Nevadans are being cautioned by the Department of Motor Vehicles against purchasing or renting vehicles with Texas temporary dealer permits, which may be fraudulent and conceal serious legal issues with the vehicle. The Nevada DMV's Compliance Enforcement Division has seized hundreds of these tags in Southern Nevada, resulting in numerous impounded vehicles, some of which were stolen and sold to Nevadans.
“These permits are generally used on vehicles that can’t be registered in Nevada because of emissions problems, canceled or suspended registrations, insurance or titling problems, or even those that have been stolen and VIN-switched,” stated J.D. Decker, Chief of the DMV Compliance Enforcement Division. “Texas is aware that these permits are being misused and is working to solve the problem.”
The tags, often called “Texas Buyer” permits, are typically sold online for up to $60 and do not originate from legitimate auto dealers. According to Decker, a flaw in the Texas dealer-licensing system allows individuals to register as auto dealers and sell the permits online across the nation at inflated prices. Many registered "dealerships" lack a physical business location but issue actual Texas permits.
“These permits are not legal in Nevada,” Decker emphasized. “Motorists caught driving vehicles with illegal tags face citations for displaying an improper or fictitious registration, even though the vehicle’s permit will actually show as registered in Texas.” Law enforcement officers may also cite drivers for original canceled or suspended vehicle registrations concealed by using these Texas tags.
An illegal “Texas Buyer” permit might indicate a stolen vehicle or issues with title and ownership or lack valid insurance. Decker warned about paying $60 for something invalid for driving in Nevada, leading to steep court fines.
A legal movement permit from Nevada DMV costs just $1 and is available online through MyDMV portal exclusively for vehicle owners. For those who don’t yet own the vehicle or purchased it privately without registration, a walk-in permit can be obtained from DMV without an appointment.
A new law grants private party buyers three days post-sale to obtain a movement permit or register their vehicle by showing a bill of sale or title along with insurance evidence to law enforcement during this period to avoid citation.