Newcomer details first interaction with Nevada DMV

If you’re moving here from another state — as I am — there are a few things to remember.

You can never drink enough water in this desert town. Gambling isn’t the only way to have fun here. And driving is critical to getting around.

For new residents, that means exchanging your out-of-state plates and getting a Nevada driver’s license. I moved here nearly a month ago, and finally made my way last Wednesday morning to the Department of Motor Vehicles to surrender the last remnants of my California residency.

This might not seem like a big deal to the natives. But given the transient nature of people moving to and from Las Vegas, I figured this could be a good reminder for the newcomers. Failing to register your vehicle within 30 days of moving to Nevada could lead to a hefty $1,000 fine, DMV spokesman Kevin Malone said.

The DMV already has collected more than $97.2 million from Nevadans who registered their cars during the current fiscal year, Malone said. Most of that money is socked away in the state Highway Fund to pay for road improvement projects across the Silver State.

Get your paperwork prepared before setting foot into the DMV. To register my vehicle, I had to buy car insurance that would be valid in Nevada and get a smog check on my little blue coupe. The morning of my visit to the DMV office on Flamingo Road, I stopped at a drive-up station where my car’s vehicle identification number was verified. Don’t forget to bring your current registration slip.

To get a driver’s license, I brought along a couple of household utility bills, but credit card bills or bank statements with an updated address would have been just as good. I also took my Social Security card and passport, but the DMV also accepts birth certificates or proofs of naturalization and citizenship.

The Nevada DMV just started accepting appointments online a few months ago, so I made sure to arrive by my scheduled time. I was quickly processed at the information desk, where Lorrie made sure my paperwork was in order. While she did that, I looked over at the long, snaking line of people who didn’t make an appointment. So far, so good.

I was instructed to take a seat, and waited about an hour before my number was called to Window 6, where Charlene greeted me with a smile.

My heart tugs a bit and I hesitate before handing over my California plates and pay the required $92 fee. In return, I got a pair of new, standard-issue sunset plates wrapped in plastic.

Then it was time for my vision test. I peered into an instrument that resembled a pair of binoculars and read the numbers out loud. My paperwork was verified and I paid another $42.25 to get a temporary driver’s license.

I moved along to the photo booth, where Jason snapped the picture that will be emblazoned on my new driver’s license. My California license was punctured with a series of sad, pin-like holes spelling “void,” and handed back to me.

Even with an appointment, my trip to the DMV lasted nearly two hours. I headed outside, unwrapped the new license plates and bolted them to my car, knowing I did the right thing.

Even the Road Warrior has to follow the rules.

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