The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles implements a demerit system for drivers who commit different types of offenses within the state’s roads. These points are retained on the offending driver’s license and record for the next twelve months, after which it will reset to zero. A driver must receive at least 12 demerit points within this twelve-month period for their license to be suspended.
The number of points awarded depend on the severity of the offense. Let’s look at the various grades of demerit points an offending driver may receive in Nevada.
Light Offenses
Light traffic offenses receive the lowest amount of points, either one or two points depending on the type. However, while they are lower on the scale, they are still potentially dangerous traffic crimes for the offender, other drivers, and pedestrians. Otherwise, they only count as inconveniencing other drivers and disrupting regular traffic. These offenses are:
Going beyond the speed limit, depending on how many miles above the limit was recorded. Going between 1 and 10 mph above counts for one point, while going between 11 and 20 mph counts towards two points.
Driving too fast during certain road conditions or prima facie overspeeding counts for 2 demerit points.
Failure to dim headlights merits two points.
Impeding traffic or going below the minimum road speed counts for two points.
Middle Level Offenses
These traffic crimes are more serious than those in the previous section. Crimes committed in this section have a serious chance to cause injury or death if left unchecked. These include the following:
Going between 21 and 40 mph above the speed limit. 21-30 mph violations are marked by 3 demerit points while 31-40 mph violations equate to 4 demerit points.
Disobeying traffic signs and symbols equates to 4 points.
Using a mobile phone by hand while driving counts for 4 points. The same number counts for subsequent citations.
Passing ahead of a signaling bus equates to 4 points.
Disregarding right-of-way rules in public roads counts for 4 points.
Tailgating or driving dangerously close to another vehicle’s rear-end also counts for 4 points.
Severe Offenses
These are the highest level of traffic offenses that a driver can receive demerit points for. These violations can and will lead to severe property damage, injuries, or death if not dealt with promptly.
Driving above the speed limit at 41mph and beyond counts for 5 demerit points.
Not rendering assistance or exchanging contact information during a road accident counts for 6 points.
Careless driving (ie, driving without fully focusing on the road, driving while being negligent of road signals and signs, driving while ignoring unsafe car conditions) equates to 6 points.
Reckless driving (ie, intentionally dangerous driving) merits 8 points. It is currently the highest on the points scale and the one with the most severe penalties even for first-time citations.
Traffic demerit points can easily fill up, leading to a quick license suspension that lasts for at least a year. Stay informed about situations that can lead to you receiving these demerit points. Ask your lawyer about how to avoid these situations, or how to contest a possible license suspension.