Getting pulled over and receiving a ticket is never fun, but getting your license suspended sounds even worse. Every assigned traffic violation in Nevada has a specific number of demerit points assigned. Under Nevada’s demerit point system, a driver who accumulates 12 or more points on their driving record within a year, receives a 6-month suspension on their license. Demerit points are points added to the driver’s license depending on traffic violations and certain criminal traffic violations. It is always encouraged to obey the rules of the road to ensure the safety of everyone.
What are the Point Values for Traffic Violations?
There are many demerit point values for specific violations, but the main ones include:
- 1 Point:
- Speeding 1-10 mph over the listed speed limit
- Failure to Signal
- 2 Points:
- Speeding 11-20 mph over the listed speed limit
- Failure to use headlights
- Unsafe backing
- Motorcycle helmet violations
- 3 Points:
- Speeding 21-30 mph over the listed speed limit
- Unlawful U-Turn
- 4 Points:
- Speeding 31-40 mph over the listed speed limit
- Speeding 1-15 mph over the listed speed limit in a school zone
- Texting and driving
- Failure to yield to right-away
- Running a red light
- Running a stop sign
- Making an improper turn
- Tailgating or following too closely behind another vehicle
- 5 Points:
- Speeding 41 and over mph over the listed speed limit
- 6 Points:
- Speeding 16 and over mph over the listed speed limit in a school zone
- Careless driving
- Hit and run
How Does the Demerit System Work?
Drivers receive demerit points from the DMV when they get pulled over for a traffic violation. Receiving 12 points in a year causes the driver to get their license suspended for 6 months, with a restricted license after 3 months. The second time they get 12 points in a year within three years of the first conviction, their license is suspended for one year with a restricted license after 6 months. The third time within five years of their first conviction, the driver gets their license suspended for one year with no restricted license. Having a restricted license gives the driver rights to commute to and from important places such as work, school, the doctor, or court. Parking and non-moving traffic violations carry no demerit points. DUIs carry no demerit points because the DUI conviction itself will cause license suspension or revocation.
Point Removal
Demerit points disappear automatically after 12 months of receiving the first one. By completing a traffic safety course, you can get three points removed from your driving record. You are not allowed to attend traffic school more than once a year to remove three points from your driving record. Although the demerit points will disappear on your record after a year or completing driving school, the traffic violation will remain on your record, causing insurance rates to potentially rise. As a defendant, you are allowed to contest a license suspension by a DMV hearing, but they are very difficult to win. If you are a defendant and want to contest a license suspension, it is recommended that you hire an experienced DMV attorney to help you understand your case and what the next step is.
Reckless driving and not obeying the rules of the road is very dangerous for you, your loved ones, and your peers on the road. Here at Ticket Busters, we strongly encourage you to follow the rules of the road to lessen the chances of receiving a ticket. If you do receive a ticket, our qualified attorneys are here with you every step of the way to inform you about the seriousness of your ticket, and how you can battle it at court. Traffic school is highly encouraged so you can remove three points from your record and be well informed about the rules of the road, so you can avoid a license suspension.
