In Nevada, you cannot just bolt a piece of cardboard to your car and hope for the best. The state has two very different types of temporary authorization:
- The Dealer Placard: A colored sticker (Green/Blue/Red) placed on your car by a dealership.
- The Movement Permit: A piece of paper you print yourself or get at the DMV for private sales or smog checks.
Most drivers get confused about which one they need. If you just bought a car from a neighbor, or if your registration expired while your car was in the shop, you need a Movement Permit.
This guide explains how to get one online for $1.00, the “3-Day Rule” for private sales, and why you should never pay $50 for a “printable tag” online.
Dealer Sales: 30-Day Nevada Placards (Green/Blue/Red Tags Explained)
If you bought your car from a licensed Nevada dealership, you do not need to go to the DMV for a temporary tag.
- What You Get: A colored “Dealer Placard” (usually Green).
- Validity: Valid for 30 Days.
- Action Required: None. The dealer prints it and attaches it to your rear license plate holder.
- Expiration: If your metal plates do not arrive within 30 days, contact the dealer immediately. Do not drive on an expired placard; you will be ticketed.
Private Party Purchases: Nevada’s 3-Day Rule for Driving Without Plates or Permits
If you bought a car from a private seller (e.g., Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace), the car has no plates.
Can I drive it home? Yes. Nevada law allows you to drive a newly purchased vehicle for 3 Days without any plates or permits, IF you have the following in the car:
- Proof of Insurance: Must be Nevada insurance in your name.
- Bill of Sale / Signed Title: Proof that you just bought it.
Warning: After 3 days, you must either register the vehicle or buy a Movement Permit. You cannot drive it “just to work” without one.
How to Get a Printable Nevada Movement Permit Online ($1 MyDMV, 90-Day Limit)
If you need more time to get a Smog Check, or if you are waiting for a title, you can buy a Movement Permit.
Method 1: Online (MyDMV) This is the only “Printable” option that is legal.
- Cost: $1.00.
- Validity: 30 Days (for unregistered vehicles) or 10 Days (for Smog Checks/Repairs).
- Limit: You can purchase a maximum of 90 days worth of permits per vehicle per year.
Step-by-Step:
- Log In: Go to MyDMV (You need an account).
- Select: “Temporary Movement Permit.”
- Choose Type:
- Non-Registered Vehicle: If you just bought it.
- Current Registration: If you just need a Smog Check.
- Pay: $1.00 (plus a small processing fee).
- Print: Print the PDF and tape it to the inside of your windshield (passenger side). Do not put it on the license plate area.
Method 2: In-Person (The Expensive Way)
- Cost: Fees can range up to $8.25 per day depending on the permit type.
- Why avoid this? It costs more, requires a trip to the DMV, and usually requires an appointment. Always use the online option if possible.
Nevada Drive-Away Permits: Leaving the State with a New Vehicle (30-Day Option)
If you bought a car in Nevada but live in another state (e.g., California or Utah), you need a “Drive-Away Permit.”
- Validity: 30 Days (One-way trip only).
- Where to get it: You typically must visit a DMV office or have the dealer issue it.
- Cost: Varies, but usually inexpensive (~$1.00 – $8.25).
- Note: This allows you to legally drive the car out of Nevada to your home state for registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. You cannot “extend” a permit. You must buy a new Movement Permit. Remember, you are capped at 90 days total per year. After that, you must register the vehicle or stop driving it.
Yes. You should get a 10-Day Movement Permit online ($1.00) to drive the car to a repair shop and re-test.
No. Any website claiming to sell “Printable License Plates” or “Dealer Tags” is a scam. You can only print the paper Movement Permit from the official MyDMV website.
Yes. You cannot get a movement permit (or drive legally) without valid Nevada Liability Insurance.
Conclusion
If you bought from a dealer, let them handle the tag. If you bought privately, use the 3-Day Rule to get the car home, then log into MyDMV to print a $1.00 Movement Permit if you need more time. Do not pay for “premium” permits online—the official state fee is only a dollar.
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