Military Licensing

Certain persons are exempted from obtaining a Nevada driver license:

• A nonresident on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who has a valid license issued by his or her home state, or such a nonresident’s spouse or dependent child who has a valid license issued by such state.
• Any person on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who has a valid license issued in a foreign country by the Armed Forces may drive a motor vehicle for a period of not more than 45 days from the date of return to the United States.

If you wish to obtain a Nevada license, the application requirements are the same as those for non-military residents. See: 

• New Resident Guide - If you are already licensed in the U.S.
• Beginning Drivers 18 and Older - If you have never been licensed in the U.S.
• Nevada Teen Driving - Age 17 and younger

The driver license exemption is authorized by Nevada state law. See NRS 483.240.

See the Returning Veterans Safe Driving Initiative, a VA website with a wealth of information on child seat safety, driving with medical conditions, motorcycle safety and more.

Out-of-state residents on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are not required to register their vehicles in Nevada. Spouses are also exempt if the spouse lives in Nevada solely to be with the servicemember.

Servicemembers and spouses who choose to obtain a Nevada registration are eligible for an exemption from the Nevada Governmental Services Taxes on vehicles. Members of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and other foreign forces are not eligible for this exemption and must pay the full registration fees.

  You must submit a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES) dated within the past 30 days to claim the exemption. Spouses have additional requirements that are listed on the VP-203s form.

Complete the appropriate form and submit all of the required documents listed when you register or renew your vehicle.

• Non-Resident, Active Duty Military Governmental Services Tax Exemption Affidavit (VP-203)
• Non-Resident Military Spouse Governmental Services Tax Exemption Affidavit (VP-203s)

Only one of the above forms is required. Use the VP-203 form if only the servicemember's name appears on the registration, or if both the member and spouse are listed. VP-203S must be submitted if only the name of the spouse appears on the registration.

  The 2011 Nevada Legislature passed a measure to waive registration late fees for active duty military members assigned to combat or combat support positions. Please contact us and ask for the affidavit (form VP-258) before you renew the registration. See Senate Bill 406.

Other registration requirements are the same as those for non-military. See:

• New Resident Guide - If your vehicle is already registered in another state.
• Vehicle Registration Home Page
  • Buying a Vehicle from a Private Party
  • Buying a Vehicle from a Nevada Dealer
  • Buying a Vehicle from an Out-of-State Dealer
• Vehicle Registration Requirements - Tip Sheet

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA)

• The vehicle tax exemption is authorized by SCRA Section 571. See the US Department of Justice and the SCRA text.
• In 2009, Congress amended the Act to include spouses. See Public Law 111-97, the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act.

Vehicles purchased overseas through the Armed Forces and titled with a Form AE 190-1A do not require shipping papers or DOT or EPA releases as long as they are built to U.S. safety and emissions standards. 

The Form AE 190-1A may be substituted for a state-issued title and registration. Other registration requirements are the same as those for New Residents.

Vehicles purchased outside of the Armed Forces system and not built to U.S. standards are considered "gray market" vehicles and may require clearances from the US DOT and US EPA.
See Section IV of our Registration and Title Guide and e-mail us before importing a vehicle. You may also wish to contact our Emissions Lab.