How To Register a Car In Nevada
If you just moved to Nevada, you’ll need to get an inspection and head to the local tax office to complete your vehicle registration. Learn more here!
Written by James Ellaby
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
To register a car in Nevada, you’ll need to pass an emissions test and provide proof of Nevada insurance, a VIN inspection, your current odometer reading, and a bill of sale or any registration tags and documents from a previous state, if applicable.
Moving to a new state comes with a lot of paperwork, but it’s necessary to establish legal residency. That includes r
egistering a vehicle
if you have one—and you’ve only got 30 days to do it in Nevada. During that time you’ll also need to have passed a state emissions inspection and an annual smog check inspection in certain counties.Registering a car in Nevada doesn’t have to be a complicated process. To make things easier, the
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How to register a car in Nevada
You’ll need to bring a few documents to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register a new vehicle in Nevada, including a valid Electronic Deal and a Rebuilder of Lessor’s Report of Sale or Lease (EDRS). You’ll also need proof of insurance that meets
Nevada’s minimum requirements
, your odometer reading, tax exemption number, and a base fee of $33. If you just moved to Nevada
The Silver State gives you a 30-day grace period to register your vehicle and get your
Nevada driver’s license
once you’ve established residency. You can get these through one of the DMV’s main offices in Carson City, Henderson, Las Vegas, and Reno as well as smaller ones in rural areas.Before you can do that, though, you may need to arrange for annual Nevada emissions inspections if you live in Clark or Washoe County. You can get one at any
licensed emission station
. You need an emissions test if your car is:
- Gasoline-powered (regardless of weight or size)
- Diesel-powered from 1968 or newer with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating up to and including 14,000 pounds
- Getting its fourth registration (Hybrids are exempt until their fifth registration)
New Nevada residents
must get a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) inspection must also be done before being registered. Any vehicle or trailer which has never been registered or titled in Nevada must be inspected. Inspections are done at all DMV offices.Once your vehicle has passed its emissions test and had its VIN inspection, it will be confirmed as road-ready with a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). You can proceed with getting it registered at your local DMV office!
This is what you’ll need to bring:
- Nevadaproof of insurance
- Nevada emissions vehicle inspection report (if required)
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection
- Current registration
- Current odometer reading
- Out-of-state license plates (if you still have them)
- Application for vehicle registration(if a third party registers the vehicle on behalf of the owner)
Registration fees in Nevada can vary from county to county, but for most cars and motorcycles, you will pay $33, while larger trucks between 6,001 and 8,499 pounds cost $38.
Those are the base fees and may be subject to local fees and processing handling fees, but you can find out more about these at your location office.
If you just bought a car
If you’re already a resident of Nevada, you’ll of course need to register any new car you purchase. These first-time registrations require a $33 fee with many of the same items as for transferring car registration to Nevada and can be completed
online
or in person at the DMV
. Vehicle registration gives you the right to drive your car or truck on public highways. The Certificate of Registration and your Nevada Evidence of Insurance must be kept in the vehicle. Evidence of Insurance may also be kept on a mobile device.
The vehicle title shows ownership. It should be stored with your other important papers and not kept in the vehicle.
How much insurance coverage do you need in Nevada?
Every state has different rules for how much insurance coverage you need in the event of an accident. So if you’ve just moved to Nevada, you need to make sure you have the right coverage.
The minimum car insurance required in Nevada is:
- A minimum of $25,000 per person ofbodily injury liability coverage
- A minimum of $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
- A minimum of $20,000 per accident ofproperty damage liability coverage
Your registration application will be rejected if you try and register your vehicle without these on your policy. It’s also a good idea to invest in additional coverages like
collision insurance
and comprehensive coverage
. How to renew your Nevada vehicle registration
Nevada vehicle registration expires every year, so you need to renew it annually. Note that your registration will expire on the exact date listed in your documents—not at the end of the month.
You can renew by using the online, kiosk, or emission station options up to 35 days before expiration or up to 18 months after, though late fees will apply. The latter allows you to renew your registration while also getting your annual smog check, but this can cost around $10 on top of the smog check fee.
You can renew in person at any time at a
DMV office
or at a County Assessor
office that offers vehicle registration services. The easiest way to do it is online through the MyDMV portal
.How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate
Registration stickers and license plates don’t last forever, so, understandably, you might need to replace them from time to time. Luckily it’s easily done in Nevada and you can
request a replacement through MyDMV or at a Kiosk
.How to save on auto insurance in Nevada
Whether you’ve just moved to Nevada or you’re registering a car, you’re going to need to shop for a new or updated car insurance policy. You can get the very best Nevada insurance while saving money when you shop with
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FAQs
What are the requirements to register a vehicle in Nevada?
To register a vehicle in Nevada, you’ll need a valid inspection report, emissions report (if required), proof of Nevada liability insurance, and any applicable fees. These fees will be listed on your notice if you’re renewing your registration. You can renew in person at a local DMV or county tax office.
How much does it take to register a car in Nevada?
The registration fee for every passenger vehicle in Nevada is $33.
What is the cost to register a truck in Nevada?
The base registration fee for a truck depends on the weight of the vehicle. Light trucks that weigh 6,000 pounds or less are subject to a $33 fee. If your truck weighs between 6,001 pounds and 8,499 pounds, the fee goes up to $38. Trucks that weigh more than 8,500 pounds and less than 10,000 pounds are subject to a $48 fee. Each additional 1,000 pounds after that (up to 26,000 pounds) adds $12 each.
Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in Nevada?
Some drivers that live in Nevada but are considered non-residents (such as active duty military and full-time students attending a Nevada college or university) are not required to register their vehicle in Nevada. The same applies to migrant or seasonal farm workers and border-state employees.
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