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The Nevada Driver Authorization Card (DAC) is a driving credential for Nevada residents who don’t have a Social Security number or can’t provide the documents needed for a regular license. It lets you drive legally in Nevada under the same rules as a license, but it is not valid for federal or state identification. This guide covers who it’s for, the exact documents the Nevada DMV accepts, the tests, the fees and what the card can’t do, based on the DMV’s Driver’s Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024).
Key facts
- No SSN needed: the handbook says a Social Security number is not necessary to get a DAC.
- Valid four years, expiring on your birthday. Renewals and address changes must be done in person.
- Fee: $22.25 for an original or renewal DAC, plus $25 for the initial knowledge and skills tests ($10 per retest), as listed in the March 2024 handbook.
- Same tests and rules: vision, knowledge and drive tests, and all the teen requirements.
- Not ID: not valid for federal or state identification, and can’t be used to decide eligibility for Nevada benefits, licenses or services.
- Privacy: information used to get a DAC will not be released or used to determine legal presence or immigration status.
Documents you need for a Nevada Driver Authorization Card
Proof of name and date of birth: three ways to qualify
| Option | What to bring |
|---|---|
| A | Any one document from the regular license list, such as a state-issued US birth certificate or a US passport |
| B | One of: a US military ID card, a US military dependent ID card, a US Armed Forces discharge document, or a US Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood |
| C | Any two of: a DAC, driver’s license or ID card from another state, DC or a US territory; a passport from a foreign government; a birth certificate from a foreign government; a Mexican Federal Electoral Card; a consular identification card; or another foreign-government document the DMV finds substantially similar to a consular ID |
Applicants without US documents typically rely on option C, for example a foreign passport plus a consular ID card. Documents must be originals or certified copies.
Documents in another language
Any document not in English must be translated by a DMV-approved translator. Short “abstract” translations are refused. The translation must include:
- a typed or printed full translation of the whole document
- the date it was completed
- the translator’s DMV-approved translator number
- the translator’s printed name and signature
- a typed certification statement that it is complete and accurate
Proof of Nevada residency
For an original DAC you must prove your Nevada home address with two documents showing it. The handbook’s list includes, among others:
- a lease or rent receipt for your home
- a utility bill for the service address
- a bank or credit card statement
- an employment check stub
- a document from a Nevada school showing enrollment
- an insurance card, binder or bill
- a record from a Nevada hotel, motel, RV park or campground showing at least 30 days in a row
- a notarized statement from the owner of the home where you live
- DMV forms such as DMV 005 (Certification of Nevada Residency)
Some items must be dated within 60 days, so check the dates on the DMV’s current list. Parents of applicants under 18 can prove residence with their own documents or by signing a DMV form confirming the teen lives with them.
Tests for the DAC
- Vision test. If you need glasses or contacts, a restriction goes on the card.
- Knowledge test on signs, markings, traffic laws and safe driving. It is available in Spanish for the basic Class C license, and you can ask for an oral exam if you have trouble reading the written test. See the Nevada permit test guide.
- Drive (skills) test. The examiner checks your registration, insurance card, lights, horn, seat belts, tires and wipers first. See the Nevada road test guide.
The handbook says all rules for a license or instruction permit also apply to a DAC, except where it says otherwise.
Teens applying for a DAC
- Parent co-signature: under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign, and the co-signer shares liability for damage caused by your negligence or willful misconduct while driving.
- Young driver affidavit: you sign that you understand the extra penalties, such as a 185-day revocation for a blood alcohol level of 0.02% or more.
- School attendance: under-18 permit applicants need the DMV-301 Certification of Attendance signed within the previous 60 days.
- Driver ed and log: at the license stage, bring a driver education Certificate of Completion and the Beginning Driver Experience Log (DLD-130). See Nevada driver’s ed and the 50-hour log.
Nevada DAC fees (March 2024 handbook)
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Driver Authorization Card, original or renewal | $22.25 |
| Duplicate license or authorization card | $17.25 |
| Initial knowledge and skills test | $25.00 |
| Each retest | $10.00 |
| Instruction permit | $22.25 |
The handbook says fees are set by state law and may change. Check the current figures on the Nevada DMV site before you go.
What the Nevada DAC can’t be used for
- Federal identification: it is not a REAL ID, so it can’t be used to board flights or enter federal buildings.
- State identification: the handbook says the DAC is not valid for state identification purposes either.
- Benefits and services: it can’t be used to determine eligibility for any benefits, licenses or services from the State of Nevada.
- Other states: some states don’t recognize cards issued without proof of lawful presence. Florida, for example, treats them as invalid. Overview: driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status.
Common questions
Do I need a Social Security number for a Nevada DAC?
No. The handbook says an SSN is not necessary for a Driver Authorization Card.
Will the DMV share my DAC information with immigration?
The handbook says information used to obtain a DAC will not be released or used to determine legal presence or immigration status.
Can I renew my DAC online?
No. The handbook says all DAC renewals and address changes must be done in person.
Is my foreign passport enough on its own?
No. A foreign passport counts as one document under option C, so you need a second one from that list, such as a consular ID or foreign birth certificate, plus two proofs of Nevada residency.
I’m moving to Nevada with a license from another state. Do I need a DAC?
Only if you can’t meet the regular license requirements. New residents must apply within 30 days and surrender other licenses. See moving to Nevada.
How long is a Nevada DAC valid?
Four years, expiring on your birthday. Always carry it while driving.
Back to the full route: learning to drive in Nevada.
Sources
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, “Nevada Driver’s Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024)”, Chapter 1 (dmv.nv.gov)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.033, Invalid out-of-state driver licenses” (leg.state.fl.us)