Buying a Vehicle - Nevada Dealer Sales

Trade-In or Sale to a Dealer

If you are trading in a vehicle or selling one to a Nevada dealer, the dealer is required to satisfy any loan or lien within 30 days. Other states have similar laws but be sure to ask an out-of-state dealer when the lien will be satisfied. The dealer may have you sign a Power of Attorney or similar document if you do not have the title.

Nevada dealers are required to keep your trade-in until the financing on your new vehicle is finalized (up to 15 days). They must return your trade-in if they offer you different financing terms and you decline to accept the new contract.

Keep your license plates. These must be used on another vehicle or surrendered within 30 days. You will be issued a credit for the unused portion of the current registration.

Buying A Vehicle - Nevada Dealer Sales

Be certain to read and understand the sales or lease contract before you buy any vehicle. Do not sign a contract which contains blank spaces. Use our Online Business License Verification to confirm your dealer holds a DMV business license.

Nevada does not have a right of rescission or any "cooling off" period for the buyer. Used vehicles are sold "as is."

Nevada dealers must use standardized contracts as outlined in Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 97. Dealers must issue the following documents to the buyer:

• Copies of any contract, lease agreement, warranty, etc.
• A temporary movement placard dated to expire 30 days from the date of the sale
• A passing emissions inspection if required
• A drive train inspection report on used vehicles which have an odometer reading of 75,000 miles or more
• A Dealer Report of Sale (DRS or "green slip")

Dealers may or may not issue the DRS at the time of the sale. If financing on the vehicle has not been finalized, the dealer may take up to 15 days to arrange financing under the terms of the sale.

If financing cannot be finalized, the dealer then has three options:

• rescind the sale and require the return of the vehicle, or
• finance the vehicle in-house under the original terms, or
• ask the buyer to sign a new contract with different terms. The buyer is not obligated to accept a new contract and may return the vehicle.

Registration

The vehicle must be registered before the expiration date on the temporary placard regardless of when the DRS was issued.

Use our Online Registration Fee Estimate. (Estimate only - total fees will be slightly higher.) DMV offices accept cash, checks, money orders for the exact amount, Visa, MasterCard and Discover.

You may be able to complete your registration online without a DMV office visit if you purchased it from a participating dealer. See Online Vehicle Registration for a list of dealers and other details.

If you are not eligible for online registration, you must register at a DMV office and have the following:

• Dealers Report of Sale
• Nevada Evidence of Insurance Card
• Emissions Vehicle Inspection Report if needed
• Application for Vehicle Registration (VP-222)

You must obtain liability insurance from a Nevada-licensed carrier in the exact name(s) which will be on the registration and title. Coverage is verified electronically with your insurance company. Motorists who do not maintain Nevada liability insurance are subject to a registration suspension and $250 reinstatement fee. Out-of-state insurance is not accepted. See Insurance.

A third party may register the vehicle for you. The Application for Vehicle Registration (VP-222) must be signed by the owner or the third party may present a completed Power of Attorney (VP-136). A General Power of Attorney will be accepted but it must be notarized and be an original or certified copy.

Vehicle Title

Nevada dealers are required to submit, to the DMV, all of the documents necessary to issue a Nevada title within 30 days of the date of the sale.

The title will be mailed to the registered owner if there is no lienholder.

You will not receive the title if your vehicle is financed or leased. The new title will be mailed to the lienholder. You must satisfy the lien before you may sell the vehicle. The bank or other institution will deliver the title to you if you satisfy the lien.

Tips

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.