Driver's License Designs
Nevada is now issuing a new design for driver's licenses and identification cards.
Please do not visit a DMV office only to obtain a new card. You may wait until your current card expires or order a duplicate through MyDMV.
See the News Release for more information. Old Vs. New Comparison shows the differences between the two versions.
July/August 2021 to Present
The new Nevada card design features the state's Battle Born insignia and the statehood year of 1864 complemented by a photo of the Sierra Nevada and the Las Vegas skyline. On the back is the Carson City skyline and the Playa in the Black Rock Desert.
The cards have numerous upgraded security features including a ghost photo, a laser engraving of the holder's initials and birth year and a restated date of birth that has a raised feel.
Real ID compliant cards show a gold Nevada outline with a star cut out. Standard cards are marked "NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES" and Driver Authorization Cards are marked "NOT VALID FOR ID." Cards are marked "LIMITED TERM" just below the Real ID indicator when immigration documents are used for proof of identity.
All Nevada cards issued September 1, 2021, or later feature the new design. The first new cards were issued July 12 at the Sahara DMV office in Las Vegas with a rolllout continuing through July and August.
November 12, 2014 to July/August 2021
Most current Nevada licenses have the older design.
These are valid until expiration. The older cards will remain in circulation until 2029.
Real ID compliant cards show a gold circle with a star cut out. Standard cards are marked "NOT FOR FEDERAL OFFICIAL USE" and Driver Authorization Cards are marked "NOT VALID FOR IDENTIFICATON.." Cards are marked "LIMITED TERM" in the blue banner when immigration documents are used for proof of identity.
Older Designs
2010-2014
Adult License
May 4, 2010 to November 11, 2014
Nevada began issuing eight-year licenses and ID cards on January 1, 2014. Some cards in this design will remain in circulation through their expiration date in 2022.
Commercial licenses, ID cards, etc., are designated as such in the banner that shows "DRIVER LICENSE" in this example.
The cards do not include any markings related to Real ID.
These will be accepted for federal purposes until expiration.
Minor License
May 4, 2010 to November 11, 2014
Cards issued to those under 21 years of age used a vertical format.
If the holder was under 18 at issuance, the card featured a red banner with the words "Under 18 Until" followed by the date the cardholders turned 18.
Cards issued at ages 18-20 had a vertical format but did not include the red banner.
2002-2010
Adult License
2008 to 2010
The first Nevada license under Central Issuance was issued at the Carson City office on October 10, 2008. The statewide roll out was completed on January 13, 2009. Licenses are mailed from a central facility.
Minor License
2008 to 2010
Licenses issued to drivers under 18 had a red banner indicating their 18th birthday.
Licenses issued to drivers 18 - 20 were in the vertical format but did not have a red banner.
Adult License
2002 to 2009
Driver licenses and identification cards in the original digitized style were issued from May, 2002, through January, 2009.
These were printed at the DMV field offices and issued to drivers over the counter.
Minor License
2002 to 2009
Under 21 cards displayed a vertical format and the words "Under 21 Until" followed by the date the cardholder would turn 21 in a yellow bar.
Pre-2002
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 Alcohol / No Tobacco
The license issued to young people under 18 has a light blue header bar across the top of the license with the words "MINOR DRIVER UNDER 18" printed in yellow in the upper right corner.
Nevada began issuing the Under 21 licenses pictured here in April, 1998. Under 21 licenses issued prior to that date were identical to the adult license.