How to check if your license is suspended in Nevada?

Posted on July 3, 2020

There are three ways to check whether your driver’s license is suspended or revoked in Nevada. The first is to check online at the DMV website. The second is to contact the DMV by phone or email (but note that wait and response times are much longer amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The third is to go to a DMV location in person – but it’s best to do so after making an appointment online.

Option 1: Check online

The quickest way to check a driver’s license status in Nevada is to go to the MyDMV website.

Option 2: Email or call the DMV

Otherwise, people may email the DMV or call them:

Option 3: Go to the DMV in person

Finally, people can show up in person at one of the DMV locations. It is highly recommended to make an appointment ahead of time using DashPass. Check ahead of time as hours may have changed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Notice of Nevada driver’s license suspension

The Nevada DMV notifies drivers by mail when their license gets suspended. This letter explains the reason for and procedures for requesting a DMV hearing.

A DMV hearing is like a mini-trial where the driver contests the revocation. Drivers who request a DMV hearing may continue driving pending the results.

DMV hearings occur at a DMV administrative office. The driver’s attorney may appear on his/her behalf. The state typically calls the police officer(s) as witnesses. In most cases, these hearings may be conducted over the phone.

In practice, DMV hearings are difficult to win. The state has a much lower burden of proof than it does in criminal cases. But DMV hearings are still worth doing. Sometimes the state’s witnesses fail to show up. In those cases, the driver wins by default.

Why licenses get suspended

The Nevada DMV suspends driving privileges for various traffic offenses. Common ones include:

• Collecting 12 or more demerit points in a year
• A first- or second-misdemeanor DUI arrest
• Street racing
• Driving without car insurance

The DMV may also suspend licenses for non-driving reasons. Some are:

• Graffiti citations
• Falling behind on child support payments
• Failing to show up to traffic court
• A third-time offense of failing to secure a child in a car seat in the proper way
• Perjuring oneself to the DMV

License suspension is a common punishment for juvenile delinquencies. Examples are:

• Habitual truancy
• Possessing drugs or alcohol
• Using firearms

And if a driver has certain medical conditions, the DMV can suspend his/her license for safety purposes. Ten such conditions include:

1. Vision impairment, such as blindness
2. Hearing impairment, such as deafness
3. Inability to reach the gas or brake pedals
4. Diabetes
5. Epilepsy
6. Frequent fainting or dizzy spells
7. Major heart problems such as thrombosis or myocardial infarction
8. Vascular disease
9. Lack of mobility
10. Psychiatric disorders. Example include schizophrenia, severe or depression, or hypomania

Penalties for driving on a suspended license

Nevada makes it a misdemeanor to drive on a suspended license (NRS 483.560). In general, punishment is:

• Up to 6 months in jail; and/or
• Up to $1,000 in fines

But the minimum penalty increases if the suspension is due to DUI. Then the punishment is:

• 30 days of jail (or 60 days of home confinement) to 6 months in jail; and
• $500 to $1,000 in fines

In addition, the DMV will extend the license suspension or revocation. This usually lasts for an additional year.

Also read our article on how to avoid a driver’s license suspension in Nevada.

About the Author

Neil Shouse

A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, Court TV, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.