Searching records/How to Format Dial-In Searches

Test records

If you are a new DIAL-IN user, we recommend that you practice searching records using the DMV's test records. This will allow you to become familiar with the system without incurring any search fees. However, there is a $1 fee to order a certified abstract.

To begin searching test records, use the following convention. When searching by name, type: DIAL,TEST. You may now search in the License, Registration or Insurance records. The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) may only be searched for using the 17-character VIN.

How to Format Dial-In Searches

Driver license record searches

You will perform your search in the LICENSE section of the Menu. To find a specific driving record, Dial-In needs:

the 9 digit NYS driver license number (client ID number);
or the name and date of birth of the driver.

If you have all the information, type only the driver license number in the MOTORIST IDENTIFICATION NUMBER field. Type only the digits, for example: 932915101. Do not include any spaces, dashes, or other separators. If the driver license number you have was issued by another state, do not use it for Dial-In searches. Dial-In cannot access other state’s driving records.

After you type the driver license number, check your accuracy, then hit the enter key. As soon as you hit the enter key, Dial-In will charge your account for the search.

If you do not have the NYS driver license number, search by using the name, date of birth and sex of the driver. Type them in the NAME, DATE OF BIRTH & SEX fields, respectively, using the following formatting rules:

Name: Type last name, comma, first name, comma, middle initial. For example, to search for John Q. Public, enter PUBLIC,JOHN,Q in the name field. To search for John Doe, type DOE,JOHN in the name field. You are more likely to get a match if you do not use the motorist's middle initial. Dial-In will not be able to find the record if the initial is not on DMV’s records and you include it in your search.

Date of Birth: MMDDYY. For example, a birth date of February 27, 1945 is typed as 022745, a birth date of December 7, 1969 as 120769. If you don’t know the year of birth, you may enter just the 2-digit month and day (MMDD). If you don’t know the day or year, you may enter just the month digits (MM). If there is more than one possible match, Dial-In will return a page of partial records from which you may choose one to expand. There will be up to 5 partial records on a page.

Registration (Plate) record searches

To find a specific registration record, Dial-In needs either:

the plate number; or
the name and date of birth of the registrant.

You will perform your search in the REGISTRATION section of the menu.

If you have all the information, type only the plate number in the PLATE NUMBER field. Type only the letters and digits, for example: DMV510. Do not include any spaces, dashes, or other separators. If the plate number you have was issued by another state, do not use it for Dial-In searches. Dial-In cannot access other state’s registration records.

After you type the plate number, check your accuracy, then hit the enter key. As soon as you hit the enter key, Dial-In will charge your account for the search.

Most NYS plate numbers are unique. However, there are some popular Custom Plate numbers that may appear in several different registration classes, or in an active record and several history records.

If you don’t have the plate number, search by using the name and date of birth of the registrant. The formatting and pricing rules are the same as in the license section above. Please keep in mind that name searches are likely to produce many possible matches, because people often register more than one vehicle.

VIN (Vehicle Title) record searches

You will perform your search in the VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER section of the menu. Type only the VIN in the VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER field. Type only the letters and digits, for example: DIALTEST100000000. Do not include any spaces, dashes, or other separators. Be careful not to type the letter “O” in place of a number “0”. Be equally careful with “I” and “1”. In general, VINs do not contain the letters “O” or “I”.

If you know that the vehicle you are researching was never titled in New York State, do not perform a Dial-In search. Dial-In cannot access other state’s title records.

After you type the VIN, check your accuracy, then hit the enter key. As soon as you hit the enter key, Dial-In will charge your account for the search.

Regular records

When you are not using the above test records, you will incur a search fee of $7 per search, along with the above $1 cost for the printing and mailing of the abstract. Please keep in mind that the fee is for the search, not the results.

If your search entry is formatted properly, you will receive either:

the single record that matches your entry which is yours to expand, view and copy at no additional expense; or,
a partial or full list of possible matches from which your may choose one to expand without additional cost. (For instance, if there are 5 matches and you open the remaining 4, you will be charged $35.)

To print the information on the screen, hit the "Ctrl" and "P" buttons. To capture all the information on the screen, repeat this process for every screen of the record. For license abstracts, you will see End of Record when you have reached the last screen.

If your search entry is not formatted properly, you will receive one of the following results:

No, your entry was invalid. - Occurs when your entry is not properly formatted.
Your client ID was invalid. - Occurs when the program recognizes your entry as a driver license that is not property formatted.
Your search resulted in a "no-hit" condition. Your search argument was XXXXX. Press enter to return to the menu. - Occurs when the entry is for a driver license that is properly formatted but for which NY State does not have a match.

If you receive any of the messages above, please correct your search entry and try again.

Search categories

You may use the DIAL-IN system to browse the below categories using the corresponding search options within each:

License - Motorist identification number OR name and date of birth
Registration - Plate number of name and date of birth
Plate number - Plate number OR name and date of birth OR vehicle identification number
Vehicle identification number - May only be searched using a 17-character VIN