Nevada has a Basic Rule for driving at reasonable and proper speeds. This means that in addition to any posted speed limits, you must consider the amount and type of traffic, weather, road conditions and other factors. The proper speed may be considerably less than the posted limit. (NRS 484B.600)

Motorists passing a bicycle must move into an adjacent lane to the left, if possible. If not, the motorist must pass with at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle. Motorists are allowed to cross the center lane if it is safe to do so.Motorists passing a bicycle must move into an adjacent lane to the left, if possible. If not, the motorist must pass with at least three feet of clearance between the vehicle and the bicycle. Motorists are allowed to cross the center lane if it is safe to do so. (NRS 484B.270)

Motorists may be charged with reckless driving if they are at-fault in any collision with a bicyclist or a pedestrian. Penalties include a driver license suspension. (NRS 484B.270)

When bicycles are ridden with other traffic, cyclists must obey the same rules and regulations as other types of vehicles. The safe interaction between bicyclists and motorists is the responsibility of both parties.

Motorists are not allowed to intentionally interfere with the movement of a person lawfully operating a bicycle; bicyclists may not intentionally interfere with the movement of a motor vehicle.

• At intersections, motorists must yield to cyclists as they would for other vehicles and pedestrians.
• Motorists must yield the right-of-way to a cyclist on a bicycle path or in a bike lane.
• Motorists may not stop, park or drive on a designated bicycle path or lane unless they are entering or leaving an alley or driveway, performing official duties, directed by a police officer, or an emergency situation exists.
• A cyclist is required to ride on the right side of the roadway.
• Cyclists ride in a traffic lane, staying to the far right as practicable unless preparing to turn or overtake another vehicle.
• Cyclists must obey all traffic signs and signals and use hand signals to let others know where they plan to go.
• Inexperienced riders, especially children, require special courtesy and care. They may not always follow traffic rules. Be especially careful around these riders and expect the unexpected.

Cyclist Should

• Obey the law.
• Wear a helmet.
• Wear brightly colored clothing.

Cyclist Should Not

• Ride on the wrong side of the road.
• Wear a headset when riding.
• Ride at night without required lights and reflectors.

Bicycles Ridden at Night Must Have:

• A white lamp in the front visible from at least 500 feet away.
• A red tail reflector visible in a vehicle's low beams from 300 feet away.
• Reflective material on the sides of the bike visible in low beams from at least 600 feet away or a lamp visible from both sides from 500 feet away

Visit Bicycle Nevada for more information.

Texting, accessing the internet and hand-held cell phone use while driving are illegal in Nevada. (NRS 484B.165)

The fines are $50 for the first offense in seven years, $100 for the second and $250 for the third and subsequent offenses. Fines are subject to doubling if the offense occurs in a work zone. Courts may assess additional administrative fees.

The first offense is not treated as a moving violation. A second or subsequent offense carries four demerit points.

You can talk using a hands-free headset and, while making voice calls, touch the phone to “activate, deactivate or initiate a feature or function on the device.”

Other exceptions include:

• Any person reporting a medical emergency, a safety hazard or criminal activity.
• Drivers using a voice-operated navigation system affixed to the vehicle or those riding in autonomous vehicles.
• Drivers using citizen band or other two-way radios that require a license and have a separate, hand-held microphone.
• Law enforcement officers, firefighters or emergency medical personnel acting within the scope of their employment.
• Utility workers responding to an outage or emergency and using devices provided by the company.
• Amateur radio operators providing communications services during an emergency or disaster.

Failure to submit to a breath, blood or urine test as directed by a police officer results in a driver's license revocation of at least one year. A blood sample can be drawn involuntarily if the officer obtains a warrant or court order.

• Legal Limit: .08 percent blood alcohol level or any detectable amount of a controlled substance. (.02 if under 21, .04 in commercial driving)
• Driver's license revoked for at least 185 days
• Vehicle may be impounded

These are administrative penalties which are taken immediately. Courts impose additional criminal penalties upon conviction.

All DUI Alcohol suspects may install ignition interlock devices as a condition of receiving a restricted driver's license. Courts may order interlock devices as part of sentencing. (NRC Chapter 484C | DMV Quick Tip (PDF))

Never leave a child age seven or younger unattended in a vehicle if the conditions present a significant risk to the health and safety of that child unless the child is being supervised by, and within sight of, a person at least 12 years old. (NRS 202.485)

It is illegal to leave a dog or cat unattended in a vehicle during periods of extreme heat or cold. Law enforcement, firefighters and other officials may use reasonable force to rescue the animal. (NRS 202.487)

Passengers under 18 may not ride in the back of a pickup or flatbed truck. This does not apply, however, to farming and ranching activity, parades or to camper shells or slide-in campers. (NRS 202.484B.160)

Crashes

Fender bender? Move to the shoulder. If there is damage only to a vehicle or other property (no injuries), your vehicle is obstructing traffic and the vehicle can be moved safely. Move the vehicle to a location that does not obstruct traffic and then return to the scene.

See NRS Chapter 484E for more about your duties following a crash. All crashes which involve injuries or damages of $750 or more must be reported to the DMV. If a police officer does not investigate the incident, all of the involved parties must file reports on DMV Form SR-1 (PDF) within 10 days.

Emergency Vehicles & Traffic Incidents

Drivers in Nevada have certain duties when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle making use of flashing lights or any type of incident that disrupts traffic, including stalled vehicles.

In the absence of direction by a peace officer, the driver of a vehicle approaching a stopped emergency vehicle or traffic incident must:

• Decrease the vehicle speed to a speed that is reasonable and proper and less than the posted speed limit.
• Proceed with caution.
• Be prepared to stop; and
• If possible, drive in a lane that is not adjacent to the lane in which the emergency vehicle is stopped unless the roadway, traffic, weather or other conditions make doing so unsafe or impossible.

These apply to all types of emergency vehicles including tow trucks, vehicles from the Nevada Department of Transportation displaying flashing amber lights, vehicles displaying non-flashing blue lights, stalled vehicles and vehicles under repair. (NRS 484B.607)

Slow-Moving Vehicles on Highways

Drivers on controlled-access highways, who are driving less than the posted speed limit, must not drive in the far left lane if being overtaken by a faster vehicle. This law does not apply within the geographical limits of a city or town. (NRS 484B.208)

Mopeds

Moped operators have the same rights and responsibilities as other drivers. However, moped operators have additional responsibilities based on the limitations of their vehicle. Moped operators must remain in the extreme right-hand lane of any road unless:

• There is only a single lane of traffic in the direction of travel of the moped
• They are preparing to make a left turn (turn must be made within one-quarter mile from entering lane)
• Driving in the extreme right-hand lane would not be safe; or
• Directed by a police officer

Moped riders must have a driver's license (any class), register their vehicle and wear a helmet! See Mopeds.

You are allowed to turn right on a red light after coming to a full stop, unless otherwise posted. You must be in the extreme right-hand lane and yield to pedestrians and all traffic moving through the intersection. (NRS 484B.307 8(c))

Drivers are required to stop for school buses when students are boarding and departing and when bus is displaying its flashing red lights. On divided highways with a median or other physical barrier, traffic moving in the opposite direction does not have to stop. On all other roads, traffic in both directions must stop. (NRS 484B.353)

Front and rear seat occupants of almost all passenger vehicles must wear safety belts or ride in an approved child restraint system. Vehicles 1968 and newer must be equipped with lap belts. Vehicles 1970 and newer must be equipped with lap belts and shoulder belts for the front seats. (NRS 484D.495 and 484B.157)

Children less than six years old and less than 57 inches (4 feet 9 inches) tall must ride in an approved child restraint system. Children under two must ride in a rear-facing child safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. The safety seat may be placed in the front if the air bag is deactivated and there is no back seat, all back seats are in use by children under two or the child has special health needs outlined in a physician note. (2021 Assembly Bill 118, NRS 484B.157)

The previous law was children under age 6 and less than 60 pounds must ride in a child restraint system. Weight is no longer a factor

Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for guidance on choosing, installing and using the right seat. See the DMV Quick Tip brochures in English (PDF) and Spanish (PDF) for Nevada laws. NHTSA's has safety tips on a wide range of topics.

Four Steps for Kids

See Nevada Teen Driving and the DMV Quick Tip (PDF).

Passengers

Drivers under 18 cannot transport any passenger under the age of 18, except for immediate family members, for the first six months after receiving their driver's license.

Curfew

Drivers under 18 may not drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are traveling to or from a scheduled event such as work or a school event. This curfew remains in effect until age 18

U-turns are generally allowed if they can be completed safely. In business areas, you must be at an intersection or on a divided highway where an appropriate opening exists. U-turns are not allowed where prohibited by a traffic sign or signal, or if there is less than 500 feet visibility in both directions. (NRS 484B.403)

Law enforcement officers are responsible for conducting traffic stops when they have reasonable suspicion of a traffic violation or a criminal violation. Being stopped by an officer can be a stressful experience for the driver, passengers and the officer, too. Knowing what to do during the stop will help ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Here's some tips on what to do when you're pulled over:

A blind person who is on foot and using a guide dog or other service animal or is carrying a white cane or walking stick has the right-of-way on a highway, street or road in this state. A driver must yield the right-of-way, come to a full stop if necessary, and take precautions before proceeding to avoid accident or injury. (NRS 484B.290)

People are commonly taught to stop, look, and listen for traffic before crossing a street. A person with visual impairments is not able to look, so they rely on their other senses, especially hearing, to determine if it is safe to cross the road. Typically, they have relied on listening for a vehicle’s engine to determine where it is and where it is going. The growing popularity of silent engines in electric cars makes it harder for blind people to hear them.

It is essential that drivers abide by the state law. Drivers have the advantage of sight, and the power to do the most damage in an accident. However, roadway safety is a two-way street, and people with visual impairments have developed a communication tool of their own to help signal when they are about to cross the street. It is called “flagging”.

What is flagging?
Flagging is a practice performed by some members of the blind and visually impaired community to alert drivers of their presence and intention to cross the street. While not every person who is blind or visually impaired will use flagging, there are several types of flagging drivers should be aware of:

1. Cane flagging is when a person uses their cane and crosses their body and back in an exaggerated arch.
2. Reversible step is when a person uses their cane and steps slightly forward as if crossing the street.
3. Hand-up toward the driver is when the person uses their cane out directly in front while holding their left arm out in a stop motion to signal to the driver in front of them and behind.

If you see any of above actions taking place, you must yield until the pedestrian has completely crossed the street and is no longer in the crosswalk or on the road.

Here is a demonstration of flagging: