Does the RUNT lookup cost anything?

No. Looking up by ID or by plate on runt.gov.co is free. Only the vehicle history certificate is paid.

How do I verify my driving licence by ID number?

The RUNT citizen lookup by document shows your licences, category and expiry date. Traffic officers can validate your licence online with that same lookup.

Can I check a car with just the plate?

For the full detail RUNT asks for the plate and the owner's ID number. If you're buying, ask the seller for both.

What is the RUNT vehicle history?

It's a certificate with the chain of owners and the changes recorded for the vehicle. You buy it on runt.gov.co and download it once payment clears. It does not replace the certificado de tradición from the transit office where the car is registered.

RUNT shows me as not registered. What do I do?

Register as an individual at a transit authority with your original ID and fingerprint capture. You do it once, and it's required to get a licence or do vehicle procedures.

Vehicles & traffic

How do I check RUNT by ID number or by plate?

Checking RUNT is free on runt.gov.co. By ID number you see your registration, your driving licences with category and expiry, and your medical and driving-school certificates. By plate you see SOAT, the technical inspection, the vehicle's data and any liens or restrictions; the system asks for the plate and the owner's ID number. The ownership history is a separate, paid certificate.

Go to the official RUNT (Registro Único Nacional de Tránsito) site ↗

Independent guide by Colombia Move. Not a government website: the procedure itself is done on the official portal linked here.

Cost: Lookups by ID and by plate are free. The vehicle history certificate (previous owners and changes) is paid: the current price is shown before you pay on runt.gov.co (RUNT listed it at about COP 34,000 in 2022). Registering as an individual is paid at the transit authority (COP 22,300 in Bogotá in 2026).
How long: The lookup is instant. The vehicle history downloads as soon as the payment is confirmed.
Where: RUNT (Registro Único Nacional de Tránsito) · Online
Last checked: November 5, 2026

Who needs it

Drivers who want to confirm their licence is valid, and anyone buying or selling a used car or motorbike: before paying or signing, check SOAT, inspection, liens, seizures and that the seller is the registered owner.

What you need

For a person lookup: document type and number (cédula, cédula de extranjería, PPT or passport).
For a vehicle lookup: the plate and the registered owner's ID number.
For the vehicle history: an online payment method (PSE), since it is a paid certificate.

Step by step

1Go to runt.gov.co (check that it ends in .gov.co) and open the citizen lookup (consulta ciudadana).
2To see your licence: choose the citizen lookup by document, your document type, type the number without dots and solve the captcha.
3Review your registration status, each licence (category A1, A2, B1, C1…), its expiry date and your CRC and CEA certificates.
4To check a vehicle: choose the lookup by plate, enter the plate and the owner's ID, and review SOAT, inspection, liens and ownership restrictions.
5If you're buying, cross-check SIMIT (fines for the seller and the plate) and, if you want the chain of previous owners, buy the vehicle history certificate on the same portal.

Tips and common mistakes

Only use runt.gov.co. Many 'RUNT by plate' sites are not official: they charge for free information or keep your data.
The ID lookup does not list the cars in your name; that comes from the plate lookup or the vehicle history.
Before buying, ask the seller for the plate and their ID and run the lookup yourself. If the name doesn't match the registered owner, stop.
A lien (unpaid loan) or a seizure blocks the transfer until it is lifted. Ask for the bank's clearance letter before paying.
If you're selling, run the lookup before listing: an ad with valid SOAT and inspection and no fines earns more trust.

Frequently asked questions

Does the RUNT lookup cost anything?: No. Looking up by ID or by plate on runt.gov.co is free. Only the vehicle history certificate is paid.
How do I verify my driving licence by ID number?: The RUNT citizen lookup by document shows your licences, category and expiry date. Traffic officers can validate your licence online with that same lookup.
Can I check a car with just the plate?: For the full detail RUNT asks for the plate and the owner's ID number. If you're buying, ask the seller for both.
What is the RUNT vehicle history?: It's a certificate with the chain of owners and the changes recorded for the vehicle. You buy it on runt.gov.co and download it once payment clears. It does not replace the certificado de tradición from the transit office where the car is registered.
RUNT shows me as not registered. What do I do?: Register as an individual at a transit authority with your original ID and fingerprint capture. You do it once, and it's required to get a licence or do vehicle procedures.

Official sources

Checked on November 5, 2026. Fees and requirements can change; the official site always wins.

Go deeper

Is your car or motorbike up to date?

List it for free with valid SOAT and inspection in the ad. Buyers message you directly on WhatsApp, no commission.

Sell my vehicle

Need a hand?

Find paperwork and legal help on Colombia Move

Independent providers help with appointments, translations and document prep. Contact them directly, with no commission. Never pay anyone who promises to skip official requirements.

Browse providers Offer this service for free

Marketplace activity