Nevada driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Nevada Driver Handbook and, where the manual is silent, the Nevada Revised Statutes: NRS Chapter 482: Motor Vehicles and Trailers: Licensing, Registration, Sales and Leases, NRS Chapter 483: Drivers' Licenses; Driving Schools and Driving Instructors, NRS Chapter 484A: Traffic Laws Generally, NRS Chapter 484B: Rules of the Road, NRS Chapter 484C: Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or a Prohibited Substance, NRS Chapter 484D: Equipment, Inspections and Size, Weight and Load of Vehicles, NRS Chapter 484E: Crashes and Reports of Crashes, NRS Chapter 485: Motor Vehicles: Insurance and Financial Responsibility, NRS Chapter 486: Motorcycles and Similar Vehicles, NRS Chapter 202, Section 202.020: Purchase, consumption or possession of alcoholic beverage by minor, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
Where parallel parking is permitted, you may not park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant; where angle parking is permitted, the distance is 20 feet. Firefighters need the hydrant clear to hook up a hose, and every second spent moving a car lets a fire spread.
Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in a place where parallel parking is permitted or 20 feet of a fire hydrant if angle parking is permitted
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
You may not park on a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk. A car parked at the crosswalk hides a small child stepping out until a driver is almost on top of them.
On a crosswalk or within 20 feet of a crosswalk
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
You may not park within 30 feet of a traffic control signal at the side of a highway. A tall vehicle parked by a signal hides the light from drivers behind it, who then run the red.
Within 30 feet of a traffic control signal at the side of a highway
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a railroad crossing must you park?
You may not park within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad. A car parked near the tracks blocks the view of trains for drivers about to cross, and may be hit itself.
Within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
You may not park within 20 feet of a fire station's driveway entrance, or within 75 feet of that entrance on the opposite side of the highway. A fire truck swinging wide out of the station needs the far side of the street clear as well as its own.
Within 20 feet of a driveway entrance to any fire station and, on the side of a highway opposite the entrance to any fire station, within 75 feet of that entrance
As of 14 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
The legal parking position is with the front and rear wheels within 18 inches of the curb. A car parked far from the curb sticks out into the lane, where passing traffic can clip it.
The legal parking position is with the front and rear wheels within 18 inches of the curb.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Nevada law requires you to stop at any location for a school bus displaying a flashing red signal. Children step off the bus and cross the road, often without looking, while the red lights flash.
NRS 484B.353 requires a driver to stop at any location for a school bus displaying a flashing red signal.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
When approaching a stopped emergency, utility or service vehicle, drive in a lane not next to it if possible, unless conditions make that unsafe or impossible. A driver who stays in the next lane passes close enough to clip an open door or a worker.
If possible, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the lane in which the emergency vehicle is stopped unless the roadway, traffic, weather or other conditions make doing so unsafe or impossible.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
The driver of any motor vehicle other than an authorized emergency vehicle on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet or driving to or park such vehicle within 500 feet of fire apparatus which stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
Nevada law, NRS 484B.710
As of 8 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
Headlights are required from a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise. At dusk your car fades into the gray road, and other drivers pull out in front of you.
From a half hour after sunset until a half hour before sunrise.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Use high beams in open country at night, and change to low beams at least 500 feet before an oncoming vehicle. High beams in an oncoming driver's eyes blind them, and they can drift across the line into you.
Change to low beams when you are at least 500 feet before any oncoming vehicles and 300 feet before any vehicle you are following.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
In Nevada the driver and any passengers age 6 and older must wear safety belts if the vehicle is equipped with them. In a crash an unbelted rider keeps moving until the dashboard, the windshield or another person stops them.
The driver and any passengers age six and older must wear safety belts if the vehicle is equipped with them.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
Children under age six who measure less than 57 inches tall must ride in an approved child restraint system. An adult belt crosses a small child's neck and belly, so in a crash it can hurt the child it should hold.
Children under age six and those who measure less than 57 inches tall must be in an approved child restraint system pursuant per NRS 484B.157.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
1. It is unlawful for any person who: (a) Is under the influence of intoxicating liquor; (b) Has a concentration of alcohol of 0.08 or more in his or her blood or breath; or (c) Is found by measurement within 2 hours after driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle to have a concentration of alcohol of 0.08 or more in his or her blood or breath, to drive or be in actual physical control of a vehicle on a highway or on premises to which the public has access.
Nevada law, NRS 484C.110(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
If you are under 21 and a chemical test shows an alcohol concentration of .02% but less than .08%, your driving privilege will be suspended. New drivers are still learning, and even one drink makes them slower to spot a hazard.
If you are under the age of 21 and a chemical test shows an alcohol concentration of .02%, but less than .08%, your driving privilege will be suspended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Using a handheld cell phone for voice calls while driving is prohibited unless the device is used with a hands-free accessory. Holding a phone takes a hand off the wheel and your mind off the road just when a car stops ahead.
The use of a cellular phone or other handheld wireless communications device to engage in voice communications is prohibited unless the device is used with a hands-free accessory.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
Using a handheld phone to manually send or read messages, search the Internet or text while driving is prohibited. Eyes down on a screen for a few seconds means driving blind past a car that has stopped.
The use of a cellular phone or other handheld wireless communications device to manually send, read, search the Internet, or engage in non-voice communications with another person, including texting, electronic messaging and instant messaging is prohibited.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
On city streets, signal a turn at least 100 feet ahead, about 10 car lengths. A signal given at the last second gives the driver behind no time to brake before you slow for the turn.
Signal your turn at least 100 feet ahead (about 10 car lengths) on city streets or 300 feet (30 car lengths) on open highways.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
Where signs do not forbid it, you may turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop. Rolling through a right on red without stopping puts you into a walker in the crosswalk.
Where not prohibited by signs, a right turn may be made on a red light after coming to a complete stop.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
You may turn left on a red light only from a one-way street onto another one-way street with traffic moving to the left. Turning left on red onto a two-way street puts you face to face with traffic coming at you.
Drivers may make a left turn at a red light only when you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
U-turns are illegal in business districts, and areas with churches, apartments, multifamily housing, and public buildings also count as business districts. Busy blocks with homes, churches and offices fill with people and cars pulling out, so a U-turn there meets many of them.
Areas with churches, apartments, multifamily housing units, and public buildings are also considered to be business districts.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
The handbook lists 25 mph as the speed limit for business and residential areas. Kids, parked cars and driveways crowd these streets, and a driver needs time to stop for what steps out.
25 mph ............. Business and residential areas and school zones
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
The handbook lists 65 mph for urban freeways and rural highways. Going much faster than the road was built for leaves too little room to stop when traffic ahead brakes.
65 mph ............. Urban freeways, rural highways
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
In Nevada school zones, the speed limit is either 15 or 25 mph. A child who runs out between parked cars needs a car slow enough to stop in a few feet.
In school zones, the speed limit is either 15 or 25 mph.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
1. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
Nevada law, NRS 484B.210(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
Nevada's open container law makes it illegal to have opened alcoholic drinks in the driver or passenger areas while a vehicle is being driven, but not in motor home living quarters or the passenger areas of buses, limousines or taxis. An open can within reach tempts the driver to sip, and every sip slows the foot on the brake.
Nevada’s open container law makes it illegal to have alcoholic beverages which have been opened in the driver or passenger areas when a vehicle is being driven.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
You must be at least 15½ years old to get a Nevada instruction permit. Younger teens are less able to judge speed and risk, so the law waits before letting them practice on the road.
To obtain an instruction permit, you must:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
If you are under 18, you must hold an instruction permit for at least 6 months before applying for a driver license. Months of practice let a learner meet rain, night, and heavy traffic with an adult there before going alone.
If you are under the age of 18, you must hold an instruction permit for at least 6 months prior to applying for a driver license.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
The licensed driver supervising a Class C permit holder must be seated beside the learner. A supervisor in the back seat cannot see the road the same way or grab the wheel when something goes wrong.
When you are driving, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who:
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
A Nevada minor may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless driving to or from a scheduled event. Late at night a tired teen meets drunk drivers and dark roads, which is when many young drivers die.
Additionally, a minor shall not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless he/she is driving to or from a scheduled event.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
Drivers licensed at 16 or 17 may not carry passengers under 18, except immediate family members, for the first 6 months they drive. Teen friends in the car pull a new driver's eyes and mind off the road, and the crash risk climbs with each one.
Applicants who are 16 or 17 years old when they receive their driver’s license will not be allowed to carry passengers under the age of 18 (except for immediate family members) for the first 6 months they drive per NRS 483.2523.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DUI offense carries a fine of $400 to $1,000. On top of the fine come lost work days, a ride home and the insurance bill that follows for years.
Fine of $400 to $1,000
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long can you be jailed for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DUI offense carries a jail sentence of 2 days to 6 months, or 48 to 96 hours of community service. Even one drunk drive can mean nights in a cell and missed work, school or family events.
Jail sentence of two days to six months or 48 to 96 hours of community service
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DUI offense brings a license revocation of at least 185 days. Losing the license for half a year turns every trip to work or school into a problem.
Driver license revoked for a minimum of 185 days which may include the time served in the administrative revocation at the judge’s discretion.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
9. If the Department receives a copy of an order requiring a person to install an ignition interlock device in a motor vehicle pursuant to NRS 484C.460, the Department shall issue an ignition interlock privilege to the person after he or she submits proof of compliance with the order. A person who is required to install an ignition interlock device pursuant to NRS 484C.210 or 484C.460 shall install the device not later than 14 days after the date on which the order was issued. A driver who violates any condition of an ignition interlock privilege issued pursuant to this subsection is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished in the same manner provided in subsection 2 of NRS 483.560 for driving a vehicle while a driver’s license is cancelled, revoked or suspended.
Nevada law, NRS 483.490(9)
As of 8 Oct 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
(II) Order the person to perform not less than 48 hours, but not more than 96 hours, of community service; (3) Fine the person not less than $400 nor more than $1,000; and (4) If the person is found to have a concentration of alcohol of 0.16 or more in his or her blood or breath, order the person to attend a program of treatment for an alcohol or other substance use disorder pursuant to the provisions of NRS 484C.360.
Nevada law, NRS 484C.400(1)(a)
As of 8 Oct 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
2. An offense that occurred within 7 years immediately preceding the date of the principal offense or after the principal offense constitutes a prior offense for the purposes of this section:
Nevada law, NRS 484C.400(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
If you receive 12 or more demerit points in any 12-month period, your Nevada license will be suspended. Ticket after ticket shows a driver who keeps taking risks, and the next one may be a crash.
If you receive 12 or more points in any 12-month period, your license will be suspended.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
2. Except as otherwise provided in this section, when any motorcycle or moped is being driven on a highway, the driver and passenger shall wear protective headgear securely fastened on the head and protective glasses, goggles or face shields meeting those standards.
Nevada law, NRS 486.231(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
(b) A side window that is to the rear of the driver, or a rear window, if the vehicle has outside mirrors on each side that are located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror for a distance of not less than 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.
Nevada law, NRS 484D.440(3)(b)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
With no other lane to move into, pass to the left of a bicycle at a safe distance of at least 3 feet, and do not move back right until safely clear of it. A gust of wind or a pothole can push a rider sideways, and a car passing close will hit them.
If an adjacent lane does not exist, pass to the left of the bicycle at a safe distance, which must be at least three feet.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
When two or more lanes of traffic move in the same direction, slower traffic must move to the right and let other drivers pass. A slow car in the left lane makes impatient drivers weave around it and try risky passes.
When there are two or more lanes of traffic moving in the same direction, slower traffic must move to the right and allow other drivers to pass.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, every owner of a motor vehicle which is registered or required to be registered in this State shall continuously provide, while the motor vehicle is present or registered in this State, insurance provided by an insurance company licensed by the Division of Insurance of the Department of Business and Industry and approved to do business in this State: (a) In the amount of $25,000 for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one crash; (b) Subject to the limit for one person, in the amount of $50,000 for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one crash; and (c) In the amount of $20,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one crash, for the payment of tort liabilities arising from the maintenance or use of the motor vehicle.
Nevada law, NRS 485.185(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
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