['Registration and Permits - Motor Carrier']
['Vehicle Registration Permits']
03/13/2025
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All motor vehicles, trailers, and semitrailers operated on Nevada highways must be registered unless otherwise exempt. Vehicles exempt from registration include, but aren't limited to, special mobile equipment and implements of husbandry.
Smog checks are required on most gasoline and diesel powered cars and trucks based in most areas of Las Vegas and Reno. Exemptions include new vehicles on their first three registrations in any state, hybrid vehicles of the first five model years, motorcycles, mopeds, and diesel vehicles with a manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating over 14,000 pounds.
Vehicles 26,001 pounds or heavier are registered through the Motor Carrier Division.
Agency: Department of Motor Vehicles; see Regulatory Agencies for address(es).
License plate display
Nevada law requires most vehicles to display front and rear license plates at all times, except motorcycles and trailers, which require only a rear plate. You must display both plates if the vehicle is designed for a front plate or if the manufacturer offers an add-on bracket or frame. Front plates are only optional if the vehicle was not designed for a front plate and the manufacturer did not provide an add-on bracket or other means of displaying the front plate.
License plates must be securely fastened to the vehicle so as to prevent the plate from swinging, and must be displayed at a height no less than 12 inches from the ground. It must be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
International Registration Plan
Nevada is a member of the International Registration Plan (IRP). The IRP is a base state system for vehicle registration fees allowing a carrier to apply for vehicle registration and pay fees to a single jurisdiction.
Motor vehicles that qualify for apportionment consist of the following:
- A power unit having two axles and a gross vehicle weight (GVW) or registered weight in excess of 26,000 pounds;
- A power unit having three or more axles, regardless of weight; or
- A unit used in combination when the weight of such combination exceeds a GVW or 26,000 pounds.
Temporary permit: Temporary vehicle registration (TVR) is available if the plate, sticker, and/or cab card isn't able to be immediately issued. A TVR won't be issued for vehicles being renewed. The permits are valid for 30 days and invoices must be paid to ensure credentials can be processed and sent/received before the TVR expires. The Motor Carrier Division won't issue any TVR extensions.
Hunter's or unladen weight permit: An unladen weight permit is issued to an owner-operator (lessor) who terminates a lease and has to surrender the apportioned license plate and cab card to the carrier (lessee). The permit enables a vehicle or combination of vehicles to use the highways in all jurisdictions for the purpose of finding a new job. The permit is valid for vehicles operating at unladen weight only, and is nontransferable. The permit is valid for 15 days for a $10 fee.
Agency: Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, Motor Carrier Division.
Fees: Registration fees will vary.
Other
Non-resident business permit
Out-of-state commercial vehicles 10,000 pounds and under, which are used in business within Nevada are required to obtain a non-resident business permit within 10 days of commencing operations.
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Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.