Nevada License Plates: Replace, Personalize or Transfer Yours
Replacing a standard set of Nevada license plates costs $16, and lost or damaged plates can be ordered by mail. Stolen plates always get a new number, personalized plates take 10 to 12 weeks, and your plates belong to you, not the car. Pick your situation below for the exact steps.
Written by the DMV Appointment Las Vegas team · Verified by Ryan Parker & Ethan Miller · Last updated: November 2026
License plate task finder
Pick what happened to see the form, the fee, where to go and whether you keep your number.
Fees and forms from the Nevada DMV’s license plate pages. Registration fees and taxes are extra when you renew.
What types of license plates does Nevada issue?
Most cars get the standard Home Means Nevada plate, which you can usually take home the same day. You can also choose a specialty or charitable plate, put your own characters on a personalized plate, or qualify for classic, veteran or disabled plates.
Standard
Home Means Nevada design with a random number, usually issued on the spot in person.
Specialty and charitable
Designs like Lake Tahoe or Vegas Golden Knights, with an extra fee that goes to the sponsor.
Personalized
Your own letters and numbers on most plate designs, with no punctuation or symbols.
Classic and Old Timer
For qualifying older vehicles. You surrender your current plates when you order in person.
Veteran and disabled
Disabled Veteran plates need a 100% service-connected disability. See disabled plates and placards.
How do you replace lost, damaged or stolen plates in Nevada?
For lost or damaged plates, mail or fax the Duplicate License Plate Application (SP 14) and keep your number. Stolen plates need an in-person visit, and the DMV issues a new number for security reasons. A standard replacement set costs $16.
Lost or damaged
- Fill in form SP 14.
- Mail it with a check or money order, or fax it to (775) 684-4797 with the card form ADM 205.
- Prefer a visit? Book an appointment and bring the old plates, or the VP 202 affidavit if you don’t have them.
- If you order in person, the plates go to the DMV or Assessor office you choose and you’re notified by mail.
Stolen
- Report the theft to police. The DMV doesn’t require it but strongly recommends it.
- Fill in the Lost, Stolen or Mutilated License Plate Affidavit (VP 202).
- Apply in person at a DMV office. You can’t keep the stolen number.
- Whole car stolen? Bring the police report and VP 202 so the DMV cancels the registration.
Registration and smog: you can keep your current expiration date and get a matching decal with no new smog test, or renew for a full year at the same time. Renewing needs a passing emissions test if your car requires one and the last test is more than 90 days old. Unused registration time is credited. Need only a new sticker? A DMV Now kiosk prints one on the spot.
How do you get personalized plates in Nevada?
Check your idea on the DMV’s online plate search, then order online with a Nevada license or ID, by mail or fax, or in person. Plates arrive in 10 to 12 weeks, and every order needs one DMV office visit to pick them up within 60 days.
- Check availabilityOnline plate search, 24/7
Search the characters on the plate design you want. Punctuation and symbols aren’t allowed.
- Place the orderOnline, mail, fax or in person
Online needs a Nevada license or ID. Plates that require special qualifications can’t be ordered online.
- Wait 10 to 12 weeksPlates go to the office you picked
Book your pickup appointment as soon as you order, since slots fill quickly.
- Pick them up within 60 daysOne office visit required
The plates are registered to your vehicle at the counter.
- Fees depend on the design and are added to your registration fees. Check the DMV’s fee table for your plate.
- Character limits vary by design. Lake Tahoe plates allow 7 characters on cars and 6 on motorcycles.
- Passing your personalized number to a new owner needs the License Plate Release (SP 67).
- Think a plate breaks the content rules? Report it with the License Plate Complaint Form (SP 74).
Do Nevada license plates stay with you or with the car?
They stay with you. Nevada issues plates to people and businesses, not vehicles, so you can move them to your next car, surrender them or swap them for a new design. A transfer between two people needs a witnessed statement, which you can complete at the DMV.
Move them to another car
Transfer your plates when you register your next vehicle, at a DMV office or a AAA DMV counter for eligible registrations.
Surrender them
Cancel the registration and surrender plates online in MyDMV, or drop plates off at a Las Vegas DMV office without an appointment.
Change the design
Pay the specialty plate fee plus a $5 substitute plate fee. No renewal or smog test is needed if renewal is more than 35 days away.
Selling the car? Keep the plates, fill in a bill of sale, then finish the paperwork with our Nevada title transfer guide.
Nevada license plate display rules
Most vehicles must show a front and a rear plate, mounted at least 12 inches off the ground and kept clean and readable. Motorcycles and trailers need only a rear plate, and the registration decal goes on the upper right corner of the rear plate.
A front plate is optional only when the vehicle wasn’t built for one and came with no front bracket. Frames and covers are fine as long as the plate stays fully legible.
Book a DMV appointment for plates
Stolen plates, new standard plates and personalized plate pickups need a counter visit, and booking is free on the DMV’s official scheduler. Pick an office below, or switch tabs to view, reschedule or cancel a booking.
Book, view, reschedule or cancel
Check one office, then switch to the next. Each button opens that office’s official booking page.
East Sahara DMV
2621 E. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104 · Mon–Fri 8–5, Sat 8–4
All official booking links
- East Sahara: general appointment · drive test
- West Flamingo: general appointment · drive test
- North Decatur: general appointment · drive test
- Silverado Ranch: general appointment · drive test
- Silverado CDL building: CDL line or knowledge test
- All offices on dmv.nv.gov
Nevada license plates FAQ
Can I keep my plate number if my plates are stolen?
No. For security reasons, the Nevada DMV won’t duplicate a stolen plate number, so you get new plates with a new number. To get the same personalized characters again, apply for new personalized plates; limitations apply.
How much do personalized plates cost in Nevada?
It depends on the design. Personalized and specialty plate fees are added to your normal registration fees and taxes, and the DMV lists each design’s fee in its plate fee table. Swapping an existing plate for a new design also adds a $5 substitute plate fee.
Is a front license plate required in Nevada?
Yes, on most vehicles. A front plate is optional only if the vehicle wasn’t designed for one and the maker provided no bracket. Motorcycles and trailers need only a rear plate.
How long do I have to pick up personalized plates?
60 days after they arrive at the DMV or County Assessor office you chose. One office visit is required to receive personalized plates, however you ordered them.
Can I give personalized plates as a gift?
Yes. Order by mail or fax with your details on the application and the recipient’s name as the different registrant. The plates are only released once they’re registered to a vehicle in person.
Do I need a smog check to replace my plates?
Not if you keep your current expiration date. A smog test is only needed if you renew for a full year at the same time, your car requires testing and your last test is more than 90 days old.