Nevada Driving Laws



Information on Nevada driving laws and Nevada traffic laws...

The Nevada Demerit Point System

As part of their driver improvement program, the Nevada DMV operates an extensive demerit point system. When they receive a conviction notice from a court, the offense is entered on your driving record and demerit points are assigned.

Under Nevada driving laws, when 12 months have elapsed from the date of a conviction, the demerits for that violation are deleted from the total demerits accumulated. Convictions for violations of Nevada traffic laws remain part of your permanent driving record.

Once you have accumulated 3 or more points, you will receive a mailed notification from the DMV's Driver License Review Section.

Traffic Safety School

If you have accumulated between 3 and 11 points, you may have 3 points removed by completing a DMV-approved traffic safety course (provided the course is not part of a plea-bargain agreement with a court of law).

The traffic safety school must be one of those approved by DMV. You may attend traffic school only once in a 12-month period to remove points from your record.

Under Nevada driving law, attending traffic safety school removes 3 demerit points. However, the record of the conviction for violation of Nevada traffic laws remains part of your driving history.

See Traffic Safety Schools for a list of DMV-certified schools. Schools report course completions directly to DMV.

Automatic Suspension of Driver License

Under Nevada driving laws, your driver license is automatically suspended for 6 months when you receive 12 or more points in any 12-month period. You will be mailed a certified letter before your license is suspended and have the right to a hearing through the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Note: Major traffic offenses such as DUI or causing substantial bodily harm are not assigned demerit points. These offenses result in automatic revocation or suspension of your license.

Offenses and Point Values

The following is a partial list of violations of Nevada traffic laws, showing the demerit points that are assigned to your driving record.

Speeding

  • 1-10 mph over posted limit - 1
  • 11-20 mph over posted limit - 2
  • 21-30 mph over posted limit - 3
  • 31-40 mph or more over posted limit - 4
  • 41 mph or more over posted limit - 5


Other Violations

  • Reckless Driving - 8
  • Careless Driving - 6
  • Failure to give information or render aid at the scene of an accident - 6
  • Following too closely - 4
  • Failure to yield right-of-way - 4
  • Passing a school bus when signals are flashing - 4
  • Failure to yield to a pedestrian - 4
  • Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign - 4
  • Impeding traffic, driving too slowly - 2
  • Failure to dim headlights - 2

Types of Suspensions and Revocations

In accordance with Nevada driving laws, you may lose your Nevada driving privilege or license under certain circumstances. You will be notified by certified mail or by law enforcement of the period of ineligibility and if you are entitled to an administrative hearing. You should make sure you have the correct address on your driver's license to ensure that you receive the notice.

Examples of driver license suspensions and revocations under Nevada driving laws are listed below. Juveniles may also have license issuance delayed for some offenses of Nevada traffic laws.

  • Driving Under the Influence - If breath, blood, or urine tests reveal you are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater or if you are convicted in court of Driving Under the Influence.
  • Street Racing - If you participate in, or organize, an unauthorized speed contest on a public highway.
  • Failure to Appear - If you receive a traffic ticket and do not pay the fine on time or do not appear in court when required.
  • Security Deposit - If an accident occurs with property damage in excess of $750.00 or bodily injury regardless of property damage amount, and you do not have liability insurance, your driver license and vehicle registration are suspended.
  • Failure to Maintain Insurance - If you are required to provide proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) because of a license suspension or revocation and fail to meet the continuous 3 year requirement.
  • Child Support - If you are in arrears in court ordered child support payments.
  • Failure to Properly Secure a Child - If you receive three or more convictions for failing to properly use a child restraint system in a vehicle.
  • Demerit Points - If you accumulate more than 12 Demerit Points in 12 months.
  • Graffiti - If you are found guilty of a graffiti violation.
  • Firearms - If a juvenile is found guilty of certain offenses related to firearms.
  • Alcohol and Drugs - If a juvenile is found guilty of buying, drinking, or possessing alcohol; or using, possessing, selling, or distributing any controlled substance.
  • Truancy - Juveniles can lose their license or have its issuance delayed for habitual absence from school.

Note: Your license may be canceled for an incorrect or fraudulent license application or it may be canceled if a check written to pay driver license fees is returned for insufficient funds.

For more information on Nevada driving laws, please visit the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles website.

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