Nevada Traffic Laws

Nevada's streets are dynamic — from long rides on the I-80 to the chaotic Las Vegas Strip. But one thing remains constant on all roads: state traffic laws.

Wherever you drive as a resident or tourist, be ready to follow the rules of the road. Nevada's laws can be complex. This article summarizes popular legal concepts, including the punishments for traffic tickets.

Find Motor Vehicle Laws in Nevada

Nevada takes traffic safety seriously. Title 43 of the Nevada Revised Statutes covers what you need to know before driving. Use the table below to read statutes for common traffic rules.

Nevada's Traffic Ticket Penalties

Many tickets are civil infractions, which don't involve high penalties like jail time. Serious traffic offenses could rise to a misdemeanor or felony.

Fines and Fees

Fines are a typical civil penalty for traffic violations. As in other states, the amount depends on the type of violation and where it happened.

For example, a Nevada speeding ticket can cost $20 per mile above the limit. Driving 40 mph on a 30 mph road can lead to a $200 maximum fine. Speeding in a construction zone doubles the fine.

Sometimes, the state might have to remove or seize your car. You may need to pay towing and impoundment fees to get it back. Towing is more likely in cases like parking infractions and driving under the influence (DUI) arrests.

Jail Time

Criminal traffic offenses often risk time in jail. A police officer might also arrest you during a traffic stop.

The facts of the case can lengthen or shorten the potential jail time. Usually, a traffic crime that causes an injury has higher penalties.

Reckless driving laws show how much jail time can vary for a single traffic violation type. In Nevada, it can carry a maximum sentence from six months to a whopping 10 years.

Community Service

Traffic tickets might seem like a pay-to-play system. In theory, fines would let wealthy drivers off the hook, but everyone else would face a heavier financial burden.

That's why Nevada courts often let drivers trade a ticket fine for community service hours. You can avoid an expensive fine by completing enough hours before the court's deadline. Read the rules of your local program carefully to ensure your hours will count.

In other cases, a judge might order you to do community service. This penalty can be in addition to a fine or jail sentence.

The Demerit Points System

Nevada's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can issue demerit points once you pay a ticket or get a traffic conviction. You can avoid these points if you fight and win your case.

Each traffic violation has a set point value, such as:

• Four points for using a cell phone behind the wheel (except for legal use of a handheld device)
• One to five points for speeding based on how many miles you drove above the limit
• Two points for breaking the basic rule by driving at an unsafe rate of speed for the road conditions — even if it was below the posted speed limit
• Six points for a nonfatal hit-and-run accident

These points stay on your record for 12 months. After that, law enforcement agencies can still see the traffic violation on your record, but it will not be worth points.

License Suspension and Revocation

There are a few different ways you might lose your driver's license in Nevada, including:

• Getting 12 or more current demerit points on your license
• Committing a hit-and-run after a fatal car accident
• Testing above the blood alcohol content (BAC) limit for drunk driving
• Driving while impaired due to medication or drugs
• Refusing to take a DUI test

Some of these scenarios lead to automatic license suspension without a court hearing or trial. But you still have an opportunity to defend your case and get your driving privileges back.

Legal Help for Traffic Citations in Nevada

Even minor tickets could jeopardize your license. Review your options before you pay or go to court. Calling a Nevada traffic law attorney can help you protect your rights after a ticket or arrest.