a “3”.

? is used to designate a placeholder for one single character. If you enter ?a* in the Tag Number field the system returns all tags whose second letter is "a". Examples: 1abc, car1.

If you enter ?5* in the VIN field the system returns all VINs that have a “5” in the second position.

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Search Tips

Please be reminded that data is not always complete. If the raw data does not contain a value specified in your search, you will not get a hit. In this case it is recommended that you expand your search by eliminating some of the search criteria.

Searching by Tag Number

• Wildcard searches are allowed when searching by partial Tag Number. For details please reference Wildcard Usage.
• Checking the Tag Contains box will query for any combination of the information entered in the Tag Number field.
• When Tag Contains box is checked do not use any wildcard characters.
• You may choose to select one or more types of tags from the Tag Type window to sort the matching records at the top of the search results.

Searching by VIN

Wildcard searches are allowed when searching by partial VIN. For details please reference Wildcard Usage.

Searching by Make and Model

If you know the make AND model of the vehicle you would like to search, select the one Make you would like searched, and the option will then be available for you to select one or more Models that pertain to that Make.

To select a make:

1. Click the icon by Make to reveal a list of vehicle makes.
2. Check the desired make.
   Note: You can check more than one make. However if you select multiple, the search will not allow you to select a model.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the list and click Select Makes. Your selection populates the Make field.

Follow the same steps above to select Models.

Selecting Major Color and Minor Color

If you are unsure of the color of the vehicle, simply leave the default setting to All.

If you already have the select color window open, select Cancel at the bottom of the color list.

You are allowed to select multiple Major Colors in a search.

1. Click the icon next to the Major Color field to bring up the select color window.
2. Choose the color(s) you want by placing a check in the box to the left of your color choice.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the list, and click Select Colors. Your selection populates the Major Color field, each separated by a |.

Follow the same steps above to select Minor Color.

Searching with Radius

Radius is used in combination with name or address search.

If you are unsure of the exact location, supply the zip code and specify a radius (no more than 100 miles). This expands the search area to the specified number of miles from the center of that zip code.

Note: If you do not include a zip code, the Radius option is not allowed.

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Results Display

Results vary from state to state but may return the following information:

• Description
• VIN
• State of Origin
• Tag Number
• Tag Type
• Owner(s)
  • Name (First, Last)
  • DOB
  • SSN
  • Gender
  • Address
• Registrant(s)
  • Name (First, Last)
  • DOB
  • SSN
  • Gender
  • Address

Find a Vehicle in the Results List

Identify the proper records by carefully examining the information displayed. Make sure the record(s) you pick fits into what is known of the subject.

Refining a Name Search

If you conduct a search on a name that is popular, you will get a long list of results.

Adding criteria, such as middle name, or middle initial, refines a search.

Please keep in mind that some records may not contain a middle name or initial, so providing one could eliminate records you may want included in the results list.

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Next Steps

There are a few things you can do with the results records. You can copy/print/email one or all records, export the results list to Excel, search deeper on elements with hyperlinks, launch Relavint, and order reports.

Export the Results List to Excel

Make sure you have a spreadsheet program in your computer. If not exporting is not an option.

1. Click the Export to Excel button on the top right of the results list. The Download box pops up.
2. Check one of the two radio buttons to choose to download the records on the first page (records 1 to 25) or all of the records.
3. Click the Download button. The File Download prompt appears momentarily.
4. Click the Save button. The Save As dialog box displays with File name populated, and file extension as .csv (which is Excel compatible).
5. Accept the default File name or change it to another name as desired.
6. Click the Save button again.

You can later open the .csv file in Excel and then save it as an .xls file.

Search Deeper

In the results list, VIN, Tag Number, Full Name, SSN, and Address contain links for further searches.

1. Click the desired link. A Further Research box opens that contains all the possible options for further searches.
   Note: The search options vary depending on the element you pick for further searches. For example, the Further Research box has more options for an address than for a VIN.
2. Make a selection from the Further Research box. The system automatically performs the search selected and populates the results in the same window.

Launch Relavint

1. Click the Relavint Visual Link Analysis link in the Further Research box. The Relavint™ Visual Link Analysis screen appears.
2. Click the Start Relavint button. The Relavint™ Software License Agreement text displays.
3. Click I Agree.
4. Click to Continue.

The Relavint chart is ready in a matter of seconds.

To learn more about this linking tool, click the ?HELP button at the bottom left.

Order Reports

There are two report links available for ordering on the results list: Other Reports (which shows available reports including the Comprehensive Report that covers every aspect of the subject) and Motor Vehicle Report (which contains motor vehicle registration information only).

Following are the steps to order an available report. The ordering of a Motor Vehicle Report is similar.

1. Click the Other Reports link in the Further Research box. The Available Reports screen displays with the following report options: Summary Report, Asset Report, Finder Report, Comprehensive Report, and Custom Comprehensive Report.
2. Click the Request Report button for the report you want. The report populates the page in a matter of seconds.

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