Repossession Laws in Nevada

If you buy a car with a loan and fall behind on your payments, the lender may have the right to take the car back. This is called repossession. It usually happens because you’ve broken the loan agreement by missing payments. 

Most states have similar rules about car repossession, but Nevada has a few specific laws worth knowing. This article walks you through how repossession works in Nevada and what your rights are if it happens to you.

How Many Payments Can I Miss Without Risking a Repossession in Nevada?

It may take only one missed payment. Until you pay off your car loan, your lender has a security interest in the vehicle. This means they can repossess it if you don’t follow the terms of your loan agreement. 

In most cases, missing a payment puts you at risk of default, which is when you’ve broken the loan agreement. Once you're in default, the lender can start the repossession process.

Sometimes, missing just one payment can be enough to be considered a default. But how quickly that happens can depend on the terms of your contract and whether you bought the car in Nevada or another state.

• If you bought your car from a Nevada dealer on or after October 1, 2012, Nevada law requires your contract to clearly state that you’re not in default until your payment is more than 30 days late.

• If you bought your car out of state, different rules may apply. In that case, take a close look at your loan agreement to see if there’s a grace period, which is extra time to make your payment before you're charged a late fee.

💡 Just keep in mind: A grace period for late fees isn’t the same as a grace period for default. Your contract should clearly explain when the lender considers the loan to be in default.

Sources: NRS 104.9601(1)(a) and NRS 97.299

Will I Be Notified Before the Repossession? How?

Lenders in Nevada don’t have to give you any warning before they repossess your car. Some might choose to call or send a notice, but they’re not required to. 

This can feel sudden and stressful, but once you’re in default, repossession can happen at any time. However, you have options if you’ve fallen behind on payments.

How Can I Prevent a Repossession?

If you're behind on a car payment, one way to prevent repossession is to catch up before your lender takes action. Some lenders offer short-term extensions or will let you defer a payment, especially if you’ve had a good payment history. 

📅 As mentioned in the previous section, you may have a short window to catch up before the loan is considered in default — often 30 days, depending on your contract. 

If keeping up with your car loan isn’t realistic, voluntarily returning the vehicle might be an option. You give the car back to the lender instead of waiting for it to be repossessed. It won’t erase your loan balance, but it may reduce the repossession-related costs you’d otherwise be charged.

Some people also consider filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy — especially if they’re dealing with other types of debt, too. Filing for bankruptcy puts a temporary hold on collection actions (called the automatic stay), which can delay or stop a repossession. In many cases, it can also erase any remaining balance on the car loan.

✨ If you’re thinking about filing bankruptcy, Upsolve offers a free tool that walks you through the Chapter 7 process step by step.

What Happens If I Don’t Catch Up In Time?

If you don’t bring your loan current before it’s in default, your lender may move forward with repossession. 

Once you’re in default, many lenders will also accelerate the loan. That means they’ll demand the full remaining balance — not just the missed payments.

Most Nevada auto loan contracts include a waiver that allows lenders to accelerate the loan without giving you notice. Once the loan is accelerated, they may no longer accept a late or partial payment.

Sources: NRS 104.1302 and 104.9601

What Can Repo Companies in Nevada Do?

Repo companies in Nevada can take your car without warning if you’re behind on payments, as long as they don’t break the law in the process. 

They’re allowed to repossess a vehicle from public places, like a street or parking lot, and even from your driveway.

🚫 But repo companies can’t cause a breach of the peace during the repossession. This includes things like:

• Opening a closed garage

• Breaking a locked gate

• Threatening or using physical force

• Damaging property

• Taking the car after someone objects in person

✋ If you're present during the repo, you can peacefully object. Telling the repossessor not to take your vehicle or to leave your property is enough to require them to stop. 

Keep in mind, objecting may only delay the repossession. The company can come back later, or your lender can go to court to get a legal order to take the car.

Source: NRS 104.9609 and 205.350 

Repossessors Must Be Licensed and Registered

In Nevada, repossession companies must be licensed by the State of Nevada Private Investigators Licensing Board. Employees who do repossession work must be registered with the board and carry a valid work card as proof.

🌐 You can use the board’s website to look up a company’s license or check if a repo worker is registered.

There’s one exception: If you bought your car from a buy-here, pay-here dealer and an employee of the dealership repossesses the car, they don’t need a separate license or registration. This exemption is allowed under Nevada law.

Sources: NRS 648.060 and 648.063

No Repo of Vehicles From Tribal Lands Unless Tribal Law Allows

If your vehicle is on an American Indian tribe’s reservation or colony in Nevada, the lender must follow that tribe’s specific law to repossess it. For example, some tribes require the lender to get a court order from a tribal court before taking the vehicle.

However, if your car is parked off tribal land, even if you live on the reservation, Nevada state law applies. That means your vehicle could be repossessed without notice, as long as the repossession doesn’t breach the peace.

Limits on Repo of Vehicles Purchased by Members of the Military

If you’re serving in the military, you may have extra protection against vehicle repossession. Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, if you bought a vehicle before entering military service, the lender needs a court order to repossess it while you’re serving.

This protection helps ensure that military service doesn't unfairly affect your ability to keep your vehicle.

What About the Personal Property in My Car?

If your car might be repossessed, it’s a good idea to remove any personal belongings ahead of time. Some people keep things like paperwork, clothing, or other items in their vehicle, but once the car is taken, it can be hard to prove what was inside.

If your car is repossessed, you’re allowed to get your personal belongings back, but you'll need to act quickly. The sooner you contact the repo company, the better. If you're not sure who took the vehicle, reach out to your lender to get that information.

What Happens After a Repossession in Nevada?

If your vehicle is repossessed without your knowledge, the repo company must report it to the local police or sheriff’s department. That agency is then required to notify the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This can also help you track down the vehicle after it’s taken.

After your car is repossessed, your lender will usually try to sell it to recover some of what you owe. This can happen through a public auction or a private sale. You should receive a notice telling you of the plan.

Source: NRS 482.518 

You Must Be Given Notice Before Your Vehicle Is Sold

Before your lender can sell your car, they must give you written notice a reasonable amount of time in advance. That usually means at least 10 days before the sale.

📋 The notice must include specific information, such as:

• An itemized list of the loan balance, repossession costs, and any other fees

• Any credits for unearned interest or canceled insurance

• Instructions on how to pay and get your vehicle back

• Details on how the vehicle will be sold

If your vehicle will be sold at a public auction, the notice must state the date, time, and location. You — or someone on your behalf — can attend and bid, which might allow you to buy the car back at a lower price. For a private sale, the notice must include the earliest possible sale date.

No matter how the sale happens, your lender must follow commercially reasonable standards. This means the sale has to be handled like a typical business transaction — fairly and within a reasonable time. 

📌 Note: If you’ve paid at least 60% of the vehicle’s cash price, Nevada law requires the lender to sell the car within 90 days of repossession.

Sources: NRS 482.516, 104.9614, 482.5163, and 104.9620(5)–(6)

What Happens With the Money From the Sale?

🔢 After your car is sold, the money from the sale is applied in a specific order:

1. First, it covers the costs of repossession and sale. This can include towing, storage, cleaning, auction fees, and potentially attorneys’ fees.

2. Next, any remaining amount goes toward your loan balance.

3. If there’s money left over after that, the lender must give you the surplus.

In most cases, there’s no surplus and the sale amount won’t cover your full debt. The amount you still owe is called a deficiency balance.

Source: NRS 482.5163

Do I Still Owe After a Repossession in Nevada?

Yes, usually you do. Most people still owe money after their car is repossessed and sold. This is called a deficiency balance — the amount left over after the sale proceeds are applied.

📄 Nevada law says your lender must send you a written explanation after the sale, showing:

• How much you owed before the sale

• How much the vehicle sold for

• Any credits you’re entitled to (like canceled insurance or unearned interest)

• All costs related to the repossession and sale

You can also ask for this breakdown. If you do, your lender has 14 days to respond.

⚠️  If you don’t pay the deficiency, the lender can sue you to collect it.

Source: NRS 104.9616

Can I Get My Car Back After a Repossession in Nevada?

You may be able to get your car back after it's been repossessed, but you need to act fast. This is called the right of redemption, and you can only use it before the lender sells the vehicle. 

To redeem your car, you’ll need to pay the full remaining loan balance, plus any repossession-related costs like towing, storage, or auction fees. The written notice your lender is required to send after the repossession will explain how to redeem the car and tell you exactly how much you need to pay.

Source: NRS 104.9623

Where Can I Find More Information About Repossession Laws in Nevada?

If you’ve been sued for an auto loan deficiency, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada offers free instructions and forms to help you respond without a lawyer. Even if you haven’t been sued, these materials can give you a helpful overview of your rights under Nevada repossession laws.

⚖️ If you need legal advice or representation, here are some places to start:

• Legal aid providers: The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, Nevada Legal Services, and Northern Nevada Legal Aid all offer free legal help to people who qualify.

• Private attorneys: You can search the National Association of Consumer Advocates for consumer law attorneys in Nevada. Some may take cases without requiring up-front payment, depending on the situation.

• Lawyer referrals: The State Bar of Nevada’s Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with attorneys for a low-cost initial consultation.