Constituent Services Unit
Frequently Asked Questions

Coverage requirements are $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident; $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident; and $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

When changing from one insurance company to another, be mindful of when your old policy ends and the new policy begins. There is no grace period in Nevada. For example, if your old policy ends at 12:01 a.m. on a specific date and your new policy goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. the next day, your car is considered to be uninsured for one day. The Department of Motor Vehicles' (DMV's) Nevada Liability Insurance Validation Electronic (LIVE) liability insurance verification system will catch the lapse, and you could be faced with reinstatement fees and fines that start at $251. In certain situations, your vehicle’s registration could be suspended as well. You can check the status of your existing insurance and registration online anytime at https://dmvapp.nv.gov/dmv/vr/vr_dev/VR_reg/VR_Reg_Default.aspx. You will need your license plate number and the last 4 digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For more information, see the DMV's Vehicle Registration and Insurance Reinstatement Guide.

No! If you sell your vehicle, remove the license plates, cancel your registration with the DMV, and then cancel your insurance. If law enforcement stops the new owner before he or she registers the vehicle and it is not covered by insurance, YOU are liable. The reason is because as far as the DMV knows, the vehicle still belongs to you.

Out of state insurance is not accepted by Nevada. All motor vehicle policies must be written according to Nevada requirements. Coverage must be validated by an insurance company authorized to do business in the State of Nevada. Notify your insurance company that you have moved to Nevada to make sure the policy is written to meet Nevada's requirements.

The DMV's Compliance Enforcement Division investigates cases of document fraud, identity theft involving the use of DMV processes, auto dealers and similar businesses, body shops, garages, emissions inspection stations, and driving schools. Complaints can be filed using the forms on the DMV's compliance enforcement webpage.

Yes, Nevada law provides certain protections for purchasers of certain new vehicles covered by original manufacturers' warranties.

A "Lemon Law" is a statute designed to assist buyers whose new motor vehicles have chronic defects. Most states have adopted some form of a lemon law. Under these laws, when a new motor vehicle is found to be defective, the manufacturer must buy it back in certain circumstances. Buyers who believe their vehicle is a "lemon" may wish to consult an attorney about procedures and deadlines.

Nevada's Lemon Law is found in Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 597.600 through 597.688. These laws provide that a purchaser of a new vehicle that does not conform to a manufacturer's express warranties may report the nonconformity in writing to the manufacturer. Written notification must be made to the manufacturer: (1) before the expiration of the manufacturer's express warranties; or (2) no later than one year after the date the motor vehicle is delivered to the original buyer, whichever occurs earlier.

Manufacturers that are notified in writing are required to make the necessary repairs so the vehicle is consistent with the manufacturers' express warranties. The manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer must make a reasonable number of attempts to correct the defect. A reasonable number of attempts is presumed if four or more attempts to repair were made within one year. The Lemon Law also applies if the vehicle is out of service due to the defect for a cumulative 30 days in one year. If the manufacturer is unable to correct the problem and the defect impairs the use and value of the vehicle to the buyer, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle with a comparable vehicle or accept the return of the vehicle and refund the purchase price to the buyer.

If the manufacturer has established a dispute resolution procedure, the buyer must first submit a claim for a refund or replacement under that procedure. Many manufacturers have designated the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to handle these disputes. The BBB's Auto Line dispute resolution program may be accessed here: www.bbb.org/autoline/bbb-auto-line-state-laws/.

Any legal actions brought against a manufacturer must commence within 18 months after delivery of the vehicle to the buyer. A manufacturer or dealer that reacquires a vehicle cannot require the buyer to refrain from disclosing the problems experienced with the vehicle.

Applicability

Nevada's Lemon Law only applies to "self-propelled" vehicles and does not generally apply to motor homes or off-road vehicles. (NRS 482.075)

Usually a "Lemon Law" refers to provisions relating to vehicles conforming to the original manufacturer's warranty. Thus, even though the vehicle may no longer be owned by the original buyer as a "new" vehicle, the protections of the lemon law may still apply. (See the previous question, "Does Nevada have a 'Lemon Law' for the repairing of vehicles still under the original manufacturer’s warranty?")

In addition, Nevada law does provide certain protections to purchasers of certain higher mileage used motor vehicles. These provisions are found at NRS 482.36655 through 482.36667. A buyer who experiences problems with a used vehicle that has 75,000 or more miles on the odometer and was purchased from a used vehicle dealer may file a complaint, in writing, against the dealer to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Information about the DMV's compliance enforcement activities, including a complaint form, is available at http://www.dmvnv.com/ced.htm. Buyers also may reach one of the DMV's Compliance Enforcement Offices by calling (702) 486-8626 in Las Vegas, (775) 684-4790 in Carson City, or (775) 684-3562 in Reno. The DMV will investigate the complaint. If a violation of law or regulation is determined, the DMV notifies the dealer and recommends the actions necessary to resolve the complaint. If not satisfied with the decision of the DMV, either the dealer or customer may appeal the decision to the Director of the DMV. ( NRS 482.36664)

Additional requirements apply to used vehicle dealers that have been the subject of more than three substantiated complaints with the DMV during a 12-month period. These dealers must provide an express warranty on used vehicles they sell that have 75,000 or more miles on the odometer. ( NRS 482.36662) These warranties must comply with the following schedule stated at NRS 482.36663:

• For vehicles with at least 75,000 but less than 80,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first;
• For vehicles with at least 80,001 but less than 85,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 20 days or 600 miles, whichever comes first;
• For vehicles with at least 85,001 but less than 90,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 10 days or 300 miles, whichever comes first;
• For vehicles with at least 90,001 but less than 100,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 5 days or 150 miles, whichever comes first; or
• For vehicles with at least 100,001 miles, the warranty is valid for 2 days or 100 miles, whichever comes first.

Under Nevada's Uniform Commercial Code, when a merchant sells goods, including motor vehicles, those goods are subject to an "Implied Warranty of Merchantability." See NRS 104.2314 through 104.2318.

For more information about buying a new car and about Nevada's Lemon Law, see "Buying a New Car," by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, at: www.lacsn.org/practice-areas/consumer-rights-project/car-information/33-buying-a-new-car.

For guidance on how to purchase a used car, as well as additional remedies that may apply to certain situations, see "Buying a Used Car," by the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, at: www.lacsn.org/practice-areas/consumer-rights-project/car-information/34-buying-a-used-car.

For residents of Clark County, the Neighborhood Justice Center (NJC) may offer free mediation services for disputes with a car dealership. For more information, please contact the NJC at (702) 455-3898 or visit its website at: www.lasvegasjusticecourt.us/services/neighborhood_justice_center/.