Most minor traffic violations in Nevada are prosecuted as civil infractions, not misdemeanors.¹

Civil infractions are not crimes in Nevada and therefore carry no jail time. Instead, civil infractions are punished by a monetary civil penalty of up to $500 (unless the statute allows for a higher penalty). The court can also impose:

• fees, and
• administrative assessments.²

In some cases, judges may also order

• traffic school and/or
• community service.³

You get 90 days to pay the civil penalty after being ticketed. If you wish to contest your traffic citation, you can request a hearing (similar to a mini-trial).⁴

If you are late to pay your traffic ticket, the judge will not issue a bench warrant for your arrest. However, you will be assessed a collection fee of:

• Up to $100, if the amount of the delinquency is less than $2,000.
• Up to $500, if the amount of the delinquency is $2,000 or greater, but is less than $5,000.
• Ten percent of the amount of the delinquency, if the amount of the delinquency is $5,000 or greater.⁵

In addition, the court can order the Nevada DMV to suspend your license as a punishment for being delinquent.⁶

Examples of civil infractions in Nevada are:

• driving through a safety zone (NRS 484B.110)
• driving too slowly (NRS 484B.623, NRS 484B.627 & NRS 484B.630)
• failure to dim high beams (NRS 484D.215)
• failure to signal (NRS 484B.413)
• failure to use headlights (NRS 484D.100)
• failure to wear a motorcycle helmet (NRS 486.231)
• failure to yield before turning left (NRS 484B.253)
• improper turn (NRS 484B.400)
• making illegal U-turns (NRS 484B.403)
• parking more than 18 inches from a curb (NRS 484B.457)
• passing on the right side (NRS 484B.207)
• removing highway barriers (NRS 484B.327)
• running a red light (NRS 484B.300)
• running a stop sign (NRS 484B.257)
• seat belt violations (NRS 484D.495)
• speeding less than 30 mph over the limit (NRS 484B.600 – NRS 484B.633)
  • work zone (NRS 484B.130)
  • school zone (NRS 484.363)
• stopping, parking, standing in a highway (NRS 484B.440)
• texting while driving (NRS 484B.165)
• unsafe passing (NRS 484B.203)
• unlawful right turn on red light (NRS 484B.307)
• unsafe backing (NRS 484B.113)
• unsafe turning from a private roadway (NRS 484B.260)
• violating carpool rules (NRS 484B.323)

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Legal References