Nevada License PlatesNevada license plates are metallic number plates identifying vehicles registered with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Nevada law requires vehicles to display both front and rear license plates, except trailers and motorcycles, which require rear license plates only. A vehicle must display both front and rear license plates if it is designed for a front plate or if its manufacturer offers an add-on bracket or frame.
The Nevada DMV typically issues two license plates except for motorcycles and trailers. If the second plate is not in use, the owner must keep it safely stored and return both plates to the Department when required. The DMV reissues most license plates every 8 years to ensure the plates are in good condition and readable.
In Nevada, registration decals displaying the month and year of expiration are affixed to the upper right-hand corner of the rear license plate. It is important to note that your registration expires on the specific date listed on the slip, not at the end of the month. Nevada license plates are also issued to individuals and businesses, not specific vehicles.
The Nevada DMV issues standard and specialty plates to vehicle owners in the state. License plates may also be customized.
Nevada License Plate Design and FormatsThe Nevada standard-issue license plate features a light blue background with the word "NEVADA" displayed prominently at the top in black letters. The letters are bolded and are separated from the words "Home Means Nevada" at the bottom by a state-shaped separator. A stylized multi-colored mountain range is printed on the bottom of the plate.
Running horizontally across the middle of the plate is the alphanumeric identification number unique to each vehicle registered in the state. In this example, the ID number is "123-ABC".
Specialty Plates Designs:
Main Nevada License Plates
Veteran and Family Plates
Charitable and Collegiate Plates
Classic Vehicle Plates
Organizational Plates
* Source: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
Nevada Vanity License PlateVanity license plates or personalized plates are license plates that allow individuals to choose custom letter and number combinations within specific guidelines to display on their vehicles instead of the standard identification number.
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles reserves the right to decline any combination of letters and numbers for personalized license plates that may be deemed offensive or misleading. If a combination similar to an existing plate is requested, it may also be rejected. Vanity plate applicants are advised to allow 10-12 weeks for delivery. If your application is rejected, you will be notified by letter, and the plate fees will be refunded. Specifically, the DMV will reject any personalized license plate request that:
To obtain a vanity plate, you can order:
To order vanity plates online, use the Personalized License Plate Availability Search on the Nevada DMV website to verify the availability of the plates. You must have a Nevada driver's license or identification card to order vanity plates online.
If you are completing an application for vanity plates by mail or fax, download and complete the relevant application form. Mail the application and fees to the address printed on the application. The relevant fees may be paid by check or money order made out to the DMV or ADM 205 (Payment Authorization Form). Send the completed application and a Payment Authorization to (775) 684-4797 for faxed orders
Although the Nevada DMV allows you to order vanity plates as a gift, the department does not release license plates not registered to a vehicle. You should order the plates by mail or fax, placing your name and address on the application and the recipient's name on the line tagged "Name of person plate will be registered to if other than the applicant". You will be notified by the DMV or County Assessor's office you designated on the application when your plates are ready. The office will hold your vanity plates for 60 days. Note that the registration must be completed in person at a County Assessor or DMV office.
The forms applicable to vanity license plate applications in Nevada are:
For more information on vanity plates, contact the Nevada DMV at:
555 Wright WayCall a customer service representative:
Las Vegas Area: 486-4DMV (702) 486-4368For DMV online service hours of operation, see the DMV Online Availability schedule.
Most Popular License Plate in NevadaNevada specialty license plates are issued in the following categories:
Nevada License Plate LookupA license plate lookup is a way to find information about a vehicle using the vehicle's license plate number. This can include details like the vehicle's make and model, mileage, accident history, and maintenance history. People commonly use license plate lookups in Nevada for several reasons, such as:
You can contact the Nevada DMV to obtain information on a vehicle via a license plate lookup. However, only non-private information can be obtained from a license plate lookup. Alternatively, you can use RecordsFinder to conduct a quick license plate lookup and get basic vehicle information like the vehicle's make and model for free.
A reverse license plate search is similar to a license plate lookup, allowing a person to obtain information about a vehicle. Some online services refer to checking motor vehicle records by providing plate number as license plate lookup, while others call it reverse license plate lookup. As long as you are providing a license plate number to obtain information about the vehicle with the license plate, such as VIN, accident history, registration status, and lien records, you are performing a license plate look-up or a reverse license plate search.
You can use RecordsFinder to conduct a reverse license plate number. Note that you cannot typically obtain sensitive information about the owner of a vehicle with a reverse license plate search.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Nevada?In order to obtain Nevada license plates, you must complete a registration for the vehicle with the Nevada DMV. The DMV recommends that you complete the registration using the Online Registration system if you have purchased your vehicle from a Nevada dealer.
If you have purchased your vehicle from a Nevada dealer, you will need the following documents:
If you have purchased your vehicle from an out-of-state dealer, you will need the following documents to register the vehicle:
If you have purchased your vehicle from a private party sale, family sale, or have received it as a gift, you need the following documents:
If you are a new resident in Nevada, you need the following documents to register your vehicle:
If you are unable to complete your vehicle registration online, you may visit a DMV office in your area. Note that you must schedule an appointment with the office before visiting. For more information on registering your vehicle in Nevada, see the Nevada vehicle registration requirement page of the DMV website.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and a Commercial License Plate in NevadaPer NRS 484A.055, a commercial vehicle refers to any vehicle designed, maintained, or primarily used for the transportation of property in fostering commercial enterprise. While Nevada does not have a commercial license plate classification, commercial vehicles, especially those weighing 26,001 pounds and over, are required to complete their registrations with the Motor Carrier Division.
Some key differences between passenger and commercial license plates in Nevada are:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identifies personal vehicles used for non-commercial purposes | Identifies vehicles used for commercial purposes, such as for transporting passengers or cargo for profit |
| Vehicle Registration | The vehicle to be tagged with the plate must be registered with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | The vehicle to be tagged with the plate must be registered with the Montana Motor Carrier Division |
| Fees | Standard Registration fees apply | Fees vary depending on the vehicle type, weight class, and the scope of commercial operation (intrastate or interstate) |
How to Renew License Plate in NevadaTo renew your license plate, you only need to renew your vehicle registration. Vehicle registrations expire on the exact date printed on the registration cards and not at the end of the month. Typically, you will receive a renewal postcard about 30 days before renewal. Note that you will receive email notifications if you have a MyDMV account and have chosen the paperless option.
You can initiate your vehicle registration renewal process approximately 35 days before or up to 18 months after expiration. Late fees apply if you are renewing up to 18 months after the expiration date. Renewals may be completed using the kiosk, emission stations, or online.
To renew your vehicle registration online, you may use the One-Time Renewal system or the MyDMV option if you need to change your address or obtain a movement permit for an emissions test. Note that renewals and license plates are forwarded to the address on your record with the DMV. The DMV does not accept address changes by email or send stickers to temporary addresses. If you have a county-issued tax exemption, you may use it during an online vehicle registration renewal process. Contact your County Assessor office to apply for an exemption if you are eligible. Applicable payments on the One-Time Renewal system and the MyDMV portal can be made using electronic checks, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. Debit cards are processed as credit.
You can also renew your vehicle registrations using DMV office locations or private locations featuring self-service renewal kiosks that print and dispense registration slips and decals on the spot. Kiosk renewals attract an additional $3 processing fee. If there are no address changes or other issues, a vehicle renewal process at an approved kiosk usually takes at most 2 minutes. Kiosks at DMV offices accept cash and allow individuals to apply county-issued tax emotions if applicable.
Some emission stations in Nevada allow you to renew your vehicle registration at the same time when you get a smog check. Smog checks are required each year in Clark and Washoe counties. Nevada permits emission stations to charge a maximum of $10 in addition to the smog check fee. Upon completing the vehicle renewal process at the emission station, vehicle records are updated instantly. Subsequently, the decal and registration certificate will be mailed to you. Note that you must bring your registration renewal notice to the emission station. DMV renewal fees are accepted by cash, check, or credit card. To find an approved emission station near you, use the Business License Verification feature on the DMV website.
Alternatively, you can renew your vehicle registration in person at any County Assessor office offering vehicle registration or DMV office. The Nevada DMV only recommends this option if you have multiple DMV transactions or serious issues, such as registration suspension. When using this option to renew your vehicle registration, you must have your proof of insurance and driver's license ready. Also, professional firefighter and classic vehicle license plates carrying a smog check exemption cannot be renewed online or at emission stations or kiosks. Such license plates must be renewed in person at a DMV or County Assessor office.
Common forms that may be required when renewing your vehicle registration are:
For more information on renewing vehicle registrations in Nevada, see the registration renewal page of the DMV website.
How to Transfer a License Plate in NevadaIf you plan to transfer ownership of your license plates to another person, you can do so online by canceling your registration if the new owner is not using the license plates immediately. To transfer license plate ownership in such a case, you must complete form SP-67 (License Plate Release) and have the new owner submit it when the individual registers their vehicle with the DMV. The current registration for the license plate will be canceled if it has not been canceled already.
Note that registration fee credits cannot be transferred to the new owner. Home Means Nevada license plates must be used within 60 days of cancellation or expiration, and specialty plates must be used within 30 days. The new owner will not be able to use them on a vehicle after this period.
If you want to transfer a license plate between vehicles that you own, you must renew the registrations for an entire year and submit Evidence of Insurance cards and Emissions Inspections, if required. The DMV will award you credit for any unused portion of a current registration.
Also, you must bring the license plate application, other required documentation, Evidence of Insurance, and your current odometer reading to a DMV Full-Service office or County Assessor office offering vehicle registration services. Note that the license plate transfer fee is $5 plus other applicable fees. Certain license plate types, such as Classic Vehicle, may only be transferred if the new vehicle meets specific requirements.
Nevada License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)Except in circumstances where you have obtained the written permission of the vehicle owner or are authorized by a law or court order, you cannot legally find the owner of a Nevada license plate. Pursuant to the federal Driver Privacy Protection Act and Nevada law, the state's DMV is prohibited from releasing sensitive personal information related to motor vehicle records to the public. Personally identifiable data such as the name, address, telephone number, and social security numbers may not be released to the public.
To access non-sensitive motor vehicle records, you can use RecordsFinder to find such records for more than 269 million registered vehicles in the United States.
If your license plates are lost, you may order a duplicate set of plates with the same style and number or request entirely new license plates with a new number in any style. To obtain a replacement license plate:
Note that while it is recommended that you report lost or stolen plates to local law enforcement if your plates are used unlawfully, the DMV does not require a police report to accept notification of lost or stolen plates.
The DMV allows you to order new plates with the same style and number by mail, fax, or in person at a DMV office.
To order new plates by mail or fax:
To order new plates in person, bring a completed SP 14 - Duplicate License Plate Application to the nearest DMV office. At the office, you will be asked to complete a VP 202 form - Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit stating that the plates were lost. Subsequently, the DMV will issue a temporary movement permit, registration, and decal. Afterward, the new license plates will be shipped to the DMV or County Assessor's office chosen on your application. You will be notified by mail when the new plates are ready for pickup.
Law enforcement officers can run license plates for various reasons, provided they have reasonable suspicion. The information on your license plate is considered public, and looking up this information does not violate privacy rights. The police may run your license plates for several reasons, including to check your vehicle registration status, check for vehicles involved in a crime, or to check for stolen vehicles or plates.
When the police run your license plates, they can access information, such as:
You can perform a free license plate search in Nevada using RecordsFinder's license plate search. The license plate lookup feature on the website can help check a vehicle's history for previous accidents or recalls or determine if the vehicle has a cloned VIN.
Using RecordsFinder website, you can obtain information such as a vehicle's:
If you are caught driving a vehicle with an expired registration or license plate in Nevada, you may face a fine of up to $1,000.
If you plan on not driving your vehicle for an extended period or intend to cancel your vehicle liability insurance or sell your vehicle, the Nevada DMV recommends that you consider canceling your registration and surrendering your license plates. Additionally, if your vehicle will be stored or under repairs for a long period and you do not intend to keep the liability insurance or registration in effect, you should consider canceling your registration and surrendering your plates.
In Nevada, you can keep and use your plates on another vehicle or turn them in to the DMV. If you have a standard Home Means Nevada plate, you have 60 days to turn in the plates or use them on another vehicle. If you have a specialty plate, you have 30 days.
The Nevada DMV allows you to surrender your license plates:
The Nevada DMV recommends that motorists notify the Department within 30 days of moving if they are moving out of state. The DMV also recommends surrendering your license plates if moving out of the state. You can surrender your plates in person at a DMV office or County Assessor's office. Alternatively, you can mail the license plates to the DMV office in Carson City.
Nevada license plates are typically 12 inches in width by 6 inches in height.
The Nevada DMV issues a moving permit allowing a vehicle to be legally driven in the state for up to 30 days. This document is only issued when your vehicle is not registered, or you are transporting a vehicle you have recently purchased and have yet to register in the state. For more information on obtaining a movement permit in Nevada, visit the vehicle registration permit page of the DMV website.
To renew your license plates, renew your vehicle registration using any of the following options:
If your license plates are stolen, follow these steps to obtain replacement plates: