Nevada demerit points remain on your driver’s license for 12 months before disappearing. Accruing 12 or more points in a 12-month period of time typically triggers a six-month license suspension by the Nevada DMV. Though you can usually get a restricted license after three months.
Here are five things to know:
- All moving violations carry demerit points.
- License suspensions range from six to 12 months.
- Traffic School can erase three demerit points.
- Driving on a suspended license is a crime.
- Traffic tickets can be fought!
1. All moving violations carry demerit points
The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles tacks on demerit points to your driver’s license every time you are cited for a moving violation. The more serious the traffic violation, the greater number of points you get.
For instance, a speeding ticket (NRS 484B.600) for going 10 miles per hour over the speed limit carries only one point under Nevada’s demerit point system. Though reckless driving (NRS 484B.653) carries eight points.1
For a complete list of traffic violations and their demerit point values, go to the Nevada DMV Violation Code List.
2. License suspensions range from six to 12 months
Accruing 12 demerit points in one year triggers a six-month driver’s license suspension in Nevada. Though you can get a restricted license after three months.
Meanwhile, if you rack up 12 demerit points in one year for the second time in a three-year period, the license suspension will last one year. Then a restricted license would be available six months into the suspension period.
Finally, getting 12 demerit points in one year for the third time in five years triggers another one-year license suspension. Then you will not be able to get a restricted license at all.2
3. Traffic School can erase three demerit points
Nevada demerit points for traffic offenses go away after 12 months. Though you may be able to remove three driver’s license points early by completing a DMV-approved traffic safety course.
However, a driving course that the court orders you to complete as part of a plea bargain does not erase demerit points. Also, you cannot remove more than three points through traffic school in one year, even if you do traffic school more than once.3
To see a list of Nevada DMV-certified traffic schools in Las Vegas and throughout the state of Nevada, click here.
A driving history of 12 points in a one year period triggers a suspension of driving privileges.
4. Driving on a suspended license is a crime
If your license does get suspended for picking up too many demerit points, make sure not to drive during the suspension period. Driving on a suspended/revoked license (NRS 483.560) is a misdemeanor carrying:
- Up to $1,000 in fines; and/or
- Up to 6 months of jail.
Plus, your original license suspension period will double.4
5. Traffic tickets can be fought!
If you get a traffic ticket, you may think it is best just to pay the fine and get on with your life. Though even after the court closes your case, your demerit points remain on your record for a full 12 months.
Also, picking up just one or two more minor moving violations could max out your 12-point allowance and trigger a six-month license suspension.
More often than not, I can get prosecutors to reduce traffic charges to a non-moving violation or a full dismissal – and with no demerit points at all. Twelve points can add up quickly in one year, so it is worth trying to persuade the D.A. to lessen or drop your traffic charges: It may be the only way to safeguard your license.
Further reading
See our related articles on:
- Nevada driving record – How do I get it and what does it show?
- running stop sign (NRS 484B.307)
- running a red light (NRS 484B.307)
- leaving the scene of an accident (NRS 484E.010)
- failure to yield right-of-way during left turn (NRS 484B.253)
- reducing a DUI to careless driving
- using a cellphone while driving (NRS 484B.165)
- administrative hearings in DUI cases
- how to avoid a license revocation after a DUI
Legal References
- NAC 483.510. In addition to carrying demerit points, traffic convictions carry fines and will likely cause your insurance company to increase your insurance premiums. Note that parking and non-moving violations do not cause points to be added to your record. (An example of a non-moving violation is driving without registration or without auto insurance.) Also note that DUI convictions have no demerit point value because they immediately trigger an automatic license suspension.
- NRS 483.473. See Nevada State Dep’t of Motor Vehicles v. Turner (1973) 89 Nev. 514 (“Whenever any licensee has accumulated 12 demerit points the department [of motor vehicles] shall suspend the license of such licensee until the total of his demerits has dropped below 12 demerits in the next preceding 12 months.”). See Bauer v. Department of Motor Vehicles (1985) 705 P.2d 623 (“When any driver has accumulated three or more demerit points, but less than 12, the department shall notify him of this fact. If, after the department mails this notice, the driver presents proof to the department that he has successfully completed a traffic safety school course, approved by the department, for the number of hours prescribed by the course, with the approval of the department as constituting a course of instruction, the department shall cancel three demerit points from his driving record. If the driver accumulates 12 or more demerit points before completing the traffic safety school, he will not be entitled to have demerit points canceled upon completion of the course, but must have his license suspended. A person may be allowed to attend only once in 12 months for the purpose of reducing his demerit points. The three demerit points may only be canceled from a driver’s record during the 12-month period immediately following the driver’s successful completion of the traffic safety school.”). A restricted license usually allows you to commute to and from work, school, and medical appointments. To apply for a restricted license in Nevada, click here.
- NRS 483.448.
- NRS 483.560.
