Common stops by Nevada DMV police unveils more serious offenses

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The DMV Compliance Division says when they pull people over for common violations, it could reveal more serious offenses.

DMV Compliance Division Chief J.D. Decker says during COVID, a lot of people let their license and registration renewals lapse. But now, over five years after the pandemic’s onslaught, Decker says people who still haven’t fallen into compliance, may have an underlying reason.

“They either have suspended licenses and can’t maintain insurance, or they have warrants, or they’re currently committing crimes and masking those vehicles,” Decker says.

During FOX5’s ride along with Decker on Thursday, nearly every stop started with a common violation, but turned out to be more serious.

For example, a stop for an expired registration unveiled felony warrants out of Henderson, and suspicious items on board.

“So, he was arrested, and when the vehicle was searched, we found that he had burglary tools in his vehicle,” Decker says.

Another driver was stopped for an expired registration, but cited for displaying a fake temporary move permit.

Another was stopped for the same reason, but officers discovered she was uninsured, and had a California license despite living in Nevada for more than 30 days.

Decker says he understands people who are driving legally are frustrated by those who are not.

“They’re avoiding paying for roads and public safety and education like the rest of us are,” he says.

He says he and a couple dozen other patrol officers are on the roads each day, on the hunt for those on the roads who shouldn’t be.

The DMV Compliance Division is also working alongside Nevada Highway Patrol.

The agencies share a radio system, and Decker says they assist each other whenever they can. He says they’ve briefed state troopers on how to quickly spot violations.

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