Nevada DMV programming error misdirects $19M in car registration fees

Nevada officials say a programming error made three years ago mistakenly diverted about $19 million in car registration fee revenue from the state general fund to local governments.

Governor’s Chief of Staff Mike Willden said Thursday that the error happened when the state was setting up its My DMV online portal in 2013.

He said an “alert programmer” found the mistake earlier this spring when the state was reprogramming the system to reflect new legislative changes. He said the problem has been fixed.

Willden said he doesn’t expect the state will have to reduce any services after the money was sent elsewhere, and won’t be requesting the money back from school districts and local government entities.

He said those entities have been notified so they can rework their budgets.