Just Moved to Nevada. How Do I Transfer My Driver's License and Vehicle Registration?

by Jim on July 19, 2022

Tags: Nevada drivers license, NV DMV, Nevada

The Silver State welcomes you! Before you get settled in, you need to transfer your out-of-state documents. Here’s your guide to transferring your out-of-state driver’s license and vehicle registration to the state of Nevada.

Required Documents to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Nevada

To transfer your out-of-state driver’s license to Nevada, you need to present:

Proof of identity
- U.S. passport
- U.S. birth certificate
- Valid REAL ID driver’s license
- Instruction permit
- An identification card from a different state
- Nevada Department of Corrections Identification card
Social security number (SSN)
2 proof of Nevada residency documentation (can be certified or original copies that are dated within the last 60 days).

Exceptions to Transferring Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Nevada

There are some exceptions to transferring an out-of-state driver’s license to the state of Nevada. In Nevada, most motorcycle endorsements can be transferred from other states. If you complete the skills test on a motorcycle under 90CC, your driver’s license will be restricted to that size or smaller.

You are required to obtain a Class M motorcycle license to drive a motorcycle in Nevada. A driver’s license is not required to operate an off-highway vehicle.

Nevada Vision Screening

In Nevada, you must obtain 20/40 vision in both eyes to obtain an unrestricted Nevada driver’s license. However, 20/40 vision in one eye is acceptable if you are blind in the other eye. If you can wear glasses or contact lenses to meet the vision standards of Nevada, you can operate a motor vehicle without no other restrictions than corrective lenses on your driver’s license, which means you must wear glasses or corrective lenses while operating a vehicle.

If you have 20/50 vision, you will be restricted to only daylight driving hours. Your vision can be no worse than 20/60. As a resident of Nevada, telescopic lenses are allowed to help you achieve the state’s vision standards. You must obtain 20/120 or above vision with your everyday carrier lens and obtain a 130-degree visual field.

Nevada Written Exam

The Nevada driver’s written exam consists of 25 questions. You must answer at least 20 questions correctly to achieve a minimum passing score of 80%. The minimum age to apply for this state written exam is 15 ½.

Nevada Road Test (in-car)

The Nevada road test, also known as the in-car test, determines how well you can safely operate a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of Nevada. You will be tested on using your turn signals, switching lanes, parking, following traffic signs and laws, and more.

You did it! Now that you know how to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license to Nevada, it’s time to discuss how to transfer your out-of-state vehicle registration to the same state.

Transferring Your Out-of-State Vehicle Registration to Nevada

In Nevada, vehicles can be registered in person or online, depending on whether you purchased your vehicle from a dealer, and whether the dealer was in or out of the state of Nevada. All applicants are required to provide the vehicle’s title, proof of a valid NV auto insurance policy, and payment for all applicable registration fees and sales tax.

Depending on the age of your vehicle and whether you’re a new resident, you may be required to provide additional paperwork and inspection forms. You must register your vehicle with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NV DMV) to legally operate the vehicle on NV roads and highways.

New Residents of Nevada

If you’re making Nevada your new home, you must obtain an NV driver’s license and register your vehicle with the NV DMV within 30 days of establishing residency.

Before you register your vehicle, you need to obtain the following:

A Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card (this insurance card must be issued by a Nevada-licensed agency)
A vehicle inspection report (if required)

Then you can head to your local NV DMV office and present:

Your current vehicle registration and license plates
The vehicle title (unless the title is currently held by a lienholder)
The Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report (if required)
The Vehicle Inspection Certificate (Form VP15)
The Application for Vehicle Registration (Form VP-222)
Payment for the registration fees (based on your vehicle’s value)

You will be issued a new vehicle registration certificate and license plates before you leave the DMV office.

All Nevada residents who purchase a vehicle are required to register it with the NV DMV within 30 days of purchase, or before the expiration of the temporary movement placard issued by a dealer.

Vehicles Purchased from a Dealer in Nevada

If you purchased your vehicle from a dealer in Nevada, you need to head to your local NV DMV office before the expiration date provided on the temporary tag issued by the dealer, and:

Present your Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card (the auto insurance policy must be issued by a Nevada-licensed agency
Present the green copy of the Dealer Report of Sale
Submit the Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report (if required)
Complete and submit the Application for Vehicle Registration (Form VP-222)
Pay all applicable NV vehicle registration fees

Electronic Dealer Report of Sale (EDRS)

Some vehicle dealers in the state of Nevada participate in the EDRS program. If you purchase a vehicle from one of these dealers, you may be permitted to register your vehicle online. If this is the case, your Dealer Report of Sale will be marked “EDRS” and will have a control number printed on it.

Vehicles Purchased from an Out-of-State Dealer

If you purchase a vehicle in a different state, you are required to register in person and can’t register your vehicle online. Visit your local NV DMV office within 30 days of sale or before the expiration date on the movement permit, and:

Present the bill of sale provided by the dealer
Show your Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card (the auto insurance policy must be issued by a Nevada-licensed agency)
Show the odometer statement on used vehicles (if required by law)
Submit one of the following:
- Vehicle title
- Vehicle lease agreement
- Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- Security agreement from loan/lienholder
- Purchase order
Submit the Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report (if required)
Present the Vehicle Inspection Certificate (Form VP15)
Complete and submit the Application for Vehicle Registration (Form VP-222)
Pay the difference in sales tax between Nevada and the state where the vehicle was purchased
Pay the registration fees (based on your vehicle’s value)

Vehicles Purchased or Gifted from a Private Individual

Used vehicles, whether they are purchased directly from the owner or given as a gift, are required to be registered with the NV DMV within 30 days of receiving the vehicle. You are also required to have the vehicle’s title properly signed over to you. Keep in mind that a bill of sale will not suffice in this situation.

To register a vehicle in this instance:

Submit a Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card (the auto insurance policy must be issued by a Nevada-licensed agency)
Present the vehicle’s title or security agreement from the loan or lienholder

Submit the Nevada Emission Vehicle Inspection Report (if required)
Present the Vehicle Inspection Certificate (Form VP15) - if the vehicle was NOT previously registered in Nevada
Show the odometer statement on used vehicles (if required by law)

Complete and submit the Application for Vehicle Registration (Form VP-222)
Pay the sales tax determined by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
Pay the Registration fees (based on your vehicle’s value

Canceled or Transferred Vehicle Registrations in Nevada

If you cancel or transfer your vehicle registration from another vehicle in your name, the NV DMV will credit the unused portion of the amount you paid on the previous vehicle registration. You can apply this credit toward your fees due for either a new registration on a new vehicle or a renewal on another vehicle’s registration that is also in your name.

Be advised that as of 2016, these credits no longer decline on a monthly pro-rata basis, and you will be charged $5 for this credit transfer. This credit is available until the expiration date of the previous registration, or until you choose to use it on a new vehicle or renewal.

Nevada Vehicle Registration Fees

All Nevada residents must pay vehicle registration fees and governmental service taxes. You may be required to pay a supplemental governmental service tax in some counties.

Some of the standard vehicle registration fees are:

Nevada title: $28.25
Passenger car: $33
Low-speed vehicles: $33
Golf cart: $10
Motorcycle: $33 (there is also a motorcycle safety fee of $6)
Travel trailers: $27
Trailer with an unladen weight over 1,000 lbs: $24
Semi-trailers with an unladen weight up to 1,00 lbs: $12
Registration credit transfer fee: $5

The truck fees in Nevada are based on weight:

Less than 6,000 lbs.: $33
Between 6,000 and 8,499 lbs.: $38
Between 8,500 and 10,000 lbs.: $48
Between 10,001 and 26,000 lbs.: $12 each 1,000 lbs.
Between 26,001 and 80,000 lbs.: $17 each 1,000 lbs.
Maximum fee is $1,360

Nevada Vehicle Inspections

Most vehicles, 1968 or newer, are required to obtain an emissions test before being registered in and around the cities of Las Vegas and Reno. Brand new vehicles are exempt from their first 3 registrations, and hybrid vehicles are exempt for the first 5 model years.

New residents of Nevada are required to have an inspection, even if they recently had one in the previous state. Your inspection station will issue a Nevada Emissions Vehicle Inspection Report, which is valid for 90 days. The results of the emissions vehicle inspection are electronically reported to the NV DMV.

Nevada DMV Locations

There is multiple Department of Motor Vehicle locations in Nevada where you can transfer your out-of-state vehicle documents and handle other vehicle-related processes.

Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles - Henderson Branch

1000 N Green Valley Pkwy

Ste 620

Henderson, NV 89074