21,000 reports of illegal drivers flood Nevada DMV’s ‘Registration Spotter’ launched in October

Since Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) launched the “Registration Spotter” online portal in October 2025, nearly 21,000 reports have poured in targeting vehicles without plates, with expired registrations, or using fake out-of-state tags to dodge fees. Over 83 percent of reports came from Clark County, centered on Las Vegas.

“I think this report form is so beneficial in so many ways,” said Compliance Enforcement Division Chief J.D. Decker upon the portal’s launch. “We get so many calls, inquiries, and complaints daily about civilians noticing unregistered vehicles on the roads and what can be done about it and now we finally have a solution.”

The portal’s goal is clear: improve safety and fairness. Unregistered vehicles are often uninsured, driving up premiums for responsible drivers. Decker noted, “For all of us paying registration and insurance, our rates go up because these people aren’t paying premiums.”

TAKIN' AND TOWIN'

Overnight, AIR4 was overhead as the LIFE squad pulled over vehicle after vehicle across the valley, protecting you on the roads.

❌ No registration, insurance, or driver's license?
❌ Driving Recklessly and IMPAIRED?
⚠️ Driving is a privilege, not a right.… pic.twitter.com/OFrNIbMX8N

— LVMPD (@LVMPD) December 16, 2025

Nevada is leading the way with this citizen-powered tool—one of the first in the nation. Reports go to the DMV’s enforcement team and local agencies for action.

Law enforcement is reportedly stepping up:

• North Las Vegas Police: 881 citations and 942 registration offenses (Oct. 1–mid-Dec.).
• Henderson Police: Over 300 citations for expired/unregistered vehicles.
• Las Vegas Metro: ~82,000 traffic stops this year.
• Nevada Highway Patrol: Thousands of statewide citations, with unregistered vehicles a routine focus.

“The Nevada State Police Highway Patrol Division recognizes public interest related to unregistered vehicles and has and will continue to enforce all traffic laws on Nevada’s roadways, including laws related to vehicle registration. Enforcement of unregistered vehicles has long been part of routine traffic enforcement efforts statewide. As with all enforcement activity, the Nevada Highway Patrol prioritizes public safety and responds based on observed violations, calls for service, and operational considerations, including impaired driving and other serious safety concerns. Traffic enforcement is continuous and ongoing, and troopers take appropriate enforcement action when unregistered vehicles are encountered during patrol or traffic stops. The Nevada Highway Patrol strongly encourages drivers to ensure their vehicles are properly registered in accordance with Nevada law,” the Nevada Highway Patrol said in a statement.

A new multi-agency task force is already issuing violations. While challenges remain—such as needing to catch vehicles in operation—DMV spokesperson Hailey Foster says more enforcement is coming and state-wide collaboration is key.

Editor’s note: I was hit by an uninsured, unregistered driver in January 2025. My car was totaled and I was badly injured. The costs related to the accident exceeded $60,000 and include extensive medical bills, loss of work, and replacement of my car. The driver was not tested for impairment on scene–despite my injuries, cited “at-fault,” and fined $1,200 payable in 12 installments.