Nevada Driver Licensing

The DMV is transitioning to a Central Issuance Licensing System. Our web site has been updated to reflect the new fees and new system.

Currently, the new system is in place in the Carson City and Reno-area offices only. You will be charged 75 cents less than the listed fees and receive your license over the counter in the Las Vegas and rural offices.

• Duplicate Licenses
• Name Change
• Address Change
• Renewal Options | Online Renewal
• Military - Nevada Residents Out-of-State
• Military - Stationed In Nevada
• Driver History Records | Online Printout
• How to Read Your History | Code Search
• Online Drive Test Scheduling

• Moving to Nevada - New Resident Guide
• Beginning Drivers Under 18
• Beginning Drivers 18 & Older
• Non U.S. Citizens
• ID Cards | ID Card Renewal Options
• ID Card Online Renewal
• Residency & Proof of Identity

• License Classes, Endorsements and Restrictions
• Motorcycles, Mopeds & Bicycles
• Driver Testing
• Driver License Fees
• Motor Voter
• Organ Donation
• Expedited Service Permits
• Driver License Designs
• Central Issuance

• Driving Schools
  Professional | Traffic Safety | DUI
  Commercial
• Demerit Point System
• License Suspensions and Revocations
• Licensing for Sex Offenders

• Commercial Licenses
• CDL Tip Sheet (PDF)  
• Hazardous Materials Endorsements

• Traffic Laws | Motor Vehicle Laws
• Older Drivers

If your driver license, permit or ID card is lost, destroyed or becomes difficult to read, you may get a duplicate by presenting acceptable documents for Proof of Identity in person at a DMV Full Service or Express office. Documents include, but are not limited to, your U.S.-issued birth certificate, U.S. passport or military ID and Social Security card. If your name is different than what is presented on one of the above documents, you will be asked to present legal documentation reflecting your name change. This may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, adoption records or court order.

Your record will be checked and a new license issued if all is in order. The fee is $17 for most licenses and the expiration date remains the same. You have the option of renewing your license at the same time.

Nevada residents out-of-state may also obtain a duplicate by submitting an Application for Nevada Driver License By Mail (DLD-4). Some duplicates issued by mail may not have your photo. You are required to surrender this "valid without photo" document for a photo license within 24 days of returning to Nevada. We suggest motorists visit a DMV office for duplicates if at all possible. You may visit any office within the state regardless of your city or county of residence.

Homeless Fee Exemption
The Department is authorized to waive the $17 fee for homeless persons to obtain a duplicate Nevada driver's license or identification card. This is a one-time exemption for duplicates only. You must apply for this in person at a DMV office and submit the proper Proof of Identity, the DLD-1 License Application and the following form:

  Declaration of Homeless Status (DLD-128)

We suggest that you pay the $3 photo fee at the time you receive your duplicate if possible. You may be required to reimburse this fee to the Department at the time of your next regular renewal, if you are employed at the time of the renewal.

The fee exemption does not apply to:

• New residents obtaining a Nevada license or ID for the first time
• Renewals
• Any fees or requirements associated with a license suspension or revocation
• Commercial licenses

If you are under 18, see Nevada Teen Driving. If you are currently licensed in the U.S. and are moving to Nevada, see our New Resident Guide. If you are a not a U.S. citizen, see Residency and Proof of Identity. You must follow these procedures and take all three tests.

To apply for an original Nevada Instruction Permit if you are over 18, you must:

• Be a resident of Nevada and provide a Nevada street address.
• Provide acceptable proof of your name, date of birth and Social Security number if one has been issued for you. See Residency and Proof of Identity.
• Apply in person at a DMV Full Service Office.
  (We do not make appointments. Commercial drivers who require testing must apply at a CDL Office.)
• Complete a Driver License Application.
• Pay the required fee ($22  --  $17 if 65 or older)
• Surrender any existing U.S. license, permit or ID card.
• Pass the vision and knowledge tests. See Driver License Testing.
• Have your picture taken.

Any existing ID you may have will be hole-punched and returned to you. You will be issued an interim paper document that certifies your driving privilege. The actual Instruction Permit will be mailed within 10 business days.

You may drive only with a licensed driver, 21 years or older, with at least one year of driving experience seated next to you at all times. Driver education is not required for beginning drivers 18 and older. If you desire instruction, see Professional Drive Schools.

Once you have obtained a Nevada Instruction Permit, you may schedule a driving skills test to obtain your full Driver License. You will be issued an interim document after successful completion of the skills test for a fee of $3. The license will then be mailed to you within 10 business days. See Driver License Testing.

The residency and proof of identity requirements for a Nevada Identification Card are the same as those for a driver license. The minimum age for an ID card is 10 years.

You generally cannot hold both a Nevada ID card and an out-of-state driver license. Nevada residents who wish to operate a motor vehicle must obtain a Nevada driver license.

To apply for an original Nevada Identification Card, you must:

• Be a resident of Nevada and provide a Nevada street address.
• Provide acceptable proof of your name, date of birth and Social Security number if one has been issued for you. See Residency and Proof of Identity.
• Apply in person at a DMV Full Service Office. (We do not make appointments.)
• Complete a Driver License Application.
• Pay the required fee. (Under 18 - $6, 18-64 - $12, 65 or older - $7)
• Surrender any existing U.S. driver license, permit or ID card.
• Have your picture taken.

Any existing ID will be hole-punched and returned to you along with an interim paper document. Your new ID card will be mailed to you within 10 business days.

If you are surrendering a Nevada driver license or permit for an ID card, you need only to surrender the existing license. You do not need separate proof of name, date of birth or SSN.

Persons who declare themselves homeless are entitled to a one-time fee exemption for a duplicate Nevada license or ID card. See Duplicate Licenses. If you need to renew your ID Card, see Renewal Options and ID Card Fees.

Nevada license classes, common endorsements and common restrictions are listed below. Nevada does not issue any type of Chauffeur or other special license. However, taxi drivers in Clark County must get a permit from the Nevada Taxicab Authority.

The Nevada DMV licenses and regulates private driving schools and instructors. Schools can be licensed in any of three general areas. Click on the link for a list of licensed schools. 

• Professional - general driver education, teen drivers ed and specialties such as trucking.
• Traffic Safety - for demerit point reductions or court-ordered plea bargains.
• DUI - for driving under the influence offenses.

See also Demerit Point System and License Suspensions and Revocations. For information on obtaining a drive school or instructor license, see Occupational and Business Licensing.