Drivers license suspensions in Nevada are penalties issued after certain violations of road rules and regulations. A revoked or suspended driving license will incur for traffic misdemeanors, such as operating while under the influence and failure to appear or maintain insurance, among others. Motorists are required to submit an NV drivers license reinstatement request to the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), since driving with a suspended license is against the law and it may cause further DMV or court-imposed actions.

When reinstating drivers licenses, applicants must meet all requirements to receive their new credential. Find out more information about suspension and restoration procedures in Nevada by reading the sections presented below.

Reinstating a Nevada Suspended License

Motorists with a suspended credential must apply for a Nevada drivers license reinstatement with the Department of Motor Vehicles. If drivers are issued a suspended driving license due to a traffic infraction, then they will receive a DMV courtesy notice outlining important details, such as the duration of the drivers license suspension period and reinstatement criteria.

NV driving license restoration requirements vary and they mainly depend on the type of offense that was committed. In addition to the DMV notice, licensees can also obtain information pertaining to their case by contacting the NV DMV by phone, mail or email. When doing so, they will be required to provide their name and driving license/ID number or Social Security Number (SSN).

How to Reinstate a Nevada Suspended Drivers License

The NV drivers license reinstatement procedure requires motorists to satisfy all criteria, prior to receiving their new license to drive. To reinstate driving licenses in Nevada, they will need to visit a nearby NV DMV office.

Once there, they will be required to provide specific documents indicating their name, date of birth and Social Security Number (SSN). Additionally, licensees may have to meet the following drivers license restoration requirements, depending on the misdemeanor committed:

  • Resolve any criminal charges with the court.
  • Provide an SR-22 form as proof of financial responsibility and maintain coverage for a period of three years beginning the date of reinstatement.
  • Install an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) in case of a DUI suspension.

When reinstating driving licenses, motorists may be also asked to retake the vision, written and skills test. Note that the DMV requires drivers to pass the road test in case their credential has been suspended for more than one year. To finalize the Nevada driving license restoration procedure, you will be obliged to pay the reinstatement fees.

In case of several penalties issued within the same period of time, you must complete all suspension periods to be eligible for reinstatement. If your license has been suspended in another state, you will be first required to complete that state’s reinstatement criteria, and then request a Nevada license to drive.

Note: Drivers with an NV suspended drivers license due to lack of insurance coverage also have the option to reinstate at a DMV self-service kiosk or via the internet. To do so, however, they must provide the access or barcode from the suspension notice and satisfy additional requirements.

Suspension Periods in Nevada

One of the requirements for driving license reinstatement in Nevada is completing a mandatory suspension period. In case motorists have been issued several drivers license suspensions or revocations, they must complete all penalty periods prior to restoring their driving privileges. Nevada drivers license suspension periods may vary depending on several factors, including the type and severity of the committed violation.

For certain offenses, such as DUI, drivers may face two types of actions: administrative (imposed by the DMV) and criminal (issued by the court). In general, court-imposed driving license suspension or revocation periods and penalties are stricter than those issued by the DMV. The list below outlines various license suspensions and revocations and their corresponding penalty periods:

  • No-insurance offense: An NV suspended drivers license issued for 30 days.
  • First DUI misdemeanor: A 90-day driving license revocation.
  • Second DUI offense within a period of seven years: A Nevada revoked driving license for the duration of one year.
  • Any consecutive DUI violation within a seven-year period: A three-year revocation.

Nevada Point System

Driving license suspensions in Nevada will be also issued to drivers who accumulate too many negative points on their driving reports. You will have a suspended drivers license for six months if you amass 12 or more points within a period of 12 months. The number of negative points assigned to your driving record will vary based on the offense.

More serious traffic misdemeanors, including DUIs, will not be assigned demerit points. In such case, an NV revoked drivers license will be issued instead. Explore the list below to learn about several traffic violations and the points attached to each of them:

  • Reckless driving – 8 points.
  • Failure to render aid in case of an accident – 6 points.
  • Following too closely – 4 points.
  • Operating too slowly – 2 points.

As a general rule, demerit points will stay on your record for 12 months upon the date of conviction, after which they are deleted. When you accumulate three or more points due to serious offenses, you will receive a warning letter from the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles.

Traffic School in Nevada

Drivers who are facing a driving license suspension in Nevada due to an excess amount of negative points may enroll in a state-approved traffic school to avoid the penalty. To be eligible for this course, motorists must not have attended one within the last 12 months.

In case you have amassed between three and eleven points, thus facing being issued a Nevada suspended driving license, you may remove a maximum of three negative points, as long as the traffic school reports completion to the DMV. Though points are being removed from your driving record, convictions will remain part of your behind-the-wheel history.

Types of Nevada Driver’s License Suspensions

A suspended drivers license in NV may be issued for both driving- or non-driving related offenses. Drivers license suspensions are generally handed down for less severe infractions, such as lack of insurance, too many negative points, failure to pay for child support and more.

A Nevada revoked driving license, on the other hand, is issued for more serious misdemeanors such as alcohol test failure or DUI conviction. Various traffic offenses leading to a driving license suspension or revocation are mentioned in the list below:

  • Excessive accumulation of demerit points.
  • Failure to pay a traffic ticket or appear in court.
  • Failure to satisfy specific court-imposed requirements.
  • Failure to purchase and maintain vehicle insurance.
  • Operating while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Nevada DUI Suspensions

To reinstate drivers licenses in NV after a DUI-related traffic misdemeanor, motorists will be required to satisfy stricter penalties, since this is considered a serious traffic offense. A revoked driving license will be issued by the DMV in case drivers exceed the permitted level of alcohol while on the road. In addition to this, motorists may face separate actions by the court system.

Drivers Older Than 21

A Nevada revoked drivers license will be handed down to licensees who are caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or more. The following penalties and driving license reinstatement requirements will apply in the event of alcohol test failure and DUI conviction:

  • First DUI violation will result in a 90-day NV revoked driving license, a jail sentence ranging from two days to six months or 96 hours of community service and a fine up to $1,000. When reinstating driving licenses in such case, you may be required to attend an alcohol treatment program or a DUI school.
  • Second DUI offense within a period of seven years will lead to a one-year revocation of your credential, a jail sentence between 10 days and six months, a court-imposed fine ranging from $750 to $1,000 and possible community service. To reinstate your drivers license, you may need to complete a substance abuse program or be placed under clinical supervision.
  • Any subsequent offense within a seven-year timeframe will result in a revoked drivers license in Nevada for the duration of three years, a prison sentence of up to six years and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000. The NV driving license restoration procedure may oblige you to attend a three-year treatment program.

If you have caused death or serious injury of another person because of operating your motor vehicle while intoxicated, you will lose your privilege to drive for a period of three years and you may need to serve a jail sentence between two and 20 years, in addition to paying large fines.

Aside from the aforementioned drivers license reinstatement requirements, you may be also obliged to install an Ignition Interlock Device in your vehicle. Administrative actions may require you to submit proof of future financial responsibility to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Note: Motorists may be arrested and convicted of DUI for a blood alcohol concentration lower than .08. Prior to reinstating their driving license in NV, they may be able to request an administrative hearing to contest the penalty.

Drivers Younger Than 21

A 90-day Nevada driving license suspension will be issued to drivers younger than 21 years of age for a BAC of at least .02 but lower than .08. As part of the drivers license reinstatement process, in this case, young drivers may need to complete court-ordered alcohol or drug treatment in case prior evaluation indicates that such action is necessary. To restore their credential, minors may also need to file an SR-22 form to the DMV and satisfy additional court requirements.

Car Insurance Suspensions in Nevada

Motorists may be penalized with a drivers license suspension in Nevada due to failure to adhere to the mandatory car insurance laws. A suspended driving license for the duration of 30 days will be handed down if you do not purchase the following minimum liability coverage amounts:

  • $10,000 for property damage.
  • $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person.
  • $30,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person.

When reinstating suspended drivers licenses following a no-insurance offense, you may need to submit an SR-22 form as proof of future financial responsibility, allowing the DMV to monitor your insurance information. Other NV driving license reinstatement requirements will apply in addition.

Traffic Summons or Failure to Pay

Another reason leading to an NV drivers license suspension or revocation may be the failure to arrange payment for a traffic citation or appear in court. If you have been issued a traffic ticket, you must resolve your case in due time to avoid further penalties

Prior to reinstating your drivers license, you may need to satisfy all the conditions imposed by the court shown on your traffic ticket. In general, traffic citations may be resolved in person at a local court, though many courts in Nevada currently offer an online payment method as well.

Nevada Hardship Drivers License

Prior to completing a Nevada drivers license suspension period, drivers may be eligible to request a hardship (restricted) license. If you have a revoked or suspended driving license, but you need to drive to certain locations, this credential will allow you to do so.

Motorists with restricted licenses will be limited to drive for business, school or court-ordered purposes among others. The issuance of such credential will require licensees to submit specific documents when applying.

Applying for a Nevada Hardship License

To obtain a restricted credential while completing your NV drivers license suspension period, you will need to meet specific application requirements. First, you will have to fill out an Application for Restricted License and submit it along with proof of future financial responsibility to the details listed on the form.

Additionally, if you have a suspended driving license in Nevada due to excessive accumulation of negative points, you must enclose proof of a completed traffic school within the last six months to receive a hardship license.

Proof of an Ignition Interlock Device must be provided if you have been ordered to install one upon a DUI-offense. Finally, applicants may be required to pay the applicable drivers license reinstatement fees, and pass written, vision and road skills exams before receiving a restricted license. Note that to be eligible for this credential, you must serve at least half of the allotted penalty period.

Fees to Reinstate a Nevada Drivers License

When reinstating your drivers license in NV, paying the applicable reinstatement fees is mandatory to finish the process. In addition to the driving license restoration prices, you will be required to arrange payment for an original license to drive, as well as the driving exams (if applicable).

The total amount of the Nevada driving license reinstatement fee is usually based on the circumstances of your suspension or revocation. To reinstate your drivers license following a DUI-related offense, for instance, you will need to pay a fee set at $120. There is also a $35 alcohol or drug-related offense victim fee at the moment. Restoring your credential following offenses other than the aforementioned will require you to pay a fee in the amount of $75.

Prior to initiating the reinstatement process, you may also need to provide payment for additional fees or fines administered by entities different than the Nevada DMV. Since fees are subject to change without notice, contact a local NV DMV branch for updated information beforehand.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.