Suspended license in Nevada: points, other causes, and how to reinstate

How the points system works

Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.

The Nevada DMV calls it the Demerit Point System: the DMV assigns demerit points for moving-violation convictions reported by the courts, and accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months results in an automatic six-month license suspension. Serious offenses such as DUI do not use the point system and lead directly to suspension or revocation.

Points period stated by the agency: 1 year. Demerit points expire 12 months after the date of conviction, while the conviction stays on the permanent driving record. NAC 483.500 accumulates demerits for the 12-month period preceding the latest conviction and deletes a violation's demerits when 12 months have elapsed from its conviction date.

“Accumulating 12 or more points within 12 months results in an automatic 6-month license suspension.”

“Demerit points expire 12 months after the date of conviction. However, the conviction stays on your permanent driving record.”

Check points or the driving record: dmv.nv.gov

Traffic school and point reduction

A driver with 3 to 11 demerit points may have three points removed by completing a course at a DMV-licensed traffic safety school, but only if the course was not part of a plea bargain or court order; the conviction remains on the driving history. Schools report completion directly to the DMV. The DMV lists course length as 5 hours with 2 or fewer violations and 8 hours with 3 or more. NRS 483.475 provides for cancelling not more than 3 demerit points, once in 12 months.

“If you have 3 to 11 points, you may be eligible to remove 3 points by completing a DMV-approved traffic safety course. This option is not available if the course was part of a plea bargain with the court.”

Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one

These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.

Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension

Reinstatement fee: $75. The DMV fee table lists $75 for Reinstatement for Any Other Offense; reinstatement for an alcohol or controlled substance offense is $120 plus a $35 Victim Impact Fee. The suspension page states that the reinstatement fee amount varies by violation.

“Reinstatement for Any Other Offense”

1. Get a 10-year driver history and resolve all court matters

   The DMV describes the 10-year driver history as the first step because it shows all withdrawals from the past 10 years and multiple suspensions can be active at once. For a court-related suspension such as Failure to Appear, all court matters must be resolved first and the court issues a Clearance Letter.

   “If your license is suspended due to a court-related issue such as Failure to Appear, you must resolve all court matters before reinstatement.”

2. Obtain SR-22 insurance if the suspension requires it

   An SR-22 is required when the issue relates to a DUI, revocation, accident, lapse of SR-22 or lapse of insurance. The three-year SR-22 requirement begins at reinstatement, and an SR-22 obtained before reinstatement does not count.

   “Obtain SR-22 Insurance if your issue relates DUI, revocation, accident, lapse of SR-22, lapse of insurance”

3. Present the Certificate of Compliance and pay reinstatement fees

   Reinstatement fees vary by violation; the fee table lists $75 for any offense other than an alcohol or controlled substance offense.

   “Present Certificate of Compliance Pay Reinstatement Fees (Amount varies by violation)”

4. Pass written testing if required and wait out the suspension period

   Some suspensions require the full period to elapse before reinstatement.

   “Pass Written Testing (if required) Wait for Suspension Period (Some require full period to elapse)”

5. Reinstate in person for court-order suspensions

   Reinstatement after a court-order suspension such as Failure to Appear must be completed in person at a DMV office.

   “You must reinstate your license in person at a DMV office if suspension due to court orders like “Failure to Appear”.”

Official page: dmv.nv.gov

After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Nevada.

Driving during a non-DUI suspension

Available in some cases · Restricted License. Drivers whose license is suspended or revoked and who have served at least half of the withdrawal period may apply for a restricted license to drive on the job, to and from work, school, the grocery store, medical appointments, or for court-ordered child visitation. For a demerit-point suspension, proof of completion of or enrollment in an approved traffic safety course within the past six months is required (NAC 483.225). An application is denied if the suspension was for financial responsibility, medical or failure-to-appear reasons, for certain convictions in the past five years, or for the third demerit point suspension within five years. A restricted license cannot be approved for commercial driving or to seek employment.

“Individuals who have had their license suspended or revoked and have served at least half of their withdrawal period may apply for a restricted license to drive on the job or to/from work, school, grocery store, medical appointments or for court-ordered child visitation.”

For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Nevada.