History of DMV

On April 1, 1957, the Nevada legislature created the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The new department's mission was to oversee the licensing of Nevada drivers and to administer laws as they related to motor vehicles.

Several months later, the DMV received an additional request to be responsible for and oversee the Public Service Commission, the Driver License Division, and the Nevada Highway Patrol.

Needless to say, the sheer amount of the department's responsibilities required a further breakdown into divisions, which ended up as follows:

• Motor Vehicle Division

• Motor Carrier Division

• Driver License Division

• Nevada Highway Patrol Division

• Gasoline & Special Fuel Tax Division

• Accounting & Auditing Division

It might be difficult to imagine setting up and maintaining record databases for each division even today, much less in the days before computers. However, the Motor Vehicle Division's first computer didn't go online until 1972. Until then, all driver license and vehicle registration records were stored on index cards.

In 1999, the department bought a powerful Genesis computer system, which streamlined the record-keeping process for each division.

DMV Mission Statement

According to the Nevada DMV, "Our mission is to provide progressive and responsive service delivery to our citizens. We maintain the highest controls to ensure the accurate collection and timely distribution of all revenues. We improve the safety of those driving on our highways through our licensing, monitoring, and intervention practices. We assist Nevada in meeting its federally mandated air quality standards. We protect state consumers and businesses against fraud and unfair business practices. We ensure the integrity and privacy of our records."

Contact the Main DMV Office

Even though the department has approximately 20 partial- and full-service offices throughout the state, the DMV headquarters is in Carson City. The contact information is listed below:

• Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles

• Directors Office

• 555 Wright Way

• Carson City, NV 89711-0900

• Phone: (775) 684-4549

• Fax: (775) 684-4692 fax