Acceptable use and lawful purpose policy
This policy applies to every request made to Car Owners Check, operated by Forge Global Ltd. By submitting a request, you agree to it.
Why this policy exists
A registered keeper's details are personal data. Identifying a person from a number plate carries a real risk of stalking, harassment and other harm. We therefore act only where there is a lawful purpose, where identifying the keeper is necessary for that purpose and where we have verified the requester. We would rather decline a request than release information that may be misused.
Permitted purposes
We may accept a request where the purpose is documented and falls within one of the following headings.
- Damage to a vehicle or property, where the other driver left without giving details.
- A collision where a driver failed to stop, where the incident has been reported to the police.
- A vehicle abandoned or left on private land, where the requester has an interest in the land.
- Legal proceedings, where a keeper must be identified to issue, serve or progress a claim, and the request comes from, or is supported by, a solicitor or other legal adviser.
- Debt recovery with legal standing, where there is an unsatisfied judgment or a written agreement in default, and the vehicle is linked to the debtor.
- Other purposes that the DVLA itself recognises as reasonable cause, assessed on their facts.
These headings reflect the circumstances in which the DVLA accepts that there may be reasonable cause for the release of keeper details. A purpose within a heading is not enough on its own. We also need evidence.
Prohibited purposes
We do not act, and we will decline, where the purpose is or appears to be:
- tracing a former partner, spouse, relative, friend, neighbour or acquaintance;
- finding or contacting a person who may not wish to be found;
- finding where a person lives or works, or following their movements;
- confronting a driver after a road-rage incident or dispute with no claim attached;
- intimidation, harassment, stalking, threats or revenge;
- identifying a person for private curiosity or for publication;
- any purpose that is unlawful, or that we cannot verify.
Evidence and verification
We may ask for evidence such as a police reference, an insurer's claim number, photographs, a repair estimate, a court order or reference, an agreement, a solicitor's letter, written authority from the person you represent, and proof of your identity. If you do not provide what we ask for, we will not proceed. We decline requests where the evidence does not support the reason given.
Screening and decisions
A member of our team reviews each request. We decide whether to accept it, ask for more information or decline it. We may decline a request without giving detailed reasons, and we record every decision and the reasons for it. A decision to accept is not a promise of a result.
Release of results
We release a result only to the verified requester, or to their solicitor or insurer where the request was made on their behalf, in writing. We release only what is necessary for your stated purpose. We do not release a home address on request.
Conditions on use
If you receive information from us, you must:
- use it only for the purpose you gave us;
- keep it secure and not pass it to anyone who does not need it for that purpose;
- not publish it or post it online;
- not use it to harass, threaten, intimidate or follow any person;
- delete it when you no longer need it for that purpose.
Misuse
If we believe that information has been obtained by false pretences or has been misused, we may refuse future requests, require the information to be deleted and report the matter to the police, the Information Commissioner or other authority. Obtaining personal data unlawfully may be a criminal offence under section 170 of the Data Protection Act 2018.
Concerns
If you have a concern about a request or about information that may have been traced, see the "Concerns about a trace" section of our privacy notice. If you are in immediate danger, call 999.
Have a lawful reason to identify a registered keeper?
Tell us what has happened and why you need the information. We will reply within 24 hours.
Request a trace