What Nevada personalized plates cost and how long they take

Nevada personalized license plates cost $50 more per year than standard registration. You order them through the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. The process takes about two weeks from the time the DMV receives your order, though online orders typically move faster than mail submissions.

The $50 annual fee is in addition to your regular vehicle registration fee, which varies by vehicle weight and type. You renew personalized plates every two years along with your vehicle registration, and you'll pay the $50 surcharge each time you renew.

Key Takeaways

  • Personalized plates in Nevada cost $50 per year on top of your standard registration fee and must be renewed every two years.
  • You can order through the Nevada DMV website (dmvnv.com), by mail with Form DMV 14, or in person at any DMV office.
  • Your plate combination must be between 2 and 7 characters, can include letters and numbers, and cannot contain spaces or special characters.
  • The DMV checks your requested combination against existing plates and rejected requests before approving it, which typically takes two weeks.
  • If your first choice is taken, you can request up to two additional combinations on the same order form.

Character limits and what you can actually put on a Nevada plate

Your personalized plate can be 2 to 7 characters long and can mix letters and numbers in any order. You cannot use spaces, hyphens, or special characters like asterisks or ampersands. The DMV system will reject combinations that are already in use, have been rejected before, or contain words the state considers offensive or obscene.

Common combinations that get rejected include trademarked brand names, government agency abbreviations, and anything the DMV deems inappropriate. If you want "TESLA" or "FBI" or similar, the DMV will decline it. The system also flags combinations that are too similar to existing plates—for example, if "ABC123" exists, "ABC124" will likely be rejected to avoid confusion.

Ordering online, by mail, or in person

The fastest route is the Nevada DMV website at dmvnv.com. You search for your desired combination, and the system tells you when ready whether it's available. If it is, you can complete the order and pay the $50 fee online using a credit or debit card. You'll receive a confirmation number, and the DMV will mail your new plates within two weeks.

If you prefer to order by mail, read Form DMV 14 from the DMV website, fill it out with your desired plate combination, and mail it to the Nevada DMV along with a check or money order for $50. Include your current vehicle registration and proof of Nevada residency. Processing takes longer by mail—typically three to four weeks from the time they receive your form.

You can also walk into any Nevada DMV office with your vehicle registration and request a personalized plate in person. Staff will check availability on the spot and process your order when ready if your combination is available. You pay the $50 fee at the counter, and plates arrive by mail within two weeks.

What happens if your first choice is already taken

When you order online, the system tells you when ready if your combination is unavailable. You can then search for alternatives right away. On the mail form (DMV 14), you can list up to three desired combinations in order of preference. The DMV will approve the first available one and reject the others.

If all three of your choices are taken, the DMV will send your form back and ask you to resubmit with new combinations. This adds another two to three weeks to your timeline. To avoid this delay, check availability online first before mailing anything, even if you ultimately choose to order by mail.

Transferring personalized plates to a different vehicle

You can move your personalized plate to a different vehicle without losing it, but you must do so before your registration expires. Visit a DMV office or order online through dmvnv.com and request a plate transfer. There is no additional fee beyond your regular registration renewal.

If your registration expires before you transfer the plate, the DMV returns it to the available pool and you lose it. You would then have to order a new personalized plate and pay the $50 fee again. Plan your transfer at least 30 days before your registration expires to avoid this.

Renewing personalized plates when registration comes due

Every two years, you renew your vehicle registration. When you renew, your personalized plate renews automatically if you pay the $50 personalized plate fee along with your standard registration renewal. You can renew online at dmvnv.com, by mail, or in person at a DMV office using the same methods as your initial registration.

If you decide you no longer want a personalized plate, you can switch back to a standard plate during renewal. The DMV will assign you a random combination, and you'll stop paying the $50 annual surcharge. You cannot keep a personalized plate without renewing it—if you let your registration expire, the plate goes back into circulation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reserve a personalized plate before I buy the vehicle?

No. You must have a vehicle registered in Nevada before you can order a personalized plate. The plate is tied to your vehicle's VIN and registration. Once you register your new vehicle, you can when ready order a personalized plate for it.

What if someone else gets my plate idea while I'm thinking about it?

Personalized plates are first-come, first-served. If you find a combination you like, order it right away—waiting increases the risk someone else will take it. You can always change your plate later if you want something different, though you'll pay another $50 fee.

Do personalized plates cost more to renew than the first year?

No. The $50 annual fee is the same every renewal cycle. You pay it every two years when you renew your registration, just like the first time you ordered the plate.

Can I use numbers that look like letters, like "0" for "O" or "1" for "I"?

Yes. The DMV allows combinations that mix numbers and letters, including numbers that resemble letters. "B00M" or "L1NE" are valid combinations as long as they're not already taken and don't violate content rules.

What if the DMV rejects my plate for being offensive?

The DMV doesn't explain why a plate was rejected for content reasons. If you believe your combination was rejected in error, contact the Nevada DMV directly at (702) 486-4368 or visit a local office to discuss it. You can request a different combination and resubmit.