How to Get a Temporary License Plate in Nevada
Nevada issues temporary movement permits instead of temporary license plates. You can get them from the Nevada DMV for as little as $1.
In
Nevada
, you can drive a newly purchased vehicle for three days without a permanent license plate
—but if you need to drive a car past its registration expiration date, apply for a temporary movement permit. - Nevada dealers issue temporary paper tags to the owners of new vehicles.
- The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues temporary movement permits for as little as $1.
- A newly purchased car can be driven for three days without permanent plates—but you must carry proof of ownership and liability insurance.
- Nevada dealers issue temporary paper tags to the owners of new vehicles.
- The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues temporary movement permits for as little as $1.
- A newly purchased car can be driven for three days without permanent plates—but you must carry proof of ownership and liability insurance.
Does Nevada issue temporary plates?
In the state of Nevada, car dealerships can issue temporary placards for newly-sold cars. The vehicle’s owner then has 30 days to
complete their Nevada registration
and get a set of permanent plates. The Nevada DMV also issues temporary movement permits for unregistered vehicles so that owners can drive to get a smog check or to complete similar tasks.
The problem with temporary plates: Temporary license plates, also known as “temporary tags,” are vulnerable to mass fraud. Because they’re often printed on paper, it’s relatively simple for criminals to create and sell counterfeit tags.
Pro Tip Don’t forget to put your registration decal on your license plate to show your current registration. Law enforcement looks for missing stickers to identify unregistered vehicles.
How to get a temporary license plate in Nevada
Only dealers can issue temporary tags for new vehicles through a secure electronic tag system that allows law enforcement to easily scan tags and obtain vehicle registration information.
In order to obtain a temporary movement permit in Nevada, on the other hand, you’ll have to apply directly at a DMV office. There are several circumstances where a temporary movement permit is warranted.
Temporary movement permits in Nevada
Nevada drivers may drive a recently-purchased vehicle without a movement permit for three days after the purchase if you carry:
- Proof of ownership (e.g. a certificate of title or expired registration)
- Proof ofliability insurance
This applies only to recently-purchased vehicles. For any other vehicle, you must obtain one of the following moving permits to drive on public streets:
- 10-day movement permit: You may apply in-person or online for your non-commercial vehicle if your vehicle is already registered in Nevada. This option allows you to drive your vehicle for an emissions test after repairs or in similar circumstances.
- 30-day “drive away” trip permit: This applies to recently-purchased vehicles that will be driven out of state. These are valid for a one-way trip to a specific destination only.
- Out-of-state commercial vehicle permit: These vehicles are required to obtain a movement permit when operating in Nevada. Specific outlines are dictated by the vehicle’s weight and can be foundhere.
In most cases, a temporary movement permit for emissions testing or similar purposes costs just $1. However, in some cases the DMV will charge up to $8.25 per day for temporary movement permits.
Pro Tip If you’re visiting the DMV in Las Vegas, Reno, Carson City, or Henderson, make an appointment before heading in.
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Reviewed on 5/28/2023
FAQs
Can I drive a car without plates if I just bought it in Nevada?
You may drive a recently-purchased vehicle without a movement permit for three days after the purchase if you carry proof of ownership or purchase and proof of liability insurance in the vehicle with you.
How much is a temporary license plate in Nevada?
Temporary license plates are only issued by car dealers for newly purchased vehicles. If you need a temporary movement permit, the DMV typically charges between $1 total and $8.25 per day for the permit.
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