Nevada DMV adding eight-year licenses, veterans licenses

CARSON CITY — Two new programs being implemented by the Department of Motor Vehicles starting next week should make life a bit easier for a lot of Nevadans.

As a result of bills passed by the 2013 Legislature, the agency on Jan. 2 will be offering driver’s licenses good for eight years instead of four.

And Nevada veterans will be able to get a new license with a special designation reflecting their military service, making it easier for the men and women who served in the armed forces to obtain the various benefits available to them.

EIGHT-YEAR LICENSES

The new eight-year driver’s licenses will be phased in over the next several years.

Motorists born in even-numbered years will get an eight-year license at their next renewal. The fee is $41.25 and drivers will have to appear in person at a DMV office. The fee is double the current $19 four-year license fee. There is also a $3.25 card production fee.

Those born in an odd-numbered year will receive a four-year license renewal through 2017. Renewals for this group for the shorter duration licenses can be done via the Internet, mail or kiosk. The fee is $22.25. This group will get their eight-year licenses starting in 2018.

Eight-year commercial licenses will be issued beginning in July 2014.

Motorists age 65 and older will receive four-year licenses only because of requirements related to eyesight and medical issues.

The longer lasting licenses were approved as a convenience for motorists. Current law allows a four-year license to be extended for one four-year period. The new law will eliminate this requirement, which will also save the agency some money in sending renewal requests.