Nevada Traffic Fines and Costs

The state of Nevada varies greatly from town to town, in terms of population. There are, of course, huge cities like Reno and Las Vegas, but for every one of those, there are dozens of towns with populations under 100,000. Because of this population disparity, Nevada traffic fines also vary widely, depending on where you are.

Nevada Point System

All Nevada traffic tickets come with point values assigned to them-the more serious the offense, the greater the point value. These points sit on your driving record, and last for one year, starting with the date of the offense (although the violation itself will remain). If you accrue between 3 and 11 points within a calendar year, you will be eligible to enroll in a Nevada DMV-licensed safety course. This course, available to drivers only once per year, wipes 3 points from your record.

If your driver record has more than 3 points (and you should always check your driver record so that you know), taking this course can keep you from having your insurance rates go up. If you have a track record of traffic tickets, your insurance company will take notice. If they see you as a risky driver, you become a liability to them. Their reaction, more often than not, is to make you pay more money for the same insurance policy. But if they never see the points on your record, they'll never know about your Nevada traffic violations, you will forever remain an angelic driver with a squeaky-clean record, and your rates will stay nice and low.

Drivers License Suspension and Revocation

Many drivers cannot immediately tell the difference between getting their license revoked, and getting it suspended-particularly if they are relatively safe drivers. A license suspension is a temporary withdrawal of driving privileges, and a revocation is when your license is terminated. If your license has been revoked, you'll have to reapply (when you are able) to drive again, and often retake the written, driving, and possibly vision tests, whereas with a suspension, you're able to resume driving once the duration of the suspension is up.

Some of the more common reasons that a license is suspended include:

• Failure to pay child support
• Street racing
• Collision with a cyclist or pedestrian
• Violating Nevada DUI laws
• Conviction for drawing a graffito
• Insufficient automobile insurance
• Earning 12 or more points on your driving record

Penalties for Juvenile Drivers

If you're underage, there are some additional violations that could earn you a suspended or revoked license:

• Violations that involve firearms
• Possession, or use, of alcohol and drugs
• Certain curfew violations

Penalties for Nevada Commercial Drivers

Likewise, if you're the driver of a commercial vehicle in the state of Nevada, you face different restrictions. Because you drive professionally, you're held to a higher standard than that of a recreational driver. There are several offenses that will get your commercial license revoked for 1 year, and they are broken down into two categories: Major Offenses, and Serious Offenses.

Major Offenses

• Driving (any vehicle) with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.08% or higher
• Driving (commercial vehicle) with a Blood Alcohol Content of 0.04% or higher
• Fleeing the scene of an accident
• Negligent driving that results in a fatality
• Driving your commercial vehicle on a suspended license
• Use of a vehicle in committing a felony

Serious Offenses

• Reckless driving, improper lane changes, or following too closely
• Driving a commercial vehicle without a commercial drivers license (this includes not having it in your possession or without the proper endorsement)
• Violating the state of Nevada's texting while driving laws
• Speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the posted speed limit (Nevada speeding ticket fines can increase if the violation is considered reckless)

CDL Disqualifications

On top of all that, a commercial driver may face a license suspension that ranges anywhere from 180 days to a full year if they are convicted of violating an out-of-service order while transporting non-hazardous materials, or hazardous materials that require placards, or while transporting 16 or more passengers.

By understanding the rules of the road, and the penalties for failure to obey them, drivers will be able to keep the streets safe. If you practice safe driving, you'll never have to worry about Nevada speeding ticket fines, or DUI convictions, and you'll be able to enjoy the open road.