Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has introduced new measures to ease the process of renewing driver’s licenses and ID cards. Starting this fall, most residents will be able to renew these documents online or by mail. This initiative is particularly beneficial for drivers aged 65 and older, who have been granted a one-year extension on their license renewals, effective immediately.
The DMV estimates that approximately 75,000 Nevadans whose licenses or IDs expire this year can avoid visiting DMV offices amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Enabling drivers to skip the trip to the DMV not only helps them, it will help the DMV serve those who need car registrations or other services much more quickly,” stated DMV Director Julie Butler. She added that “alternate license renewals will also have a lasting impact on the DMV as about 100,000 Nevadans will be eligible each year.”
Governor Steve Sisolak signed emergency regulations on July 27 to implement these changes. The DMV plans to hold public hearings to make these regulations permanent.
Under the new rules, Nevadans with an eight-year valid license or ID card can use alternate renewal services every other time, requiring an in-person visit only once every 16 years. Fees remain unchanged, and renewed cards will be mailed using existing photographs.
Certain groups are not eligible for alternate renewals. These include holders of cards with terms less than eight years, instruction permit holders, immigrants with limited-term licenses or IDs, driver authorization cardholders, individuals with specific medical conditions, and sex offenders.
Drivers aged 65 and older must still renew in person every four years but can use alternate renewals if they hold an eight-year identification card. The one-year extension allows senior drivers more time to schedule appointments without incurring late fees. They should print and carry an extension letter from dmvnv.com until they successfully renew their documents.
DMV offices continue operating at reduced capacity due to social distancing requirements. Offices in Las Vegas and Reno accept customers by appointment only, while rural offices serve local residents on a walk-in basis.
Nevadans needing DMV services are encouraged to visit the department’s website for over two dozen available online services.
