Temporary Moving Permit
Drive Legally Today.
Need to move a vehicle that does not have current registration? Nevada issues temporary moving permits that let you drive legally the same day. Walk into any of our 32 Smog Busters huts, and we will have your permit ready in under 15 minutes. No smog check required. No appointment needed. You walk out with the permit in hand and drive off legally.
What a Temporary Moving Permit Is
A temporary moving permit, officially called a movement permit by the Nevada DMV, lets you drive a vehicle on public roads for a limited time when it does not have current registration. Maybe you just bought a car from a private seller and need a few days to get everything squared away. Maybe your registration lapsed and you need to get to a smog station. Whatever the reason, a movement permit makes the drive legal.
This is a same-day service. You walk into any Smog Busters hut, we process the permit in under 15 minutes, and you leave with it in hand. No waiting for anything to arrive in the mail. No follow-up visit. You are legal to drive the moment you walk out.
Nevada also lets you apply for a movement permit online at dmv.nv.gov. But if you want it handled in person and done in minutes, any of our 32 huts across Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas can take care of it.
Types of Movement Permits
Nevada offers several types of movement permits depending on your situation. Here is a quick breakdown:
- 10-day permit. For vehicles already registered in Nevada. Common when your registration has expired and you need time to renew, or when you are waiting on paperwork to process. Valid for 10 days from the date of issue.
- 30-day permit. For newly purchased or unregistered vehicles. If you just bought a car from a private seller or at auction, this gives you 30 days to get the vehicle registered, smogged, and road-ready.
- Drive-away permit. For vehicles leaving Nevada permanently. If you are moving out of state and need to drive the car to your new home, a drive-away permit covers the trip.
- Tow yard permit. For vehicles being picked up from a tow yard that need legal authorization to be driven. Get the permit, pick up your car, and you are on the road the same day.
All permit types count toward a cumulative maximum of 90 days per vehicle. After 90 total days of temporary permits, the vehicle must be registered or it cannot be driven on Nevada roads.
The 3-Day Grace Period for Private Purchases
If you buy a vehicle from a private party in Nevada, you get a 3-day grace period to drive it without a permit. During those three days, you just need proof of purchase and valid Nevada auto insurance in the vehicle.
After those three days, you need either a movement permit or full registration. Most people use the grace period to drive the car to a Smog Busters hut, get the smog check done, and start the registration process. If you need more time beyond the three days, we can issue a 30-day permit on the spot.
What to Bring
Have these ready before you head to the hut:
- Nevada driver’s license or Nevada state ID. This is required. Out-of-state IDs are not accepted for movement permits.
- Proof of vehicle ownership. This can be the title, bill of sale, or registration depending on your situation.
- Current Nevada auto insurance. The vehicle must be insured in Nevada. Out-of-state insurance policies are not accepted.
- Original documents only. Copies, photos of documents, and printouts are not accepted. Bring the originals.
- Payment for our service fee. Call us for a current quote.
How It Works at the Hut
Pull up to any Smog Busters hut during business hours. Here is the process:
- Show your documents (a couple of minutes). We check your Nevada ID, proof of ownership, and insurance to make sure everything is in order.
- We process the permit (under 15 minutes). We fill out the movement permit paperwork and submit it through the state system.
- You drive off legally. The permit is issued on the spot. You walk out with it in hand and you are legal to drive immediately.
That is it. No follow-up visit, no waiting for mail, no second trip. The whole thing takes less time than a coffee run.
When You Need a Permit vs When You Don’t
Not every situation calls for a movement permit. Here is a quick guide:
- You need a permit if your registration is expired and you need to drive the vehicle.
- You need a permit if you bought a car privately and the 3-day grace period has passed.
- You need a permit if you need to pick up a vehicle from a tow yard.
- You need a permit if you are driving a vehicle out of Nevada permanently.
- You do not need a permit during the first 3 days after a private party purchase (with proof of purchase and NV insurance).
- You do not need a permit if a dealer gave you a temporary dealer placard.
- You do not need a permit if your vehicle is currently registered and in good standing.
Not sure which category you fall into? Call us at (702) 436-5346 and we will sort it out in about 30 seconds.
Permit Locations Across the Valley
We issue temporary moving permits at every Smog Busters hut. 32 locations across the valley, all walk-in.
Las Vegas: Summerlin, Spring Valley, Centennial Hills, Sunrise Manor, downtown along Las Vegas Blvd, the southwest corridor, Tropicana and the airport area, and the northwest off Fort Apache and Hualapai.
Henderson: Green Valley, Anthem, Silverado Ranch, Horizon Ridge, Boulder Highway, and the Volunteer Blvd area near the Raiders practice facility.
North Las Vegas: Cheyenne and Rainbow, Las Vegas Blvd North near Craig, and Rancho and Craig.
Find your nearest location on the map.
Other Services While You Are Here
If you are getting a movement permit, you probably have other paperwork to handle too. We can do most of it in the same visit:
Temporary Moving Permit FAQ
Get Your Temporary Moving Permit Today
Walk into any of our 32 Smog Busters huts with your Nevada ID, proof of ownership, and insurance. Done in under 15 minutes. You drive off legally the same day.
Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm · Sat 8am-4pm · Walk-Ins Always Welcome · Hablamos Espanol · (702) 436-5346