by Armando Martinez
License Plate Removal and Surrender
When selling a car in Nevada, the license plates stay with the seller. It's the seller's responsibility to remove the plates from the vehicle and retain them. If you don’t intend to transfer these plates to a new vehicle, you must surrender your license plates within 30 days of selling your vehicle. You’ll need to submit your license plates, your license plate decals and a letter asking the DMV to cancel your registration. You can mail to: Department of Motor Vehicles, Central Services Division, 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711. You can also visit your local Nevada DMV Office.
You will receive a prorated credit of your registration fees, which you can use ONLY to register or renew the registration of another vehicle.
Temporary Operating Permit
If the buyer does not have plates to transfer or they don't want to keep the same license plate number, they can obtain a temporary operating permit from the DMV. This permit allows the buyer to operate the vehicle for up to 30 days while they wait for their new plates to arrive.
To get a temporary operating permit, the buyer will need to show proof of title signed over by their seller, provide proof of insurance and a completed application for vehicle registration. The cost of the permit is $8.25.
License Plate Transfer
If the buyer wants to transfer plates from a previous vehicle, . The buyer can do this by visiting the DMV with their license plates, a completed application for vehicle registration, copy of their drivers license or government issued ID and proof of insurance. If you do not want to use the same plates, you can turn them in for a fee credit towards the registration and license plates of your new vehicle.
The cost of transferring the plates is $6, and the fee for new registration is $33. If the buyer needs a new set of plates, the fee is $6 for the plates plus the $33 registration fee.
Out-of-State Transfers
If the car is registered out-of-state, the buyer will need to obtain a smog check and a VIN inspection before registering the vehicle in Nevada. The smog check is required for vehicles that are over two years old, hybrid vehicles less than five years old and diesel vehicles with a gross weight of 14,000 pounds or more.You can find the closest certified emissions station here. The VIN inspection is only required for vehicles that are currently registered out-of-state.
To register an out-of-state vehicle, the buyer will need to provide a completed application for vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and the out-of-state title signed over by the seller, proof of completed VIN inspection and smog, if applicable. All associated fees and taxes will also be collected by the DMV at the time of registration.
Conclusion
Transferring license plates in private party car sales in Nevada is a simple process. The seller keeps the plates and the buyer can either transfer them to their name or obtain a temporary operating permit. Remember to bring all necessary documents and fees to the DMV to ensure a smooth transaction. For more information regarding vehicle registration in the state of Nevada, visit the NV DMV homepage.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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