Do I need to register my golf cart?

Golf carts can be operated on public roads only in areas approved by the local government. If your residential area allows the legal use of your cart on public highways, it will need to be registered just like any other vehicle. A permit from the DMV will be required in some areas of Clark County, and insurance requirements apply just like for all other vehicles.

If you need a permit, fill out the application and bring it to your local full-service DMV office for a VIN inspection (before initial registration only). The fee for the permit is $10 annually, and every permit expires on December 31.

Other low-speed vehicles will also need to be registered in the same manner as other vehicles. The vehicle may be driven on any public road with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. It is illegal to drive it on public roads with a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph.

Before initial registration, the vehicle will need to be inspected at the nearest full-service DMV office. Bring a blank Vehicle Inspection Certificate form to the inspection. The DMV examiner will complete the form.

You'll also need to submit a Low Speed Vehicle Equipment Certification to declare that the safety equipment on your vehicle is in good working order.

For the official definition of a low-speed vehicle, please see the information page prepared by the Nevada DMV.

Do I need to register my moped?

Mopeds are lightweight vehicles that have small engines with less than 50cc displacement and usually don't reach speeds above 30 mph. While you do need a driver license to operate a moped on public roads, the vehicles don't require insurance or registration.

If the vehicle is over 50cc, it should be considered a motorcycle and will require registration.

Even though your moped doesn't require registration, it should still have all the same safety equipment that a motorcycle needs. Check out the Motorcycle Equipment Requirements as legislated by the DMV.

Do I need to register my ATV or off-road vehicle?

All motorized vehicles that don't have the required safety equipment or are not built to national requirements are considered off-road vehicles and are not legally operated on any public road. There are no driver license, title, registration, or insurance requirements for these vehicles.

Up until August 2005, the DMV did issue titles on ATVs. It will honor requests for duplicate titles from those previously titled vehicles.

If I cancel my registration for any reason, can I get a refund?

Registration refunds are legislated by the state of Nevada, not the DMV. Refunds are given to current residents in some limited circumstances.

The following are the criteria you need to meet to be eligible for a refund:

• The request must be made at the time of registration cancellation.

• The license plates must be surrendered to the DMV.

• The requestor must be a current resident of Nevada.

• The requested refund must total more than $100.

• The requestor must have no outstanding parking violations, sanctions, or bad debts.

In addition to meeting all of the above criteria, at least one of the following must also apply:

• The requestor must have recently surrendered his or her driver license and sold or disposed of a vehicle―and must provide the name of the buyer and the date of sale on the application form.

• The vehicle must have been determined to be inoperable and the owner will not transfer the registration to any other vehicle (include a copy of the salvage title or insurance company letter stating vehicle is a total loss).

• The vehicle owner is seriously ill or deceased and the estate trustees have sold or disposed of the vehicle (include a copy of the death certificate, or a doctor's note or hospital bills to prove serious illness).

If you are indeed eligible to request a registration refund, fill out the application at your local full-service DMV office. License plates must be surrendered at the time of application.

The DMV will consider your request and, if approved, will mail you a check within six to eight weeks from your request date. If your request is not approved, you'll be notified with a letter. Only the unused portion of the registration fees and taxes are refundable. Any other fees, such as for specialty plates, will not be refunded.

I heard that sometimes you can get a tax exemption for registration fees. Is this possible?

Under some limited circumstances, the following people may be eligible to have the governmental taxes waived from their vehicle registration fees:

• Veterans with wartime service

• Disabled veterans

• Surviving spouses of veterans

• People who are blind

• Active-duty military personnel who are residents of another state but stationed in Nevada

• Native Americans who live on tribal lands

Active-duty military personnel should fill out the Military Tax Exemption Form and mail it to the DMV along with their renewal notice, smog check (if necessary), and a copy of the most recent Leave & Earnings statement.

Native American applicants should fill out the Application for Governmental Services Tax Exemption and have it signed by their tribal chairperson.

All other applicants should contact their local County Assessor for more information on how to apply, or to ask questions about eligibility.

How do I get a replacement registration or decal?

You may obtain a duplicate registration certificate or decal simply by stopping by a full-service or express DMV office and paying the $5 fee.

You may also apply for a replacement registration or decal through the mail. First, complete the Application for Duplicate Registration Certificate. Then include a check, money order, or credit card authorization to cover the $5 fee, and mail everything to:

• DMV Central Services

• 555 Wright Way

• Carson City, NV 89711-0700

You may also fax the form and the credit card authorization form to (775) 684-4797.

For more information, call the following numbers:

• Reno/Carson City area: (775) 684-4368

• Las Vegas area: (702) 486-4368

• Rest of the state: (877) 368-7828

I want to sell my car but I can't find the title. What should I do?

You'll need to apply for a duplicate title so you can use it to transfer ownership. See our Title Transfers section for instructions on how to apply for a duplicate title.

What should I do if my registration gets lost in the mail?

Mistakes happen, and sometimes things don't work perfectly. If your registration renewal gets lost in the mail, simply call the registration line at (877) 368-7828. The DMV will look into the matter for you and give you direction as to what action, if any, you need to take.

How do I replace my license plate?

This process varies, depending on whether your plates were stolen or simply lost.
To replace a stolen plate, complete the Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit and bring it to a full-service DMV office. You'll be issued a new set of plates with a new number. If only one plate was stolen, be sure to bring the remaining plate to the office. You're not required to report a stolen plate to a law enforcement agency, but you're encouraged to.

If your plates were lost, you have three options: Apply in person at a full-service DMV office, by mail to the address on the application form, or by fax to (775) 684-4797. No matter which method you chose, you'll need to complete a Lost, Stolen, or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit and a Duplicate License Plate Application.

A set of replacement standard-issue plates costs $11 ($5.50 per plate); specialty plates cost more. You also have the option of renewing your registration at the same time for an additional fee.

For mail and fax orders, the plates will be sent to the DMV office or Assessor's office you specified on the application. You'll be mailed a notice when the plates are ready for you to pick up. If you have any old plates, please bring them with you to the office.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

How do I renew the registration of a nonoperable or stored vehicle?

Easy. Visit any DMV Office, making sure to bring either the vehicle's title or last registration certificate. You'll need one of these forms to obtain a temporary moving permit. While there, you'll need to complete an Affidavit of Nonoperation.

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