Nevada Vehicle Identification Numbers
How do you get a vehicle record history in Nevada?
The state of Nevada has restrictive privacy laws which protect the release of DMV records to third parties and in most cases a notarized release from the person whose information is being requested is required. The release of DMV records is governed by the laws:
- Nevada Revised Statutes 481.063;
- Nevada Administrative Code 481.500-481.600; and
- The National Driver Privacy Protection Act ( 18 U.S.C. §§ 2721-2725)
You can get a vehicle’s registration inquiry by filling out this form. You can either fill it out online or you can fax or mail it to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles at the address below:
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711-0725
Phone: (877) 368-7828
Central Services Fax: (775) 684-4892
For other sources for motor vehicle history you should look at the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System. NMVTIS is a database which provides data on cars that have been in recycling yards, junkyards, and salvage yards. They provide information on five key areas which are associated with auto fraud and theft:
- Current State Title and Last Title Date;
- Brand History – these are descriptive labels applied by motor vehicle titling agencies and include the terms “junk,” “salvage,” and “flood.” This helps protect consumers from purchasing a damaged vehicle without knowing the condition of the car. In Kentucky, which allows consumers to purchase “rebuilt” cars, knowing the history and the “brand” of a car may save you from paying far more than a vehicle is worth or from buying a vehicle which is unsafe or has the potential to be unsafe due to its history;
- Odometer Reading – people have been known to “roll the odometer back” to decrease the appearance of miles on a vehicle. This makes the vehicle appear to be worth more than it is worth, and it may also cause a consumer to purchase a vehicle which is unsafe. Odometer readings are recorded at the transfer of the title, so it can be a useful tool to check for any discrepancies of the vehicle’s history;
- Total Loss History – when a vehicle has been declared a total loss it has had severe damage. Knowing this information could save a consumer from paying more than what the vehicle is worth or from purchasing a vehicle which is unsafe; and
- Salvage History – vehicles with a salvage history have had severe damage. Knowing this information could save you money or save you from purchasing a car that is unsafe.
There is also a free database, VINcheck, which is run by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB.) They provide free VIN checks to the public which will tell you if the car has been reported stolen and not found, and if the vehicle has been in a salvage yard. There are other private and public websites which can be easily found by a quick search on the Internet, but NMVTIS and VINcheck are two that you should absolutely check out before buying a car.
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicle website
Nevada Revised Statutes 481.063
Nevada Administrative Code 481.500-481.600
The National Driver Privacy Protection Act ( 18 U.S.C. §§ 2721-2725)
Nevada Registration Inquiry Form
VINCheck – recommended by the National Crime Insurance Bureau:
Lemon Laws in Nevada
The Nevada Lemon Law can be found in the Nevada Statutes 597.600 to 597.688: Automobile Repairs to Conform to Express Warranties. The lemon law in Nevada covers self-propelled vehicles which may be transported upon public highways. Motorhomes, off-road vehicles, and vehicle converters are not covered. There is some coverage for used cars within the Nevada Lemon Law, but that coverage does not appear to fall under the Lemon Law.
The Nevada Lemon Law only applies to new vehicles which have a defect or condition that substantially impairs the use and value of the motor vehicle to the buyer. It does not cover defects which are the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of the vehicle. To qualify as a lemon, your vehicle must meet the following:
- Failed in at least four (4) attempts to repair the same issue during the period of the warranty or within one (1) year of the date of original delivery of the vehicle; and/or
- Has been out of service for at least 30 days during the warranty period or that initial first year – whichever comes first.
If your car meets the definition of a lemon under the Nevada lemon law then you must give the manufacturer notice, in writing and by certified mail, of your intention to pursue you rights under the lemon law. At this point the manufacturer should contact you and has the right to make one final attempt to fix the problem with your vehicle. This can be done at a repair shop of their choice, but it must be relatively convenient for you.
If your car fits the definition of a lemon under the Nevada law, the manufacturer of the car has two options of your choosing:
- They can replace your “lemon” car with a new comparable car; or
- They can refund your money, including the full price of the contract, sales tax, title and registration fees, and any finance charges that may have accrue while you owned the car.
If a vehicle is repurchased by a manufacturer as a result of a buyback in Nevada, then the law states that the title to the vehicle must state this and the vehicle is then known as a “Lemon Law Buyback.” The dealer must also give any would-be purchaser of the vehicle a document which states “This vehicle was repurchased by the manufacturer because of a defect in the vehicle pursuant to consumer warranty laws. The title to this vehicle has been permanent inscribed with the notation ‘Lemon Law Buyback.'” A decal is also affixed to the car to reflect its status a “Lemon Law Buyback.”
If you contact the manufacturer and the case is rectified relatively easily you should still file a notice with the Better Business Bureau and with the Consumer Protection Agency in Nevada. Many manufacturers have already established an informal dispute settlement procedure. If the procedure complies with 16 C.F.R. Part 703, then the consumer must first go through the informal dispute settlement procedure, (also known as arbitration) before they can pursue a lawsuit.
According to the Better Business Bureau AUTO LINE website, the following manufacturers have an arbitration process which complies with 16 C.F.R. Part 703:
- Audi, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC Truck, Hyundai, Indian Motorcycle, Infiniti, Kia, Land Rover, Lincoln, Lotus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, smart USA, and Volkswagen.
Although attorneys are not usually allowed to be present during the arbitration process, this is where you might consider retaining an attorney. The manufacturer certainly has attorneys who are researching your case and giving them advice which is a right that you have as well. The decision of the arbitrators is a binding decision for the manufacturer, but it is not for the consumer. If you are unsatisfied with the decision then you may continue to pursue this to a court of law.
Lemon Law in the state of Nevada Code
Nevada Office of the Attorney General – Bureau of Consumer Protection
Better Business Bureau Summary
Better Business Bureau AUTO LINE Nevada
Used Car Buyers’ Rights
The Used Car Buyers’ Rights can be found in the Nevada legislature in the Nevada Revised Statutes; Chapter 482: Motor Vehicles and Trailers: Licensing, Registration, Sales and Leases; Section 482.36655 et. al. It can also be found in the Federal Trade Commission brochure “Buying a Used Car.”
Any dealer who sells a vehicle with more than 75,000 miles on the odometer must have the vehicle, including the engine and drivetrain, inspected and include a copy of that inspection to the buyer of the vehicle. The dealer must disclose any problems of which they are aware to the buyer of the vehicle. If the buyer finds out that there were problems which were not disclosed by the dealer, then they have the right to submit a complaint about the dealer to the Department of Motor Vehicles using the form found at the Compliance Enforcement Division on the website.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has ten (10) days to notify the dealer of the complaint and to investigate. If they find that the dealer has violated the regulations of the industry then they are required to resolve the matter which usually means repairing the vehicle or refunding your money.
If the DMV rules against you, then you can request an appeal from the DMV Director at:
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711
(702) 486-4368 or (877) 368-7828
The DMV keeps records of complaints, and if a dealer receives three (3) or more complaints the dealership will be subject to stringent warranty and sales requirements for all future transactions.
Department of Motor Vehicles Compliance Enforcement Division
Department of Motor Vehicles Complaint Form
Should you hire an attorney for a Lemon Law Case in Nevada?
You may decide to consult with, and retain, an attorney in a lemon law case. While this is not necessary, it may be beneficial to you and your case. The manufacturer and the dealer will have experts on their side who are working to defend them and their side and you have that right as well, also:
- A good attorney will know the lemon laws and be able to help if there have been any changes in the law;
- Having an attorney at your table makes you appear more professional and prepared;
- Attorneys know the time table that is followed in lemon laws and can help you stick to it and make sure that your documents get to the right place at the right time; and
- Attorneys can help speed the process along rather than allowing the manufacturer to drag it out.
If you decide to do so you should hire one who in Nevada and has handled lemon law cases similar to your case. Ask friends and family for recommendations or ask an attorney that you know if they have a trusted colleague who is familiar with lemon law cases. Other questions that you should ask any attorneys who you meet with and are considering hiring:
- Do you have a history handling Lemon Law cases in Nevada?
- How many lemon law cases have you won in Nevada?
- How many lemon law cases have you lost in Nevada?
- What is your fee for a lemon law case?
- Do you require the money up front or do you get paid at the end of the case?
- If you get paid at the end, do you take a percentage of the amount won? What percentage is your fee?
If you are unable to find an attorney, you can contact the Nevada State Bar at (800) 254-2797.
Nevada State Bar Find a Lawyer
Department of Motor Vehicles
1137 S Main
1 775-482-6329
Nevada Motor Vehicles-Drvs Lic
Department of Motor Vehicles
1 775-289-1605
DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
973 W Williams Ave
1 877-368-7828
Nevada Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
3505 Construction Way
1 775-623-6515
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
555 Wright Way
1 775-684-4368
Nevada DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
3920 Idaho St
1 877-368-7828
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Office
Department of Motor Vehicles
1780 E Basin Ave #1
1 877-368-7828
Nv Department of Motor Vehicle
Department of Motor Vehicles
973 W Williams Ave
1 775-423-4316
DMV
Department of Motor Vehicles
3505 Construction Way
1 877-368-7828
DMV – Mesquite
Department of Motor Vehicles
550 W Pioneer Blvd #120
1 877-368-7828
Motor Vehicle Department
Department of Motor Vehicles
215 W Bridge St #9
1 775-463-3146
DMV NV KIOSK
Association or Organization · Albertsons
4850 W Craig Rd
Open until 8:00 PM
DMV Kiosk
Company · AAA West Lake Mead
7501 W Lake Mead Blvd #106
1 702-486-4368
Department Of Motor Vehicles
305 Galletti Way
1 775-684-4368
Open until 4:00 PM
Nevada DMV Kiosk
Association or Organization
3310 S McCarran Blvd
1 877-368-7828
Open 24 hours
Department of Motor Vehicles
2701 E Sahara Ave
1 702-486-4368
Open until 4:00 PM
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles – Decatur
Department of Motor Vehicles
7170 N Decatur Blvd
1 702-486-4368
Open until 4:00 PM
Nevada Compliance Enforcement
State Government Office
8250 W Flamingo Rd
1 702-486-8626
Open until 4:00 PM
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
8250 W Flamingo Rd
1 702-486-4368
Open until 4:00 PM
Department of Motor Vehicles
1399 American Pacific Dr
1 702-486-4368
Open until 4:00 PM
Nevada DMV Service
Department of Motor Vehicles
3605 Vegas Dr
1 702-300-9800
Storey County Assessor’s Office
County Government Office
26 S B St
1 775-847-0961
Nevada Online Traffic School
Driving School
2533 N Carson St #12c
1 775-883-8484
DMV-Hawthorne-Nevada
Government Office
1085 US-95
1 877-368-7828
Nevada DMV Express
Department of Motor Vehicles
1 702-850-8990
Open until 5:00 PM
Douglas County Motor Vehicle
County Government Office
175 US-50
1 775-586-7226
DMV Laughlin
Department of Motor Vehicles
3030 Needles Hwy
1 877-368-7828
Motor Vehicles-Driver License
Department of Motor Vehicles
1085 US-95
1 775-945-4424
Department of Motor Vehicles
Department of Motor Vehicles
3030 Needles Hwy #900
1 702-298-3100
Dmv Vegas.com
Auto Tag Agency
1 702-882-6007
Open until 5:00 PM
DMV ASAP
Department of Motor Vehicles
7322 S Rainbow Blvd #135
1 702-368-2727
Open until 5:00 PM
Scolari’s Food & Drug Co
Supermarket · Pyramid Park Shopping Center
950 Holman Way
1 775-355-8568
Open 24 hours
Scolari’s Food & Drug Co
Grocery Store
1400 Us Highway 95a N
1 775-575-1381
Open 24 hours
Scolari’s Food & Drug Co
Grocery Store
5430 Sun Valley Blvd
1 775-673-4691
Open 24 hours
Scolari’s Food & Drug Co
Supermarket
176 W Goldfield Ave
1 775-463-4431
Open 24 hours
County Assessor
Tax Department
233 Crook Ave
1 775-485-6380
CarMax
Used Car Dealer
1000 W Warm Springs Rd
1 702-454-0283
Open until 9:00 PM
Nevada Driver’s License
Department of Motor Vehicles
1360 E Basin Ave
1 775-727-4141
Permanently closed
Sparks Dmv
Department of Motor Vehicles
790 N McCarran Blvd
1 775-684-4368
Permanently closed