Why do hotels/motels ask for your cars license plate number when you check in?

Brian D: Why do hotels/motels ask for your cars license plate number when you check in?
I’m curious to learn what real purpose this serves (I can guess a few, but nothing with any large benefit to either myself or the hotel/motel)? Also, where and when this practice started if you know.

Finally, I’ve noticed this practice has fallen out of favor at more upscale urban hotels (ones that you would think are more sensitive to parking issues), while it seems to remain standard operating procedure at every little motel I’ve ever stayed at. What gives?

Answers and Views:

Answer by bri
I own a hotel. The purpose of this is to track the car down, if they were to say, steal something, of trash the place, the police would find them; the car and make them pay…………. To answer tony;s question, I als ask for make/ model, and give out PARKING PERMITS, and if one car does not have one when my security goes bye to check, the car will be towed.And I get the person;s licence, to get there name and address. Most hotels also do this.

Answer by Tony
How would you know if a car was abandoned in the parking lot unless you knew which cars were supposed to be there?

Answer by roy40371
This practice was started back when it was popular to trash a motel room of steal everything in the room. If they get your license number they can track you down and make you pay.