1. For the purpose of locating stolen vehicles, except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, an employee of the Department or a local law enforcement agency whose primary responsibility is to conduct investigations involving the theft of motor vehicles, may inspect:

(a) The identification numbers of a vehicle that is on the highway or in any garage, repair shop, terminal, parking facility, establishment where new or used vehicles or equipment for vehicles are sold, leased or rented, vehicle salvage pool or any other similar establishment, or any commercial location where agricultural or construction work is being actively performed; and

(b) The title or registration of a vehicle described in paragraph (a) to determine the rightful ownership or possession of the vehicle or an identifiable component part.

2. Whenever possible, a person who conducts an inspection pursuant to this section shall conduct the inspection during normal business hours and in such a manner as to minimize any interference with or delay of the business operations of the establishment where the inspection takes place.

3. A person may not conduct an inspection pursuant to this section of a terminal that is privately owned or a parking facility that is privately owned unless, before conducting the inspection, the person obtains permission to conduct the inspection from:

(a) The owner of the terminal or parking facility; or

(b) An agent or representative of the owner who has been authorized by the owner to grant permission to a person seeking to conduct an inspection pursuant to this section.

4. As used in this section:

(a) “Garage” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 487.540.

(b) “Identifiable component part” means a component of a motor vehicle that may be distinguished from other similar components by a serial number or other distinguishing number, sign or mark.

(c) “Local law enforcement agency” means:

(1) The sheriff’s office of a county;

(2) A metropolitan police department; or

(3) A police department of an incorporated city.

(d) “Parking facility” means a parking deck, parking garage, parking structure or paved or unpaved parking lot that members of the public regularly enter, are reasonably likely to enter, or are invited or permitted to enter as invitees or licensees.

(e) “Terminal” means a terminal that members of the public regularly enter, are reasonably likely to enter, or are invited or permitted to enter as invitees or licensees.

(f) “Vehicle” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 482.135.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 2539)