Nevada Driver Licensing

If you are under 18, see Nevada Teen Driving. If you are currently licensed in the U.S. and are moving to Nevada, see our New Resident Guide. If you are a not a U.S. citizen, you must take all three tests.

To apply for an original Nevada Instruction Permit if you are over 18, you must:

• Be a resident of Nevada and provide a Nevada street address.
• Provide acceptable proof of your identity.
• Apply in person at a DMV Office.
  (We do not make appointments. Commercial drivers who require testing must apply at a CDL Office.)
• Complete a Driver License Application.
• Pay the required licensing and testing fees
• Surrender any existing U.S. license, permit or ID card.
• Pass the vision and knowledge tests. See Driver License Testing.
• Have your picture taken.

The licensing fee is $22 or $17 if you are 65 or older. A $25 testing fee will be charged prior to the written test and covers both the written test and the initial skills test. A $10 retest fee will apply to all retakes. The initial fee will not be charged for your first skills test if your instruction permit was issued prior to July 1, 2009, and is valid at the time of testing.

Any existing ID you may have will be hole-punched and returned to you. You will be issued an interim paper document that certifies your driving privilege. The actual Instruction Permit will be mailed within 10 business days.

You may drive only with a licensed driver, 21 years or older, with at least one year of driving experience seated next to you at all times. Driver education is not required for beginning drivers 18 and older. If you desire instruction, see Professional Drive Schools.

Once you have obtained a Nevada Instruction Permit, you may schedule a driving skills test to obtain your full Driver License. You will be issued an interim document after successful completion of the skills test for a fee of $3. The license will then be mailed to you within 10 business days. See Driver License Testing.

The residency and proof of identity requirements for a Nevada Identification Card are the same as those for a driver license. The minimum age for an ID card is 10 years.

You cannot hold both a Nevada Identification Card and an out-of-state driver license.

To apply for an original Nevada Identification Card, you must:

• Provide acceptable proof of your identity.
• Apply in person at a DMV Office. (We do not make appointments.)
• Complete a Driver License Application.
• Pay the required fee. (Under 18 - $6, 18-64 - $12, 65 or older - $7)
• Surrender any existing U.S. driver license, permit or ID card.
• Have your picture taken.

Any existing ID will be hole-punched and returned to you along with an interim paper document. Your new ID card will be mailed to you within 10 business days.

Persons who declare themselves homeless are entitled to a one-time fee exemption for a duplicate Nevada license or ID card. See Duplicate Licenses. If you need to renew your ID Card, see Renewal Options and ID Card Fees.

Nevada license classes, common endorsements and common restrictions are listed below. Nevada does not issue any type of Chauffeur or other special license. However, taxi drivers in Clark County must get a permit from the Nevada Taxicab Authority.

The Nevada DMV licenses and regulates private driving schools and instructors. Schools can be licensed in any of three general areas. Click on the link for a list of licensed schools. 

• Professional - general driver education, teen drivers ed and specialties such as trucking.
• Traffic Safety - for demerit point reductions or court-ordered plea bargains.
• DUI - for driving under the influence offenses.

See also Demerit Point System and License Suspensions and Revocations. For information on obtaining a drive school or instructor license, see Occupational and Business Licensing.