# Plate-to-VIN API

> Quickly decode any license plate in the US using the plate to VIN API.

Plate-to-VIN converts a US license plate and its two-letter state code into the vehicle's VIN, year, make, model, trim, drivetrain, engine and transmission. Send GET /plate/{state}/{plate} with your API key. It is available on the Scale plan at $0.055 per call, with up to 50 requests per second.

## Endpoint

`GET https://api.auto.dev/plate/{state}/{plate}`

- `state` (path): Two-letter US state code of the plate's registration. Format: `[A-Za-z]{2}`.
- `plate` (path): License plate number.

Authenticate with `Authorization: Bearer <key>`, `?apiKey=<key>` or `X-API-Key: <key>`.

```sh
curl "https://api.auto.dev/plate/$STATE/$PLATE" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $AUTODEV_API_KEY"
```

## What it returns

- VIN
- Year, make and model
- Trim
- Drivetrain
- Engine
- Transmission

Response:

```json
{
  "vin": "1N4BL4BV3LC205823",
  "year": 2020,
  "make": "Nissan",
  "model": "Altima",
  "trim": "2.5 S Sedan 4D",
  "drivetrain": "FWD",
  "engine": "4-Cyl, 2.5 Liter",
  "transmission": "Automatic, Xtronic CVT",
  "isDefault": true
}
```

## Pricing

- Free: not available on this plan, 5 requests per second
- Growth: not available on this plan, 10 requests per second
- Scale: $0.055 per call, 50 requests per second

## Use it from an AI agent

Hosted MCP server (recommended): https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp, named `auto-dev`. Sign-in is OAuth on first use, so agents never handle an API key.

- Claude Code: `claude mcp add --transport http auto-dev https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp`. Then run /mcp in Claude Code and choose Authenticate for auto-dev.
- Claude Desktop: In Settings, open Connectors, choose Add Custom Connector, name it auto-dev and paste https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp, then sign in
- Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json): `{"mcpServers":{"auto-dev":{"url":"https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp"}}}`. Restart Cursor. Sign-in opens on the first tool call.
- VS Code (.vscode/mcp.json): `{"servers":{"auto-dev":{"type":"http","url":"https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp"}}}`. For Copilot agent mode, VS Code 1.99 or later. Sign-in opens on first use.
- Windsurf (~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json): `{"mcpServers":{"auto-dev":{"serverUrl":"https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp"}}}`. Restart Windsurf. Sign-in opens on the first tool call.
- Grok Bot: send `Add a custom MCP server called auto-dev at https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp`. Confirm, then choose Authorize and sign in. Type @auto-dev in a chat to use it.
- Muse: send `Connect Auto.dev`. Or open Settings, then Connectors, and choose Connect next to Auto.dev. Sign in when asked.
- ChatGPT and dots: At chatgpt.com/plugins, choose + and Add custom MCP server, paste https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp and choose OAuth, then Create as a plugin. Your dot uses the same plugin

Or install the `auto` CLI, the local MCP server (`auto --mcp`) and the JavaScript SDK in one package:

```sh
npm install -g @auto.dev/sdk
auto login
auto mcp install
```

- Agent skill: `npx skills add drivly/auto-dev-skill`

This API is the `auto_plate` MCP tool. From the terminal: `auto plate $STATE $PLATE`

## Questions

### What does the Plate-to-VIN API return?

VIN, year, make and model, trim, drivetrain, engine, transmission. Every response is JSON from `https://api.auto.dev/plate/{state}/{plate}`.

### How much does the Plate-to-VIN API cost?

Plate-to-VIN is available from the Scale plan. It costs $0.055 per call on Scale, on top of the plan's subscription.

### How do I call the Plate-to-VIN API?

Send `GET /plate/{state}/{plate}` to `api.auto.dev` with your API key as a Bearer token in the `Authorization` header, or as an `apiKey` query parameter. The path takes `state`, the two-letter US state code of the plate's registration, and `plate`, the license plate number.

### What are the rate limits for Plate-to-VIN?

Rate limits follow your plan: 5 requests per second on Free, 10 on Growth and 50 on Scale. Plate-to-VIN needs Scale or above.

### Can AI agents use the Plate-to-VIN API?

Yes. Connect the hosted MCP server, `https://mcp.auto.dev/mcp`, and agents such as Claude Code and Cursor call it as the `auto_plate` tool, signing in with OAuth instead of an API key. Or run it locally: `npm install -g @auto.dev/sdk`, then `auto login` and `auto mcp install`.

## Related APIs

- [Global VIN Decode](https://www.auto.dev/vin.md): Decode any VIN to access comprehensive vehicle data and specifications.
- [Specifications](https://www.auto.dev/specifications.md): Detailed technical specifications, features, and options for any vehicle model.
- [OEM Build Data](https://www.auto.dev/oem-build-data.md): Original equipment manufacturer build data and production information.

## References

- Docs: https://docs.auto.dev/v2/products/plate-to-vin
- OpenAPI: https://www.auto.dev/openapi.json (JSON), https://www.auto.dev/openapi.yaml (YAML)
- llms.txt: https://www.auto.dev/llms.txt
- Pricing: https://www.auto.dev/pricing
- Sign up: https://www.auto.dev/signin?redirectUrl=%2Fonboarding