Nevada DMV Introduces Registration Spotter Form to Report Unregistered Vehicles
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a new tool that empowers residents to help enforce vehicle registration laws. According to a news report on Oct. 12 2025 from Carson Now, the DMV has added a “Nevada Registration Spotter” form to its website. Residents can use the online form to report vehicles they believe are being driven in Nevada without proper registration, such as cars with expired tags, invalid plates, or out-of-state plates that should be registered locally. The goal is to give ordinary motorists a simple way to share information about possible violations and ensure that everyone is playing by the same rules.
The idea for the program came out of persistent frustration from Nevadans who see unregistered vehicles but have no clear process to report them. Compliance Enforcement Division chief J.D. Decker acknowledged that his division receives a steady stream of phone calls and complaints from people who notice vehicles operating without current registration. He said the new online form finally provides a structured way for those complaints to be processed. Decker told media that the DMV regularly hears from “civilians noticing unregistered vehicles on the roads,” and the form provides a direct solution.
The Registration Spotter form asks users for details such as the vehicle’s license plate number, location, and any observable information like make and model. It is important to note that the form is only for registration violations. The DMV cautions that it should not be used to report abandoned vehicles, traffic violations, stolen vehicles, parking problems, or other unrelated issues. In those cases, residents should contact local law enforcement or other appropriate agencies.
Once a report is submitted, the Compliance Enforcement Division reviews the information and, if warranted, may share details with local law enforcement. Decker noted that Nevada is among the first states to offer a public reporting tool like this and said it will help ensure that all motorists maintain current registration. Registration compliance is an important source of funding for road maintenance and other public services; unregistered vehicles not only avoid their fair share of fees but can also complicate crash investigations and insurance claims.
By deploying the Registration Spotter tool, the Nevada DMV hopes to raise awareness about the importance of keeping vehicle registrations up to date. Encouraging residents to participate can boost compliance and discourage drivers from avoiding registration altogether. The department is clear that reports will be treated seriously but fairly: cases will be investigated, and only verified violations will result in enforcement. For Nevada motorists frustrated by seeing cars with long-expired temporary tags or out-of-state plates years after a move, the new online reporting form offers a constructive way to address the issue. It is another step in the state’s broader effort to use technology to make transportation safer and more accountable.