What to Do with Your License Plate When You No Longer Need It in Nevada

In Nevada, vehicle owners must be aware of the steps they need to take with their license plates

Short-term Non-Use

If you aren't driving your vehicle for a short period of time, maintain the registration and insurance. If your registration expires, obtain a Movement Permit if you need to drive the vehicle and complete an Affidavit of Non-Operation (VP 018) to avoid late fees for the period of non-use. Movement permits and the Affidavit can be obtained online through MyDMV.

Long-term Non-Use and Storage

You must cancel your registration and surrender your license plates if you intend to cancel the vehicle liability insurance for any reason, have sold or disposed of a vehicle and will not use the plates on another vehicle, or if your vehicle will be stored or under repairs for an extended period and you do not wish to keep the liability insurance or registration in effect.

Nevada requires you to keep your plates and either use them on another vehicle or turn them into the DMV. You have 30 days to use specialty plates or 60 days for standard Home Means Nevada plates on another vehicle or turn them in.

Registration After Storage

To re-register a vehicle with a canceled Nevada registration, you must obtain insurance and visit a DMV office. Bring the old registration, license plates, and your current odometer reading. If a smog check is required, obtain a movement permit to drive the vehicle for the test.

Moved Out-of-State

If you have moved out of state, you can mail your plates to the Nevada DMV to cancel your registration. See the address provided below.

Cancellation/Surrender Options

You can cancel your registration online, in-person, or by mail. Depending on the circumstances, you may qualify for a refund. Check whether you qualify for a refund and if so, use the mail or in-person options.

Online Cancellation

Cancel your registration online through a MyDMV account if you have sold a vehicle or if you plan not to operate a vehicle for any length of time. Your registration fee credit will be listed on the receipt. You must use the plates on another vehicle or surrender them through the mail or in person.

In-Person Cancellation

Bring the plate(s) and decal to any DMV office or County Assessor that offers vehicle registration services. Plates may be surrendered at the information counter at metropolitan offices.

Mail Cancellation

You may mail the plates, decal, and a signed letter requesting cancellation to the following address:

Department of Motor Vehicles Central Services Division 555 Wright Way Carson City, NV 89711-0700

Transfer Plates to Another Person

If you wish to allow another person to use your existing set of license plates, you should cancel your registration online if the new owner is not using the plates immediately. Complete a License Plate Release (SP 67) and have the new owner submit this form when obtaining an original vehicle registration.

Fee Credits and Refunds

You will receive a credit for the unused portion of the current registration fees when you cancel your registration. Certain motorists may qualify for a refund of registration fees under limited circumstances. To qualify for a refund, you must meet specific criteria outlined in the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 482.399 subsection 9).