Thousands in Las Vegas area report out-of-state drivers

It's been nine months since the Las Vegas Township Constable's Office enacted its Pay Your Fair Share program.

More than $211,000 has been collected since the program's inception in August. Deputies have issued about 2,200 citations, which resulted in about 1,500 vehicles registered.

The constable's office received 5,900 inquiries about the program -- mostly hot-line calls, although there have been emailed, faxed and mailed complaints. Of those, about 4,500 were legitimate complaints with sufficient information for investigation, Capt. Dan Palazzo said.

The office continues to investigate complaints from a hot line established to collect information about potential lawbreakers and their out-of-state plates.

New residents are required by state law to obtain their Nevada driver's license within 30 days and to register their vehicles within 60 days.

Those who are exempt are snowbirds, nonworking active military personnel who live in Las Vegas Township part time and out-of-state students.

When complaints are received, the constable's office conducts background checks using assessor records and DMV information to confirm residency.

Residents can call 455-3247 to report suspected violators. The license plate number, the make and model of the vehicle, the vehicle color and its location are key pieces of information needed.

The program is not intended to allow the constable's office's deputies to pull vehicles over for out-of-state plates.

However, vehicles with out-of-state plates that are pulled over for violations, such as speeding, give law enforcement personnel the necessary reasonable suspicion to ask about residency, he added.

"We're doing some proactive work out there," Palazzo said. "That's not the primary reason people get pulled over. Obviously, if you're speeding and have an out-of-state plate, the deputy will investigate that issue, too. Any officer would do that."

The program generated the most revenue in March, with 556 citations issued, pulling in $74,842, DMV spokesman Kevin Malone said.

Each car has a $33 registration fee that goes toward funding state highway construction and DMV operating expenses.

Most of the registration fees are made up of governmental services taxes. The state's general fund receives some money, but most of the fees are slated for local governments and school districts, Malone added.

"Several states charge a flat fee under $100," he said. "Compared to those states we're very expensive. That's an incentive for people to keep their plates."

About 2,000 drivers per month fail to register their vehicles in Nevada, according to DMV figures. At the West Flamingo branch, the state's largest DMV office, about 200 to 300 out-of-state drivers switch their plates over daily.

It is unclear exactly how much money is lost statewide from drivers who aren't switching their registration, but DMV officials estimate the state is missing out on thousands of dollars that would be used for schools and other county projects.

In 2009, the Legislature approved changes to state law, Nevada Revised Statute 482.385, allowing constables to issue citations for vehicle registration violations and increased the penalties.

Those who violate vehicle registration laws in the township, which includes the city of Las Vegas and much of unincorporated Clark County including Indian Springs and Mount Charleston, face a maximum $1,000 fine, plus a $100 constable fee.

A judge can reduce the fine to $200 if violators can show proof of registration of their vehicles at the time of their hearings. The $100 constable fee must be paid before the vehicle can be registered at the DMV.

"What this does do is help resolve one of the long-standing complaints we get," Malone said. "Every day, we get phone calls and emails asking how to turn people in who have out-of-state license plates. … It's been going on for decades. It's been an issue for a long time."

Contact Downtown and North Las Vegas View reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@viewnews.com or 383-0492.