Top Nevada's Point System

In an effort to promote good driving across the state, the Nevada DMV has instituted a system of demerit points. These points go on your driving record when you're convicted of certain traffic violations, and if they add up too quickly, you can even lose your driving privileges.

Top Point Scale

The following is a list of some of the most common infractions and the points assigned to them. For a full list, please see the Nevada Traffic Violation Codes (read the explanation at the top of that document, which explains how the codes translate to points).

• Reckless driving: 8 points

• Careless driving: 6 points

• Following too closely: 4 points

• Failing to give right-of-way: 4 points

• Failing to yield to a pedestrian: 4 points

• Disregarding traffic light or stop sign: 4 points

• Driving too slowly: 2 points

• Speeding (up to 10 MPH over limit): 1 point

• Speeding (11-20 MPH over limit): 2 points

• Speeding (21-30 MPH over limit): 3 points

• Speeding (31-40 MPH over limit): 4 points

• Speeding (41 or more MPH over limit): 5 points

Note: In some cases, commercial drivers will receive more points for the same infractions as listed above.

Top The Penalties

The general rule is that if you receive more than 12 points on your record within a 12-month period of time, your license will be automatically suspended for six months. Before this point, however, you'll be mailed a letter notifying you of the suspension, and you'll have a chance to appeal (if you wish) with the Office of Administrative Hearings.

As soon as you accrue three or more points, you should receive notification from the Driver License Review Section. Points stay on your record for 12 months from the date of conviction, not a 12-month calendar year.

If your record is showing more points than you'd like, you do have an option that will decrease the total, and that's traffic school.

Top Traffic Safety School

Attending a DMV-approved traffic safety school will remove three points from your record. If you're attending traffic school as part of a plea-bargain with the courts, however, no point deduction will be given.

If you are convicted of a traffic violation, don't immediately go to traffic school. If the points haven't shown up on your record, you won't receive a deduction. Wait until you've received notification of the points from the DMV.

You are allowed to reduce your point total by attending traffic school only one time in a 12-month period. To make it even easier, some schools offer courses online or by video. Once you've completed the course, the school reports to the DMV that you attended.

Top Check Your Driver's License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DMV. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Top Reinstating a Suspended License

If your license was suspended for too many demerit points, you'll receive notification before the suspension period, which will show the six-month time period and ending date of the suspension.

Top Other Penalties

Even after you've received the three-point deduction for attending traffic safety school, the conviction will remain on your record for at least three years. Insurance companies look at driving records when assessing policy rates, and sometimes even one ticket can result in a big rate increase.

The best idea to keep your record clean and rates as low as possible? Just be a safe driver and avoid traffic violations altogether.

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