What Nevada License Plates Are Available and What They Cost

Nevada offers several license plate types beyond the standard blue-and-silver plate. Each type has a different cost, design, and purpose. The standard Nevada plate costs $33 for a new plate or renewal. Specialty plates — which support specific causes or organizations — cost between $40 and $75 depending on the design, with a portion of the fee going to the designated beneficiary.

You can order a new plate, renew an existing one, or switch to a different plate type through the Nevada DMV website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The process differs slightly depending on whether you are renewing a current registration or requesting a plate change mid-registration cycle.

Key Takeaways

  • Standard Nevada plates cost $33 for new or renewal; specialty plates range from $40 to $75 depending on the cause or organization.
  • You can order plates online through the Nevada DMV website, by mail with Form DMV 14, or in person at any DMV office.
  • Specialty plates require you to select your design choice and pay the higher fee, but the plate itself arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
  • If you want to change plate types mid-registration (for example, switching from standard to a specialty plate), you pay only the difference in cost, not the full renewal fee.
  • Personalized plates (custom characters) are available on both standard and specialty plates and require a separate request and approval process.

Standard Nevada License Plates

The standard Nevada plate features the state motto "Battle Born" and displays your vehicle registration number, county code, and expiration date. A new standard plate costs $33. If you are renewing your registration and keeping the same plate, the renewal fee is separate from the plate cost and depends on your vehicle type and weight.

Standard plates are issued in the county where you register your vehicle. The county code appears on the plate itself. You do not choose the specific number sequence on a standard plate — the DMV assigns it based on availability.

Specialty and Cause-Based Plates

Nevada offers more than 30 specialty plate designs. These plates support causes such as wildlife conservation, military service, higher education, and veterans' organizations. Each specialty plate costs more than a standard plate — typically $40 to $75 — and a portion of the additional fee goes to the organization or cause the plate represents.

Popular specialty plates include the Nevada Wildlife plate, the Purple Heart plate for military veterans, plates supporting specific Nevada universities, and plates benefiting animal rescue organizations. You choose which specialty plate design you want when you order. The plate arrives by mail within two to three weeks of approval.

Specialty plates renew at the same higher cost each time your registration comes due. If you switch from a standard plate to a specialty plate mid-cycle, you pay only the difference between the two costs, not a full renewal fee.

Personalized License Plates

A personalized plate lets you choose custom characters instead of accepting the DMV's assignment. You can personalize a standard plate or any specialty plate. Personalized plates cost $33 for standard or $40 to $75 for specialty, plus an additional $10 personalization fee.

Nevada allows up to seven characters on a personalized plate, including letters, numbers, and spaces. The DMV rejects requests that contain profanity, slurs, or content that could be offensive. You submit your character choice when you order, and the DMV notifies you within one to two weeks whether your choice is available. If it is taken or rejected, you can submit a different choice.

How to Order or Renew Nevada Plates

You have three ways to order a new plate or renew your registration with a plate change: online, by mail, or in person.

Online: Visit the Nevada DMV website and log into your account or create one. You can order a new plate, renew your registration, or switch plate types. Payment is by credit or debit card. You will receive a confirmation number, and your plate ships within two to three weeks.

By mail: Complete Form DMV 14 (process for Vehicle Registration) and mail it to the Nevada DMV with your payment. Include your vehicle title or registration card, proof of insurance, and identification. Mail processing takes longer than online — typically three to four weeks from receipt. The address for mailing is on the form itself.

In person: Visit any Nevada DMV office with your vehicle title or current registration, proof of insurance, and identification. You can select your plate type and personalization (if desired) on the spot. You pay the fee when ready, and your plate is mailed to you within two to three weeks. Walk-in service is available, but wait times vary by location and time of day.

Plate Replacement and Damaged Plates

If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement. A replacement plate costs $33 for a standard plate or the appropriate specialty plate fee. You do not need to wait for your registration to renew — you can request a replacement at any time.

To report a lost or stolen plate, contact the Nevada DMV or file a report at your local law enforcement office. Bring your vehicle registration and identification to a DMV office, or submit a replacement request online. The replacement plate arrives within two to three weeks and displays the same number sequence as your original plate.

Transferring Plates Between Vehicles

Nevada allows you to transfer a plate from one vehicle to another if both vehicles are registered in your name. You cannot transfer a plate to a vehicle registered to someone else. To transfer a plate, you must have both vehicle titles or registrations available and pay a transfer fee of $10.

You can transfer a plate in person at a DMV office or online through your DMV account. The new vehicle's registration will reflect the transferred plate number. The old vehicle's registration ends on the date you complete the transfer. If you are transferring a personalized or specialty plate, the design and characters transfer with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive a new Nevada license plate?

Most plates arrive within two to three weeks of your order being processed. Online and in-person orders are processed when ready, while mail orders take an additional one to two weeks to reach the DMV before processing begins. You can drive with your registration paperwork while you wait for the physical plate to arrive.

Can I keep my old plate number if I renew my registration?

Yes. When you renew, your plate number stays the same unless you request a change. If you want a new number or want to switch to a specialty or personalized plate, you can request that during renewal and pay the difference in cost.

What happens if I want to switch from a specialty plate back to a standard plate?

You can switch at any time. If you switch before your registration expires, you pay only the difference between the specialty plate fee and the standard plate fee. The new standard plate arrives within two to three weeks.

Do I have to renew my specialty plate at the higher cost every year?

Yes. Specialty plates renew at the same cost each registration cycle. If the cost increases, you will pay the new amount at renewal. You can switch to a standard plate at any time if you want to reduce your renewal cost.

Can I order a personalized plate online, or do I have to go to an office?

You can order a personalized plate online through the Nevada DMV website or in person at a DMV office. By mail, you submit Form DMV 14 with your requested characters, and the DMV notifies you of approval or rejection by mail. Online is the fastest method.