You've thought about it long enough. You've seen the stories of hosts earning $2,000-3,000/month in Las Vegas, and you're ready to take the wheel.

But where do you start?

I started my Turo business in Las Vegas three years ago with one car. Today, I manage 5 vehicles earning $8,000/month. Here's exactly what I did—and what I wish I knew when I started.

Why This Matters : Nevada has specific legal requirements for peer-to-peer car sharing that were established to protect both hosts and guests. These requirements were put in place through Senate Bill 389 of the 2021 Legislative Session, which created the legal framework for platforms like Turo to operate in Nevada.

The Reality : While Turo handles the platform-level licensing (DMV registration as a peer-to-peer car sharing program), individual hosts in Clark County need to operate as a legitimate transportation and rental business to comply with local regulations and protect themselves legally.

Total Time to First Rental : 19 - 25 days (approximately 3 -5 weeks)

Note : You can publish your listing and start accepting bookings once you have your Clark County business license, but your DMV registration (OBL-335A) should be in process. The DMV registration is required for full legal compliance.

Recommended Approach : While you can operate as a sole proprietorship, I strongly recommend establishing an LLC (and electing S-Corp status if you plan to scale). Here's why: Clark County and Nevada have specific business protections, and operating as an LLC provides liability protection that separates your personal assets from your business assets. If a guest causes an accident that exceeds insurance coverage, or if you face legal issues, your personal home, savings, and other assets are protected.

Let’s walk through this step-by-step :

This is your first decision, and it's important. Let me break down your options :

What it is : You operate under your own name or a "Doing Business As" (DBA) name
Cost : $25 to file Fictitious Firm Name with Nevada Secretary of State
Pros : Simplest setup, lowest cost, minimal paperwork
Cons : No liability protection—your personal assets are at risk if something goes wrong

Best for : Testing the waters with 1 vehicle, very low-risk situations

Filing : https://nvsos.gov

RECOMMENDED

Best for : Anyone serious about building a Turo business, especially in Clark County where business protections matter

Filing : https://nvsos.gov

BEST FOR SCALING, PREFERRED

Best for : Hosts planning to scale to 3+ vehicles or earn $50K+ annually
When to do it : Can elect S-Corp status after forming LLC (talk to a tax professional)

Filing : https://nvsos.gov

My Strong Recommendation : Start with an LLC. The extra $50-75 upfront and $200/year is worth it for the peace of mind. In Clark County, where business regulations are specific, having a proper business entity protects you. I started as a sole proprietorship and wish I'd gone straight to LLC — I upgraded after 6 months anyway.

Why This Matters in Nevada : Nevada's business-friendly laws make LLC formation straightforward, and the liability protection is especially important for car sharing, where accidents and legal issues can happen.

❌ Listing vehicles before completing business setup - This can result in fines and legal issues. Complete your business registration and licenses first.
❌ Operating as sole proprietorship when you should be an LLC- The liability protection is worth the extra cost, especially as you scale.
❌ Not renewing licenses annually - Clark County business licenses expire annually. Missing renewal can result in fines and business interruption.
❌ Mixing personal and business finances - This breaks the liability protection of an LLC and makes taxes a nightmare. Get a separate business bank account.
❌ Operating without proper insurance - Your personal auto insurance won't cover commercial Turo use. You need commercial insurance or Turo's protection plan.
❌ Not understanding what Turo is responsible for - Turo handles DMV platform licensing, but you're responsible for your own business setup and compliance locally.

When This Requirement Started : Clark County has required business licenses for decades, but the specific requirements for peer-to-peer car sharing hosts became clearer after Nevada's 2021 legislation (Senate Bill 389) defined the industry.

Why You Need This : While peer-to-peer car sharing platforms (like Turo) are exempt from city/county business license requirements for DMV licensing purposes, individual hosts operating as a business in Clark County typically need a business license. This is especially true if you're operating as an LLC or generating significant income.

The Reality : If you're earning money from Turo in Clark County, you're operating a business. A business license legitimizes your operation and ensures you're compliant with local regulations. It also helps if you need to prove your business status for insurance, taxes, or other purposes.

Peer-to-Peer Shared Vehicle Owners are transportation businesses. All transportation businesses in Clark County need to be registered with the Nevada DMV in addition to the State and County.

When This Was Established : Nevada's peer-to-peer car sharing regulations were established through Senate Bill 389 of the 2021 Legislative Session. This legislation created the legal framework that allows platforms like Turo to operate in Nevada while protecting hosts and guests.

Important Distinction : There are two types of DMV licensing:
1. Platform Licensing (OBL335) : For peer-to-peer car sharing PROGRAMS (platforms like Turo) - Turo handles this
2. Individual Host Licensing (OBL335A) : For individual hosts operating as a business - YOU need to complete this

Why You Need This : If you're operating as a business (LLC, DBA, etc.) and listing vehicles on Turo, you need to register with the Nevada DMV using Application for Business License and Garage Registration (Form OBL-335A) . This is separate from Turo's platform licensing and is required for individual hosts operating as businesses.

What This Means : Even though Turo handles the platform-level DMV licensing (OBL335), individual hosts who are operating as businesses must complete their own DMV registration (OBL335A). This ensures you're properly registered as a peer-to-peer shared vehicle owner.

Required Form: Application for Business License and Garage Registration (OBL-335A) https://dmv.nv.gov/pdfforms/obl335a.pdf

Where to Submit : Nevada DMV - Occupational and Business Licensing
Location : 555 Wright Way, Carson City, Nevada 89711
Phone : (775) 684-4690
Online : https://dmv.nv.gov

When to Complete This : After you've received your Clark County business license, you'll need to complete the OBL-335A form and submit it to the Nevada DMV. This registers you as a peer-to-peer shared vehicle owner with the state.

According to the official OBL-335A form, you must submit the following:

Important Insurance Note: The form requires commercial general liability coverage of at least $5,000 (or a bond/deposit in lieu of insurance). This is separate from your vehicle insurance. Turo's protection plans may not satisfy this requirement—you may need to obtain separate commercial general liability insurance.

Processing Time : Typically 2-4 weeks after submitting complete application

Note : This is separate from Turo's platform licensing. Turo handles the platform-level registration (OBL335), but individual hosts operating as businesses must complete their own registration (OBL335A).

Check with your insurance agent to ensure you meet this requirement.

Legal References

Insurance Requirement : NRS Chapter 482C.295 (commercial general liability coverage, minimum $5,000)

Bond/Deposit Alternative:** NRS 482C.320 (bond or deposit in lieu of insurance, minimum $5,000)

My Experience : In Las Vegas, Nevada you need 3 licenses in order to operate as a Turo Business Owner. It may seem overwhelming at first, however to truly be prepared for the financial losses that occur in this type of business, you want to make sure that you don’t skip any steps and structure your business in a way that gives you maximum protection for your peace of mind. This includes insurance coverage. When I started, I used Turo's 75 Plan, which provides the required insurance coverage, however you earn as much per vehicle. When I upgraded to Turo’s 90 Plan, I had already made sure that I structured my business including commercial insurance coverage, so that I could earn more as a host while expenses and emergencies were fully covered.

The Good News: Almost any car can work on Turo in Las Vegas.
The Better News: Some vehicles work much better than others.

Based on actual Las Vegas market data (198 vehicles, 10,327 trips), here's what performs best:

Truck: Only 3 listings, 85.3 avg trips

Minivan: Only 3 listings, 83.7 avg trips

Sport/Adventure: Low competition (2.0-3.5% of market)

Start with a Toyota Yaris or Chevrolet Spark (budget tier) if you have $10,000-15,000. They have the best performance (79.9 avg trips) and proven demand. Alternatively, consider Ford Mustang (sport segment) for exceptional demand (205 avg trips) with low competition (2.0% of market).

This is critical. Don't skip this step.

For Beginners : Start with the 75 Plan. It's the sweet spot of protection and earnings.

I started with the 75 Plan, then moved to commercial insurance (90 Plan) after 6 months. The extra 15% earnings add up quickly and should be used to reinvest in more coverage.

This step is critical and often overlooked by new hosts. Before you can safely list your vehicle on Turo, you need to install essential security and logistics equipment. This equipment protects your vehicle, enables remote handoffs, and helps you manage your Turo business efficiently. In a city like Las Vegas, where your guest will be tempted with endless distractions and expensive mistakes, at some point you will have to deal with the dark side of the business. Mitigate your risks to protect your business from - collisions, total losses, cosmetic repairs, smoking, theft, toll tickets and more.

The worst thing you can do, is say to yourself, that won’t happen to me.

Why You Need It : Track your vehicle's location in real-time, monitor speed, geofencing alerts, and recover stolen vehicles

Why You Need It : Enables remote handoffs, secure key storage, and flexible pickup/dropoff

Pro Tip : Change the lockbox code between rentals for security

Why You Need It : Document vehicle condition, protect against false damage claims, monitor guest behavior

Why You Need It : Monitor interior condition, document damage, protect against false claims

Important : Must comply with privacy laws—disclose to guests in listing

Legal Note : Always disclose interior cameras in your listing description and get guest consent.

1. OBD-II Port Lock

Why You Need It : Prevents guests from unplugging GPS tracker or tampering with vehicle diagnostics
Cost: $20-40 one-time purchase

2. Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)

Why You Need It : Monitor tire pressure remotely, catch issues before they become problems
Cost: $50-150 one-time purchase

3. Smart Lock for Home Garage (If Using Home Storage)

Why You Need It : Allows remote garage access for guest pickup/dropoff
Cost : $100-300 one-time purchase

Location Matters in Las Vegas.

The First Rental is Nerve-Wracking. Here's How to Prepare :

My First Rental Story : I was so nervous. I cleaned the car three times. I checked everything twice. I arrived 30 minutes early. The guest was friendly, the handoff went smoothly, and I got my first 5-star review. Preparation is everything.

The key : Start small, learn, optimize, then scale.

Starting a Turo business in Las Vegas is achievable, but it requires preparation, patience, and persistence. Start with the right vehicle, price competitively, provide excellent service, and optimize based on performance.

You've got this.