Letter: Clearing up DMV misconceptions

Friday, Aug. 6, 1999 | 9:59 a.m.

Unfortunately, the Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety cannot help Mr. Farran directly. The 1995 Nevada Legislature passed a law which specifically prohibits the department from releasing the name and personal information of a motor vehicle owner through the presentation of a license plate number. Only police and a limited number of others are allowed to access registration records in this way.

This law was passed as an anti-stalking and privacy protection measure, but recognizing that hit-and-run accidents create a need for license plate information, the 1997 Legislature amended the law to grant records access to auto insurance companies.

Contrary to Mr. Farran's statement, the department cannot deny a registration record to a properly licensed insurance company.

We would also like to clarify another of Mr. Farran's statements. The Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety does not presently sell mailing lists based on its registration or drivers license records for mass marketing purposes.

It also does not keep any record of a motorist's telephone number.

KEVIN R. MALONE Public Information Officer, Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety