# PlateToVIN

> PlateToVIN (platetovin.com) is a REST API for US vehicle data: convert a license plate + state into a VIN, read plates from photos (OCR), decode VINs into full specifications, check open NHTSA safety recalls, and serve catalog-grade vehicle images. Plain HTTP and JSON, no SDK required. Coverage: all 50 US states and DC.

Key facts:
- Plate → VIN: POST https://platetovin.com/api/convert with {"state": "CA", "plate": "7ABC123"} and an `Authorization: <api key>` header. Returns the VIN plus a quick decode (year, make, model, trim, style, engine, fuel, driveType, transmission, color).
- Plate OCR: POST https://platetovin.com/api/ocr with a photo (base64 JSON or multipart). Returns the corrected plate serial, ranked candidate states, per-character confidences and bounding box. Read-only — it never runs a plate lookup itself. Images are never stored.
- VIN decoding: POST https://platetovin.com/api/vin-lookup with {"vin": "..."}. Returns a full structured specification (engine & drivetrain, performance, economy, dimensions, warranty, colors, features).
- Safety recalls: POST https://platetovin.com/api/recalls with a VIN or make/model/year. Free per call on plans that include it. Data from NHTSA.
- Vehicle images: GET https://vehicle-images.platetovin.com/image?search=BMW+3+Series&year=2022&angle=front_angle&color=red&size=large — transparent PNGs, five angles, six colors, three sizes, referer-based auth. Unlicensed/unauthenticated access returns small watermarked previews; an active plan with vehicle images enabled licenses full-resolution use via API or download (see Terms §2.3). Add tier=free for a public, no-auth watermarked preview (front angle only), or browse the free library at https://platetovin.com/car-images.
- Billing: per-lookup pricing with plans; repeat plate lookups are cached for 7 days and free. Sign up at https://platetovin.com/register.

## Documentation

- [API reference](https://platetovin.com/doc): full endpoint documentation — authentication, parameters, response fields, errors, billing
- [Full reference in Markdown](https://platetovin.com/llms-full.txt): this API reference condensed for machine consumption
- [Pricing](https://platetovin.com/plans): plans and per-lookup pricing
- [API status](https://platetovin.com/status): live operational status
- [Changelog](https://platetovin.com/changelog): product updates

## Products

- [License Plate to VIN API](https://platetovin.com/license-plate-to-vin-api): convert any US plate to a VIN in one call
- [VIN Decoding API](https://platetovin.com/vin-decoding): full vehicle specs from a VIN
- [License Plate OCR API](https://platetovin.com/license-plate-ocr): read a plate and issuing state from a photo
- [OCR accuracy methodology](https://platetovin.com/license-plate-ocr/methodology): how OCR accuracy is measured
- [Vehicle Images API](https://platetovin.com/vehicle-images): catalog-grade car images by make, model and year
- [Free Vehicle Image Library](https://platetovin.com/car-images): search and download free watermarked car image previews by make, model and year

## Free tools

- [Recall check by license plate](https://platetovin.com/recalls-by-plate): open NHTSA recalls from a plate and state, no account needed
- [VIN validator & explainer](https://platetovin.com/vin-validator): check digit calculator and interactive VIN breakdown
- [License plate lookup by state](https://platetovin.com/license-plate-lookup): plate serial formats and lookup guides for all 50 states + DC

## Optional

- [About](https://platetovin.com/about): company information (PLATETOVIN LTD)
- [Terms of Service](https://platetovin.com/terms)
- [Privacy Policy](https://platetovin.com/privacy)