Nevada Traffic Laws

The following is an easy-to-read summary of some important traffic laws. See Nevada Motor Vehicle Laws and Nevada DOT Traffic Law Topics for more .

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.
NRS 484.448 | Back To Top

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  .08 percent blood alcohol level or any detectable amount of a controlled substance. (.02 if under 21, .04 in commercial driving)  Driver License revoked for 90 days upon arrest. Vehicle may be impounded. These are administrative penalties which are taken immediately. Courts impose additional criminal penalties upon conviction. DMV Quick Tip (PDF) | NRS 484.379 | Back To Top

Accidents
All accidents which involve injuries or damages of $750 or more must be reported to DMV. If a police officer does not investigate the accident, all of the involved parties must file reports on DMV Form SR-1 within 10 days.

You must provide your driver license, registration, and insurance information to any other drivers involved, and to the owner of any unattended vehicle or property.
NRS 484.229 | Back To Top | Forms Help  

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 child restraint system that is properly installed. Visit www.seatcheck.org for a free child safety seat inspection in your area and www.buckleupamerica.org for general information.

Right on Red
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.
NRS 484.283 7(c) | Back To Top

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.
NRS 484.337 | Back To Top

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.
NRS 484.361 | Back To Top

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.
NRS 484.357 | Back To Top

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. Motorists must move into an adjacent lane when passing bicycles, if possible. If not, they must pass with at least three feet of clearance. See also Motorcycles, Mopeds & Bicycles
DMV Quick Tip (PDF) | NRS 484.324 | Back To Top

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.
DMV Quick Tip (PDF) | NRS 484.3245 | Back To Top

"Racial profiling " means reliance by a peace officer upon the race, ethnicity or national origin of a person as a factor in initiating action when the race, ethnicity or national origin of the person is not part of an identifying description of a specific suspect for a specific crime. (NRS 289.820)

Nevada law requires you pull to the right and stop when signaled to do so by a police officer. There is apprehension for all involved during a routine stop. The person being pulled over is fearful of getting a ticket or because you're not sure why you were stopped; and the officer is fearful for their own personal safety with the unknowns for any given situation.

Drivers who are stopped by law enforcement officers are recommended to follow all legal instructions they receive from the officer. To assist the officer in determining that you are not a wanted fugitive, please keep your hands in sight at all times. Upon initial contact, keep your hands on the steering wheel unless instructed by the officer to do otherwise. When the officer asks for papers, let the officer know what you are intending to do, such as, "my registration is in the glove box." This allows the officer to know your intention ahead of time. If for some reason there is a firearm in the vehicle, advise the officer upon initial contact. The police don't like surprises any more than you do.

If you are stopped at night, turn on the vehicle's dome light to assist in seeing what is present in the car. Be prepared for bright lights. Police use their lights so they can see items harmful to them.

Please stay in the car unless directed by the officer to exit the car. Your cooperation will be appreciated and aid in the safety of all parties-including your own.

If, based on the above definition, you feel you are a victim of racial profiling during a routine stop, you may report your concerns to the law enforcement agency in which the officer works. You may want to have the following information available when you make your report: Date, time and location of the incident, the name of the officer involved, and a badge number if possible; any witness contact information and a copy of the citation if one was issued.