Nevada Traffic Violations

Traffic violations are offenses committed when operating a motor vehicle. With the passage of AB116, nearly all routine traffic citations issued throughout the state of Nevada prior to January 1, 2023, were classified as civil infractions (which do not carry a possibility of incarceration) going forward.

Serious violations (misdemeanors or felonies) continue to be treated as criminal offenses and are subject to criminal prosecution.

In order to prevent potential issues arising from driving on our roadways, it is essential to have an understanding of how Nevada's law enforcement agencies view (1) infractions legally (possible loss of driving privileges), (2) financially (possible fines, increased auto insurance premiums), and (3) socially (improved safety on Nevada Roads).

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Nevada?

Nevada's Traffic Regulations and Duties to Report Accidents are regulated by the following laws: NRS484A-NRS484E, (Traffic Laws) NRS483 (Motor Vehicle Licensing), NRS485 (Motor Vehicle Insurance), and NRS484C (DUI).

All traffic violations in Nevada fall into three categories, Felonies, Misdemeanours and Civil Infractions. DUI in Nevada is illegal at 0.08% Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) and it is also illegal to drive when you are impaired.

Types of Traffic Violations in Nevada

The most common types of traffic violations in Nevada are:

• Speeding/signal violations: Nevada enforces speed limits and traffic-control device compliance. (Speed exceeding the limit and zone-specific penalties differ.)
• Driving without a license / improper licensing: According to the licensing title, it is illegal to operate without the right license.
• Driving without insurance/proof: Nevada requires a minimum liability coverage of 25/50/20; proof must be provided upon request. For infractions, registration may be suspended.
• Reckless driving: “For safety, "willful or wanton disregard" is a misdemeanor in its most basic form and a Category B felony if it results in death or serious physical harm.
• Hit-and-run / leaving the scene: It is a Category B felony to fail to stop and provide assistance in an accident that results in injury or death; it is a misdemeanor to "leave the scene" with merely property damage.
• Failure to yield / right-of-way errors: Nevada enforces this offense in accordance with traffic laws (e.g., intersections, pedestrians).
• Distracted driving (handheld devices): It is illegal to use a handheld device while driving; penalties increase by $50, $100, or $250 over the course of seven years, and a second or more offense results in four penalty points. In work and school zones, fines can double.
• DUI: Revocation results from refusing a chemical test; criminal penalties and administrative license actions apply.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Nevada

Starting in 2023, many citations, such as routine speeding citations or mechanical violation citations, will be handled through a civil procedure in which the punishment is a monetary fine instead of incarceration. To allow users to dispute their citations, Nevada Courts created the Nevada Civil Traffic Portal, which provides enhanced methods of hearing disputes online.

Moving infractions earn points from the Nevada DMV; accumulating 12 or more points in 12 months results in a 6-month suspension. Convictions stay on your permanent driving record, but points are removed after a year. Once every 12 months, you can get three points off by finishing a traffic safety course approved by the DMV (not as part of a plea).

Speeding varies by age; handheld device infractions are worth four points (second or subsequent within seven years); reckless driving is worth eight points. (The DMV's infraction codes and point resources show exact values.)

Nevada has 25/50/20 liability minimums; failure to comply may result in registration suspension until reinstatement procedures (such as proof and costs) are finished.

Certain behaviors continue to be illegal, including hit-and-runs resulting in injury or death (Category B felony), reckless driving (misdemeanor; felony if death or SBH), and DUI with increasing consequences (separate criminal and DMV procedures; refusal revocations).

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Nevada

A) Court tickets & dockets. You may use the Nevada Civil Traffic Portal to pay, dispute online, or request a hearing in civil-infraction cases; you’ll be routed to the court named on your citation. Many Justice/Municipal courts also run their own portals. If your citation is criminal (e.g., reckless, DUI), check that court’s case-search page.

Case pages typically display the charge, statute, hearing dates, disposition, and financials; imaging of filings varies by court. For appellate matters (rare for tickets), use the Appellate Case Lookup.

B) Your DMV driving record (MVR). You may also order a 3-year or 10-year Driver History Report online via DMV or at a kiosk/office; mail requests use Form IR-002 (certified copies add a fee). A 3-year history does not list suspensions/revocations—choose 10-year if you need that detail. Reports show convictions, points (active), withdrawals, and crash history.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Nevada?

In addition to criminal records being permanent, the DMV keeps a record of DUI convictions on its history and issues administrative suspended licenses according to statutory law; including vehicular homicide laws.

The DMV also makes a note of all significant offenses committed on an individual's driving record. However, the DMV maintains a record for 10 years on convictions. As a result, employers and insurance companies often look at an individual's driving history for 3 years and the DMV can access their 10-year record for significant offenses.

DUI can have consequences for an individual throughout his or her lifetime; therefore, the DMV recommends individuals obey the laws regarding ignition-interlock devices and administratively suspended licenses as a result of a conviction(s) from the DMV.

If you are able to complete an approved traffic safety course, you may remove three points from your DMV record (once every twelve months) and you can request that your court record be sealed a period later than the date on which it occurred. However, the DMV will not change your driving history because you complete your course work to remove your points.