Apply for a License (Under 18) in Nevada

Applying for a Teen License in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for the issuance of driver's licenses to all eligible NV residents.

Teen drivers younger than 18 years old must follow rules and meet specific requirements, such as driver's education and supervised driving practice. For specific details about driver education, please read our page about Driver's Ed in Nevada.

Nevada REAL ID Driver's License

The Nevada DMV has begun issuing federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses. As of October 1, 2021, the REAL ID will function as federal identification for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—a standard license will not after this date.

You have the option to apply for a REAL ID-compliant or non-compliant license in Nevada, though the DMV highly encourages you to obtain a REAL ID. Application info for both credentials is outlined below. For further details, visit the DMV's guide to NV REAL IDs.

New to Nevada?

The Nevada DMV requires you to apply for a driver's license within 30 days of moving to the state. You must be a resident and provide a Nevada street address.

To obtain your Nevada driver's license, visit your local DMV office and:

Complete a Driver's License, Driver Authorization Card, or Identification Card Application (Form DMV 002E).
Surrender your valid out-of-state driver's license or permit.
Show proof of identity (name and date of birth) and residency.
- Bring 2 documents proving residency (required for a standard license, a REAL ID driver's license or a Driver Authorization Card.)
- The NV DMV website provides a list of acceptable documents.
Provide your Social Security number.
Complete a Beginning Driver Experience Log (Form DLD130) if you have an out-of-state learner's permit or provisional license.
Pass the written test and vision test.
Get your photo taken.
Pay the driver license fee.

If transferring your out-of-state learner's permit or provisional license, you must also complete a Driver's Ed course (unless your Nevada county is exempt).

The DMV will mail your NV driver's license or learner's permit.

The Nevada DMV accepts out-of-state drivers education classes. Your instructor must complete an Affidavit of Completion of Out-of-State Driver Education Course (Form DP289), which shows the curriculum meets or exceeds Nevada's standards.

NV Teen Driver's License Process

In Nevada, if you're younger than 18 years old you must complete each of the following stages in order to obtain your first driver's license:

Driver's education.
Learner's permit.
Restricted driver's license.
Full, unrestricted driver's license.

The Nevada DMV has implemented these steps to ensure you are fully educated and trained before you drive unsupervised on the roads.

Age Requirements

Driver's education: 15 years old.
Instruction permit: 15 1/2 years old.
Restricted driver's license/Provisional license: 16 years old.
Unrestricted driver's license: After holding a restricted driver's license for 6 months.

School Attendance

In order to get a learner's permit or driver's license in Nevada, anyone under 18 years old must submit a Certification of Attendance (Form DMV 301), which verifies that you meet Nevada's school attendance requirements.

This form must be completed by one of the following:

Your school principal or other school official.
Your parent or guardian if you are exempt from school attendance requirements due to disability.
Your parent or guardian if you have completed high school or a high school or the equivalent.

Nevada Learner's Permit

You must be at least 15 1/2 years old to apply for your Nevada instruction permit. Be sure to take some time to study the NV driver's manual and get ready for the written test.

Pass the Written Test on Your First Try!

While you COULD spend hours studying the driver handbook, there's a better way to study. Utilize a free online practice test to prepare yourself for the actual format of your permit test. Plus, with rotating questions and answers, you can quiz yourself as many times as you want to make sure you pass on your first try.

First, decide whether you want your eventual license to be REAL ID-compliant or not. The application process will be almost identical, except for a REAL ID license, there are specific proofs of identity that are accepted.

To apply for your learner's permit in Nevada, you must visit a local NV driver license office and:

Submit a completed Driver's License, Driver Authorization Card, Or Identification Card Application (Form DMV 002E).
- Your parents must sign the financial responsibility section.
Show proof of your:
- Identity.
- Social Security number.
- Nevada residency (2 documents).
  - The DMV has a list of acceptable documents for both REAL IDs and non-compliant licenses.
Pass written test and vision test.
Pay the $22.25 licensing fee (non-refundable).
Pay the $25 testing fee.

You will be issued a Nevada temporary permit in person. The NV DMV will mail your actual instruction permit.

Learner's Permit Restrictions & Behind-the-Wheel Practice

Your instruction permit allows you to drive ONLY while supervised by a licensed driver who:

Is at least 21 years old.
Has been driving for at least 1 year.

Before you can apply for your provisional license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old.
Complete 50 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours at night.
Complete a driver's education course OR complete 100 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours at night.
- Only if Driver's Ed is not available in your area.
Have held your learner's permit for a minimum of 6 months.
Have a clear driving record, including:
- NO accidents where you're at fault.
- NO convictions (moving violations).
- NO alcohol or drug convictions.

Nevada Driver's License

Before you can apply for your Nevada driver's license, you must:

Be 16 years old.
Have held your learner's permit for at least 6 months.
Complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience (10 hours at night).
Successfully complete driver's education.

NOTE: If driver education is not offered within 30 miles of your home, you must complete 100 hours of supervised driving experience (10 hours at night). Keep in mind you must keep a log of the dates and times you practiced driving.

You must visit your local driver's license office and bring:

Your parent/guardian to sign a financial responsibility statement and affidavit.
Your Driver's Ed certificate of completion or high school transcript.
A completed Beginning Driver Experience Log (Form DLD130).
Your Nevada learner's permit.
- It's also a good idea to bring the proofs of identity and residency that you used to apply for your permit, in case you're asked to provide them again.
A properly insured and registered vehicle.

You'll be required to take a driving test. Once you pass the driving test, you will need to return to the Nevada DMV to get your driver's license. You will need to pay the driver's license fee. The DMV will mail your license.

Follow our new license checklist to track your major steps towards your first driver's license.

Nevada Driver's License Restrictions

During the first 6 months of your Nevada driver's license, you may not transport any passenger under 18 years old except immediate family.

If you're under 18 years old, you may not drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless traveling to or from school or work.

You must also obey your local curfew laws:

Las Vegas Strip and Downtown: 9 p.m., unless under adult supervision.
Elsewhere in Las Vegas:
- 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday.
- 12 a.m. on Friday to Saturday.
Reno Downtown Gaming District: 9 p.m., unless under adult supervision.
Elsewhere in Reno: 12 a.m. all weekdays

NOTE: Nevada enforces a 0.0.02% blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21 years old.

Forms

DP289: Affidavit of Completion of Out of State Driver Education Course; Submit to the Department of Motor Vehicles if you completed the required driver education for a Nevada driver's license with an out-of-state provider. Form must be signed by the out-of-state driving school’s operator.

DLD130: Beginning Driver Experience Log; Log the number of supervised driving hours your teen driver has completed as part of earning their Nevada driver's license.

DMV 301: Certification of Attendance; Teen driver's license applicants must use this form to verify they're enrolled in school and have an approved attendance record OR to claim exemption from the DMV's attendance requirement. Must be signed by a school official.

DMV 002E: Application Driving Privileges or ID Card; Apply for an original, renewal, OR duplicate NV driver's license (Class C, M, A, or B), instructional permit, commercial endorsement, OR identification card.