A drivers license in Nevada is required for all residents, and if you have just moved to the state, you only have 30 days to get one. If you are at least 18 years old, you will be able to get the license by going to a DMV location and providing the necessary documents. To get a DMV license in Nevada if you are less than 18 years old, you will first need to drive with a permit for at least six months.

In this article, you will learn all that you need to know about getting a DMV drivers license in Nevada: what documents are required, how much it costs, how drivers ed works and more. At the end of the article, you will find all of the required license forms.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Nevada as an Adult (18 or Older)

If you are at least 18 years old, you will not need to get a permit before you get your license. To get a new drivers license in Nevada, you will need to be a resident of Nevada who is legally allowed to be in the US. The age requirement for licenses is below 18, so all adults are eligible for a full license without first getting a permit.

You cannot get a drivers license online in Nevada, because you need to present four documents to the DMV, which the office will need to check in-person. That said, you are able to schedule your driving tests online. Different drivers license offices in Nevada have different hours. You will be able to see the times available when you schedule, but if you have any questions about when the office is open, you should call the office you are applying at ahead of time.

You may complete the Nevada driving license application before going to the office. This form is also available in Spanish and Tagalog, and it requires you to provide extensive personal information about yourself. This information includes your name, birth date, address, height and weight. As well, you will be able to decide if you want to register to vote or become an organ donor.

Documents Required to Obtain a New Drivers License in Nevada

Along with the form, you will need to provide four different documents. These Nevada drivers license requirements are designed to make your license REAL ID compliant, which means you can use it for federal purposes.

There are a number of reasons why you may need to use your license for federal identification, but the most common use is when boarding a domestic flight. Here is how to get a drivers license in Nevada and have it be REAL ID compliant. Bring:

  • One document showing that you are authorized to be in the US.
  • Two documents showing that you are a Nevada resident.
  • One document showing your Social Security Number.

The documents showing you are allowed to be in the United States will most commonly be a license, state ID card or passport that has not expired, but it can also be a document proving your permanent or temporary residency, such as a Permanent Resident Card or a stamped foreign passport.

Your two documents showing that you live in Nevada do not need to be government-issued. Bank correspondence, magazines and bills are commonly used, but you may also use correspondence from a governmental agency that shows your address.

The document showing your Social Security Card can be either a Social Security Card or a W-2 issued in the last two years. You can get a drivers license in Nevada if you do not have a document showing your Social Security Number, but this document cannot be used for federal identification. This non-REAL ID compliant license is known as a Driver Authorization Card.

If your name has changed, you will also need to bring a document that proves this change.

Tests Required to Get a Drivers License in Nevada

Once you have submitted all the forms and provided the appropriate documentation, you will need to take the following tests:

  • Written test
  • Driving Test
  • Eye Exam

You can prepare for your written test by taking a driver license practice test.

The standard drivers license cost in Nevada is $42.25. Licenses at this price point last for eight years. If you are 65 and up, your license will only last for four years, but this term comes with a significant discount. Payment methods vary between offices, so you will need to contact the one you are applying at ahead of time to determine which methods it accepts.

Getting a Nevada Drivers License as a New Resident

Once you become a resident of Nevada, you have 30 days to get your state-specific license. Because of that short timeframe, you may be asking, “What do you need to get your license in Nevada if you already have a license from another state?” The answer is simple. You are still required to bring the four documents proving your residency, SSN and right to be in the country, as well as a filled out

However, if you are at least 21 years old and able to present your out-of-state license, you will not need to take the written test or the driving test. You may not qualify for this exemption if your license expired more than a year ago, or if you faced disciplinary action like a license suspension or DUI conviction. Canadian and Taiwanese applicants can get the same privileges and exemptions as out of state drivers.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Nevada as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

If you are less than 18 years old, you will need a permit before you can get a license. Learn about the extra requirements: the Certification of Attendance, driver’s education and more.

Drivers license requirements in Nevada for adults also apply to minors. That means you must be legally in the US, and you must be a Montana resident with a Social Security Number. However, you also need to be attending school. Exceptions are made for people who are homeschooled and people with a medical condition that prevents them from attending. No matter the case, you will need to submit a filled-out Certification of Attendance (DMV 301). Section A provides proof of attendance, while Section 2 provides space for exceptions to the attendance requirement.

One of the most important Nevada drivers license services for teens is driver’s ed. Though it is not required, a driver’s education program significantly reduces the amount of time minors need to spend on the road before they are allowed to get a license.

Whereas someone who chooses to take driver’s ed online or in-person only need to have 50 hours of road experience, a minor who forgoes driver’s ed needs 100 hours. Minors are only allowed to opt out of driver’s ed if it the closest in-person course more than 30 miles from their residence.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Nevada as a Teen

Much of what you need to apply for a drivers license in Nevada is the same whether you are a minor or an adult, so you should consult the section above in order to learn about scheduling an appointment, providing requirements, paying fees and taking the required tests.

If you are a minor, you will need to remember to submit the Certification of Attendance (DMV 301). As well, if you are under the age of 18, you will need to drive with a permit for six months before you can go through the drivers license application process. You cannot be responsible for a crash, moving violation or DUI violation during those six months.

You will need to bring four documents proving your right to be in the US, Social Security Number and Nevada residency when you apply for a permit. As well, you and a parent or guardian will need to sign a Minor Affidavit and Information Sheet, which is designed to ensure you understand the laws regarding minor drivers. This drivers license information includes the need for a driver who is at least 21 years old to accompany a minor while they drive.

Nevada drivers license eligibility requirements state that a minor driver to be at least 15 and a half years old before they get a permit. They cannot get a license until they are at least 16 years old.

Nevada Drivers License Costs

  • $42.52 for a drivers license that lasts for eight years
  • $23.25 to get a driver license permit
  • $18.25 if you are at least 65 years old; your license will last for four years
  • $26 to take both the knowledge and driving test
  • $11 to retake a test
Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.