If you have a motor vehicle, or are thinking of getting one, there are a few questions you might want to have answered to help you get the most out of your purchase. This will save you time and money when you are looking for personalized or standard Nevada license plates, especially if you live in an area where vehicles can't be registered. Here are some frequently asked questions about Nevada license plate lookup, courtesy of the State of Nevada.
You can choose any personalized plate number as long as it's not offensive or in bad taste, has not been issued to someone else, and does not conflict with any standard-issue Nevada numbering system. The standard license plate design has a sunset background with dark blue lettering. Most plates can be personalized for a fixed rate and must follow the Nevada state guidelines before being approved for the road.
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers different types of license plates. Each specialty license plate can be easily accessed from Nevada License Plates. Various specialty license plates are available when registering your vehicle with the DMV. Some of the license plates you can get include:
In the event that your Nevada license plates have been stolen, you should contact the police and file a report. Missing or stolen plates can be replaced directly from the DMV office. You’ll be required to provide the following when you apply for replacement license plates:
Note: You cannot apply for the same plate number if they were stolen. You will be required to register new license plates for your vehicles.
If your license plates were damaged, you can apply for replacements with the DMV. You will be required to surrender any remaining plates in order to receive your new ones.
If you are applying for disability license plates in Nevada, you will be required to submit the necessary medical documents to be eligible.The Nevada DMV can issue the following disability license plates and placards:
Placards must be hung from the rear view mirror and must be visible at all times. Disability placards and license plates enable people with disability to park in designated parking spaces throughout the community.
A person has the right to report any plate number that they find offensive to the Nevada Department to either review or recall it. This will be considered if the license plate:
To obtain a standardized plate, the DMV charges a plate cost recovery fee of $2.25 per plate, a technology fee of $1, and a prison industry fee of 50 cents per plate. This is in addition to any other registration fees that may be due.
A Nevada vehicle license plate can be transferred from one vehicle to another. For another person to use the existing license plates, one needs to complete a License Plate Release (SP 67) form. The new license plate owner must submit this form when applying for vehicle registration.
Renewal registration cost for a full year is required if you are swapping plates between vehicles. Evidence of insurance and a smog check may be needed.
A registration fee renewal is not required if one is simply changing license plates on the same vehicle, and the registration is not yet due.
The license plate specifications require plates to be readable from a distance of 100 feet in daylight, and 110 feet at night when lit by standard headlights.
This indicates the month and year that the license plate is due to expire. It is placed on the upper right-hand corner of the rear plate.
Nevada license plates are issued to individuals and businesses, not to vehicles. This enables individuals to transfer the existing license plates to a new vehicle.
The license plate weight depends on the type of vehicle. Motorcycles and trailers under 1,000 pounds weight are issued small plates, while trailers 1,000 pounds and more are issued a full-sized plate.
When selling a vehicle, the license plate should be kept because it was issued to the individual or business, not to the vehicle. An individual under Nevada license plate law has the right to use the plate for another vehicle, or to turn it in for cancellation within 30 days for standard plates and 60 days for a specialty license plate.
A Nevada license plate carries some words that are unique to it. Some of these include:
Loan: License plates with the word "LOAN" are issued to car dealers that loan vehicles to customers.
Dealers: These are issued to car dealers. They are used on vehicles held for sale in the dealer's shop. This license plate is also issued to wreckers, transporters, and body shops.
Apportioned: These license plates are issued to trucking firms, bus lines, and other businesses that are required to pay registration fees to multiple states.
Exempt: These license plates are issued to state and local government organizations that are exempted by law from paying Nevada Government Service Taxes.
A personalized license plate can be bought with a certain fee. The standard Nevada license plate is designed with the individual choice of up to 7 custom numbers or letters. For motorcycles and small trailers, it has a maximum of 6 numbers or letters.
If you are looking for vehicle registration plates, you should know that it is very important to run a license plate search and check for custom plates. If you are unsure what type of plates you are looking for, it's probably a good idea to go to your local DMV office and find out.
You can order a duplicate to replace your old plate either online or through a MyDMV account or in person. The issue date on your personalized plate is required to set up an account on the DMV website, so if you don't have an existing account, you must visit a DMV office to make an appointment.
Some other special types of license plates are issued by the Nevada issuing authority. Some of these special plates are issued to Nevada law enforcement agencies. Others are issued to state elected officials and the Nevada congressional delegation. Examples of these special plates are Nevada Governor (Plate "1") and Lieutenant Governor (Plate "2").
Yes, there is some restriction on ordering duplicate Nevada License plates:
If you received a registration renewal notice, you might renew by internet or by mail if your license plate has not yet expired. Your new special license plate will be sent to the address on record, however, and the post office will not forward it. If you did not receive a renewal notice, renew in person, call or email your name, Nevada driver license number, and current address for instructions. Also, check for license renewal options.
If your license has been expired for 30 days or more, you must renew your motor vehicle license in person at a local Nevada DMV office. A $10 late fee may apply.
Nevada vehicle owners who are members of the Armed forces, their spouses, dependents, or certain federal employees may be eligible to renew by mail, for up to 2 years after expiration. Please contact NV DMV for eligibility requirements.
To set up an appointment, one needs to visit the Dash Pass Appointment. Appointments for general services are offered at the offices in Carson City, Henderson, Las Vegas,and Reno. See locations in Nevada for our other offices.
A registered owner can make up to one appointment at a time for multiple transactions.
Nevada only issues license plates that fully comply with the federal Real ID Act of 2005. This means that for someone to be issued a Real ID or License, they must have met the Real ID requirement by visiting a DMV office and submitting a proof of address and identity. For people who order their duplicate online, they will be issued the standard license that is marked "NOT FOR FEDERAL OFFICIAL USE."
The fees for a Nevada plate license vary between cars and specialized vehicles. A first-time fee is approximately $30, and the standard specialty license is around $8.
Veterans with an honorable discharge may present their evidence of honorable discharge to have a Veteran designation placed on their license. Visit archives.gov to obtain a copy of a DD-214 or other evidence of honorable discharge. Anyone may elect to become an Organ Donor.
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) records keep track of a vehicle's license plate identity and history. VIN Records include facts gathered from different databases such as Salvage, Junk, Recalls and Defects, Hail and Flood Damage. Others include Loss Records, Fire, Repair & Rebuild information, Vehicle Title Records, Prior Accidents and Damages, Mileage, Records of Inspections, Current and Past Owners. Year, Make, and Model are also covered.
If your license plate number is denied or recalled for any reason not in your favor, you have the right to appeal the decision through the Office of Administrative Hearing.
A Nevada personalized license plate that has expired, or has been surrendered, can become available to any other applicant 18 months after expiration.
Nevada plate numbers can be ordered using three different methods. These methods include online, mail or fax, and in person at your nearest Nevada DMV.
Some specific Nevada vanity plate numbers may not be ordered online. These are plate styles that require special qualifications. Examples of a license plate that cannot be ordered online include: Firefighter, Veteran, Mason, Peace Officer, Girl Scout Gold Award, and Eagle Scout.
No, Nevada is one of 31 states to require both front and rear license plates.
To order a special license plate as a gift, it is advisable to do so using mail or fax. This can be done by placing your name and address on the application and the recipient's name on the line labeled, "Name of the person the license plate will be registered to if other than the applicant."
If you want to look up license plate numbers in Nevada, you can use FindByPlate to search by state.
All you have to do is submit the license plate number with the state, and you’ll obtain results for that plate's history and availability.
