Quick Summary
Nevada uses a demerit point system (NRS 483.473) — accumulate 12+ points in 12 months and your license is suspended. Traffic school can remove up to 3 points once per year (NRS 483.4735). Most traffic tickets in Las Vegas are handled at Las Vegas Justice Court or Las Vegas Municipal Court, depending on where the violation occurred. Failure to appear triggers a bench warrant and additional fines.
Nevada's DMV Demerit Point System (NRS 483.473)
Nevada uses a demerit point system to track driving violations. Points are assessed against your driving record at the time of conviction — not when the ticket is issued. Points remain on your record for 12 months from the conviction date. If you accumulate 12 or more points within any 12-month period, the Nevada DMV will suspend your license.
NRS 483.473 — Demerit Point System
The Nevada DMV assesses demerit points for moving violations. Points accumulate from the date of conviction. Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period results in license suspension. The suspension period and reinstatement requirements depend on the total points and any prior suspensions.
| Violation | Points | NRS Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–10 mph over limit | 1 | NRS 484B.600 |
| Speeding 11–20 mph over limit | 2 | NRS 484B.600 |
| Speeding 21+ mph over limit | 3 | NRS 484B.600 |
| Failure to yield right of way | 4 | NRS 484B.257 |
| Reckless driving | 8 | NRS 484B.653 |
| Running a red light | 4 | NRS 484B.307 |
| Following too closely (tailgating) | 4 | NRS 484B.127 |
| Improper passing | 4 | NRS 484B.200 |
| Failure to stop for school bus | 4 | NRS 484B.363 |
| DUI (conviction) | 8 | NRS 484C.110 |
Common Traffic Fines in Nevada
Nevada traffic fines are set by statute and assessed by the courts, which may add various surcharges. Amounts shown are approximate base fines — actual total fines are typically higher due to state assessments and court fees:
| Violation | Approximate Base Fine | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic speeding (1–10 mph over) | $205+ | Increases with mph over limit; school/work zones doubled |
| No seatbelt (driver) | $115 | Primary enforcement; NRS 484D.495 |
| Handheld cell phone (1st offense) | $50 | NRS 484B.165; 2nd offense $100; 3rd $250 |
| Running a red light | $305+ | Camera enforcement also used |
| Failure to yield to pedestrian | $305+ | Crosswalk violations heavily enforced in LV |
| Reckless driving | $1,000+ | Misdemeanor; also 8 demerit points |
| No proof of insurance | $250–$1,000 | NRS 485.187; license suspension possible |
*Fine amounts include state assessment surcharges and are approximate. Verify current amounts with the issuing court before making any payment.
Traffic School: Removing Points (NRS 483.4735)
Nevada allows drivers to attend an approved defensive driving course to reduce demerit points on their record. Under NRS 483.4735, completing traffic school removes up to 3 demerit points — but with important limitations:
- Traffic school may only be used once per 12-month period
- The course must be DMV-approved
- Traffic school does not dismiss the violation from your driving record — it only removes up to 3 points
- Traffic school cannot be used for DUI, reckless driving, or some other serious offenses
- Commercial drivers face stricter restrictions — many violations cannot be masked via traffic school for CDL purposes
Tip: Check Your DMV Point Balance
You can check your Nevada DMV point balance online at dmvnv.com. Your driving record shows the number of points currently on file, any suspensions, and the dates of recent convictions. Knowing your point balance before deciding whether to contest a ticket is important — one more conviction might trigger suspension.
How to Contest a Traffic Ticket in Las Vegas
Most Clark County traffic tickets are handled at Las Vegas Justice Court (for unincorporated Clark County and areas outside city limits) or Las Vegas Municipal Court (for violations within the City of Las Vegas city limits). Henderson and North Las Vegas have their own courts for violations within their jurisdictions.
Option 1: Trial by Declaration (Written Hearing)
Nevada allows drivers to contest traffic tickets through a written declaration — a Trial by Declaration — where you submit your written account of the incident to the court for the judge to review alongside the officer's report. This option is convenient because you do not need to appear in court. If you lose, you can often still request an in-person trial. Check your specific court's rules for availability.
Option 2: In-Person Trial
You may appear in court and contest the ticket before a judge. The issuing officer must also appear and testify. If the officer does not appear, the case is typically dismissed. You can cross-examine the officer, present evidence (photographs, dashcam footage, witness testimony), and make legal arguments. A traffic attorney can significantly improve your chances by identifying procedural defects in the citation and cross-examining the officer effectively.
Failure to Appear: Consequences Are Serious
If you miss your traffic court date without responding to or appearing for a citation, a bench warrant will be issued for your arrest. Additional fines of $100 or more will be assessed, and your license may be suspended. Contact the court immediately if you miss a hearing date — most courts will allow you to recall the warrant by appearing promptly.
Commercial Drivers and Serious Violations
Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders face stricter rules under both Nevada law and federal regulations. Key differences:
- CDL holders may not use traffic school to mask certain violations for federal licensing purposes
- A CDL is disqualified for 1 year after a first DUI conviction (NRS 483.460)
- Serious traffic violations in a commercial vehicle (speeding 15+ mph over, reckless driving, improper lane change) can trigger CDL disqualification after two convictions within 3 years
- Out-of-state violations are reported to Nevada DMV under the Driver License Compact
If you hold a commercial driver's license and received a traffic citation, consulting a traffic defense attorney before paying the fine is especially important — simply paying the fine is a conviction that will appear on your CDL record.
Special Situations: School Zones, Work Zones, and DUI
Certain circumstances double or triple standard fines and add additional penalties:
- School zones: Fines are doubled during school hours (NRS 484B.603). Speeding near a school also adds additional demerit points.
- Work/construction zones: Fines are doubled in designated work zones when workers are present (NRS 484B.130).
- DUI (NRS 484C.110): Not a simple traffic violation — it is a criminal offense. First offense is a misdemeanor carrying mandatory fines ($400+), jail or community service, DUI school, and 1-year license revocation. See our separate DUI guide at /dui.html.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada suspends your driver's license if you accumulate 12 or more demerit points within any 12-month period under NRS 483.473. Points are tracked by the Nevada DMV and remain on your record for 1 year from the date of conviction — not from the date of the traffic stop.
Yes. Under NRS 483.4735, completing an approved defensive driving course removes up to 3 demerit points from your record, but only once per 12-month period. Traffic school does not dismiss the fine or remove the underlying violation from your driving history — it only reduces points. Some violations (DUI, reckless driving) are ineligible for traffic school treatment.
For Clark County traffic citations, contest the ticket at Las Vegas Justice Court (or Henderson/North Las Vegas Justice Court for violations in those jurisdictions). Enter a not guilty plea by the deadline shown on your citation. You may request a Trial by Declaration (written) or an in-person trial. A traffic attorney can help identify defects in the citation and represent you without requiring you to appear.
Failure to appear results in a bench warrant being issued for your arrest, an additional fine of $100 or more, and potential license suspension. Contact the court immediately if you miss a traffic court date — most courts will recall the warrant if you appear promptly. Do not ignore the situation, as outstanding warrants can lead to arrest during routine traffic stops.
Yes. Radar detectors are legal in private passenger vehicles in Nevada. However, federal law (49 CFR 392.71) prohibits radar detectors in commercial motor vehicles over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Laser jammers are a separate category — their legality depends on how they operate and applicable law. Consult an attorney if you have specific questions about a particular device.