Nevada DMV Cheat Sheet
A condensed study guide for the Nevada DMV written knowledge test — test logistics, plus the Nevada-specific rules most likely to differ from what you already know. This isn't a substitute for the official Nevada driver's manual, or for practicing the real questions. Looking for the core rules and signs that apply everywhere, not just Nevada? Check the general driving theory cheat sheet instead.
25Questions
80%To Pass
$41.25 original license (under 65) / $22.25 instruction permitFee
- Test length varies: Nevada's knowledge test allows a maximum of 25 questions, but uses computer-adaptive testing that stops automatically once you reach either 20 correct answers or 6 incorrect answers -- 80% is needed to pass. This site's own Nevada practice test models the standard 25-question, 80%-passing format.
- Fee: A Nevada original driver license (under 65) costs $41.25; an instruction permit is $22.25. Drivers 65+ pay a flat $17.25 for an original, duplicate, renewal, or instruction permit. The initial knowledge/skills test is $25, each retest is $10.
- Documents required:
- Proof of full legal name and date of birth (birth certificate, passport, or equivalent)
- Proof of Social Security number (signed SS card, W-2, 1099, or paystub)
- Two documents proving Nevada residency (for a Real ID)
- Completed driver license application
- Parent/guardian co-signature if under 18
- If you don't pass: Each knowledge or skills retest costs $10. The manual does not publish a fixed wait period between attempts.
- Online testing: Nevada's knowledge test is administered using automated testing equipment or a paper test at a DMV office; applicants who have trouble reading or understanding the written test may request an oral examination, and Class C/motorcycle testing is also available in Spanish.
Nevada-Specific Rules
Minor & Provisional Licensing
- A Nevada instruction permit can be issued starting at age 15½ and stays valid for one year, requiring a vision test, a knowledge test, and a parent/guardian to authorize issuance.
- A Class C permit holder must be supervised by a licensed driver 21+ with at least one year of experience, seated beside them.
- A Class M permit holder must drive in daylight only, carry no passengers, avoid freeways, and stay under direct supervision of a licensed motorcyclist 21+ with a year of experience (who can't supervise from a car).
- Applicants under 18 must hold the instruction permit at least 6 months before applying for a license.
- Driver education has three paths: a local DMV-approved school, an online DMV-approved school, or -- only if not within 30 miles of a school and without internet access -- 100 hours of driving (10 after dark).
- A teen within 30 miles of a DMV-approved school needs 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving, 10 of them at night.
- A minor must stay free of at-fault crashes, moving violations, and alcohol/drug convictions for the six months right before licensing.
- A driver licensed at 16-17 can't carry non-family passengers under 18 for the first 6 months, and faces a 10 p.m.-5 a.m. curfew (with a scheduled-event exception) until turning 18.
Licensing Procedure & Documents
- A new Nevada resident must apply for a Nevada driver license within 30 days of becoming a resident.
- A first-time license (under 65) is valid 8 years, expiring on your birthday; drivers 65+ get a license valid 4 years.
- A Driver Authorization Card (available without an SSN) is valid 4 years; all DAC renewals/address changes must be done in person.
- An out-of-state transfer applicant 21+ can skip everything but the vision test with a valid same-class license, fewer than 3 violations in 4 years, and no DUI in 7 years.
- The knowledge test maxes out at 25 questions but stops automatically at 20 correct or 6 wrong answers -- 80% to pass.
- A Real ID needs two Nevada residency documents; Real ID cards show a gold outline and star cutout, standard cards say "NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES."
- An under-18 applicant's co-signer (parent/guardian) shares liability for damages from the minor's negligence or willful misconduct.
DUI Laws & Penalties
- Refusing a chemical test means license revocation for 1 year on a first refusal, 3 years if already revoked for the same reason within 7 years.
- A 0.08%+ BAC (or any detectable controlled substance) triggers an automatic 185-day revocation; under-21 drivers hit the same 185-day revocation at just 0.02%-0.08%.
- A first DUI conviction: revocation of at least 185 days, 2 days to 6 months in jail (or 48-96 hours community service), $400-$1,000 fine; a second within 7 years jumps to a 1-year revocation.
- Nevada's marijuana impairment threshold is 2 ng/mL blood (5 ng/mL for the metabolite).
- A DUI conviction stays on your driving record 7 years, versus 3 years for most other violations.
Driving Privilege: Points & License Actions
- 12 or more demerit points in any 12-month period means license suspension.
- A traffic safety course removes up to 3 demerit points, but only once in any 12-month period.
- A $750+ crash with no liability insurance suspends both your license and vehicle registration.
- Point values: 8 for reckless driving, 6 for careless driving, 4 for failing to yield or disobeying a signal/stop sign, up to 5 for speeding 41+ mph over.
Rules of the Road
- Handheld voice calls need a hands-free accessory; handheld texting/browsing is banned outright except to report an emergency.
- HOV lanes need 2+ people per vehicle (a baby counts) during posted hours; motorcycles are always eligible.
- Approaching a stopped emergency/utility/service vehicle: slow below the limit, proceed with caution, move to a non-adjacent lane only if it's safe to do so.
- At an intersection, yield to an approaching emergency vehicle, pull to the right edge clear of the intersection, and stop until it passes.
Insurance & Financial Responsibility
- Minimum liability coverage: $25,000 for one person's injury/death, $50,000 for two or more, $20,000 for property damage.
- A crash not investigated by police, causing $750+ damage or any injury, needs an SR-1 crash report filed within 10 days.
- Out-of-state insurance isn't accepted -- a new resident must notify their insurer of the move or buy a new Nevada policy.
- A new resident must register their vehicle within 30 days of establishing residency or getting a Nevada license, whichever comes first.
- An insurance lapse leading to suspension costs a reinstatement fee/fines from $250 up to $1,750 per vehicle, plus possible SR-22 and a 30-day license suspension.
Child Passenger Safety
- Children under 6 or under 57 inches need an approved child restraint; children under 2 specifically need a rear-facing restraint in the back seat.
- The driver and passengers 6+ must wear a seat belt if the vehicle has one; 1970+ vehicles need lap belts for every passenger plus front shoulder harnesses.
- Leaving a child 7 or younger unattended in a vehicle during a significant health/safety risk is a misdemeanor, unless supervised within sight by someone at least 12 years old.
Rules and fees change — always confirm current details with Nevada DMV before your exam. Cheat sheet v1.0, last checked 2026-08-02.