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Writer's pictureJeff Guymon

Nevada Car Registration: Everything You Need to Know

Updated: Aug 13, 2020

This article will serve as your complete guide to registering your new vehicle, renewing your registration, registering your out-of-state vehicle, calculating registration fees, and keeping your vehicle up-to-date on inspections in the state of Nevada!


We will address the following questions:

  • How do I complete renewal registration online in Nevada?

  • How do I re-register a car in Nevada offline?

  • How do I register my out-of-state vehicle in Nevada?

  • How do I register a vehicle for the first time in Nevada?

  • What fees might be involved in car registration?

  • What sort of inspection is needed?

How to Renew your Registration Online

In Nevada, you are required to renew your registration annually. As a reminder, the Nevada DMV sends out a renewal notice postcard in the mail about 30days before your registration is set to expire. Your renewal notice will include your vehicle information, name, address, renewal access code, total fees and taxes due, if testing is required, renewal options, and your registration expiration date. You must renew your registration by the exact date on your renewal notice, not the end of the registration month. The Nevada DMV does not allow grace periods for expired registrations and is legally required to charge late fees. There is no flat late fee charged, so to determine what your late fees would be you would need to contact the DMV.


To make renewing your registration fast and convenient, Nevada offers an online renewal platform!


To be eligible for the online renewal service, you must meet all the following criteria:

  • You have not had your license or registration suspended

  • Your address is up-to-date with the DMV

    • If your address is not up-to-date, you can update it on the MyDMV site.

  • Your vehicle is up-to-date on all inspections

  • You are renewing within the allowed window of time

    • You can renew your registration online 35 days before your expiration date and up to 18 months after

  • If required, your vehicle has passed the required emissions test listed on your renewal notice.

As you complete the online process, you will be asked to:

  • Provide the last four digits of your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and the license plate number OR you can provide your renewal notice access code

  • Verify your vehicle record

  • Verify and update your liability insurance associated with your vehicle

  • Submit a tax exemption

    • This document is not needed for vehicle owners in Clark County

  • Pay your registration renewal fees with a debit or credit card


When you have renewed your registration online, you should print out the confirmation page or request a confirmation email as proof of your renewal. Your new registration certificate and the sticker will be sent within 2 business days.

How to Renew your Registration Offline


If you are not eligible to renew online, you can also renew by mail or in-person at the DMV, at a kiosk, or an emission testing facility.


Renew by Mail

If you are temporarily out-of-state, need to change your address, or want to claim a tax exemption, renewing your registration by mail is the best option.


There are instructions for renewing by mail on your renewal notice. If you did not receive your renewal notice in the mail, you will need to email your license plate number, name, and address for instructions. They may request additional documentation from you at this time.


When mailing your notice to the DMV, you should include:

  • Payment for fees

    • The only forms of payment accepted are checks or money orders made out to “Department of Motor Vehicles"

  • If applicable, Any inspection certifications

  • If applicable, Documentation for an address change

  • If applicable, Tax exemption documents

Once you have enclosed all documentation, send your renewal notice to:


Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles

Registration Renewal by Mail

PO. Box 6900

Carson City, NV 89702


You should postmark your envelope by or on the expiration date if you do not want to incur late fees.

Renew in-person or by appointment

You can complete your registration renewal in-person at a Nevada MVD office, at a service kiosk, or a smog check station. Make an appointment at your local DMV office before heading in.


You must bring the following items to your NV DMV appointment:

  • Your driver's license

  • Insurance card

  • Payment for your registration renewal fees

    • Payment methods may vary based on location.


Due to Covid-19, the Nevada DMV strongly urges vehicle owners to make a virtual appointment instead of an in-person appointment. If you would like to make a virtual appointment, use the DMV’s platform DashPass. Click the link to book a virtual DMV visit.


DashPass is only offered to residents of:

  • Carson City

  • Henderson

  • Las Vegas

  • Reno


Renew at a DMV Kiosk

You can also renew your registration at a self-serve kiosk if you do not need to update any information or renew no later than 18 months past your expiration date. Kiosks can be found at private businesses, supermarkets, and certain DMV offices.


To renew:

  • Visit your nearest DMV kiosk

  • Follow the prompts on the screen

  • Pay your renewal fee balance (see heading “Fees and Taxes” for more information)

Once your payment has been submitted, the DMV kiosk will print out your registration and dispense your license plate decals.


Renew at an Emissions Station

If you are required to get a smog test for renewal, you can visit a participating emissions inspection station to have both your emissions test and registration renewal completed!


At the smog testing site, you must:

  • Complete and pass the emissions test (see “Smog/Inspections” for more information)

  • Pay fees for the emissions test AND registration renewal

    • The inspection station employees will give you two separate receipts

After completing the emissions test and paying all necessary fees, your registration will be automatically renewed. The DMV will send your complete registration and stickers by mail within the next couple of weeks.


Registration Status Inquiry

If you have already renewed your plates using one of these methods and still have not received your plates, you can use the Registration Status Inquiry provided by the NV DMV to see if your registration has been processed.


New Resident Registration


Welcome to Nevada! Before you can register your vehicle in NV, you must first be an established resident of the state.


You have established residency if:

  • You have legal residence in the state of Nevada

  • You are employed or own a business in Nevada

  • You have a Nevada driver’s license

  • You are registered to vote in NV

You must register your vehicle within 30 days of establishing Nevada residence.


To register your vehicle in Nevada, you must make an appointment with your local DMV, and be prepared to do the following:

  • Show proof of Nevada liability insurance

    • The minimum liability is $25,000/$50,000/$20,000.

    • You should make sure that the names on your insurance match the names on your registration exactly.

    • You must keep this insurance in your vehicle at all times, or you will be fined.

  • If applicable, Show your Nevada Vehicle Emissions Inspection Certificate

    • New vehicles are exempt for their first registrations and first renewal.

    • Hybrid-electric models are exempt for the first 5 model years.

    • Diesel vehicles with a minimum gross weight of 14,000 pounds are exempt.

  • Transfer your Title

    • It is not required that you get a new Nevada vehicle title, but if you do not, you will encounter difficulties selling in the vehicle in the future.

  • Get a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection

    • You can get a VIN inspection at your local DMV

    • All trailers and vehicles are subject to this inspection

  • Record your odometer reading

  • Bring your current out-of-state vehicle registration

  • Have a NV drivers license application

  • Provide a Proof of Identity in the form of a Drivers License

  • Surrender your out-of-state plates

  • Bring payment for registration fees

    • The DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders for the exact amount due, electronic checks, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

How to Register Your Newly Purchase Vehicle


Did you just purchase a vehicle from a dealership?

If you purchased your vehicle from a Nevada dealer, you will need to register your vehicle using the DMV’s online platform or in-person.


When you purchase a vehicle from an NV dealer, they should provide you with the following:

  • Copies of any contract, lease agreement or warranty

  • A temporary movement placard

    • This document will expire in 30 days from the sale date

  • If applicable, A passing emission inspection

  • A drivetrain inspection report

    • Applicable for used vehicles which have an odometer reading of 75,000 miles or more

  • An Electronic Dealer Report of Sale (EDRS)

    • The dealer may not give you the EDRS at the time of sale. If not, they should mail it to you within 20 days

If you plan on registering online, you have the option of transferring your existing plates or getting new plates. Unfortunately, trailers, mobile homes, and classic cars are not able to register using the online platform.


The documents you will need during the online registration process are:

  • Nevada Evidence of Insurance

  • Electronic Dealer Report of Sale (EDRS)

  • If applicable, A Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report

  • Current Odometer Reading

  • A valid form of payment

    • Sales tax is paid during the transaction with the dealer, so this tax will not be included in the costs you pay during the registration process.

    • The NV DMV offers an online calculator to estimate your registration fees.

If you are not eligible to register your vehicle online, you must register in-person at a DMV office with the same documents listed above. You must make an appointment at the Las Vegas, Carson City, or Reno locations here. Please note, you are required to register your vehicle before the expiration date listed on your temporary movement placard that was issued by the dealership.


Did you just purchase a vehicle from a private party?

If the vehicle is purchased from a private party, you must register it with the Nevada DMV within 30 days of the sale in your local DMV office.


The documents you will need to bring are:

  • Nevada Evidence of Insurance

  • A signed Certificate of Title or Security Agreement from a Financial Institution

  • If applicable, Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report (if applicable)

  • If applicable, a VIN inspection

    • A VIN inspection is only required for vehicles not previously registered in Nevada

    • These inspections can be completed at the DMV office

  • Current Odometer Reading

  • If a third party registers on your behalf, you must sign and complete an Application for Vehicle Registration (VP 222).

  • A form of payment

It is recommended you complete a Bill of Sale when purchasing a vehicle from a private party for your own personal records, but it is not required when registering your vehicle.


Fees and Taxes


Your complete registration fee will comprise a registration fee and a governmental services tax.


Registration Fees

Registration fees are based on the type of vehicle being registered. This tax funds the county’s road construction budget and the DMV’s operating budget.

Registration fees for motor trucks, truck tractors, and buses are declared based on their gross weight.

Government Service Tax

This tax funds local governments, school districts, and the state General Fund. The tax is based on the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) of the new vehicle.

  • The MSRP will not change over time.

  • You first take 35% of the vehicle’s MSRP

  • Then depreciate the DMV valuation by 5% after the first year, 10% each year after reaching a minimum of 15%. (The minimum Governmental Services Tax is $16.00).

  • The Governmental Services Tax is 4 cents on each $1 of the depreciated DMV Valuation.

The Supplemental Governmental Services Tax

This tax only applies to vehicle owners living in Clark County and Churchill County. It is a voter-approved tax used for highway construction.

  • The Supplemental Governmental Services Tax is 1 cent on each $1 of the depreciated DMV Valuation.

Other fees

  • $1 technology fee

  • $29.95 fee for first-time Nevada title

  • $8 fee for a set of standard license plates

  • $6 Safety Fee

    • Applies motorcycle registrations that funds safety programs and training

  • $6 per month late fee

  • The Governmental Services Tax penalty is $6.00 or 10%, whichever is greater

  • Sales tax rates vary by county. Check your county’s tax rates here.

  • Nevada Dealers, out-of-state dealers, and private party sales tax all vary, but the NV DMV offers an online calculator to help estimate your registration fees.

Smog/Inspection

The DMV requires emissions testing for many original registrations as well as for many annual renewals. Your vehicle must get an inspection before renewal if the phrase, “Emissions Test Required,” is on your renewal notice. If your registration is expired and you need to drive to the test, you must go in-person to the DMV or go online to get a temporary moving permit. In order to get this permit, you must show your last registration certification or other proof of ownership. Emissions tests are valid for 90 days, but if they are done at a Nevada dealer, they are valid for 180 days.


Vehicles requiring emissions testing is required for passenger cars, trucks, mobile homes, and RVs that are:

  • Based in the urban areas of Clark or Washoe county;

  • Gasoline-powered (regardless of weight or size)

  • Diesel-powered with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating up to and including 14,000 pounds; and

  • 1968 model year or newer

  • New vehicles on their third registration. First and second registrations are exempted.

  • Hybrids are exempt for five model years.

Vehicles exempt from emissions testing are (click here for the full list):

  • New motor vehicles on their first and second registration

  • The first five models of hybrid-electric models

  • Vehicles 1967 years or older

  • Alternative fuel vehicles

  • Classic cars

Maximum fees for Emission testing varies by county. You can check how much your inspection would be here.


Once you have passed, your results will be automatically updated with the DMV and you will be issued a Vehicle Inspection Report which you can use to register. If you fail the test, you can acquire a temporary moving permit so that you can retest even if your registration expires. You must pass an emissions test because you will be allowed to register.


If your vehicle is in need of an emissions test, find the location nearest to you by clicking here!


Have You Considered Refinancing Your Auto Loan?


Now that you feel the stress and confusion of vehicle registration vanishing, it's time to take a look at how to improve another aspect of your car-ownership experience: have you thought about saving money on your auto loan too? Learn how you can lower your loan payments using WithClutch!


More than likely, if you received your vehicle loan from a dealership, you may be drastically overpaying. WithClutch can help people save money and time by allowing them to refinance from the comfort of their home in less than 20 seconds. If this is something that appeals to you follow these simple steps to get your refinance journey on its way!

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