Relocating to Las Vegas | Relocation Resources for Moving to Las Vegas

indispendable information about living in Las Vegas
Now that you’ve settled in to your new home and neighborhood, it’s time to take care of a few immediate tasks, including applying for a Nevada driver’s license and registering your vehicle. You’ll also find answers to your commuting questions, including which freeways connect the area to places beyond. Learn about local police, fire services and how they keep residents safe and secure, plus what you need to know about registering to vote. Tips for adapting to a desert climate are also provided along with a description of mandatory water restrictions in place for the summer months.

Cars are the preferred means of transportation in the area. According to the U.S. Census, 78 percent of Clark County workers drove to work alone from 2005-2007, 12 percent carpooled, 4 percent took public transportation and 4 percent used other means. The remaining 3 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 24.4 minutes to get to work.

Driving and Registering Your Vehicle
Once you’ve set up residency in the Las Vegas area and you have a local address, one of your first essential stops will be to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) where you’ll be able to apply for a Nevada driver’s license and register your vehicle. New residents have 30 days to obtain a Nevada driver’s license and 60 days to register their vehicle. The fine for failing to register is $250 to $500, and it’s a law the state takes seriously.

Non-Commercial Driver’s License Fees

Original Non-Commercial License or Instruction Permit:...... $22 ($17 if 65 or older)
Renewal:.......................................................................................... $22 ($17 if 65 or older)
Late Renewal In Person - Expired Over 30 Days:.................... $32 ($27 if 65 or older)
Duplicate Driver License:.............................................................. $17
Change of Name:........................................................................... $8
Change of Address:....................................................................... $3

Identification Card Fees

Under 18 - Original, Renewal or Duplicate:...............................$6
18-64 - Original, Renewal or Duplicate:.....................................$12
65 or older - Original or Duplicate:..............................................$7
65 or older - Renewal:...................................................................$3
Change of Name:...........................................................................$7
Change of Address:.......................................................................$3

Vehicle Registration
It’s important to know that out-of-state insurance is not accepted. Motorists who do not maintain coverage from a Nevada-licensed carrier are subject to registration suspension and a reinstatement fee. Also be prepared to bring in your out-of-state license plates.
Nevada charges a basic registration fee, governmental services taxes and miscellaneous fees for titles, license plates and inspections. You must register your vehicle for a full year and renew your registration annually.

— Registration Fee
Registration fees are charged based on the class of the vehicle and its weight. Funds are used primarily for state road construction. Nevada also has a basic registration fee, which are as follows:

The basic Registration Fee for passenger cars, trucks and motorcycles under 6,000 pounds is $33.00. Trailers under 1,000 pounds are $12.00, 1,000 pounds or above are $24. There are graduated scales based on weight for larger vehicles.
The amount of the Governmental Services Tax is 4 cents on each $1.00 of the depreciated DMV Valuation of the vehicle. Governmental Services Taxes fund local governments, school districts and the state General Fund.
Supplemental Governmental Services Tax is 1 cent on each $1.00 of the depreciated DMV Valuation. This is a voter-approved tax used for highway construction in the counties which charge it, currently Clark and Churchill.
The DMV Valuation of a vehicle is 35% of the original Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). MSRP is set when the vehicle is new and will not change over time.
The DMV Valuation is depreciated 5% after the first year and 10% per year thereafter until it reaches a minimum of 15%. The minimum Governmental Services Tax is $16.00. *
Sales Taxes on dealer purchases rates vary by county. See www.dmvnv.com for current rates.
There are other factors which determine the final cost of registering a vehicle. Fees for a first-time Nevada title are $28.25 and there are small charges for items such as license plates. DMV collects sales taxes on many out-of-state dealer sales.

* These are the new values implemented under Senate Bill 429. Previously, valuations were depreciated 15% after the first year and 10% per year with a minimum of 5%. Older vehicles have increased fees because the lowest depreciation rate has been raised from 5% to 15%. The minimum Governmental Services Tax has been raised from $6 to $16.