You may already have a driver’s
license. (You were eligible for a provisional driver’s
license at age 16.) But now that you are 18, the law applies
to you differently in some instances. For example, you can
be employed as a driver now. On the other hand, being caught
with a beer or other alcoholic beverage - whether you are in
a car or far from one - could still result in the temporary
loss of your driving privileges.
How does the law treat me differently
now that I’m 18?
The greatest change may be that the law now holds you (not
just your parents) responsible for your actions. At age 18,
you assume liability for your own traffic violations or accidents.
It is your responsibility to know (and follow) the rules of
the road described in the Nevada Driver Handbook. When you
were younger, your parents could be held legally responsible
for at least some damages and financial losses caused by your
actions. See N.R.S. 483.300.
Do I need my own car insurance?
Yes, you must carry insurance and have proof of insurance in
order to drive a vehicle. Further, a person shall not operate
the motor vehicle of another unless he knows the required
evidence of insurance is present in the motor vehicle and
he has his own evidence of insurance which covers him as
the operator. See N.R.S. 485.187. If you are a student, your
parents may be able to continue to carry you on their car
insurance while you operate their vehicles or if your parents
are co-owners of your car. Otherwise, you will have to get
your own insurance.
Also, when you buy a car, you will either receive the original
Certificate of Title or a copy, commonly known as the “pink
slip.” You will receive the original certificate if
you paid cash for the car. You will receive a copy of the certificate
if you financed the car; the original certificate will remain
with the lender until you pay off the loan. The Certificate
of Title is a very important document, as it contains detailed
information about the car and provides proof of ownership.
When a car changes ownership, the seller is required to sign
this certificate and to have it recorded within 10 days by
the Department of Motor Vehicles to finalize the transfer and
discharge the seller from any further responsibilities connected
with that particular vehicle. See N.R.S. 482.426.
If I don’t already have a driver’s license
at age 18, how do I get one?
First of all, you no longer have to meet the special requirements
nor are you subject to the restrictions that apply to younger
drivers. For example, you do not have to complete formal diver’s
education or training to apply for a driver’s license.
Instead, you must simply:
 Apply
in person.
Be a Nevada resident and provide a Nevada address.
Provide acceptable proof of your name, date of birth and
Social Security number.
Complete a Driver License Application and pay the required
fee.
Surrender any existing U.S. License, permit or I.D. card.
Pass the vision test and the driver’s knowledge test.
Have your picture taken. N.R.S. 483.290.
You will then be issued an instruction permit that will allow
you to drive on public roads if accompanied by someone over
21 years of age. (He or she must be sitting close enough to
grab the steering wheel if necessary.) Then, to get your actual
driver’s license, you must pass a driving test and provide
proof of financial responsibility. For more information, visit
the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicle website at www.dmvnv.com.
 What could happen if I drive after drinking a beer or two?
You are putting yourself and others in danger. Teenagers are more than twice
as likely as adult drivers to be involved in a fatal, alcohol-related crash,
according to the Department of Motor Vehicles. It is illegal for anyone to drive
under the influence of alcohol. Drivers can not have a blood-alcohol concentration
of 0.08 percent or more in their blood or breath. See N.R.S. 484.379. Further,
it is illegal for any driver to be under the influence of a controlled substance.
Any person who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle on a highway
or on premises to which the public has access shall be deemed to have given his
consent to a preliminary test of his breath to determine the concentration of
alcohol in his breath. See N.R.S. 484.382. If a person fails to submit to the
test, the officer shall seize his license and arrest him. Further, any person
who drives shall be deemed to have given his consent to an evidentiary test of
his blood, urine, breath or other bodily substance to determine the concentration
of alcohol or controlled substance. See N.R.S. 484.383. If a person to be tested
fails to submit to the test and an officer has reasonable grounds to believe
that the person was driving and under the influence, the officer may direct that
reasonable force be used to the extent necessary to obtain samples of blood.
If a person to be tested is under the age of 18 the officer shall, before testing,
make a reasonable attempt to notify the parent or guardian.
If I’m caught drinking alcohol with my friends, can
my driver’s license be taken away?
Yes. If you are under 21 and are cited for drinking alcohol
at a party, you could wind up with a suspended driver’s
license - even if you were nowhere near a car at the time.
If a person less than 21 years of age is caught with a concentration
of alcohol of 0.02 or more but less than 0.08 in his blood
or breath at the time of the test, his license, permit or privilege
to drive must be suspended for a period of 90 days. See N.R.S.
483.461.
Do I need a permit or license to operate a motorized scooter?
Yes. A moped is a vehicle, even though it looks and handles
essentially like a bicycle and is propelled by a small engine,
is designed to travel on not more than three wheels and is
capable of a maximum speed of not more than 30 miles per
hour. See N.R.S. 483.088.
Do I need a license to ride a bicycle?
No. There is no state law requiring a license to ride a bicycle.
A person riding a bicycle must ride upon or astride a permanent
and regular seat which is attached to the bicycle. See N.R.S.
484.505. A person riding a bicycle must keep at least one
hand upon the handle bars. See N.R.S. 484.511. A bicycle
used at night must be equipped with a front light, a red
rear reflector, and side reflectors. See N.R.S. 484.513.
Do bicycle riders have to follow the same traffic laws as motorists?
Yes. Every person riding a bicycle upon a roadway has all of
the rights and is subject to all of the duties applicable to
the driver of a vehicle. See N.R.S. 484.503.
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Laws That Young
Drivers Should Know
Reckless driving: Nevada law prohibits driving a vehicle
on a highway or in an off-street parking facility in willful
or wanton disregard for the safety of others or property.This
includes but is not limited to speed contests. See N.R.S.
484.377. If the reckless driving results in death or substantial
bodily harm of another, the driver is guilty of a category
B felony and shall be punished by imprisonment in the state
prison for a minimum term of not less that 1 year and a
maximum term of not more than 6 years, or by a fine of
not more than $5,000, or by both fine and imprisonment.
Nevada also has a statute which penalizes aggressive driving.
See N.R.S. 484.3765.
Littering: Nevada law makes it a misdemeanor to throw
anything at or from a moving vehicle. See N.R.S. 202.185
and 484.465.
Accidents: In Nevada, you must stop after any accident
you are involved in wherein someone is injured or another
person’s property is damaged. See N.R.S. 484.219
and 484.221. You must render or see to the rendering of
reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident.
See N.R.S. 484.223. A person failing to stop at an accident
involving injury or death is guilty of a category B felony
that could result in imprisonment in the state prison for
a minimum term of not less that 2 years and a maximum term
of not more than 15 years and by a fine of not less that
$2,000 nor more than $5,000. See N.R.S. 484.219. You also
must exchange names, addresses, vehicle registration number,
driver’s licenses and other relevant information.
If no police officer is present, the accident shall be
reported to the nearest office of a police authority or
the Nevada Highway Patrol. A report must be made within
10 days when injury or death occurs or damages are $750
or more. See N.R.S. 484.229(1). If a person willfully fails,
refuses or neglects to make a report of an accident, he
may have his driving privileges suspended for 1 year unless
terminated by receipt of the report and evidence that the
failure to report was not willful. See N.R.S. 484.236.
Driving without a license: In Nevada, it is a misdemeanor
to drive without a valid driver’s license. Also,
the law requires drivers to have their licenses with them
while driving. Driving with a suspended or revoked license
is a misdemeanor that could result in up to six months
in jail and/or a fine of not less than $500 nor more than
$1,000. See N.R.S. 483.560.
Cell phones and driving:
There is currently no law against talking on a cell phone
while driving. But keep in mind that mixing the two could
cause a traffic accident. Also, you may be more likely
to drive erratically and wind up with a traffic citation
for impeding the flow of traffic, failing to stay in your
lane or other types of distracted driving.
Seat belts/child passenger restraints: It is illegal to
operate a motor vehicle unless the driver and all passengers
are properly restrained by safety belts. See N.R.S. 484.641.
Children must be secured in federally approved safety seats
until they are either 6 years of age or weigh 60 pounds.
See N.R.S. 484.474.
Unattended child in a motor vehicle: It is against the
law to leave a child (7 years of age or younger) unattended
in a motor vehicle if there is risk to the child’s
health and safety or the engine is running or the keys
are in the ignition. See N.R.S. 202.575. In such situations,
the child must be supervised by a responsible person, 12
years of age or older.
Ignoring Flagmen: It is unlawful for a driver of a motor
vehicle to fail or refuse to comply with any signal of
an authorized Flagman serving in a traffic control capacity
in a clearly marked area of highway construction or maintenance.
See N.R.S. 484.254. If injury results or damage to property
of $1,000 or more, the driver can be fined not less that
$1,000 or more than $2,000 and ordered to perform 120 hours
of community service. |
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