How do I reinstate a revoked license in Nevada?

Posted on September 21, 2022

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.

How do I reinstate my license after a DUI in Nevada?

If your driver’s license was revoked due to a DUI or refusal to take a breath or blood test, you may be able to reinstate your license early as long as you:

• have an ignition interlock device installed in your car(s) by a certified provider;
• present a Certificate of Compliance from the certified provider at a DMV office;
• obtain SR-22 insurance (which you usually have to maintain for three years);
• complete the driver’s license application;
• pay a $120 reinstatement fee plus a $35 victim impact fee;
• fulfill any other DMV requirements, which could include written testing; and
• pass a driving skills test (if your license was revoked for more than one year).

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: 3rd DUI in seven years (which includes DUIs from other states); DUI causing injury or death (NRS 484C.430); DUI following a prior felony DUI (NRS 484C.410); or Vehicular homicide (NRS 484C.440)	3 years. Read more about DUI 3rd revocations.2

See our related article, Will Nevada DMV suspend my commercial license for a DUI?

How do I reinstate my Nevada driver’s license after a non-DUI case?

In non-DUI cases, you should be able to reinstate your Nevada driver’s license after the revocation period ends by:

• completing the driver’s license application;
• paying a $75 reinstatement fee; and
• fulfilling any other DMV requirements, which could include written testing and getting SR-22 insurance.

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:

• graffiti (NRS 206.330)
• juvenile delinquency
• failure to pay child support
• street racing
• driving without a license (NRS 483.230)
• lack of fitness to drive
• third or later offense of not securing a child properly (NRS 484B.157)³

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?

Can I get a restricted license?

When half of your suspension period has passed, you may be eligible for a Nevada restricted license to drive to and from:

• work,
• school,
• the grocery store,
• the doctor, and
• court-ordered child visitation.

To obtain a restricted driver’s license, complete and submit the restricted license application (DMV-21) to the Nevada DMV.⁴

What are the costs?

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?

How do I contact the Nevada DMV?

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.

What if I am in another state?

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.

What if I drive while my license is revoked?

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:

• 30 days in jail (or 60 days of home confinement) to 6 months in jail; and
• $500 to $1,000; and
• driver’s license revocation for 1 additional year.

In non-DUI cases, driving on a revoked license in Nevada carries:

• up to 6 months in jail and/or up to $1,000; and
• a doubling of the original license revocation period.⁷

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Legal References