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Archive for October, 2025

How to Integrate the RegCheck Vehicle Lookup #API with #OpenAI Actions

In today’s AI-driven world, connecting specialized APIs to large language models opens up powerful possibilities. One particularly useful integration is connecting vehicle registration lookup services to OpenAI’s custom GPTs through Actions. In this tutorial, we’ll walk through how to integrate the RegCheck API with OpenAI Actions, enabling your custom GPT to look up vehicle information from over 30 countries.

What is RegCheck?

RegCheck is a comprehensive vehicle data API that provides detailed information about vehicles based on their registration numbers (license plates). With support for countries including the UK, USA, Australia, and most of Europe, it’s an invaluable tool for automotive businesses, insurance companies, and vehicle marketplace platforms.

Why Integrate with OpenAI Actions?

OpenAI Actions allow custom GPTs to interact with external APIs, extending their capabilities beyond text generation. By integrating RegCheck, you can create a GPT assistant that:

  • Instantly looks up vehicle specifications for customers
  • Provides insurance quotes based on real vehicle data
  • Assists with vehicle valuations and sales listings
  • Answers detailed questions about specific vehicles

Prerequisites

Before you begin, you’ll need:

  • An OpenAI Plus subscription (for creating custom GPTs)
  • A RegCheck API account with credentials
  • Basic familiarity with OpenAPI specifications

Step-by-Step Integration Guide

Step 1: Create Your Custom GPT

Navigate to OpenAI’s platform and create a new custom GPT. Give it a name like “Vehicle Lookup Assistant” and configure its instructions to handle vehicle-related queries.

Step 2: Add the OpenAPI Schema

In your GPT configuration, navigate to the “Actions” section and add the following OpenAPI specification:

yaml

openapi: 3.0.0
info:
  title: RegCheck Vehicle Lookup API
  version: 1.0.0
  description: API for looking up vehicle registration information across multiple countries
servers:
  - url: https://www.regcheck.org.uk/api/json.aspx

paths:
  /Check/{registration}:
    get:
      operationId: checkUKVehicle
      summary: Get details for a vehicle in the UK
      parameters:
        - name: registration
          in: path
          required: true
          schema:
            type: string
          description: UK vehicle registration number
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Successful response
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object

  /CheckSpain/{registration}:
    get:
      operationId: checkSpainVehicle
      summary: Get details for a vehicle in Spain
      parameters:
        - name: registration
          in: path
          required: true
          schema:
            type: string
          description: Spanish vehicle registration number
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Successful response
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object

  /CheckFrance/{registration}:
    get:
      operationId: checkFranceVehicle
      summary: Get details for a vehicle in France
      parameters:
        - name: registration
          in: path
          required: true
          schema:
            type: string
          description: French vehicle registration number
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Successful response
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object

  /VinCheck/{vin}:
    get:
      operationId: checkVehicleByVin
      summary: Get details for a vehicle by VIN number
      parameters:
        - name: vin
          in: path
          required: true
          schema:
            type: string
          description: Vehicle Identification Number
      responses:
        '200':
          description: Successful response
          content:
            application/json:
              schema:
                type: object

Note: You can expand this schema to include additional endpoints for other countries as needed. The RegCheck API supports over 30 countries.

Step 3: Configure Authentication

  1. In the Authentication section, select Basic authentication
  2. Enter your RegCheck API username
  3. Enter your RegCheck API password
  4. OpenAI will securely encrypt and store these credentials

The authentication header will be automatically included in all API requests made by your GPT.

Step 4: Test Your Integration

Use the built-in test feature in the Actions panel to verify the connection:

  1. Select the checkUKVehicle operation
  2. Enter a test registration like YYO7XHH
  3. Click “Test” to see the response

You should receive a JSON response with vehicle details including make, model, year, engine size, and more.

Step 5: Configure GPT Instructions

Update your GPT’s instructions to effectively use the new Actions:

You are a vehicle information assistant. When users provide a vehicle 
registration number, use the appropriate CheckVehicle action based on 
the country. Present the information in a clear, user-friendly format.

Always ask which country the registration is from if not specified.
Provide helpful context about the vehicle data returned.

Example Use Cases

Once integrated, your GPT can handle queries like:

User: “What can you tell me about UK registration YYO7XHH?”

GPT: [Calls checkUKVehicle action] “This is a 2007 Peugeot 307 X-line with a 1.4L petrol engine. It’s a 5-door manual transmission vehicle with right-hand drive…”

User: “Look up Spanish plate 0075LTJ”

GPT: [Calls checkSpainVehicle action] “Here’s the information for that Spanish vehicle…”

Best Practices and Considerations

API Limitations

  • The RegCheck API is currently in BETA and may change without notice
  • Consider implementing error handling in your GPT instructions
  • Be aware of rate limits on your API account

Privacy and Security

  • Never expose API credentials in your GPT’s instructions or responses
  • Inform users that vehicle lookups are being performed
  • Comply with data protection regulations in your jurisdiction

Optimizing Performance

  • Cache frequently requested vehicle information where appropriate
  • Use the most specific endpoint (e.g., CheckSpain vs. generic Check)
  • Consider implementing fallback behavior for failed API calls

Expanding the Integration

The RegCheck API offers many more endpoints you can integrate:

  • UKMOT: Access MOT test history for UK vehicles
  • WheelSize: Get wheel and tire specifications
  • CarSpecifications: Retrieve detailed specs by make/model/year
  • Country-specific checks: Add support for Australia, USA, and 25+ other countries

Simply add these endpoints to your OpenAPI schema following the same pattern.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Authentication Errors: Double-check your username and password are correct in the Authentication settings.

404 Not Found: Verify the registration format matches the country’s standard format.

Empty Responses: Some vehicles may not have complete data in the RegCheck database.

Conclusion

Integrating the RegCheck API with OpenAI Actions transforms a standard GPT into a powerful vehicle information assistant. Whether you’re building tools for automotive dealerships, insurance platforms, or customer service applications, this integration provides instant access to comprehensive vehicle data from around the world.

The combination of AI’s natural language understanding with RegCheck’s extensive vehicle database creates a seamless user experience that would have required significant custom development just a few years ago.

Ready to get started? Create your RegCheck account, set up your custom GPT, and start building your vehicle lookup assistant today!

Spanish Vehicle Registration API: Complete Guide to Vehicle and Motorcycle Data Lookup in Spain

https://www.matriculaapi.com/
Spain maintains a comprehensive vehicle registration system managed by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), covering over 25 million registered vehicles across the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, and Spanish territories. The Spanish Vehicle Registration API provides developers and businesses with access to detailed vehicle specifications, technical data, and theft status information for both cars and motorcycles registered throughout Spain.

Overview of Spanish Vehicle Registration System

Spain’s vehicle registration is centralized under the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), which maintains detailed records for all vehicles operating on Spanish roads. The system provides comprehensive data including technical specifications, variant information, and critical safety indicators such as stolen vehicle status.

Spanish license plates have evolved through several formats:

  • Current format (2000-present): Four numbers + three letters (1234 ABC)
  • Previous format: Letters indicating province + numbers + letters
  • Special plates: Diplomatic, military, historical, and temporary registrations

Spanish Vehicle API Features

Available Data for Cars

When querying Spanish car registrations through the /CheckSpain endpoint, you can retrieve:

  • Make and Model – Complete manufacturer and vehicle model identification
  • Registration Year – Year when the vehicle was first registered in Spain
  • Registration Date – Exact date of vehicle registration
  • Engine Specifications – Engine displacement in cubic centimeters
  • Fuel Type – Detailed fuel classification (Diesel, Gasolina, etc.)
  • Vehicle Variant – Specific model variant and trim level
  • Technical Details – Number of seats, doors, and variant type
  • Power Rating – Dynamic power in horsepower
  • VIN Number – Vehicle Identification Number when available
  • Stolen Status – Critical indicator if vehicle has been reported stolen
  • Indicative Price – Reference pricing information

Sample Car Response Format

{
  "Description": "RENAULT MEGANE",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "RENAULT"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MEGANE"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "RENAULT"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "MEGANE"
  },
  "EngineSize": "1461",
  "VehicleIdentificationNumber": null,
  "RegistrationYear": "2010",
  "RegistrationDate": "06/07/2010",
  "Variation": "EXPRESSION 1.5DCI 85",
  "Seats": null,
  "VariantType": "Diesel 1461 cc 5 puertas",
  "VehicleType": "Car",
  "Fuel": "Diesel",
  "IndicativePrice": null,
  "Doors": "5",
  "AllTerain": null,
  "DynamicPower": "85.0",
  "Stolen": null
}

Spanish Motorcycle API

Dedicated Motorcycle Endpoint

For motorcycles and scooters registered in Spain, use the specialized motorcycle endpoint: https://www.matriculaapi.com/api/bespokeapi.asmx?op=CheckMotorBikeSpain

This endpoint returns motorcycle-specific data optimized for two-wheeled vehicles.

Available Data for Motorcycles

When querying Spanish motorcycle registrations, you can retrieve:

  • Make and Model – Motorcycle manufacturer and model identification
  • Registration Year – Year of first registration in Spain
  • Registration Date – Exact registration date
  • Engine Size – Engine displacement in cubic centimeters
  • Fuel Type – Fuel classification (typically Gasolina for motorcycles)
  • Variant – Specific motorcycle variant and version
  • Number of Seats – Rider and passenger capacity
  • Indicative Price – Reference pricing information
  • Transmission Type – Manual or automatic transmission
  • Dynamic Power – Power output in horsepower
  • Stolen Status – Critical theft indicator
  • VIN Number – Vehicle Identification Number when available

Sample Motorcycle Response Format

{
  "Description": "SUZUKI DL 650 V-STROM",
  "CarMake": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "SUZUKI"
  },
  "CarModel": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "DL 650"
  },
  "MakeDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "SUZUKI"
  },
  "ModelDescription": {
    "CurrentTextValue": "DL 650"
  },
  "EngineSize": "645",
  "VehicleIdentificationNumber": "",
  "RegistrationYear": "2003",
  "RegistrationDate": "01/11/2003",
  "Variation": "V-STROM",
  "Seats": 1,
  "VariantType": "",
  "VehicleType": "MOTOCICLETA",
  "Fuel": "GASOLINA",
  "IndicativePrice": "7909.79",
  "Doors": 0,
  "AllTerain": 0,
  "KType": 0,
  "Transmission": "MANUAL",
  "DynamicPower": "68",
  "Stolen": null
}

API Implementation

Endpoint Usage

The Spanish Vehicle API uses two primary endpoints:

  1. Cars: /CheckSpain – For passenger vehicles, vans, and trucks
  2. Motorcycles: /CheckMotorBikeSpain – For motorcycles, scooters, and mopeds

Both endpoints require:

  • Registration Number – The complete Spanish license plate number
  • Username – Your API authentication credentials

Basic Implementation Example

// JavaScript example for Spanish vehicle lookup
class SpanishVehicleAPI {
  constructor(username) {
    this.username = username;
    this.carUrl = "https://www.matriculaapi.com/api/reg.asmx/CheckSpain";
    this.motorcycleUrl = "https://www.matriculaapi.com/api/bespokeapi.asmx/CheckMotorBikeSpain";
  }
  
  async lookupCar(registrationNumber) {
    const apiUrl = `${this.carUrl}?RegistrationNumber=${registrationNumber}&username=${this.username}`;
    
    try {
      const response = await fetch(apiUrl);
      const xmlText = await response.text();
      
      // Parse XML response
      const parser = new DOMParser();
      const xmlDoc = parser.parseFromString(xmlText, "text/xml");
      const jsonData = xmlDoc.getElementsByTagName("vehicleJson")[0].textContent;
      const vehicleInfo = JSON.parse(jsonData);
      
      return {
        type: 'car',
        make: vehicleInfo.MakeDescription.CurrentTextValue,
        model: vehicleInfo.ModelDescription.CurrentTextValue,
        year: vehicleInfo.RegistrationYear,
        registrationDate: vehicleInfo.RegistrationDate,
        engineSize: vehicleInfo.EngineSize,
        fuel: vehicleInfo.Fuel,
        power: vehicleInfo.DynamicPower,
        variant: vehicleInfo.Variation,
        variantType: vehicleInfo.VariantType,
        doors: vehicleInfo.Doors,
        seats: vehicleInfo.Seats,
        vin: vehicleInfo.VehicleIdentificationNumber,
        kType: vehicleInfo.KType,
        stolen: vehicleInfo.Stolen,
        indicativePrice: vehicleInfo.IndicativePrice
      };
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Spanish car lookup failed:', error);
      return null;
    }
  }
  
  async lookupMotorcycle(registrationNumber) {
    const apiUrl = `${this.motorcycleUrl}?RegistrationNumber=${registrationNumber}&username=${this.username}`;
    
    try {
      const response = await fetch(apiUrl);
      const xmlText = await response.text();
      
      // Parse XML response
      const parser = new DOMParser();
      const xmlDoc = parser.parseFromString(xmlText, "text/xml");
      const jsonData = xmlDoc.getElementsByTagName("vehicleJson")[0].textContent;
      const motorcycleInfo = JSON.parse(jsonData);
      
      return {
        type: 'motorcycle',
        make: motorcycleInfo.MakeDescription.CurrentTextValue,
        model: motorcycleInfo.ModelDescription.CurrentTextValue,
        year: motorcycleInfo.RegistrationYear,
        registrationDate: motorcycleInfo.RegistrationDate,
        engineSize: motorcycleInfo.EngineSize,
        fuel: motorcycleInfo.Fuel,
        power: motorcycleInfo.DynamicPower,
        variant: motorcycleInfo.Variation,
        seats: motorcycleInfo.Seats,
        transmission: motorcycleInfo.Transmission,
        vin: motorcycleInfo.VehicleIdentificationNumber,
        stolen: motorcycleInfo.Stolen,
        indicativePrice: motorcycleInfo.IndicativePrice
      };
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Spanish motorcycle lookup failed:', error);
      return null;
    }
  }
  
  async lookupWithAutoDetect(registrationNumber) {
    // Try car lookup first
    let result = await this.lookupCar(registrationNumber);
    if (result && result.make) {
      return result;
    }
    
    // If car lookup fails, try motorcycle
    result = await this.lookupMotorcycle(registrationNumber);
    return result;
  }
}

// Usage examples
const api = new SpanishVehicleAPI("your_username");

// Car lookup
api.lookupCar("5428GXS").then(data => {
  if (data) {
    console.log(`Car: ${data.make} ${data.model} (${data.year})`);
    console.log(`Engine: ${data.engineSize}cc ${data.fuel}`);
    console.log(`Power: ${data.power}HP`);
    console.log(`Variant: ${data.variant}`);
    if (data.stolen) {
      console.warn('⚠️ VEHICLE REPORTED STOLEN');
    }
  }
});

// Motorcycle lookup
api.lookupMotorcycle("1234ABC").then(data => {
  if (data) {
    console.log(`Motorcycle: ${data.make} ${data.model} (${data.year})`);
    console.log(`Engine: ${data.engineSize}cc`);
    console.log(`Power: ${data.power}HP`);
    console.log(`Transmission: ${data.transmission}`);
  }
});

// Auto-detect vehicle type
api.lookupWithAutoDetect("5428GXS").then(data => {
  if (data) {
    console.log(`${data.type}: ${data.make} ${data.model}`);
  }
});

Python Implementation

import requests
import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET
import json

class SpanishVehicleAPI:
    def __init__(self, username):
        self.username = username
        self.car_url = "https://www.matriculaapi.com/api/reg.asmx/CheckSpain"
        self.motorcycle_url = "https://www.matriculaapi.com/api/bespokeapi.asmx/CheckMotorBikeSpain"
    
    def validate_spanish_registration(self, registration):
        """Validate Spanish registration number format"""
        if not registration:
            return False, "Registration number is required"
        
        # Remove spaces and convert to uppercase
        reg = registration.replace(" ", "").upper()
        
        # Spanish format: 4 numbers + 3 letters (modern format)
        if len(reg) < 6 or len(reg) > 8:
            return False, "Invalid registration length"
        
        return True, reg
    
    def lookup_car(self, registration_number):
        """Lookup Spanish car with comprehensive error handling"""
        is_valid, processed_reg = self.validate_spanish_registration(registration_number)
        if not is_valid:
            return {"error": processed_reg}
        
        try:
            params = {
                'RegistrationNumber': processed_reg,
                'username': self.username
            }
            
            response = requests.get(self.car_url, params=params, timeout=15)
            response.raise_for_status()
            
            # Parse XML response
            root = ET.fromstring(response.content)
            json_element = root.find('.//vehicleJson')
            
            if json_element is None or not json_element.text:
                return {"error": "No car data found for this registration number"}
            
            vehicle_data = json.loads(json_element.text)
            
            return {
                'success': True,
                'type': 'car',
                'description': vehicle_data.get('Description'),
                'make': vehicle_data.get('MakeDescription', {}).get('CurrentTextValue'),
                'model': vehicle_data.get('ModelDescription', {}).get('CurrentTextValue'),
                'registration_year': vehicle_data.get('RegistrationYear'),
                'registration_date': vehicle_data.get('RegistrationDate'),
                'engine_size': vehicle_data.get('EngineSize'),
                'fuel_type': vehicle_data.get('Fuel'),
                'power_hp': vehicle_data.get('DynamicPower'),
                'variant': vehicle_data.get('Variation'),
                'variant_type': vehicle_data.get('VariantType'),
                'doors': vehicle_data.get('Doors'),
                'seats': vehicle_data.get('Seats'),
                'vin': vehicle_data.get('VehicleIdentificationNumber'),
                'k_type': vehicle_data.get('KType'),
                'stolen': vehicle_data.get('Stolen'),
                'indicative_price': vehicle_data.get('IndicativePrice'),
                'all_terrain': vehicle_data.get('AllTerain'),
                'raw_data': vehicle_data
            }
            
        except Exception as e:
            return {"error": f"Car lookup failed: {str(e)}"}
    
    def lookup_motorcycle(self, registration_number):
        """Lookup Spanish motorcycle"""
        is_valid, processed_reg = self.validate_spanish_registration(registration_number)
        if not is_valid:
            return {"error": processed_reg}
        
        try:
            params = {
                'RegistrationNumber': processed_reg,
                'username': self.username
            }
            
            response = requests.get(self.motorcycle_url, params=params, timeout=15)
            response.raise_for_status()
            
            # Parse XML response
            root = ET.fromstring(response.content)
            json_element = root.find('.//vehicleJson')
            
            if json_element is None or not json_element.text:
                return {"error": "No motorcycle data found for this registration number"}
            
            motorcycle_data = json.loads(json_element.text)
            
            return {
                'success': True,
                'type': 'motorcycle',
                'description': motorcycle_data.get('Description'),
                'make': motorcycle_data.get('MakeDescription', {}).get('CurrentTextValue'),
                'model': motorcycle_data.get('ModelDescription', {}).get('CurrentTextValue'),
                'registration_year': motorcycle_data.get('RegistrationYear'),
                'registration_date': motorcycle_data.get('RegistrationDate'),
                'engine_size': motorcycle_data.get('EngineSize'),
                'fuel_type': motorcycle_data.get('Fuel'),
                'power_hp': motorcycle_data.get('DynamicPower'),
                'variant': motorcycle_data.get('Variation'),
                'seats': motorcycle_data.get('Seats'),
                'transmission': motorcycle_data.get('Transmission'),
                'vin': motorcycle_data.get('VehicleIdentificationNumber'),
                'stolen': motorcycle_data.get('Stolen'),
                'indicative_price': motorcycle_data.get('IndicativePrice'),
                'raw_data': motorcycle_data
            }
            
        except Exception as e:
            return {"error": f"Motorcycle lookup failed: {str(e)}"}
    
    def lookup_with_auto_detect(self, registration_number):
        """Try both car and motorcycle endpoints automatically"""
        # Try car first
        result = self.lookup_car(registration_number)
        if result.get('success'):
            return result
        
        # Try motorcycle if car lookup fails
        result = self.lookup_motorcycle(registration_number)
        if result.get('success'):
            return result
        
        return {"error": "Vehicle not found in car or motorcycle databases"}

# Usage examples
api = SpanishVehicleAPI("your_username")

# Car lookup
car_result = api.lookup_car("5428GXS")
if car_result.get('success'):
    print(f"Car: {car_result['make']} {car_result['model']}")
    print(f"Year: {car_result['registration_year']}")
    print(f"Engine: {car_result['engine_size']}cc {car_result['fuel_type']}")
    print(f"Power: {car_result['power_hp']}HP")
    print(f"Variant: {car_result['variant']}")
    
    if car_result['stolen']:
        print("⚠️ WARNING: VEHICLE REPORTED STOLEN")

# Motorcycle lookup
bike_result = api.lookup_motorcycle("1234ABC")
if bike_result.get('success'):
    print(f"Motorcycle: {bike_result['make']} {bike_result['model']}")
    print(f"Engine: {bike_result['engine_size']}cc")
    print(f"Power: {bike_result['power_hp']}HP")
    print(f"Transmission: {bike_result['transmission']}")

# Auto-detect vehicle type
auto_result = api.lookup_with_auto_detect("5428GXS")
if auto_result.get('success'):
    print(f"Vehicle Type: {auto_result['type']}")
    print(f"Vehicle: {auto_result['make']} {auto_result['model']}")

Spanish Vehicle Registration Format

Current Format (2000-Present)

Spanish license plates use the format: 1234 ABC

  • Four numbers: Sequential numbering (0000-9999)
  • Three letters: Alphabetical sequence (avoiding vowels and confusing letters)
  • No regional identification in current system

Historical Formats

  • Provincial system (1971-2000): Letters indicating province + numbers + letters
    • Examples: M-1234-AB (Madrid), B-5678-CD (Barcelona)

Special Registration Plates

  • Diplomatic: Special CD series with different formatting
  • Historical: H prefix for vintage vehicles over 30 years old
  • Temporary: Red plates for unregistered vehicles
  • Military: Special military identification series
  • Motorcycle: Same format as cars but typically on smaller plates

Understanding Spanish Vehicle Data

Fuel Type Classifications

Spanish fuel type terminology:

  • Gasolina – Petrol/Gasoline
  • Diesel – Diesel fuel
  • Eléctrico – Electric vehicle
  • Híbrido – Hybrid vehicle
  • GLP – Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Autogas)
  • Gas Natural – Compressed Natural Gas

Vehicle Type Classifications

  • Turismo – Passenger car
  • Furgoneta – Van
  • Camión – Truck
  • Motocicleta – Motorcycle
  • Ciclomotor – Moped
  • Quad – All-terrain quad vehicle

Stolen Vehicle Indicator

The Stolen field is critical for security:

  • null – No theft report on record
  • “Yes” or populated value – Vehicle reported stolen to DGT
  • Always check this field before processing vehicle transactions

Spanish Motorcycle Market

Popular Spanish Motorcycle Brands

While Spain is home to fewer motorcycle manufacturers than some European countries, it has a strong motorcycle culture:

Spanish Manufacturers:

  • RIEJU – Off-road and enduro motorcycles
  • Gas Gas – Trial and enduro specialists
  • Derbi – Scooters and small displacement motorcycles (now part of Piaggio)
  • Bultaco – Historic brand with recent electric motorcycle revival
  • Ossa – Classic motorcycle manufacturer

Popular International Brands in Spain:

  • Honda – Leading market share in Spain
  • Yamaha – Popular for both scooters and motorcycles
  • Suzuki – Strong presence in touring and adventure segments
  • BMW – Premium motorcycle segment leader
  • Harley-Davidson – Cruiser market leader

Motorcycle Registration Specifics

Spanish motorcycles follow the same registration format as cars but with motorcycle-specific data:

  • Detailed engine displacement tracking
  • Power output in horsepower
  • Transmission type (manual vs automatic/semi-automatic)
  • Seating capacity (rider only or with passenger)

Use Cases for Spanish Vehicle API

Insurance Industry

  • Premium Calculations – Engine size and power ratings for risk assessment
  • Claims Processing – Verify vehicle specifications during claims
  • Stolen Vehicle Checks – Critical fraud prevention through stolen status
  • Motorcycle Insurance – Specialized data for two-wheeled vehicle policies

Automotive and Motorcycle Dealers

  • Trade-In Valuations – Indicative pricing and specification verification
  • Vehicle History – Registration date and variant confirmation
  • Fraud Prevention – Stolen vehicle status before purchase
  • Inventory Management – Automated vehicle data for listings

Fleet Management

  • Asset Tracking – Comprehensive vehicle identification for cars and motorcycles
  • Compliance Monitoring – Ensure proper registration across fleet
  • Theft Monitoring – Regular stolen status checks for fleet vehicles
  • Maintenance Planning – Engine specifications for service schedules

Law Enforcement

  • Vehicle Identification – Quick lookups during traffic stops
  • Stolen Vehicle Detection – Immediate access to theft indicators
  • Investigation Support – Vehicle history and specification verification
  • Motorcycle Enforcement – Dedicated motorcycle data for traffic control

Mobile Applications

  • Insurance Apps – Instant vehicle verification for quotes
  • Marketplace Apps – Vehicle specification for classified listings
  • Service Booking – Technical specs for maintenance appointments
  • Parking Apps – Vehicle type identification for permit validation

Error Handling and Security Considerations

class SecureSpanishVehicleAPI extends SpanishVehicleAPI {
  constructor(username) {
    super(username);
    this.maxRetries = 3;
    this.retryDelay = 1000; // milliseconds
  }
  
  async lookupWithSecurity(registrationNumber, vehicleType = 'auto') {
    // Validate input to prevent injection
    if (!this.validateInput(registrationNumber)) {
      return {
        error: true,
        message: "Invalid registration format",
        security: "Input validation failed"
      };
    }
    
    // Perform lookup with retry logic
    let lastError;
    for (let attempt = 1; attempt <= this.maxRetries; attempt++) {
      try {
        let result;
        
        if (vehicleType === 'car') {
          result = await this.lookupCar(registrationNumber);
        } else if (vehicleType === 'motorcycle') {
          result = await this.lookupMotorcycle(registrationNumber);
        } else {
          result = await this.lookupWithAutoDetect(registrationNumber);
        }
        
        // Check for stolen vehicle
        if (result && result.stolen) {
          console.warn(`SECURITY ALERT: Vehicle ${registrationNumber} reported stolen`);
          result.securityAlert = "STOLEN_VEHICLE";
        }
        
        return result;
        
      } catch (error) {
        lastError = error;
        
        if (attempt < this.maxRetries) {
          await new Promise(resolve => 
            setTimeout(resolve, this.retryDelay * attempt)
          );
        }
      }
    }
    
    return {
      error: true,
      message: `Lookup failed after ${this.maxRetries} attempts`,
      details: lastError.message
    };
  }
  
  validateInput(registration) {
    // Prevent SQL injection and XSS
    if (!registration || typeof registration !== 'string') {
      return false;
    }
    
    // Check for suspicious characters
    const suspiciousPattern = /[;<>'"\\]/;
    if (suspiciousPattern.test(registration)) {
      return false;
    }
    
    return true;
  }
}

Data Privacy and Compliance

GDPR Compliance

Spain follows strict EU data protection regulations:

  • Vehicle technical data is not personal information
  • Registration numbers are public vehicle identifiers
  • Implement proper data retention policies
  • Ensure secure handling of stolen vehicle information

Security Best Practices

  • Always check stolen status before vehicle transactions
  • Log all stolen vehicle alerts for audit trails
  • Implement rate limiting to prevent abuse
  • Secure API credentials and use HTTPS only

Getting Started

Account Registration

  1. Sign Up – Register for Spanish vehicle API access
  2. Verification – Complete business verification process
  3. Testing – Use sample registrations for development:
    • Cars: “5428GXS” (Renault Megane from documentation)
    • Motorcycles: Test with various Spanish motorcycle plates
  4. Production – Configure both car and motorcycle endpoints

Integration Checklist

  • [ ] Implement both car and motorcycle endpoints
  • [ ] Add stolen vehicle status checking and alerting
  • [ ] Create auto-detect logic for vehicle type
  • [ ] Design UI for Spanish registration format
  • [ ] Implement security validation for inputs
  • [ ] Add logging for stolen vehicle alerts
  • [ ] Test with both modern and historical plate formats

Sample Data for Testing

  • Cars: 5428GXS (Renault Megane Diesel)
  • Motorcycles: Various Spanish motorcycle registrations
  • Stolen checks: Verify stolen status handling

Conclusion

The Spanish Vehicle Registration API provides comprehensive access to Spain’s vehicle database, offering detailed technical specifications for both cars and motorcycles. The system’s inclusion of stolen vehicle indicators makes it particularly valuable for fraud prevention and security applications, while the dedicated motorcycle endpoint ensures proper data handling for Spain’s significant two-wheeled vehicle population.

Spain’s centralized DGT system ensures consistent data quality while the API’s dual endpoint approach allows for optimized data retrieval for different vehicle types. Understanding Spanish fuel classifications, registration formats, and the critical importance of stolen vehicle checking enhances the effectiveness of API integration.

The motorcycle-specific endpoint recognizes Spain’s vibrant motorcycle culture and provides specialized data fields for transmission types, seating configurations, and power ratings appropriate for two-wheeled vehicles.

Begin accessing Spanish vehicle data by registering for API credentials and exploring the comprehensive database covering cars and motorcycles across all Spanish regions and territories. Always implement stolen vehicle status checking to ensure secure and compliant vehicle data operations.
https://www.matriculaapi.com/

Categories: Uncategorized

Fixing .NET 8 HttpClient Permission Denied Errors on Google Cloud Run

If you’re deploying a .NET 8 application to Google Cloud Run and encountering a mysterious NetworkInformationException (13): Permission denied error when making HTTP requests, you’re not alone. This is a known issue that stems from how .NET’s HttpClient interacts with Cloud Run’s restricted container environment.

The Problem

When your .NET application makes HTTP requests using HttpClient, you might see an error like this:

System.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkInformationException (13): Permission denied
   at System.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkChange.CreateSocket()
   at System.Net.NetworkInformation.NetworkChange.add_NetworkAddressChanged(NetworkAddressChangedEventHandler value)
   at System.Net.Http.HttpConnectionPoolManager.StartMonitoringNetworkChanges()

This error occurs because .NET’s HttpClient attempts to monitor network changes and handle advanced HTTP features like HTTP/3 and Alt-Svc (Alternative Services). To do this, it tries to create network monitoring sockets, which requires permissions that Cloud Run containers don’t have by default.

Cloud Run’s security model intentionally restricts certain system-level operations to maintain isolation and security. While this is great for security, it conflicts with .NET’s network monitoring behavior.

Why Does This Happen?

The .NET runtime includes sophisticated connection pooling and HTTP version negotiation features. When a server responds with an Alt-Svc header (suggesting alternative protocols or endpoints), .NET tries to:

  1. Monitor network interface changes
  2. Adapt connection strategies based on network conditions
  3. Support HTTP/3 where available

These features require low-level network access that Cloud Run’s sandboxed environment doesn’t permit.

The Solution

Fortunately, there’s a straightforward fix. You need to disable the features that require elevated network permissions by setting two environment variables:

Environment.SetEnvironmentVariable("DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_DISABLEIPV6", "1");
Environment.SetEnvironmentVariable("DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_HTTP_SOCKETSHTTPHANDLER_HTTP3SUPPORT", "false");

Place these lines at the very top of your Program.cs file, before any HTTP client initialization or web application builder creation.

What These Variables Do

  • DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_DISABLEIPV6: Disables IPv6 support, which also disables the network change monitoring that requires socket creation.
  • DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_HTTP_SOCKETSHTTPHANDLER_HTTP3SUPPORT: Explicitly disables HTTP/3 support, preventing .NET from trying to negotiate HTTP/3 connections.

Alternative Approaches

Option 1: Set in Dockerfile

You can bake these settings into your container image:

FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/aspnet:8.0
WORKDIR /app

# Disable network monitoring features
ENV DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_DISABLEIPV6=1
ENV DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_HTTP_SOCKETSHTTPHANDLER_HTTP3SUPPORT=false

COPY publish/ .
ENTRYPOINT ["dotnet", "YourApp.dll"]

Option 2: Set via Cloud Run Configuration

You can configure these as environment variables in your Cloud Run deployment:

gcloud run deploy your-service \
  --image gcr.io/your-project/your-image \
  --set-env-vars DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_DISABLEIPV6=1,DOTNET_SYSTEM_NET_HTTP_SOCKETSHTTPHANDLER_HTTP3SUPPORT=false

Or through the Cloud Console when configuring your service’s environment variables.

Performance Impact

You might wonder if disabling these features affects performance. In practice:

  • HTTP/3 isn’t widely used yet, and most services work perfectly fine with HTTP/2 or HTTP/1.1
  • Network change monitoring is primarily useful for long-running desktop applications that move between networks (like a laptop switching from WiFi to cellular)
  • In a Cloud Run container with a stable network environment, these features provide minimal benefit

The performance impact is negligible, and the tradeoff is well worth it for a working application.

Why It Works Locally But Fails in Cloud Run

This issue often surprises developers because their code works perfectly on their development machine. That’s because:

  • Local development environments typically run with full system permissions
  • Your local machine isn’t running in a restricted container
  • Cloud Run’s security sandbox is much more restrictive than a typical development environment

This is a classic example of environment-specific behavior where security constraints in production expose issues that don’t appear during development.

Conclusion

The Permission denied error when using HttpClient in .NET 8 on Google Cloud Run is caused by the runtime’s attempt to use network monitoring features that aren’t available in Cloud Run’s restricted environment. The fix is simple: disable these features using environment variables.

This solution is officially recognized by the .NET team as the recommended workaround for containerized environments with restricted permissions, so you can use it with confidence in production.

Related Resources


Have you encountered other .NET deployment issues on Cloud Run? Feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.

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