Nevada License Plates

• General License Plate Information
• Plate Display
• Damaged or Unreadable Plates
• Stolen or Lost Plates
• Previously-Issued Plate Numbers
• Exempt Plates
• Other Plates You May See

Credit Card Authorization Slip (RD-205)
For mailed or faxed plate orders. (PDF)

License Plate/Registration Annual Renewal

• Disabled Plates & Placards
• Selling A Vehicle
• Personalized Plates
• Circa 1982 Replica Plates
• Charitable & Collegiate
• Organizational Plates
• Classic Vehicles
• Veterans and Military
• Fire Fighter Plates
• Proposed Specialty Plates
• Discontinued Plates
• Sample and Souvenir Plates
• Plates Codes and Prefixes
• Registration Home Page
• Plate Surrender &
  Registration Fee Refunds
• 2001 License Plate Reissue

Motor vehicles are issued two license plates, except for motorcycles and trailers, which are issued one. You must obtain plates and vehicle registration within 30 days of buying a vehicle from a private party or out-of-state dealer, or before the expiration date on the placard issued at purchase by Nevada dealers.

New Nevada residents must obtain their driver license within 30 days. You must register your vehicles at the same time or within 60 days, whichever is sooner. The fine for failing to register your vehicle is $250-$500. See our New Resident Guide.

Most trailers must be registered and display a rear license plate to be driven on Nevada public highways. Trailers under 1,000 pounds gross weight are issued small plates similar to those issued for motorcycles. Trailers 1,000 pounds and over are issued a full-size plate.

Registration decals which indicate the month and year of expiration are placed on the upper right-hand corner of the rear plate. Your registration expires on the exact date listed on the slip; it is not valid until the end of the month. 

Nevada license plates are issued to people and businesses, not to vehicles. You may transfer your existing plates to a new vehicle. Plate transfers between individuals require a witnessed statement which can be completed at the DMV at the time of registration. 

Generally, you or someone representing you must visit a DMV Full Service office in person to receive new plates or to transfer existing plates to a new car. Limited exceptions are made for active-duty military members and other Nevadans out of state. See Vehicle Registration Requirements.

Please keep your license plates if you are selling a vehicle!  Nevada law requires you to either use them on another vehicle or turn them in for cancellation within 30 days of the sale. If you wish to retain personalized plates for a longer period, you must surrender the decal. See Selling A Vehicle and Plate Surrender/Refunds.

Most vehicles require two plates at all times, except motorcycles and trailers, which require only a rear plate. You must display both plates if the vehicle is designed for a front plate or if the manufacturer offers an add-on bracket or frame. (NRS 482.275)

Front plates are optional only if 1) the vehicle was not designed for a front plate and 2) the manufacturer did not provide an add-on bracket or other means of displaying the front plate.

DMV will issue two plates for all vehicles (except motorcycles and trailers). If the second plate is not displayed, it is the owner's responsibility to store the second plate and surrender or return both plates to the department at the appropriate time.

License plates must at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle so as to prevent the plate from swinging and at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of such plate, in a place and position to be clearly visible. It must be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.

License plate specifications call for plates to be readable from a distance of 100 feet during daylight. At night, plates must be readable from 110 feet and visible from 1,500 feet when lit by standard headlights. (NRS 482.270)

Plate frames or covers are not prohibited as long as the above requirements are met.

You must keep your license plates and transfer them to a new vehicle or surrender them to the DMV within 30 days. See Plate Surrender/Registration Fee Refunds. A private party buyer must obtain insurance and a movement permit to drive on any public street. See Buying a Vehicle.

If you wish to allow the new vehicle owner to use your existing set of license plates, you must complete a License Plate Release (SP-67). The new owner must submit this form when registering the vehicle. The current registration for the plate number will be canceled. Registration fee credits may not be transferred to the new owner.

If you have received a renewal notice for a vehicle you no longer own,  please surrender the plates as outlined above. If you do not have the plates, disregard the notice.

If you are moving out of Nevada, many other state DMV's require you to surrender your plates there.  Please follow the requirements of your new state. However, you may receive a renewal notice from Nevada even if you have registered your vehicle in another state. Disregard this.

If your plates are damaged or unreadable, you may obtain entirely new plates with a new number in any style. Or, you may order a duplicate set of plates with the same number and style.

New Plates/New Number
If you wish to obtain standard or specialty plates with a new standard number, please bring your old plates to a DMV Full Service Office. You must pay any specialty plate fees, the Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per plate and a $5 substitute plate fee. If you wish to order a new personalized plate number, see Personalized Plates.

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, we will issue a new registration slip and decal with your new plates. No emissions inspection or registration renewal is required but you must pay any specialty plate fees, the Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per plate and a $5 substitute plate fee.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. Complete an emissions inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.  

Duplicate Your Current Number
To order new plates with the same number and style, you may order in person at a DMV Full Service office or by mail or fax.

Order In-Person - Download and complete the Duplicate License Plate Application. Bring this and the old plates with you to a DMV Full Service office. We will issue a temporary movement permit and mail the new plates to you. 

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, no emissions inspection or registration renewal is required.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. Complete an emissions inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.  

Order by Mail/Fax - Download and complete the Duplicate License Plate Application. Mail the application and fees to the address on the application. Fees may be paid by check or money order payable to DMV or a Credit Card Authorization. For faxed orders, fax the completed application and a Credit Card Authorization to (775) 684-4797.

Plates will be shipped to the DMV or Assessor's office you chose on the application and you will be notified by mail when they are ready. Please bring the old plates to the office with you. A registration renewal is not required, but an additional substitute plate fee will apply.

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, we will issue a new registration slip and decal with your new plates. No emissions inspection or registration renewal is required but you must pay any specialty plate fees, the Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per plate and a $5 substitute plate fee.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. Complete an emissions inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.  

  Duplicate License Plate Application (SP-14)
Plates to replace damaged or unreadable plates in the same style. Not for stolen plates.
Credit Card Authorization Slip (RD-205)

See Motor Carrier Forms if your vehicle is registered through Motor Carrier.
See Occupational and Business Licensing if you are a DMV licensee such as an auto dealer.

If your license plates have been lost or stolen, you must obtain a new set of plates with a new number and complete the Lost, Stolen or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit. 

It is recommended that you report any lost or stolen license plate to your local law enforcement agency in the event your license plates are used in an unlawful manner. However, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles does not require a police report prior to notification to the DMV for lost or stolen license plates.

Stolen
If your plates were stolen, you must apply in person at a DMV Full Service Office and obtain a new plate number. Please bring any remaining plate.

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, no emissions inspection or registration renewal is required but you must pay any specialty plate fees, the Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per plate and a $5 substitute plate fee.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. Complete an emissions inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.

Lost, Stolen or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit (VP-202)
Do Not Mail This Form!
You must obtain new plates in person at a DMV Full Service Office.

Lost
If your plates were lost, you may order in person at a DMV Full Service Office or by mail or fax.

Order In-Person - Download and complete the Duplicate License Plate Application. Bring this and the old plates with you to a DMV Full Service office. We will issue a temporary movement permit and mail the new plates to you. 

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, no emissions inspection or registration renewal is required but you must pay any specialty plate fees, the Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per plate and a $5 substitute plate fee.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. Complete an emissions inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.  

Order by Mail/Fax (Lost plates only) - Download and complete the Duplicate License Plate Application. Mail the application and fees to the address on the application. Fees may be paid by check or money order payable to DMV or a Credit Card Authorization. For faxed orders, fax the completed application and a Credit Card Authorization to (775) 684-4797.

Plates will be shipped to the DMV or Assessor's office you chose on the application and you will be notified by mail when they are ready. Please bring the old plates to the office with you. A registration renewal is not required, but an additional substitute plate fee will apply.

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, we will issue a new registration slip and decal with your new plates. No emissions inspection or registration renewal is required but you must pay any specialty plate fees, the Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per plate and a $5 substitute plate fee.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. Complete an emissions inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.

  Duplicate License Plate Application (SP-14)
Plates to replace damaged or unreadable plates in the same style. Not for stolen plates.
Credit Card Authorization Slip (RD-205)

See Motor Carrier Forms if your vehicle is registered through Motor Carrier.
See Occupational and Business Licensing if you are a DMV licensee such as an auto dealer.

If your Certificate of Registration or annual decal has been stolen, DMV can issue a substitute by mail, fax or in person.  The fee is $5.00. You must use the Application for Duplicate Registration Certificate (RD-13). Mailed orders may include a check, money order or Credit Card Authorization. Faxed orders must include a Credit Card Authorization and may be faxed to (775) 684-4992.