Moving to Las Vegas? How to Register or Buy a Car in Nevada

New in town? Nevada gives you 30 days after you become a resident to get a Nevada driver license and register your vehicle. Here is what the DMV asks for if you are bringing a car with you, how smog works in Clark County, and what changes if you decide to buy one here instead.

Charlie Cheap Car has sold used cars in Las Vegas for 25 years. We are family owned and veteran owned, open seven days a week, and we work with several lenders, including for people new to the area. Financing is subject to lender approval.

When you count as a Nevada resident

The DMV treats you as a resident when you do things like declare Nevada as your legal residence or live and work here. Out-of-state students and some people living here temporarily are handled differently, so check the DMV new resident guide if that is you.

What you need to register a car from another state

The Nevada DMV lists these items for a new resident registering a vehicle:

Your title, unless a lender holds it, along with your current registration.
Nevada insurance. The DMV does not accept out-of-state insurance, so call your insurer first. This is the step that trips up the most people.
A VIN inspection. Vehicles with out-of-state plates need one. In Las Vegas and Henderson you drive to a DMV VIN inspection station.
An emissions report, if your vehicle needs one. More on that below.
Your out-of-state license plates, which you turn in.
An Application for Vehicle Registration, DMV form VP 222.

Your Nevada driver license

You will visit a DMV office in person. Bring proof of identity, your Social Security number and two proofs of your Nevada street address; a P.O. box does not count. If you cannot show proof of legal presence, Nevada issues a Driver Authorization Card instead. Read buying a car with an ITIN for how that works with a car purchase.

Smog checks in Clark County

Under the DMV's rules, cars based in the urban parts of Clark County generally need an emissions test each year if they are model year 1968 or newer. There are exceptions:

A new vehicle is exempt for its first three registrations and is tested at its fourth.
Hybrids are exempt for five model years and are tested starting in the sixth.
Electric vehicles are exempt.

A test is good for 90 days, so do not get it too early. The DMV emission control page has the current rules.

What registration costs

People moving here are often surprised by this one. Nevada charges a flat fee, $33 for most cars, plus a governmental services tax based on the car's original sticker price, not what you paid for it. The tax goes down as the car ages, so a newer, more expensive car costs the most. The DMV explains the fees and has an online estimate that uses your VIN.

Or buy a car here instead

Some people find the car they drove here is not worth moving at all, or that it was never built for this heat. If you buy from a Nevada dealer:

The dealer gives you an electronic report of sale number, and you can usually register online with it.
If you have not swapped your out-of-state license yet, the DMV says you must register in person.
You still need Nevada insurance before you drive it home.
The dealer is required to provide a passing emissions test on the cars that need one.
The dealer collects Clark County sales tax. Our car sales tax calculator does the math.

Moving often means a new job and a new address, and lenders look at both. Bring what you have: proof of income, your lease or a utility bill, and your license. See what to bring to get approved. If your credit took a hit along the way, read about bad credit financing. Financing is subject to lender approval.

Is your car ready for Las Vegas heat?

A car from a cooler state may never have been tested by a Las Vegas summer. Have the battery, coolant, A/C and tires looked at before June. We wrote a whole guide on what heat does to a car.

Common questions

Can I buy a car in Las Vegas with an out-of-state license?

Yes, you can shop and buy with a valid license from another state. A lender may ask for proof of where you live and work now, so bring what you have.

Can I keep my California plates for a while?

Only until your 30 days are up after you become a resident. After that, Nevada expects you to be registered here.

Do I need a smog check if I just moved here?

If your car is based in the urban part of Clark County and is not exempt, yes. Check the exemptions above and the DMV page.

Should I sell my car and buy one here?

Compare what it would cost to register and fix it with what it is worth. We will appraise it for free, and you do not have to buy from us to sell it to us. See Trade Your Car.

Where to find us

5015 W Sahara Ave Ste 127, Las Vegas, NV 89146. Monday to Friday 9am–7pm, Saturday 9am–6pm, Sunday 11am–4pm. Se habla español.

General information, not legal advice. DMV rules, fees and tax rates can change; confirm current requirements with the Nevada DMV. Financing is subject to lender approval. Advertised prices exclude dealer fees, tax, license and registration.