Nevada DMV Newcomers Guide - Laws
New Nevada Residents have 30 days to obtain Nevada License and Registration
The following is an easy-to-read summary of of some important traffic laws. You can also access the specific Traffic Statutes and all Nevada Revised Statutes through the Nevada State Legislature Web Site.
- Open Container
- Nevada has an open container law. It is illegal to have opened alcoholic beverages in the driver or passenger areas of a vehicle while it is being driven.
- Driving Under the Influence
- You cannot refuse to take a breath, blood or urine test as directed by a police officer.
Blood samples can be drawn involuntarily, even on a first offense.
Legal Limits- .10 percent blood alcohol level (.02 if under 21) or any detectable amount of a controlled substance.
- Drivers License revoked for 90 days upon arrest.
Vehicle may be impounded.
Courts will impose additional criminal penalties upon conviction.
- Accidents
- All accidents which involve injuries or damages of $750 or more must be reported to DMV&PS. If a police officer does not investigate the accident, all of the involved parties must file reports on DMV&PS Form SR-1 within 10 days. Forms are available at DMV&PS offices and police stations.
You must provide your driver's license, registration, and insurance information to any other drivers involved, and to the owner of any unattended vehicle or property.
- Seat Belts
- Buckle Up! Nevada law requires seat belt use by all occupants in a vehicle. Children under age 6 who weigh less than 60 pounds must be in an approved safety seat which is properly installed.
- Right on Red
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You are allowed to turn right on a red light after coming to a full stop, unless otherwise posted. You must be in the
extreme right-hand lane and yield to pedestrians and all traffic moving through the intersection.
- U-Turns
- U-turns are generally allowed if they can be completed safely. In business areas, you must be at an intersection or on a divided highway where an appropriate opening exists. U-turns are not allowed where prohibited by a traffic sign or signal, or if there is less than 500 feet visibility in both directions.
- Basic Rule
- Nevada has a Basic Rule for driving at reasonable and proper speeds. This means that in addition to any posted speed limits, you must consider the amount and type of traffic, weather, road conditions and other factors. The proper speed may be considerably less than the posted limit.
- School Buses
- Drivers are required to stop for school buses when students are boarding and departing and when bus is displaying its flashing red lights. On divided highways, traffic moving in the opposite direction does not have to stop. On all other roads, traffic in both directions must stop.
- Bicycles
- Bicycles have all of the rights and responsibilities of a motor vehicle when ridden in traffic. Cyclists are required to signal and obey traffic laws. They can ride in any traffic lane when necessary but should generally stay as far to the right as possible.
- Pedestrians
- Vehicles are required to yield to pedestrians in unmarked crossing areas at intersections, at crosswalks where there are no traffic signals and at marked and signaled crosswalks.
For more information visit the
State of Nevada - Department of Motor Vehicles and Public Safety web site.
