by Armando Martinez

Congratulations on your new car! If you bought it from a private owner in Nevada, you may be wondering how to register it. The good news is, it's a straightforward process and you have 30 days to do it. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to register your car and get you on the road in no time.

Step 1: Gather Your Documents

To get started, make sure you have all the documents you need. You'll need the car's title, signed over to you, a Bill of Sale, proof of insurance in Nevada, and your Nevada driver's license. Once you have all these documents, you're ready to move on to the next step.

Step 2: Get Your Car Inspected

If your vehicle has never been titled and registered in Nevada before, before you can register and title your car, you'll need to get its vehicle identification number (VIN) and if you live in Clark or Washoe counties, your vehicle’s emission system will need to be inspected. You will also need to have your vehicle safety inspected.  Certain exemptions apply to vintage and classic vehicles  Once done, you will receive a Vehicle Inspection Certificate (Form VP-15). The results of your inspection will be electronically reported to the DMV.  You can have your VIN and emissions system tested at any authorized inspection station or you may have your VIN separately inspected at a DMV office or by a law enforcement officer.  

The technician will check things like the brakes, lights, and emissions. If your car doesn't pass the first time, don't worry - you'll have time to fix any issues and get it re-inspected. 

Step 3: Fill Out the Application

The next step is to complete the Nevada Vehicle Registration form. You can do this online through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles website or in person at your local DMV office. The application will ask for information about you and your car, such as the make, model, and year. You'll also need to choose your license plates.

Step 4: Pay the Fees

When you submit your application, you'll need to pay the registration fees. The amount you owe will depend on your car's value, type of vehicle, and the type of license plates you choose. You may also need to pay state and local taxes at the time of registration.  You can pay with cash, check, or credit card. If paying by credit card, you will need to also complete and submit a credit card authorization (Form ADM-205).

Step 5: Get Your Plates and Stickers

Once you've completed the application and paid the fees, you'll receive your license plates and stickers in the mail. Clear title may take up to six (6) weeks to be received, so be patient!  Place the plates on your car and stick the stickers on to show that your car is registered and ready to hit the road.

Conclusion

And there you have it - registering a car bought in a private owner car sale in Nevada is a fairly simple process. Gather your documents, get your car inspected, complete the application, pay the fees, and wait for your license plates and stickers to arrive. If you have any questions or need assistance, the Nevada DMV is always available to help. For additional information and to open your Nevada MyDMV account for online services, you may visit state resources at https://dmv.nv.gov/onlineservices.htm and https://dmv.nv.gov/regprivate.htm. Best of luck and safe travels in your new car!

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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