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Nevada gives demerit points for traffic convictions, and 12 or more points in any 12-month period means an automatic 6-month license suspension. Drivers under 21 also lose their license for 185 days if a test shows 0.02% blood alcohol or more, and minors can lose it for truancy, firearms, graffiti and alcohol or drug offenses that have nothing to do with driving. This explainer covers the points table, how to remove points, and every way a young Nevada driver can lose a license.
Key facts (Nevada DMV, checked November 2026)
- 12 or more points in 12 months: automatic 6-month suspension.
- 3 to 11 points: a DMV-approved traffic safety course removes 3 points, once every 12 months.
- Points expire 12 months after the conviction date, but the conviction stays on your record.
- DUI and offenses causing serious injury or death carry no points; they lead straight to suspension or revocation.
Nevada demerit points table
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Reckless driving | 8 |
| Careless driving | 6 |
| Failure to give information or render aid at the scene of a crash | 6 |
| Following too closely | 4 |
| Failure to yield right-of-way | 4 |
| Failure to yield to a pedestrian | 4 |
| Disobeying a traffic signal or stop sign | 4 |
| Speeding 41 mph or more over the limit | 5 |
| Speeding 31 to 40 mph over | 4 |
| Speeding 21 to 30 mph over | 3 |
| Speeding 11 to 20 mph over | 2 |
| Speeding 1 to 10 mph over | 1 |
| Driving too fast for conditions (prima facie speed violation) | 2 |
| Impeding traffic, driving too slowly | 2 |
| Failure to dim headlights | 2 |
This is the partial list from the Nevada Driver’s Handbook. The DMV also lists hand-held phone use or texting (second and later offenses) and passing a school bus with flashing signals as point offenses. For every violation code and its points, sign in to MyDMV or see the DMV’s violation codes list. CDL holders can face extra points and penalties.
How points work in Nevada
- You are convicted of a moving violation and the court notifies the DMV.
- The offense goes on your record with its points.
- At 3 or more points the DMV writes to you.
- At 12 or more within 12 months, your license is suspended for 6 months.
Worked example
A new driver is convicted of speeding 15 mph over the limit in March (2 points), following too closely in June (4 points) and failure to yield in September (4 points): 10 points, inside 12 months. One more stop-sign conviction (4 points) before the March points expire would take them to 14 and trigger a suspension. Taking a traffic safety course at 10 points would bring the total down to 7.
Removing points with traffic school
- Eligible with 3 to 11 points.
- Removes up to 3 points, once in any 12-month period.
- No credit if the course was part of a plea bargain with a court.
- The school reports your completion to the DMV.
Tickets in other states
If you are a Nevada driver convicted in another state, the offense goes on your Nevada record, but out-of-state convictions do not add Nevada demerit points.
How long violations stay on your Nevada record
Most violations are reportable to your insurance company for 3 years. DUI convictions stay on your record for 7 years.
DUI rules for young Nevada drivers
| Situation | License penalty |
|---|---|
| Under 21 with 0.02% to under 0.08% blood alcohol | Revoked for 185 days (administrative) |
| 0.08% or more, or any detectable controlled substance (any age) | Revoked for 185 days (administrative) |
| Under 18, found by juvenile court to have driven under the influence | 185 days |
| Refusing a blood, breath or urine test | Revoked; not eligible for 1 year (3 years if refused in the prior 7 years) |
| First DUI conviction (criminal) | Revoked for at least 185 days, plus a $400 to $1,000 fine and jail or community service |
Young first-time DUI offenders face the same penalties as drivers over 21. A driver under 18 found to have driven under the influence, or under 21 and convicted of DUI, must also undergo an alcohol or drug evaluation, and the judge may order treatment. Cannabis: driving with more than 2 nanograms per milliliter of marijuana in the blood (5 for marijuana metabolite) is unlawful. Background: zero tolerance laws, implied consent and DUI and drugged driving and cannabis.
Non-driving offenses that suspend a minor’s Nevada license
Under 18, you sign an affidavit that your license may be suspended, or its issue delayed, for these:
| Offense | Suspension or delay |
|---|---|
| Graffiti or defacing property | Up to 2 years |
| Criminal activity involving alcohol or a controlled substance | Up to 2 years |
| Using, possessing, selling or distributing a controlled substance | Up to 2 years |
| Buying, drinking or possessing alcohol | Up to 2 years |
| Firearm offense under NRS 202.300 | Up to 1 year; 2 years for a second offense |
| Habitual truancy, first offense | 30 days to 6 months (or issue delayed 30 days) |
| Habitual truancy, second or later | 60 days to 1 year (or issue delayed 60 days) |
| Street racing (unauthorized speed contest) | 6 months to 2 years |
| Trick driving display | 6 months to 2 years |
After a truancy suspension you need a new DMV 301 school attendance form to reinstate.
Other reasons for suspension or revocation in Nevada
- Causing a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist
- Failing to appear in court for a traffic ticket
- An uninsured crash with more than $750 in damage (license and registration suspended)
- Failing to keep insurance, including repeated lapses
- Child support arrears
An insurance lapse can also bring a reinstatement fee and fines starting at $250, up to $1,750, per vehicle, plus a possible SR-22 and a 30-day license suspension.
Getting your Nevada license back
Reinstatement is never automatic. You must reapply at a DMV office with your identity and Social Security documents, meet any other requirements (such as an SR-22) and pay the fees.
| Fee (as of November 2026) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Reinstatement, alcohol or controlled substance offense | $120 |
| Victim impact fee, alcohol or controlled substance offense | $35 |
| Reinstatement, any other offense | $75 |
You also pay the original license fee and any testing fees. A restricted license may be available once you have served half of the suspension or revocation, and DUI offenders may be reinstated straight away with an ignition interlock restriction and device. You can ask for a DMV administrative hearing whenever you lose your license.
Common questions
How many points before a suspension in Nevada?
12 or more within 12 months.
How long do points stay on a Nevada license?
Points count for 12 months from the conviction date. The conviction itself stays on your record.
Does a ticket on a permit count?
Yes. The DMV can require retesting, cancel the permit or refuse renewal after violations. To take the road test you also need 6 months without moving violations or at-fault crashes.
Can a teen lose their license for skipping school?
Yes. A habitual truancy finding can suspend a minor’s license for 30 days to 6 months on a first offense.
What is the alcohol limit for drivers under 21 in Nevada?
0.02%. At or above it, your license is revoked for 185 days.
I only have a Nevada ID card. Can I get points?
Yes. Points go against your future driving privilege, and 12 or more in 12 months means reinstating before you can get a license.
Back to the main guide: learning to drive in Nevada. Related: Nevada teen restrictions. How other states compare: points systems in the US.
Sources
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, “Nevada Driver’s Handbook, DMV 700 (March 2024)”, Chapters 1, 8, 9, 10 and 11 (dmv.nv.gov)
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, “Demerit Point System” (dmv.nv.gov)
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver License/ID Fees and Exemptions” (dmv.nv.gov)
- Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles, “Get Your Teen License” (dmv.nv.gov)