Nevada Driver License Designs



Driver License Designs

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General Information
Digitized Formats
Film-Based Formats


General Information	Back To Top

A Nevada driver’s license is valid for four years and expires on the motorist's birthday unless immigration documents are presented as evidence of name and date of birth. If immigration documents are used, the expiration of the license or ID card will coincide with the departure date on the immigration documents, or in four years, whichever is sooner.

Drivers can renew by Internet or mail after the first four years. You must visit a DMV office to renew in person and receive a new license after eight years.

Nevada switched to a Central Issuance system and began issuing a new format driver license during the fall of 2008. Prior to Central Issuance, drivers would receive a sticker for the back of the license following an Internet renewal or a mail transaction such as an address change. Stickers were phased out under Central Issuance.

Digitized Formats

	ADULT LICENSE - 2008 to Present The current Nevada license was first issued at the Carson City office on October 10, 2008. The rollout to the other field offices was completed on January 9, 2009. The Central Services Division implemented Central Issuance on January 13, 2009. The back of the license includes a barcode, information on endorsements and restrictions and security enhancements.
	MINOR LICENSE - 2008 to Present Minor cards display a vertical format and the words "Under 18 Until" or "Under 21 Until" followed by the date the cardholder will turn 18 or 21. See Central Issuance for more information.
	ADULT LICENSE - 2002 to 2008 The older style of digitized driver licenses and identification cards were issued from May, 2002, through January, 2009.
	MINOR LICENSE - 2002 to 2008 Under 21 cards display a vertical format and the words "Under 21 Until" followed by the date the cardholder will turn 21 in a yellow bar. Digitized License News Releases: Northern Nevada - 4/30/2002 Southern Nevada - 5/21/2002


Film-Based Designs	Back To Top

Film-based licenses were issued to all motorists prior to May, 2002. A limited number were issued in rural areas even after the transition to the digitized format.

	ADULT LICENSE Film-based licenses and ID cards were issued to all Nevadans prior to 2002. Travel teams in remote areas continued to issue film licenses through 2006.
	UNDER 21 NO ALCOHOL The license issued to drivers between 18 and 21 had a yellow header bar across the top with the words, MINOR DRIVER UNDER 21, in red print.
	UNDER 18 NO TOBACCO NO ALCOHOL The license issued to young people under 18 has a light blue header bar across the top of the license with the words, MINOR UNDER 18, printed in yellow in the upper right corner.
Nevada began issuing the Under 21 licenses pictured above in April, 1998. Under 21 licenses issued prior to that date are identical to the adult license.

Driver License Designs

General Information

Digitized Formats

Film-Based Designs