Sellers must provide a vehicle title. A Bill of Sale by itself is not acceptable. See Buying and Selling below.
Follow these links if you have one of the vehicles listed:
The vehicle registration gives you the right to drive the car or truck on public highways. The Certificate of Registration and your Nevada Evidence of Insurance must be kept in the vehicle.
The vehicle title shows ownership. It should be stored with your other important papers and not kept in the vehicle. You will not receive the title if you have a loan or lease on the vehicle.
It is illegal to sell a vehicle on an empty lot in most circumstances. The DMV recommends private party sales be completed at a residence. Buyers may wish to check the seller's ID.
It is illegal to sell more than three personally-owned vehicles per year without a dealer's license.
Subleasing and "take over payments" arrangements are illegal. Any loan or lien on a vehicle must be satisfied before it can be sold.
Salvage vehicles should be rebuilt, inspected and titled as Rebuilt before being sold to a private party. A vehicle that has been issued an orange-colored salvage title may not be sold or registered in Nevada until it has been repaired and inspected.
The DMV does not disclose owner information to potential buyers. However, you may bring the vehicle and paperwork to the VIN Inspection Station at larger DMV offices for review. No appointment is necessary.
Use the Vehicle Identification Number to query the following services. There are also any number of commercial services available.
The Bill of Sale, Registration Cancellation and Vehicle Resale Notification are your proof that you sold the vehicle. The information from the resale notification will be provided to wreckers and tow car operators in the event the vehicle is abandoned.
Nevada law requires sellers to keep the plates and either use them on another vehicle or turn them in for cancellation within 60 days of the sale for standard issue plates or within 30 days for special plates. See Plate Surrender/Registration Fee Refunds.
If you wish to transfer the plates to the buyer, for example a classic car, you may complete a License Plate Release (SP 67). Please note that registration fee credits will not transfer to the buyer.
If you have left the plates on a vehicle you sold, you may complete a Lost, Stolen or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit (VP 202).
Sellers must provide a properly signed-off title to the buyer in private party sales, family sales or gifts. Any loan or other lien must be satisfied first.
If you do not have a title, you (or the owner of record) will have to apply for a duplicate from the state where the vehicle was last titled. See 50 State DMV Links.
The only exception is if the vehicle was 1) last titled in Nevada, 2) is model year 2010 or older, and 3) has no liens or the owner of record has a lien release, the buyer and owner of record can then complete 1) an Application for Duplicate Title (VP 012) and 2) a Bill of Sale to transfer ownership. The owner must obtain an actual title on vehicles 2011 and newer and enter the mileage in the Odometer Reading section.
See Titles for more information.
Avoid repeat DMV visits! Complete the Odometer Reading section of the title on any 2011 or newer vehicle.
Effective January 1, 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires odometer disclosures until vehicles are 20 years old, beginning with vehicles of the 2011 model year. The previous rule was 10 years.
You must disclose the mileage even if the title says "Exempt - Model year over 9 years old."
