Frequently Asked Questions

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Driver License/ID Questions Vehicle Registration Questions Emissions Control Questions	Online Services FAQs OBD II Emissions Test FAQs (1996 and newer vehicles) Driver License Home Page Registration Home Page License Plates Home Page Military - Nevada Residents Out-of-State Military - Residents of Other States In Nevada
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Driver License

 How can I get a copy of my driving, registration and title records?

1. You may stop in personally at the nearest DMV Office and immediately receive this information on your own records. Please be certain to bring along identification. The fee for a Driver History Report is $7.00. DMV self-service kiosks issue driver history records.
    
2. You may get a three-year Driver History Report online for a fee of $7.00. Have your license ready and click here.
    
3. You may write or fax the DMV Records Section in Carson City. Most single records are $7.00. Add a $4.00 Certification Fee if you desire a certified copy. 
    
   DMV offices outside of Nevada will often require a letter stating no Nevada title was issued on a vehicle before they will register a car.  This is called a Title Verification Letter and there is a fee of $7.00.  Please remit this to the Records Section by mail.
   
   For all records requests, you must complete the application and affidavit contained in the Application for Individual Record Information (IR-002).
   
   DMV Records Section 
   555 Wright Way 
   Carson City, NV 89711-0250 
   
   (702) 486-4368 - Las Vegas
   (775) 684-4368 - Reno/Carson City
   1-877-368-7828 - Rural Nevada/out of state
   (775) 684-4899 Fax
   

See Public Records Access for third-party records access.

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 My driver license is about to expire and I am out of the state. Is there any way I can renew?

If you received a renewal notice, you may renew by Internet if your license has not yet expired. Your new license will be sent to the address on record, however, and the post office will not forward it. You may also renew by mail up to one year after expiration. A $10 late fee will apply if your license is expired more than 30 days. Licenses which have been expired 31 days to one year may be renewed by mail (if otherwise qualified) with an additional $10 late fee. Mail your renewal notice or use an Application for Nevada Driver License by Mail (DLD-4).

If you did not receive a renewal notice, please call or e-mail your name, Nevada driver license number and current address for instructions. You may be able to renew using an Application for Nevada Driver License by Mail (DLD-4) if you are otherwise qualified to renew by mail.  This form is only for drivers who are currently licensed in Nevada and are unable to reach a DMV office. See also Driver License Renewal Options.

if you received a post card asking you to renew in person, you must do so. Exceptions are made only for active duty military members and certain federal contractors.

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 What are the age / document requirements for a driver license?

You must have a Nevada driver license if you live or work in Nevada. Drivers moving into Nevada from another state must apply for a license within 30 days. If your license is suspended or revoked in another state, you will not be able to receive a Nevada license until you meet all reinstatement requirements of the other state.

See our New Resident Guide if you are currently licensed in the U.S. and are moving to Nevada.
See Beginning Drivers 18 and Older if you have never been licensed in the U.S.
See Nevada Teen Driving if you are under 18 years of age.

You do not need a Nevada license if you are:

1. An active-duty member of the U.S. Armed Forces and you have a valid license from your home state.
2. A border state resident who lives in another state but works in Nevada.
3. A nonresident, such as an out-of-state student, tourist, or seasonal resident. However, if you want to drive while here, you need to be at least 16 years old, have a valid license from your home state, and comply with Nevada traffic and financial responsibility laws.

If you are applying for a first-time Nevada license or ID, see our ASI Rollout page.
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Vehicle Registration Questions

 I recently registered my vehicle and then moved out-of-state. Can I get any refund on the unused portion of my registration?

No. Plate refunds are not issued to former Nevada residents. Nevada residents can qualify for registration fee refunds under certain limited circumstances.

If you still have your Nevada license plates, you should mail them to the DMV for cancellation. See Plate Surrender/Registration Fee Refunds.
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 How are vehicle sales taxes calculated?

The Nevada Sales and Use tax is actually several separate taxes which fund state and local government, schools and special purposes. See the Nevada Department of Taxation Sales and Use Tax Publications for current tax rates. Taxes on vehicle sales vary by the type of sale and the tax rate of the county in which the vehicle is based.

Nevada Dealer Sales - Taxes are paid to the dealer based on the actual purchase price.

Out-of-State Dealer Sales - DMV will verify whatever taxes were paid and charge any difference between that amount and what would have been due on a Nevada dealer sale.

Private Party Sales, Family Sales and Gifts - Sales on or after January 1, 2006, are not subject to sales taxes.

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. Value as declared on a title or Bill of Sale is not accepted. (NRS 374.112) Appraisals can be completed at the VIN Inspection Station at larger DMV offices.
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 We want to give our children one of our vehicles. 

See Registration Requirements (Private Party) for the documents needed to complete the transfer.  You will need Nevada insurance coverage which matches the new name(s) on the title and registration. If a smog check is required, you will need a new test if the last one is more than 90 days old.  If the vehicle title is held by a lienholder, you will have to refinance the vehicle or obtain a lien release.

You cannot transfer unused registration fees. The new owner pays a full year's registration. Typically, the parents surrender their license plates and receive a credit towards the registration of another vehicle and the new owner receives new plates. See Plate Surrender/Registration Fee Refunds.

If you wish to allow the new owner to use the existing set of license plates, you must complete a License Plate Release (SP-67). The new owner must submit this when registering the vehicle. Any existing registration will be canceled. Registration fee credits may not be transferred to the new owner.
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 I am donating a vehicle to a charity or buying one from a charity. What the procedures?

Charitable vehicle donations are nearly identical to private party vehicle sales. Donors must pay off any outstanding loan or lien and provide a properly-signed off title. The charity is allowed to sell the vehicle without actually taking ownership of it by completing the dealer reassignment section of the title.

If you are donating a vehicle, be sure to keep all receipts and documents issued by the charity as proof that the vehicle was donated. You should keep your license plates and surrender them or use them on another vehicle within 30 days. See Plate Surrender. Charities are required to surrender any plates left on a vehicle. 

If you are buying a vehicle from a charity, you must register and title the vehicle within 30 days of the sale. You must meet all of the registration requirements for a private party vehicle sale. See Registration Requirements.

 How do I go about getting handicapped plates?

Complete the Application for Disabled Persons Plates/Placards and have it signed by a licensed physician, who must attest that you have a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk.  See our License Plates page for details.

There are no fees. You can receive one set of disabled license plates, or plates and one disabled parking placard, or two disabled parking placards.  Stickers are available for motorcycles.  You can receive these immediately at a DMV Full Service office or order them by mail at the address on the form.
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 I am moving to Nevada. What are the Registration Requirements?

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 $1,000. It can be reduced upon compliance. A resident is any person, other than an active-duty military member or their spouses/dependents, who accepts employment or establishes their primary residence here.

If you have vehicles, you must obtain liability insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier to comply with our Insurance Verification Program. Out-of-state insurance is not accepted. If your insurance is with a large, national company, you must notify the company that you have moved to Nevada. If you do not obtain Nevada insurance, your registration may be suspended and you will be subject to a $250 reinstatement fee.

• See our New Resident Guide for other requirements.
• If you are starting a business, see our Vehicles in Business Guide.
• Water vessels are registered with the Nevada Division of Wildlife.
• Manufactured homes are taxed by County Assessors and titled by the Nevada Department of Business and Industry

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 Are there any temporary permits or registrations?

Yes. To drive any 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 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 to obtain a movement permit.  Examples include an expired registration or the signed-off title of a vehicle purchased from a private party. 

DMV issues several types of permits depending on the customer's needs, including a 15-day "drive away" permit for vehicles being driven out of state.  Small fees may apply depending on the type of permit issued.
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 I sold my vehicle, but I received a renewal notice. What do I do?

• You must remove your license plates if you sell a vehicle.
• If you do not officially transfer the license plates to another vehicle owned by you, you must surrender the plates to DMV within 30 days.
• If you are still in possession of your Nevada license plates, please surrender them. See Plate Surrender/Registration Fee Refunds.
• If you did not keep the plates and cannot surrender them, please disregard the renewal notice. You will not receive another notice and will not be subject to any fine or legal action.

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 I moved out of state and just received my renewal. What should I do?
Each holder of a valid registration, upon changing place of residence, shall notify the Department of such change within 30 days thereof and shall include in such notice both the old and new residence addresses. Complete and mail a Change of Address Notification form.

If you do not have your Nevada license plates, please disregard the renewal notice. You will not receive another notice and will not be subject to any fine or legal action. Former residents are not entitled to any refund of registration fees.

If you are still in possession of your Nevada license plates, please mail them to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Central Services
555 Wright Way
Carson City, Nevada 89711-0700

You may wish to send the plates via certified mail with return signature required. See Plate Surrender.
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   Emission Control / Smog Questions

See also On-Board Diagnostics FAQs

 I am presently out-of state, my renewal is due but I can't get it smogged in Nevada. What do I do?

• You may register your vehicle or renew your current registration by completing the  Emission Control Residency Affidavit (EC-8).
• If currently residing in an area that requires an emission inspection, you must provide proof that your Nevada-registered vehicle meets the requirements of that program.
• You may then return the completed Emission Control Residency Affidavit (EC-8), registration renewal card, a valid emission certificate, if needed, and check or money order in the exact amount of your registration to the address listed on the Emission Control Residency Affidavit (EC-8).  Please call (775) 684-4830 for details.

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My smog check receipt says "Vehicle information did not match registration records". What does this mean?

In most cases, it simply means the match was not completed immediately. (Emissions test results are submitted to the DMV electronically and there can be a delay of a few minutes before the results are actually transferred.)

If you wish to renew your registration by Internet, please proceed to Online Vehicle Registration Renewal and you should be able to complete the transaction. If the Internet renewal returns an error message, please mail your renewal and include the smog receipt.

Vehicles which have never been registered or titled in Nevada will also generate this error message.  Please bring your smog check receipt with you when you register the vehicle.
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