Nevada uses the demerit point system to track your traffic violations. If you accumulate 12 or more points in a year, you will have your license suspended for six months. Each violation has a different number of points assigned to it, depending on the severity.
The demerit point system in Nevada, as specified by the Department of Motor Vehicles, is as follows.
| Traffic Offense | Demerit Point Value as Specified by Nevada DMV |
| Speed Violations | |
| NRS 484B.600 – Over-speeding up to 10 mph over the limit | 1 |
| NRS 484B.600 – Over-speeding up to 20 mph over the limit | 2 |
| NRS 484B.600 – Over-speeding up to 30 mph over the limit | 3 |
| NRS 484B.600 – Over-speeding up to 40 mph above limit | 4 |
| NRS 484B.600 – Over-speeding 41 mph above limit | 5 |
| NRS 484B.363 – Over speeding up to 15 mph over the limit in a school zone | 4 |
| NRS 484B.363 – Speeding 16 mph or more over the limit in a school zone | 6 |
| Other Violations | |
| NRS 484B.653 – Reckless driving | 8 |
| CCC 14.60.190 – Careless driving | 6 |
| NRS 484E.010 – Hit and run | 6 |
| NRS 484B.165 – Texting while driving | 4 |
| NRS 484B.127 – Tailgating | 4 |
| NRS 484B.253 – Failure to submit to the right-of-way | 4 |
| NRS 484B.353 – Overtaking a school bus despite flashing signals | 4 |
| NRS 484B.283 Inability to yield to a pedestrian | 4 |
| NRS 484B.100 – Defying the traffic signal | 4 |
| NRS 484B.307 – Failure to obey red light | 4 |
| NRS 484B.257 – Failure to obey a stop sign | 4 |
| NRS 484B.323 – Carpool-lane violation | 4 |
| NRS 484B.400 – Taking improper turns | 4 |
| NRS 484B.203 – Reckless passing | 4 |
| NRS 484B.207 – Passing on the right | 4 |
| NRS 484B.300 – Turning right on a red light | 4 |
| NRS 484B.110 – Driving through the safety zone | 4 |
| NRS 484B.607 – Failure to yield to traffic incidents | 4 |
| NRS 484B.607 – Failure to yield to tow trucks | 4 |
| NRS 484B.270 – Failure to yield to cyclists | 4 |
| NRS 484B.260 – Unsafe turning to the roadway | 4 |
| NRS 484B.403 – Illegal U-turns | 3 |
| NRS 484B.113 – Unsafe reversing | 2 |
| NRS 484B.623 – Causing traffic hindrance by driving too slowly | 2 |
| NRS 484D.215 – Driving with high beams | 2 |
| NRS 484D.100 – Not using headlights | 2 |
| NRS 486.231 – Violating helmet regulations | 2 |
| NRS 484B.413 – Turning without signal | 1 |
Here is a complete list of DMV demerit point schedules in Nevada.
Understanding Nevada’s DMV Demerit Point System
| Number of Times a Driver Gets 12 Demerit Points | Duration of the Driver’s License Suspension |
| 1st Time | 6 months (restricted license suspension after three months) |
| 2nd Time in 3 years | 1 year (restricted license suspension after six months) |
| 3rd Time in 5 years | 1 year without a restricted license suspension |
A restricted license suspension typically allows drivers to commute to and from work, medical appointments, or school.
Do All Traffic Regulation Violations Result in Demerit Points?
No. For example, non-moving violations of traffic regulations and parking violations do not result in any demerit points.
In addition, driving under the influence also doesn’t account for demerit points the DMV revokes the license outright.
Do Demerit Points Disappear After Sometime?
Demerit points on a driver’s record disappear automatically after one year. However, points can be removed early by enrolling in and completing a traffic safety course.
It’s important to know a few things about traffic school, which includes the following:
- Mandatory traffic school attendance, which is required for plea bargains, cannot remove demerit points.
- One looking to remove points should only attend traffic school once a year.
- One looking to remove points should attend traffic school only after the Department of Motor Vehicles adds demerit points to the driver’s record. Early enrollment doesn’t erase the points that haven’t been added.
- In case of a traffic conviction, the sentence stays on the driver’s record even if the demerit points disappear.
Learn more about Nevada’s Department of Motor Vehicles certified traffic schools here.
What to Do when Non-Nevada Resident Gets a Ticket in Nevada:
If a non-Nevada resident gets a ticket in Nevada, they should consult an attorney in Nevada who can help them get the charge dismissed or reduced. They should also consult an attorney in their home state to learn more about how getting a ticket in Nevada affects their driver’s license.
Here is a list of the Department of Motor Vehicles in all fifty states around the U.S.
What to Do When Nevada Resident Gets a Ticket From Another State:
The Department of Motor Vehicles in Nevada doesn’t assign any demerit points for any out-of-state tickets. However, the Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend the driver’s license in case of a DUI offense (even if it occurred in another state).
Nevada residents should hire a legal representative to take care of their case. Any conviction (even in another state) will reflect on their driving record.
Can A Driver Halt License Suspension Despite Many Demerit Points?
Even though winning DMV hearings is often difficult, the legal system in Nevada allows drivers to request a DMV hearing to challenge the license suspension.
The burden of proof in Nevada is much lower than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard, which is common in criminal trials. Therefore, it’s best to hire an experienced attorney who knows how to handle the case well and appears in DMV hearings on the driver’s behalf.
Note that driving on a suspended license is a misdemeanor in Nevada and may lead to the following penalties.
- Imprisonment for 6 months in state prison and/or
- Monetary fines of up to $1,000.
These penalties are in addition to the DMV’s suspension of a driver’s license for six months.
Connect With a Defense Attorney in Nevada
If you or someone you know is struggling with license suspension due to demerit points in Nevada, it’s time to connect with the attorneys at The Bourassa Law Group to handle your case with expertise and care.