Nevada Teen Driving Laws

Driving Safety For Teens In Nevada

Nevada has multiple initiatives designed to help teens stay safe on the roads. Nevada uses a graduated licensing system to help teens get the experience they need to be safe drivers. While teens can drive alone after hours of practice and after taking a driving test, there are passenger restrictions and rules for driving at night. Additionally, Nevada prohibits anyone under 21 from operating a motor vehicle with measurable bodily alcohol content.

Nevada Teen Graduated Driver’s License Laws

Nevada uses a graduated license system for teen drivers, which requires them to follow this path:

• Learner’s (instruction) permit
• Provisional (intermediate) license
• Unrestricted (full) license

At age 15 ½, a teen may apply for a learner’s permit. With a permit, the teen must complete either 50 hours of driving and a classroom driver’s education course or 100 hours of driving practice if a classroom course is not offered within a 30-mile radius and the teen does not have internet access, before applying for a minor license. 

After six months with a permit, a teen may apply for a provisional license. The teen may drive alone with a minor license, but there are restrictions on transporting minors and driving at night. An 18-year-old may get a full, unrestricted license in Nevada.

Rules for Learner’s Permits in Nevada

At the age of 15 ½, a teen can get a driving permit. To obtain a driving permit in Nevada, a teen must meet these requirements:

• The teen must be at least 15 ½ years old on the day of application.
• A parent must apply with the teen.
• Pass a vision test.
• Pass a written test.
• Show proof of school attendance.

With a teen driving permit, the following rules apply:

• The teen may drive only with a licensed driver 21 years or older.
• The adult who supervises the teen must have one or more years of driving experience.
• Before getting a provisional license, the teen must complete 50 hours of driving with a parent or guardian — at least 10 of the hours must be at night.
• Before getting a provisional license, the teen must complete a driver’s education course that includes 30 hours of classroom or online instruction.

What Are the Rules for a 16-Year-Old Driver in Nevada?

A 16-year-old driver may drive with a permit or with a minor license. To get a permit, the driver must apply with a parent, take a vision and written test, and show proof of school attendance. 

After 50 hours of practice with the permit and a driver’s education course, a 16-year-old may take a driving test for an intermediate license. With an intermediate license, a 16-year-old may drive alone. They may not transport passengers under 18 except for family for the first six months. They also may not drive between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. except for work and school events.

Rules for a Provisional Driver’s License in Nevada

Here are the rules for a minor driver’s license in Nevada:

• At least 16 years of age.
• Must have a permit for at least six months.
• May not have any at-fault crashes, moving violations, or drug/alcohol offenses in the six-month permit period.
• Pass an on-the-road driving test.
• Must complete a driver’s education course in a classroom or online.
• Submit a log of 50 practice driving hours, or 100 hours if a driver’s education course wasn’t completed.
• May not transport a passenger under 18 years old, except family members, for the first six months.
• May not drive between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. except for school events and work.
• Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt at all times.

When a teenager turns 18, they may apply for a full unrestricted license.

Teen DUI Laws in Nevada

Teen DUI laws in Nevada make driving illegal for anyone under 21 with a blood alcohol content. Even if the teen is under the legal limit for people over 21, and even if the alcohol doesn’t impair the teen’s ability to drive, they still violate the law by driving with a blood alcohol content of .02 or above. Nevada Revised Statutes 483.462 is Nevada’s no-tolerance law for teen drivers.

Is Nevada a No-Tolerance State?

Yes, Nevada is a no-tolerance state. It’s illegal for a minor to operate a motor vehicle with any blood alcohol content. Even if the minor has a blood alcohol content under the legal limit for someone 21 or older, they still break the law because of their age. Driving with any bodily alcohol content of .02 or higher puts a minor in violation of the law.

Nevada teen driving laws also include zero-tolerance DUIs for any drug that causes impairment, regardless of whether the drug is legal or illegal. Even over-the-counter and prescription medications are included. 

Nevada Driving Laws Apply to Teens

In addition to their own graduated licensing system and no-tolerance DUI laws, all of the rules of the road apply to teen drivers. Teen drivers who do not follow traffic laws are subject to the same fines, license points, and criminal penalties that apply to adult drivers. All teens must understand and follow traffic laws to avoid license sanctions and most importantly, stay safe on the roads.

Parental Liability and Teen Car Accidents in Nevada

When a teenager is at fault for a car crash in Nevada, their parents can be held liable for any injuries and property damages based on the legal concept of vicarious liability. Basically, this means that parents are responsible for the negligent actions of their teenagers, even when they are not present. So, if your teen driver causes an accident, both your teen and you could be held negligent and liable for any damages and injuries they caused, as allowed under NRS 41.470. 

Parental Liability, Teen Car Crashes, and Insurance Challenges

When a teen is responsible for a car crash in Nevada, they are often covered under their parents’ policy, resulting in parental liability. So, you would file your injuries and property damage against this policy. However, if they are underinsured, you may have to file against your own policy if you have underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage.

In some cases, the teenager may have their own insurance policy and not be on their parents’ policy. Initially, you would file against the teen’s policy, but if your losses were more than their coverage limits, you may be allowed to seek further compensation from the teen’s parents through a lawsuit. 

Impacts for At-Fault Teen Drivers

• Increased insurance premiums
• Potential lawsuits
• Points added to their driver’s license
• Potential license suspension or revocation

Experienced Nevada Attorneys for Accidents Involving Teenage Drivers

Has your teen been in an accident? Are you wondering how to help them after a traffic accident? When an accident involves a teen, it can be especially complex.

Our team of skilled car accident attorneys can help you understand your child’s rights. We can help you make a plan to help your child after an accident. It’s never easy when your child is in a crash. Let us handle the stress and burden of the legal side of things and help your child start the path to recovery.

Your call is free and confidential. Call us today. We look forward to working with you.

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