New Resident Guide

New Nevada residents must obtain their driver license and vehicle registration within 30 days. The initial fine for failing to register your vehicle is $1,000. It may be reduced to not less than $200 upon compliance.

See our DMV Requirements Tip Sheets: English | Spanish

Residency Requirements

You must be a Nevada resident and provide a Nevada street address to obtain a driver license. You may not hold licenses or ID cards from multiple states.

Active duty military members, their spouses, dependents and others living temporarily in Nevada are not required to transfer their license and registration.

Licenses are not issued to visitors, out-of-state students or foreign exchange students. Other foreign nationals may or may not be eligible for a license depending on their specific immigration status. Email or call for details and see Beginning Drivers 18 & Older.

Nevada Revised Statutes 482.103 and 483.141 "Resident" defined.

1. "Resident" includes, but is not limited to, a person:
   1. Whose legal residence is in the State of Nevada.
   2. Who engages in intrastate business and operates in such a business any motor vehicle, trailer or semi trailer, or any person maintaining such vehicles in this state, as the home state of such vehicles.
   3. Who physically resides in this state and engages in a trade, profession, occupation or accepts gainful employment in this state.
   4. Who declares himself to be a resident of this state to obtain privileges not ordinarily extended to nonresidents of this state.
2. The term does not include a person who is an actual tourist, an out-of-state student, a foreign exchange student, a border state employee or a seasonal resident.

Items Needed for a Typical Transfer

DRIVER LICENSE

As a first-time applicant, you will be required to provide proof of your identity (name and date of birth) and separate proof of your social security number if one has been issued for you. You must also surrender any existing U.S.-issued license or ID.

• Your Valid, State-Issued Driver License, Instruction Permit or ID Card

  This must contain your name and date of birth. You must also provide additional proof of identity as listed below.

  Licenses and ID cards are issued at a central location and mailed to the customer 7 to 10 days after application. We will punch a hole in your existing license or ID and return it to you with a paper interim document. Your existing license will be cancelled in your previous state.

  If your license is expired, revoked or suspended, see Driving Tests. If you have never been licensed in the U.S., see Beginning Drivers 18 & Older or Nevada Teen Driving.

  Nevada requires special endorsements for Class C license holders to tow multiple trailers or trailers in excess of 10,000 pounds. Additional testing is required.

• Additional Proof of Identity

  You must be a Nevada resident and provide a Nevada street address to obtain a drivers license, instruction permit or ID card. As a first-time applicant, you will be required to provide proof of your identity (name and date of birth) and separate proof of your social security number if one has been issued for you. You must complete a Driver's License or Identification Card Application (DMV 002).

  We do not accept other states’ licenses, instruction permits or ID cards as proof of identity.

  Please bring one of the Proof of Name documents and one of the Social Security Number documents listed below in addition to your license, permit or ID card.

   

VEHICLE REGISTRATION

• Nevada Evidence of Insurance card

  Be sure the name(s) on your insurance match the names(s) on your registration exactly. Insurance must be issued by a Nevada-licensed carrier. Out of state insurance is not accepted. 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 Nevada LIVE electronic verification. The minimum liability insurance requirement is $15,000/$30,000/$10,000. You must keep a Nevada Evidence of Insurance card in your vehicle at all times and present it to law enforcement upon request.

• Nevada Emissions Vehicle Inspection Report (if needed)

  Smog checks are required on gasoline and diesel powered cars and trucks, 1968 and newer, based in and around Las Vegas and Reno. New vehicles are exempt on their first and second registration. Hybrid-electric vehicles are exempt for the first five model years. Diesel vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds are also exempt.

  You must have a Nevada smog check even if your vehicle was recently tested in another state. Nevada emissions inspection stations are privately owned and decentralized. Look for a station near your new home or see Business License Verification for sortable lists. See Diesel Inspection Stations if you have a diesel vehicle. See Emissions for more information.

• Your Current Registration(s) and License Plates

  New residents must surrender their out-of-state plates. If you do not have the registration slip, we will teletype your home state for verification. Expired registrations are subject to late fees. Most trailers must be registered and titled if used on any public street.

  If you wish to have a third party register the vehicle for you, the person must also present an Application for Vehicle Registration (VP-222) signed by the owner or a completed Power of Attorney (VP-136). A General Power of Attorney will be accepted but it must be notarized and be an original or certified copy.

  If your former state does not register and/or title trailers, call or email for an explanation of requirements.

• Title(s), Unless Held By Lienholder

  You have the option of retaining your out-of-state title. However, we strongly suggest getting a Nevada title if your vehicle is paid for. This will minimize problems when you sell your vehicle.

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Inspection

  Any vehicle or trailer which has never been registered or titled in Nevada must be inspected. This is done at DMV offices. At larger offices, drive to the VIN inspection station outside the main DMV building first.

  VIN inspections may also be completed by a sworn law enforcement officer using the Vehicle Inspection Certificate VP-015. If you live in the Gardnerville area near Carson City, you may have the inspection completed at an Authorized Inspection Station.

• Fees

  The DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders for the exact amount due, electronic checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. Out-of-state checks are accepted with the approval of a supervisor.

  Have your VIN ready and use our Online Fee Estimate for estimates of vehicle registration fees. (Estimate only - total fees will be slightly higher.) Nevada charges basic registration fees and taxes based on the value of your vehicle. We do not give credits or refunds of other states' fees.

  Most licenses cost $22 or $17 for those 65 and older. A $25 testing fee applies for knowledge and skills testing. See Driver License Fees.

Your DMV Visit

Be Prepared

Make sure you have all of the required documents such as proof of identity, your existing vehicle registration and your Nevada Evidence of Insurance card. Tip Sheets: English | Spanish

Get your Vehicle Identification Number(s) ready and use our Online Registration Fee Estimate. You may wish to fill out a Driver License Application (DMV 002) in advance.

Email or call with any further questions. If you are out-of-state, call 1-877-368-7828 or (775) 684-4368 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5  p.m. Pacific time.

License Plates

Out-of-state license plates must be surrendered. Plates are usually removed at the DMV office. Be sure to bring your own tools.

Visit our License Plates pages if you are interested in personalized or specialty plates. Plates with standard numbering are issued over the counter. We encourage you to order personalized plates by mail if you can place the order approximately 60 days before you register your vehicle. If you order personalized plates at the office, we will issue a paper movement permit and mail the new plates to you.

Your DMV Office

We do not make appointments. Find the DMV Full Service office nearest your home. County Assessors in certain rural areas offer vehicle registration services but you must visit a DMV office for a driver license or ID card.

Larger DMV offices have a VIN Inspection Station outside the main office. Drive there first for your inspection(s). If you have multiple vehicles, you may have the inspections completed individually and register the vehicles all at once.

Larger DMV offices also have an Information Counter where you begin. DMV technicians handle both driver license and registration transactions at the same time.

Driving Tests

Drivers who have never been licensed or those who currently hold a license from a foreign country or a U.S. territory must take vision, knowledge (written) and skills (driving) tests.

All drivers who currently hold a valid U.S. license must take the vision test. Drivers under the age of 21 and those who have misplaced their actual license are required to take the vision and knowledge tests.

Additionally, transferring drivers will be required to take the knowledge test if any of the following conditions exist:

• 3 or more convictions of moving violations in the past 4 years.
• driver's license or privilege to drive suspended, revoked, cancelled, or otherwise disqualified during the past 4 years.
• a DUI conviction (drug- and/or alcohol-related offense) within the past 7 years.
• any license restrictions which must be reevaluated to ensure the driver has the ability to drive safely (skills test may be required also).
• Applying for a different type or class of license (skills test may be required also).

All applications are checked through the national Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS). If your license is suspended, revoked, or cancelled in another state, see Driver License Suspensions.

Commercial drivers who are not required to take a test may apply for their Nevada license at any full-service DMV Office. For those who require commercial testing, please contact a CDL Office.

Driver Handbooks (PDF Format)
English | Español | Motorcycle
Beginning Driver Training Guide
English | Spanish
Use the Driver Handbook to study for the written test. The Beginning Driver guide is for practical training.
Non-Commercial Study Guide
Class A & B, J Endorsement
Commercial
Full Handbook | Hazardous Materials

Online Sample Test

Interactive | Text Only

Links

Nevada Teen Driving

Beginning Drivers 18 and Older

Commercial Licensing

Traffic Law Summary & Education Campaigns

Teen Driving

Drivers with an out-of-state instruction permit can drive in Nevada provided there is a licensed driver, 21 or older, with at least one year of driving experience seated next to the beginning driver at all times. 

Out-of-state permits must be surrendered to obtain a Nevada permit or license. Additional proof of identity is required as outlined above. You must be age 15½ and pass the vision and written tests to obtain a Nevada Instruction Permit.

The minimum age to obtain a driver license is 16. Most teens must complete driver education and a log of the dates and times of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience. See Nevada Teen Driving for complete details.

All drivers under 18 must obey a driving curfew. Teens are not allowed to drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are traveling to or from a scheduled event such as work or school.

Vehicle Registration Fees & Tax Relief

The basic registration fee for vehicles under 6,000 pounds is $33. There is a graduated scale for higher weights. Trailers up to 1,000 pounds are $12; 1,000 or above are $24. Nevada charges $28.25 for first-time vehicle titles and small fees for items such as license plates.

Nevada also charges taxes based on the value of the vehicle:

• Governmental Services Tax helps fund local government and schools. It is approximately 1.4% of the depreciated Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price.
• Supplemental Governmental Services Tax helps fund road improvements. This is charged in Clark and Churchill counties only. It is 25% of the Governmental Services Tax.
• Sales Taxes on Dealer Purchases 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 the Nevada Department of Taxation Sales and Use Tax Publications for current rates, which vary by county.

Use our Online Registration Fee Estimates.  (Vehicle Identification Number or MSRP is required.) See Registration Fees for more details.

County Assessors can approve Governmental Services Tax relief for veterans with certain dates of 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 only apply to the Governmental Services Tax. Contact your County Assessor for specific requirements and see NRS Chapter 371. Veterans may designate all or part of their exemption for the Nevada Veterans Home Account.

Active duty military members who are residents of another state but stationed in Nevada qualify for Governmental Services Tax exemptions. Spouses qualify as well. See Military Licensing for information and forms.

Native American tribal members who reside on tribal lands also qualify for Governmental Services Tax exemptions. They must have the Application for Governmental Services Tax Exemption (VP-154) signed by the Tribal Chairperson.

License Plates and Disabled Parking

License Plates

Nevada requires two license plates on motorized vehicles except for motorcycles, unless the vehicle is not designed for a front plate and no front plate bracket is available from the manufacturer. Plates are issued to the owner and not the vehicle. Keep your Nevada plates if you sell a vehicle.

Personalized plates in the standard design are limited to 7 letters and/or numbers. They cost $36 when ordered and $20 per year to renew. Specialty plates are available for Nevada universities, veterans, Purple Heart recipients, Ex-Prisoners of War, street rods and a number of charitable causes. Costs for specialty plates vary. You can order custom plates by mail in advance of your move. See License Plates.

Disabled Parking

Nevada issues special plates and/or a placard which can be used on any vehicle. The disabled resident must have a Nevada DMV application signed by a licensed physician verifying that he or she has a permanent disability which restricts the ability to walk. Use the Application for Disabled Persons Plates/Placards SP-27. See Disabled Parking.

Motorcycles, Mopeds & Off-Highway Vehicles

Driver License

Nevada transfers most motorcycle endorsements from other states. If you take the skills test on a motorcycle under 90cc, your license will be restricted to that size or smaller.

Registration

Mopeds 50cc or less, with less than 2 horsepower, do not have to be registered or insured and you do not need a Class M license.  However, you must have a Class C or higher driver license to drive a moped on any public street.  Mopeds over 50cc are considered motorcycles.

Helmet Law

Motorcyclists are required to wear helmets that meet U.S. Department of Transportation standards at all times. The only exception is for mopeds 50cc or less, capable of a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.

Off-Highway Vehicles

You may not drive an off-highway vehicle on any public street in Nevada. There is no driver's license requirement or minimum age for operation.

ATV's, non-street-legal motorcycles, snowmobiles, etc. must be registered. Applications are accepted by mail only and decals are issued by mail only. See the Nevada Commission on Off-Highway Vehicles for details.

Boats & Manufactured Housing

Water vessels are registered and titled by the Nevada Division of Wildlife. Trailers are registered by the DMV. Nearly all trailers must be registered to be driven on any public highway. You must complete a VIN inspection on trailers which have never been registered or titled in Nevada.

Manufactured Homes and commercial coaches are taxed by County Assessors and titled by the Nevada Department of Business and Industry. If you are moving a home into Nevada or buying one here, it is important to contact both agencies. See Manufactured Homes and Recreational Park Trailers.