Nevada Vehicle Registration

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. Out of state insurance is not accepted. You must obtain insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier. If you are moving from another state, you must notify your agent or insurance company that you have moved to Nevada. Or, purchase a new policy here. Nevada insurance is necessary to comply with the Insurance Verification Program.

Students, active duty military personnel, (including their accompanying family members), and others living temporarily in Nevada are not required to register their vehicles or obtain a driver license as long as they are not employed in Nevada. However, they must have a valid vehicle registration, driver license, and insurance from their home state in order to operate vehicles in Nevada. Should someone such as a military dependent or non-resident student obtain employment in Nevada, they will be subject to DMV rules as a Nevada resident.

Nevada law requires motorists to notify DMV of a change of address within 30 days of the move.
Keeping your address current with us is important as we send renewal notices in the mail. We also use the mail to notify residents of license suspensions, vehicle insurance verification problems and other potentially serious issues. You may list separate mailing and residence addresses. See Address Changes.

If you are stopped for any reason while driving and do not have a valid driver's license, registration and evidence of insurance, you are subject to fines and vehicle impound.

New Resident Vehicle Registration

Former Resident Information

If you did not title your vehicle in Nevada, your new state may require verification of this before you can register your vehicle. A Title Verification Letter can be issued for a fee of $7. You must complete and mail the application and affidavit contained in the Application for Individual Record Information (IR-002) along with a check or money order for the fee.

If you have received a renewal notice for a vehicle after registering it in another state, please surrender the plates if you still have them. If you do not have the plates, simply disregard the notice. You will not receive another notice and will not be subject to any fine or legal action.

If you receive a notice asking to verify your insurance coverage, use our online Insurance Verification Response or complete the written notice and return it in the mail to indicate that you have moved out of state.

Nevada law requires motorists to notify the DMV within 30 days of the move even if they are moving out-of-state. Mail the application below or fax it to (775) 684-4992.

Former residents are not eligible for any refund of registration fees.
Back To Top | Forms Help

Selling A Vehicle

Laws You Should Know
It is illegal to sell more than three personally-owned vehicles per year without a dealer's license. Salvage vehicles should be rebuilt, inspected and titled as a Rebuilt vehicle before being sold to a private party.

Keep Your License Plates
Nevada law requires you to keep your plates and either use them on another vehicle or turn them in for cancellation within 30 days of the sale. You should take the plates and surrender them yourself even if a dealer offers to do this for you. See Plate Surrender/Registration Fee Refunds.

You must provide a properly signed-off title to the buyer in private party sales. Any loan or other lien must be satisfied. If you do not have a title, you (or the owner of record) will have to apply for a duplicate from the state where the vehicle was last titled. If you are selling a vehicle registered to your family trust, you must also complete a Trustee Appointment and Powers Affidavit (RD-188).

The only exception is if the vehicle was 1) last titled in Nevada, 2) is more than 9 model years old and 3) has no liens or the owner of record has a lien release, the buyer and owner of record can then complete 1) an Application for Duplicate Title and 2) a Bill of Sale to transfer ownership. If the vehicle is 9 model years old or newer, you must obtain an actual title to comply with federal odometer disclosure laws.

The Bill of Sale is your proof that you sold the vehicle. This proof is particularly important in case the vehicle is abandoned at a later date. The buyer does not need a Bill of Sale to register the vehicle if you have provided a properly signed-off title. See Private Party Sales.

The buyer is responsible for emissions inspections in Nevada and for obtaining insurance and a movement permit to legally drive the vehicle on public streets.

Trade-In or Sale to a Dealer
If you are trading in a vehicle or selling to a Nevada dealer, the dealer is required to satisfy any loan or lien within 30 days. Other states have similar laws but be sure to ask an out-of-state dealer when the lien will be satisfied. The dealer may have you sign a Power of Attorney or similar document if you do not have the title.

Nevada dealers are required to keep your trade-in until the financing on your new vehicle is finalized (up to 15 days). They must return your trade-in if they offer you different financing terms and you decline to accept the new contract. See Nevada Dealer or Out-of-State Dealer sales.
Back To Top | PDF format help

Buying A Vehicle - Private Party Sales

Title
If you are buying a vehicle from a private party, you must have a properly signed-off title to register the vehicle and transfer ownership. If the seller does not have a title, the owner of record will have to apply for a duplicate from the state where the vehicle was last titled. The buyer will not be able to register the vehicle without a valid title. A Bill of Sale by itself is not acceptable. See Salvage Vehicles if the vehicle has an orange-colored salvage title.

If the title says 'person 1' AND 'person 2', both parties must sign to sell the vehicle.
If the title says 'person 1' OR 'person 2', either party can sign without the other.

Be sure to complete the Buyer section of the title with the full legal name(s) of the new owner(s). The new title and registration will reflect what is entered in the Buyer section. If you are purchasing a vehicle from a family trust, the seller must complete a Trustee Appointment and Powers Affidavit (RD-188)

The buyer and seller should complete a Bill of Sale (Form RD-104). The seller should keep this as proof that he or she sold the vehicle. It is not necessary for the buyer to have the Bill of Sale if there is a properly signed-off title. The seller should also keep his license plates.

If the vehicle was 1) last titled in Nevada, 2) is more than 9 model years old and 3) has no liens or the owner of record has a lien release, the buyer and owner of record can then complete 1) an Application for Duplicate Title and 2) a Bill of Sale to transfer ownership. In this case, the buyer must have the original copy of the Bill of Sale. Ensure that the vehicle was last titled in Nevada and that you are dealing with the owner of record...the person listed on the most recent title. If the vehicle is 9 model years old or newer, you must obtain an actual title to comply with federal odometer disclosure laws.

Payments/Liens
If the seller has a loan or lease on the vehicle, this must be satisfied and the lienholder or lessor must deliver the title before the vehicle can be sold. This can be a lengthy process if the title has been misplaced or is being held by an out-of-state lender or lessor. The buyer must have a properly signed off title to register the vehicle.

If there is a private arrangement for payments or the seller wishes to retain an interest in the vehicle for any reason, the seller may become a lienholder on the vehicle by completing the lienholder section of the title. The buyer must have a properly signed off title to register the vehicle.

The new title will be mailed to the lienholder. The lienholder must sign the lien release section and deliver the title to the buyer before the vehicle can be sold again.

If the buyer is obtaining outside financing, most financial institutions will require the title. The institution will submit the title to DMV, become a lienholder and receive the new title. In this case, the security agreement from a licensed financial institution can take the place of a title for registration.

Vehicle Movement
The seller must keep his or her license plates. The seller must either use them on another vehicle or surrender the plates to the DMV within 30 days. No other notification of the sale is necessary. Keep a completed Bill of Sale (Form RD-104) and the contact information for the buyer.

The buyer must obtain insurance and a movement permit to drive the vehicle on public streets. Present the signed-off title or other proof of ownership at a DMV Full Service Office for a movement permit.

Vehicle Registration
The buyer must register the vehicle at a DMV Full Service Office within 30 days. You must have the following documents to register and title the vehicle:

If you wish to have a third party register the vehicle for you, they must also present a Nevada Evidence of Insurance card for the specific vehicle in the exact name(s) that will appear on the title and registration.

You must obtain liability insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier in the exact name(s) which will be on the registration and title. Coverage is verified electronically with your insurance company. Motorists who do not maintain Nevada liability insurance are subject to a registration suspension and $250 reinstatement fee. Out-of-state insurance is not accepted. See Vehicle Insurance Requirements.

Use our Online Registration Fee Estimates. (Estimate only - total fees will be slightly higher.) DMV field offices accept cash, checks, money orders for the exact amount, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express.

If the vehicle has never been registered or titled in Nevada, you must have a VIN inspection completed at the DMV. At larger offices, drive to the Inspection Station outside the main office first. You may also have a law enforcement officer complete the Vehicle Inspection Certificate (RD-15).

Sales Taxes are not collected on private party vehicle sales that occurred on or after January 1, 2006. On private sales that occurred in 2005 or earlier, sales taxes are paid to DMV based either on the depreciated Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) or a vehicle appraisal.

Vehicle Title - The new title will be mailed to the registered owner, or if there is a lienholder, it will be mailed to the lienholder. The lienholder must properly endorse the title and deliver it to the registered owner once the lien has been satisfied.
Back To Top | Forms Help

Buying A Vehicle - Nevada Dealer Sales

Be certain to read and understand the sales or lease contract before you buy any vehicle. Do not sign a contract which contains blank spaces. Nevada does not have a right of rescission or any "cooling off" period for the buyer. Dealers must use standardized contracts as outlined in Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 97.

Dealers may or may not issue the DRS at the time of the sale. If financing on the vehicle has not been finalized, the dealer may take up to 15 days to arrange financing. If financing cannot be finalized, the dealer then has the right to rescind the sale and require the return of the vehicle. Alternately, the dealership itself may finance the vehicle. Or, the dealer may ask the buyer to sign a new contract with different terms. The buyer is not obligated to accept a new contract.

The vehicle must be registered before the expiration date on the temporary placard regardless of when the DRS was issued. You must register at a DMV Full Service Office and have the following:

Vehicle Title - Nevada dealers are required to submit, to the DMV, all of the documents necessary to issue a Nevada title within 30 days of the date of the sale. The new title will be mailed to the lienholder, if any, or to the registered owner. If a dealer mistakenly issues the title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin to you, please submit this to the DMV when you register the vehicle.
Back To Top

Buying A Vehicle - Out-of-State Dealer Sales

Out-of-state vehicle dealers must comply with their own state's laws regarding sales to non-residents. Ask about a movement permit and for details on how the vehicle will be titled before you buy. Be certain to read and understand the sales or lease contract before signing.

An out-of-state dealer may or may not collect sales tax. The Nevada DMV will verify whatever tax was paid and charge the buyer any difference between that amount and what would have been due in Nevada. See the Nevada Department of Taxation Sales and Use Tax Publications for current tax rates. Rates vary by county.

Utah Note: Utah dealers do not pay sales tax to Utah on out-of-state vehicle sales. Often, however, they will indicate the estimated amount of Nevada sales tax due as taxes paid to Utah. The full amount of Nevada sales tax is due on vehicles purchased in Utah regardless of any statement on the contract. The estimate on the contract may be different than the actual amount due.

You must register the vehicle at a DMV Full Service Office before the expiration date of any movement permit issued or 30 days maximum. Please bring all documents provided by the dealer. You must have:

Odometer Statement: If your vehicle is 9 years old or newer and the dealer is providing you with the title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, please ensure that the dealer completes the Federal Odometer Statement on this document. Dealers may also provide the original copy of a separate statement.

VIN inspections are completed at the DMV. At larger offices, drive to the Inspection Station outside the main office first. You may also have a law enforcement officer complete the Vehicle Inspection Certificate (RD-15). (PDF Format)

Vehicle Insurance Requirements

At the time of registration, you may present a Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card or sign a declaration that you will maintain Nevada insurance coverage for the entire time the vehicle is registered in Nevada. An Evidence of Insurance Card or Power of Attorney must be presented if any person other than the vehicle owner is registering the vehicle. You must obtain insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier. You must notify your carrier if you have moved from another state.

A Nevada Evidence of Insurance card must be carried in your vehicle at all times and presented to any law enforcement officer upon request.

Nevada law requires you to have at least $15,000/$30,000/$10,000 in liability insurance. This means coverage must be at least $15,000 because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident to a limit of not less than $30,000 because of bodily injury to or destruction of property, and to a limit of not less than $10,000 because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

Nevada has mandatory liability responsibility laws that are met through Nevada Licensed Insurance Carriers. All registered vehicles are required to have the minimum liability coverage. Should the coverage lapse while registration is still current, DMV may suspend the vehicle registration and charge a $250 reinstatement fee. Roadside spot-checks, direct mail verification, and insurance company data comparisons provide verification methods to ensure compliance. You must obtain insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier. See Insurance Verification or call 1-800-344-0483 for more information.

Insurance companies are licensed and regulated by the Nevada Division of Insurance. You may verify whether an insurance company is properly licensed in Nevada online at Nevada Insurance Alert or by calling 1-888-467-4195. You must obtain insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier. If you are coming from out-of-state, you must notify your agent or carrier that you have moved to Nevada.
Back To Top

Title Basics

Duplicates - If your vehicle was last titled in Nevada and there are no liens, you may mail an application or drop it off in person at a DMV office. Your title will be mailed in approximately 6 weeks.

Dropping or Adding Names - With Lienholder
There are no forms for this other than the title. You must ask the lienholder to approve the change. The lienholder may ask you to sign either the title or a power of attorney, and may wish to refinance any loan. The lienholder will have to apply for the new title and issue you a letter, including the Vehicle Identification Number, stating they will do so. You may also satisfy the lien and bring the signed-off title to the DMV. See No Lienholder below.

You must obtain Nevada liability insurance in the same name(s) which will be on the new title and registration. If your vehicle requires a smog check, you must have a new test done if the last one is more than 90 days old.

Bring the lienholder letter or signed-off title, current registration slip and smog check if needed to a DMV Full Service Office to re-register the car. Credit will be given for the unused portion of the current registration. You may also wish to complete a Change of Address Application, if needed.

If you are changing your name, you must have the legal document which authorizes the change (Marriage Certificate, divorce decree, etc.). Divorce decrees should include language which awards the vehicle to the new owner by Vehicle Identification Number.

If the vehicle is not registered or not operational, the lienholder may change the title only.
Back To Top | Forms Help

Dropping or Adding Names - Without Lienholder
There are no forms for this other than the title. Sign the title as if you are selling the vehicle and put the new name(s) in the buyer section. Use your full legal name as listed on your driver license.

If the vehicle is not registered or not operational, you may change the title only without obtaining insurance, a smog check or registration. Bring the title to a DMV Full Service Office.

If you will be registering and driving the vehicle, you must obtain Nevada liability insurance in the same name(s) which will be on the new title and registration. If your vehicle requires a smog check, you must have a new test done if the last one is more than 90 days old.

Bring the signed-off title, current registration slip and smog check if needed to a DMV Full Service Office to re-register the car. Credit will be given for the unused portion of the current registration. You may also wish to complete a Change of Address Application, if needed.

Financial institutions and others who need more information on Nevada title requirements should review the guides below and contact us.

Duplicate Registration or Decal

A duplicate Certificate of Registration or annual decal can be obtained for a fee of $5. You may obtain this in person at a DMV Full Service or Express office, by mail or by fax.

Movement Permits

To drive a vehicle on any public street, you must have liability insurance and either a full registration or a valid movement permit. Nevada auto dealers are required to issue a 30-day placard upon the sale of a vehicle. In private party sales, the seller is required to keep the license plates. The buyer must use alternate transportation to obtain a movement permit from the DMV.

You must present proof of ownership in person at a DMV office. Examples include the signed-off title of a vehicle purchased from a private party, or, if you already own the vehicle, an expired registration.

DMV issues several types of permits depending on the customer's needs. Small fees may apply depending on the type of permit issued.
Back To Top | Forms Help

What will it cost?

Have your Vehicle Identification Number and/or Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price ready and use our Online Fee Estimate. (Estimate only - total fees will be slightly higher.)

Nevada charges a basic Registration Fee, Governmental Services Taxes and miscellaneous fees for titles, license plates, inspections, etc. You must register your vehicle for a full year and renew your registration annually.

Registration Fee
Registration fees are charged based on the class of the vehicle and its weight. Funds are used primarily for state road construction.
(NRS 482.480 and 482.482)

Governmental Services Tax
Nevada also collects the following additional taxes to support local government entities:
(NRS Chapter 371)

Miscellaneous fees include a Prison Industries Fee of 50 cents per license plate, a title fee of $20.00 and a title processing fee of $8.25 if a new title is being issued.

Sales taxes are paid to Nevada dealers at the time of the sale. DMV will verify whatever sales taxes were paid to an out-of-state dealer and charge the motorist any difference between that amount and what would have been due in Nevada. Sales taxes are not charged on private party sales that occurred on or after January 1, 2006.

"Governmental Services Taxes" were previously known as "Privilege Taxes". The 2001 Nevada Legislature enacted the name change to more-accurately reflect the purpose of these fees.
Sample Calculation

Can I get tax relief?

County Assessors can approve Governmental Services tax relief for veterans with war time service, disabled veterans, surviving spouses and the blind. You must present a tax exemption statement from the assessor's office when registering your vehicle. No exemptions are age-based. These exemptions apply only to the Governmental Services Tax. Contact your County Assessor for specific requirements and see NRS Chapter 371.

Active duty military members who are residents of another state but stationed in Nevada qualify for Governmental Services Tax exemptions. Complete the Governmental Service Tax Exemption Affidavit (RD-203) and mail it to us with your renewal notice, smog check if needed and a copy of your most current Leave and Earnings Statement.

Sales tax is collected on dealer sales of vehicles in Nevada or vehicles recently purchased from an out-of-state dealer for the purpose of Nevada registration. See Registration Requirements. Sales tax exemptions can be granted under certain conditions such as bona fide gifts and certain purchases by military members. See our Forms Room. Sales taxes are not charged on private party vehicle sales that occurred on or after January 1, 2006.
Back To Top | PDF format help

How do I pay?

We accept cash, personal checks, debit cards, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, and money orders made out to the Department of Motor Vehicles in the exact amount of your fees. Please do not mail cash. Third party checks are not accepted.

We encourage you to use e-check or debit if you are not paying with cash. This saves taxpayer dollars through reduced fees.

When a formerly Nevada registered vehicle has registration which has not yet expired, there may be credit remaining which can be applied against your replacement vehicle registration or another vehicle's renewal fees. For credit to be transferable, at least one registrant must appear on both vehicles' registration and title. Bring your old registration form and plates to DMV.
Back To Top

When and where do I go for DMV?

See a complete listing of our motor vehicle offices on our Nevada DMV Locations page. Our offices are less crowded in the middle of the day, the middle of the week and the middle of the month. Lines are usually shorter on the day before a holiday and longer on the day after a holiday.

You must visit a Full Service DMV office for an original registration or title. Express offices do not process these transactions.
Back To Top