Nevada DMV Immigration Laws

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles issues driver's licenses to Nevada residents only. To obtain a driver's license, Nevada DMV law requires that immigrants living in Nevada must also provide proof of legal resident status in the US. Other than for driver's licenses, the Nevada DMV has no other laws specific to immigration, but immigrants must conform with all traffic and vehicle registration laws that apply to all other residents and visitors to the state.

Proof of Identity

The Nevada DMV law requires all driver's license applicants to prove their identity. Immigrants need to provide a passport or other government document. The Nevada DMV does not accept foreign passports without an I-94 Arrival-Departure Record, nor do they accept foreign driver's licenses, foreign birth certificates or border crossing cards. All applicants, including immigrants, must also provide proof of a social security number if one has been issued to them. Immigrants who have applied for a Social Security card may attest to this on the application and proceed without providing a Social Security number.

Immigrants living in Nevada who apply for a driver's license must prove that they actually live in Nevada. Although the law does not specify what constitutes proof of residence, the immigrant must show a physical street address within the state of Nevada. The Nevada DMV does not consider tourists and borders state workers as residents and will not grant them a driver's license.

The Nevada DMV law requires immigrants to provide adequate documentation to prove that they legally reside in the US. The list of acceptable documents includes: Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization, Permanent or Temporary Resident Card, Resident Alien Card or I-551 Receipt, Valid Foreign Passport stamped "Processed for I-551", Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) with Visa or Passport, Permit to Reenter the U.S. or Refugee Travel Documents.

Nevada DMV law requires that immigrants who have not held a valid driver's license in any other state in the US and have only had a foreign driver's license must take vision, written and driving skills tests. Candidates must also be at least 18 years of age.