Car Registration Requirements for New Nevada Residents

Individuals who relocate to Nevada with a vehicle registered in another state must transfer registration within a specified period. Nevada law defines residency obligations that begin when an individual establishes a legal residence through employment, property ownership, voter registration, or similar permanent ties.

Timeline for New Nevada Residents

New residents must obtain a Nevada driver's license and register their vehicle within 30 days of establishing legal residence.

Late registration results in a $6 per month penalty on the base registration fee and a 10 percent penalty on governmental services taxes, minimum $6, assessed every 15 days. Penalties accrue from the date registration became due.

Establishing Nevada Residency

Nevada defines a resident as any person whose legal residence is within the state. Residency is determined by intent to remain permanently or indefinitely, demonstrated through actions such as accepting employment, enrolling in educational institutions, purchasing or leasing property, registering to vote, or filing state tax returns.

Required Documentation for Car Registration in Nevada

New residents transferring vehicle registration must provide documentation verifying ownership, insurance coverage, and vehicle identity.

Essential Documents

• Nevada evidence of insurance issued by a Nevada-licensed carrier meeting minimum liability coverage requirements
• Current out-of-state vehicle registration certificate
• Current out-of-state license plates (surrendered at registration)
• Vehicle title or security agreement if a lienholder holds title
• VIN inspection certificate if the vehicle has never been titled in Nevada
• Emission inspection report if required by county of residence (valid 90 days)
• Current odometer disclosure
• Completed Application for Registration (Form VP 222)

Insurance Coverage Requirements

Nevada law mandates liability insurance meeting minimum coverage limits. A Nevada-licensed carrier must issue insurance; out-of-state policies are not accepted for registration purposes.

Application Submission Methods

New residents must submit registration applications in person at a Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles office. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times. Locate the nearest office using the DMV office locator.

VIN inspections are performed at all DMV offices without an appointment. Authorized law enforcement personnel and licensed businesses may also conduct VIN inspections using Form VP 015.

Nevada Vehicle Inspection Requirements

VIN Inspection

VIN inspections verify vehicle identity for vehicles never previously titled in Nevada. All DMV offices provide VIN inspections without appointments. Authorized law enforcement agencies and licensed inspection businesses may also perform inspections.

Emission Testing

Annual emission testing is required for gasoline-powered vehicles manufactured in 1968 or later and diesel-powered vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating up to 14,000 pounds. Testing applies to vehicles registered in Clark County (Las Vegas metropolitan area) or Washoe County (Reno and Sparks area).

Emission certificates remain valid for 90 days from the test date (180 days for vehicles purchased from Nevada dealers). Locate authorized emission testing stations through the online station directory.

**Emission Testing Fees **

Maximum testing fees vary by vehicle type and county:

• Clark County: Light-duty gasoline $75.50, heavy-duty gasoline $75, diesel $90
• Washoe County: Light-duty gasoline $71.50, heavy-duty gasoline $73, diesel $74

Emission Testing Exemptions

• Vehicles in their first three registrations (new vehicles)
• Hybrid-electric vehicles during their first five model years
• Vehicles manufactured before 1968
• Motorcycles and mopeds
• Electric vehicles and alternative-fuel vehicles (propane, compressed natural gas, methane, butane)
• Diesel vehicles exceeding 14,000 pounds gross vehicle weight rating
• Classic, Classic Rod, or Old Timer plated vehicles driven 5,000 miles or fewer annually

Registration Fees and Costs in Nevada

Nevada registration fees consist of a base registration fee, governmental services tax, and supplemental governmental services tax in certain counties. Fees vary by vehicle type, weight, and original manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Base Registration Fees

• Passenger cars: $33
• Motorcycles: $33 plus $6 safety fee
• Mopeds: $33
• Travel trailers: $27
• Trailers weighing 1,000 pounds or less (unladen): $12
• Trailers exceeding 1,000 pounds: $24
• Low-speed vehicles: $33
• Golf cart permits: $10 annually

Motor Trucks and Buses

• Under 6,000 pounds: $33
• 6,000 to 8,499 pounds: $38
• 8,500 to 10,000 pounds: $48
• 10,001 to 26,000 pounds: $12 per 1,000 pounds or fraction thereof
• 26,001 to 80,000 pounds: $17 per 1,000 pounds (maximum $1,360)

Governmental Services Tax

Governmental services tax is calculated at 4 cents per dollar of depreciated vehicle valuation. The valuation equals 35 percent of the original manufacturer's suggested retail price. Depreciation begins at 5 percent after the first year and increases by 10 percent each subsequent year, with a floor of 15 percent of the original valuation. The minimum governmental services tax is $16.

Clark County and Churchill County assess a supplemental governmental services tax at 1 cent per dollar of depreciated vehicle valuation.

Additional Fees

• First-time Nevada title fee: $28.25
• VIN inspection: $1
• Movement permit: Varies by duration and vehicle type

Tax Exemptions

Tax exemptions are available for qualifying individuals and must be claimed at registration:

• Veterans, disabled veterans, and blind individuals (requires county assessor approval)
• Active-duty military personnel who are legal residents of other states stationed in Nevada (full governmental services tax exemption, transferable to spouse)
• Native American tribal members residing on tribal lands (Form VP 154 signed by tribal chair required)
• Farmers and ranchers (vehicles may be taxed by unladen weight using Form VP 159 affidavit)

Fee Estimation

Use the online fee estimator to calculate registration fees based on vehicle specifications and county of residence.

Contact Information

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711-0900
Phone: Reno/Sparks/Carson City (775) 684-4368; Las Vegas (702) 486-4368
Nevada DMV

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Emission Testing Program
Emission Testing Information

Nevada Department of Insurance
Nevada Department of Insurance