How to Sell a Car in Nevada Privately? (State Guide)

Usually you need the title, since a title is required to transfer ownership, with a narrow exception for a vehicle last titled in Nevada that is model year 2010 or older and has no liens.

To use that exception, the vehicle must be last titled in Nevada, model year 2010 or older, and have no liens or a lien release, in which case the buyer and owner of record complete Form VP 012 and a Bill of Sale to transfer ownership; a 2011 or newer vehicle requires the owner to obtain an actual paper title first.

For anything outside it, apply for a duplicate using Form VP 012 before you sell.

The buyer has 30 days from the date of purchase to register the car at a Nevada DMV office. Missing that deadline brings late registration fees and penalties assessed at the DMV.

Let the buyer know about the deadline at the time of sale. It’s a shorter window than many states, and buyers from out of state sometimes don’t know about it.

Title notarization is not required. Nevada does not require the title assignment to be notarized; sign in blue or black ink exactly as your name appears on the title.

Make sure all fields are filled in correctly, then hand the title to the buyer.

Any errors or corrections require you to get a duplicate title instead of crossing things out.

A bill of sale is required for private vehicle sales in Nevada. Download the official Form VP 104 from the Nevada DMV to make sure it’s accepted.

You can also use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes. Either way, keep a signed copy for your own records.

Yes, but you need to coordinate the lien release with your lender first. Nevada uses the Electronic Lien and Title system for lienholders only. When a lender holds the title electronically, the lien must be released and a paper title issued before the owner can sell.

To release the lien, the lienholder releases the lien electronically through the ELT system and the DMV mails a paper title, or for a paper title the lender completes a Lien Release (Form VP 186).

If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket before the title can transfer.

You may use Form VP 024 (Affidavit for Transfer of Title for Estates Without Probate), or Form VP 239 (Transfer on Death) if the owner named a beneficiary, or court documents if the estate is probated.

In Nevada, $25,000 or less in Nevada property excluding vehicles, or $100,000 for a surviving spouse, at least 40 days after death.

Here’s what each path needs: If probated: court documents showing entitlement plus a certified death certificate and the title. If not probated: a notarized Form VP 024 plus a certified death certificate and the title. For a named beneficiary: Form VP 239 with the title fee and certified death certificate. The heir titles the vehicle in their own name before selling it.

It depends on how the title is worded. If your names are joined by “AND,” both owners must sign the title. If joined by “OR,” either owner can sign alone.

Check the title before the sale day so you know whether both parties need to be present. Arranging this last minute can delay the sale.

Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. Any alteration or erasure voids a Nevada title completely.

You’ll need to apply for a duplicate using Form VP 012, which is $20 when the vehicle stays in Nevada, plus an $8.25 title processing fee on a complete change of ownership and takes about 6 weeks by mail.

Take your time filling out the title to avoid this. Have all the information ready before you put pen to paper.

Your obligations as the seller don’t change. Sign the title over, complete the bill of sale, take your plates, and file the resale notification 5 days.

The buyer will handle registration in their home state. If the vehicle has never been registered in Nevada, the buyer may need a VIN inspection when they register it elsewhere.

Keep copies of all paperwork for at least 18 months after the sale.

No, Nevada license plates stay with the seller. Take them with you before the buyer leaves. You can keep your plates and either transfer them to another vehicle you own or surrender them to the DMV within 60 days of the sale for standard plates, or within 30 days for special plates.

The buyer gets new plates when they register the car in their name.

Yes. File the vehicle resale notification 5 days. You do this online through the Nevada DMV portal.

This removes your name from the active record and protects you if the new owner gets a ticket, is in an accident, or abandons the car after the sale.