In this section, our attorneys explain Nevada’s criminal laws and legal concepts, A to Z
Criminal Law A to Z
In this section, our attorneys explain Nevada’s criminal laws and legal concepts, A to Z
Crimes by NRS Section
Every crime in Nevada is based in a section of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). For each crime, our attorneys explain the laws, penalties and best defenses to fight the charge.
Nevada DUI
Getting arrested for DUI does not mean you will be convicted. Police misconduct, defective breathalyzers and crime lab mistakes may be enough to get your charges lessened or dismissed. Visit our page on Nevada DUI Laws to learn more.
Post-Conviction
Even if you’ve already been convicted of a crime, there is still much you can do to seal your record and restore your rights. Our attorneys explain how.
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Contact the Nevada DMV for driver’s license reinstatement instructions for your particular case. And once you complete the requirements, you will need to appear in person at a DMV office to obtain your new Nevada driver’s license.
Your Nevada driver’s license does not automatically renew after the revocation period. You have to apply for reinstatement.1
What follows are general driver’s license reinstatement procedures in Nevada. You must still contact the Nevada DMV first.
If your driver’s license was revoked due to a DUI or refusal to take a breath or blood test, you may be able to reinstate your license early as long as you:
If you do not wish to drive with an ignition interlock device (which is a breathalyzer that disables your car if it detects alcohol on your breath), then you must refrain from driving during the entire revocation period:
Nevada DUI offense |
Length of driver’s license revocation |
Chemical test refusal | 1 year (plus the revocation period for the underlying DUI offense). |
1st DUI in seven years | 185 days. Read more about DUI 1st revocations. |
2nd DUI in seven years (which includes DUIs from other states) | 1 year.
Read more about DUI 2nd revocations. |
Felony DUI, which comprises:
|
3 years.
Read more about DUI 3rd revocations.2 |
See our related article, Will Nevada DMV suspend my commercial license for a DUI?
In non-DUI cases, you should be able to reinstate your Nevada driver’s license after the revocation period ends by:
If your license was suspended because you failed to appear in a criminal court manner, then you must get your bench warrant quashed and ask the court for a clearance letter to present to the DMV.
The most common non-DUI reason that triggers a license suspension is amassing 12 or more traffic violation demerit points in a one-year period: This carries a six-month suspension.
Other reasons for license suspensions include:
See our related articles, How long do points stay on your license in Nevada and How long do you have to have an SR-22 in Nevada?
When half of your suspension period has passed, you may be eligible for a Nevada restricted license to drive to and from:
To obtain a restricted driver’s license, complete and submit the restricted license application (DMV-21) to the Nevada DMV.4
In DUI cases, a license reinstatement costs $120 as well as a victim fee of $35. In all other cases, the reinstatement fee is $75.
If you have to take a driving knowledge and skills test, you would also need to pay $10.5
See our related article, How much is the reinstatement fee in Nevada?
You must appear at the Nevada DMV in person to obtain your reinstated driver’s license.
To contact the Nevada DMV in Clark County, call (702) 486-4368. For elsewhere in Nevada (including Reno or Carson City), call (775) 684-4368.
You can also submit an email at the DMV website here.
Or you can mail a letter to:
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711
See our related article, How to check if your license is suspended in Nevada.
All 50 states’ DMVs share information. So if your license gets revoked in Nevada and you move, your new state probably will not issue you a new license until you completed all revocation requirements in Nevada.
Contact the Nevada DMV for instructions on your specific case and how to get a clearance letter to show your new state’s DMV.6
See our related article, Out-of-state visitors who get a Nevada DUI arrest.
Driving while your license is revoked (NRS 483.560) is a misdemeanor in Nevada. If the reason for the revocation was DUI, the judge will impose:
In non-DUI cases, driving on a revoked license in Nevada carries:
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, 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.