Things you need to know if you're new to town

Here's a list of things you need to do, places you need to contact if you just moved here.

Schools: The local school district office will help new residents with issues in transferring school-age children into their system. For Carson School District, that's 283-2000. In Douglas County, the school district number is 782-5134.

Driver's license: All new residents are required to get a Nevada driver's license within 30 days of moving to the state. DMV requires a valid license from your old home state, proof of your social security number and, for certain states including California, additional proof such as a birth certificate. Licenses are $21.75 - $16.75 for those 65 and older. Further information is available online at www.nevadadmv.state.nv.us or by calling DMV's licensing division at 684-4368 in Carson City.

Vehicle registration: If you're a resident, you're required to register your vehicles in Nevada. DMV requires proof of vehicle liability insurance and your current registration and license plates. The Vehicle Identification Number must match that on the registration and will be physically inspected by DMV before Nevada plates are issued. Owners can keep their out-of-state title but getting a Nevada title is recommended to simplify selling the vehicle. Those

registering in Clark or Washoe counties must get a smog check from a certified inspector. To pay fees, DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders and major credit cards. More information is available on the DMV Web site: www.nevadadmv.state.nv.us or by calling 684-4830.

Power: Electric power in Carson City is provided by Sierra Pacific Power Co. To start new service, call 834-2900. The utility requires a name, address of service and social security number. They bill a $15 fee the first month for the connection and take a deposit that varies according to the average usage at your new address. The deposit is returned after a year. Most times, the whole process can be done by phone.

Gas: In Reno, gas is also through Sierra Pacific but in Carson City and most surrounding communities, it's Southwest Gas Corp. Southwest is at 882-2126. The requirements differ according to where the house is located since Southwest serves a large part of Northern Nevada as well as California so their advice is to call and ask. They'll walk new customers through the process.

Water and Sewer: In Carson City, the city provides water and sewer service. Call the city's utility office at 887-2355, ext. 2001. This applies to buyers only since the city puts water and sewer in the owner's name, not in the name of renters. Call a week before escrow closes and they'll take care of it. There is no deposit, fees are billed the first month.

Phone: In the Reno - Carson City area, traditional, local phone service is through SBC Nevada. SBC's number for new service is 333-4811. But new customers can sign up on line at www.sbc.com. In Minden and Gardnerville service is provided by Verizon call 1 (800) 843-3000. With SBC it's $33.50 to turn the line on. If you want a technician to go inside the house and make sure everything works, add $90. Flat rate service, which means unlimited local calling, costs $10.88 a month plus taxes and a few other things. Long distance is a separate issue and provided by dozens of competitive companies. Work that one out yourself. A quick credit check while you wait will determine whether you need to pay a deposit or not.

Cable TV: The traditional cable provider in the Carson City area is Charter Communications at (888) 954-8484. But there are numerous satellite and other providers. Check the yellow pages under Television-Cable, Satellite and Web for other options.

Garbage: Capital Sanitation provides residential trash pickup in Carson City. Capital Sanitation is at 882-3380. Many Douglas County residents can contact Douglas Disposal for curbside service. Call 782-5713. Virginia City residents are also serviced by Capital Sanitation. Dayton residents are serviced by Fernley Sanitation call 882-9933.