Personalized Plates

  Personalized Plates

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  What Plate Numbers Are Available?

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Personalized plates in the Sunset style can have up to seven characters. Specialty plates vary from four to seven characters as designated on each plate's application. You do not have to fill all available spaces. Punctuation and special symbols are not allowed.

Use our online Personalized Plate Search, e-mail or call to verify whether your choice is available. Please have three choices ready when you fill out the application.

You can choose any personalized combination that is not offensive or in bad taste, has not already been issued to someone else and does not conflict with any standard-issue Nevada numbering system. If your plate number is denied or recalled for any of these reasons, you may appeal the decision through the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Personalized plate numbers which have expired or been surrendered become available to any applicant 18 months after expiration. Individuals may transfer plate numbers if the original owner signs a form as the new owner's registration is completed at a DMV office.

  How Do I Order Custom Plates?

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You have the choice of ordering by mail, fax or in person. We suggest mail or fax if your vehicle is already registered in Nevada, if you are moving to Nevada in the near future or if you will be buying a vehicle in the near future. Order in person if you will be registering a vehicle or renewing the registration within the next 60 days. See Previously-Issued Plate Numbers if you wish to order a specific standard plate number.

Application sp66 - Personalized Plate
Application sp33 - Veterans
Application sp41 - Professional Firefighters
Application sp62 - Volunteer Firefighters
Application sp49 - Masons

Order by Mail or Fax.  Check for three choices on our Personalized Plate Search. You may also e-mail or call.

Download and complete the appropriate application for your plate. 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.

You can order plates even if you are moving to Nevada within the next 60 days but have not actually registered a vehicle here yet. 

Personalized plates must be approved, manufactured and then shipped to the DMV or Assessor's office you chose on the application. If your application is rejected, your check will be returned.

When the DMV or Assessor receives your plates, the staff will send you a letter notifying you they are ready. 

If your vehicle is currently registered in Nevada, bring the old plates to the DMV for surrender. If you wish to keep them, bring the rear plate only to surrender the decal. 

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.

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.  

If you have just purchased a vehicle or have already moved to Nevada, we encourage you to order in person at the same time you register your vehicle.

Order in Person. You can order your custom plates in person at the same time you register a vehicle or renew its registration at a DMV Full Service Office or at a County Assessor's Office which offers vehicle registration services. You may wish to use our online Personalized Plate Search in advance to help select your plate style and/or personalized numbering.

If you have just purchased a vehicle or are registering it in Nevada for the first time, see the full list of Registration Requirements or New Resident Guide and use our online Registration Fee Estimates. Bring all required documentation along with the appropriate license plate application. We will issue the vehicle registration slip, decal and a temporary movement permit. The plates will be mailed to you.

If your vehicle is currently registered in Nevada, bring the old plates to the DMV for surrender. If you wish to keep them, bring the rear plate only to surrender the decal. 

If you choose to keep the same expiration date, we will issue a new registration slip, decal and a temporary movement permit. No emissions inspection or registration renewal is required. The plates will be mailed to you.

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.

 How Do I Order Plates As A Gift?

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We encourage you to order by mail or fax as above, placing your name and address on the application and the recipient's name on the line labeled "Name of person plate will be registered to if other than applicant."  

Personalized plates in the Sunset style can have up to seven characters. Specialty plates vary from four to seven characters as designated on each plate's application. You do not have to fill all available spaces. Punctuation and special symbols are not allowed. Use our online Personalized Plate Search to verify whether your choices are available.

When the DMV or County Assessor's office you chose on the application receives your plates, the staff will notify you by mail. The office will hold the plates for 60 days. We cannot release license plates which are not registered to a vehicle.

The registration will have to completed in person at a DMV or Assessor office as outlined above.

 Plate Number Complaints

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If you see a personalized plate number that you find offensive, you may ask the Department to review and possibly recall it. Please complete the following form and mail it to the address listed. 

License Plate Complaint Form (SP 74)

The Department will consider recalling any personalized license plate that: 

• Expresses contempt, ridicule, or superiority of race, ethnic heritage, religion, gender, or political affiliation. 

• Contains any connotation that is sexual, vulgar, derogatory, profane, or obscene. 

• Contains a direct or indirect reference to drug or drug paraphernalia, or a gang. 

• Makes a defamatory reference to a person or group. 

• Is determined by the department to be inappropriate.