Dealing with a Nevada traffic ticket can be nerve-racking, no matter your experience behind the wheel.
You may wonder how long the ticket will stay on your record and whether it’s possible to have it dismissed. Maybe you’re unsure how to pay the fine, or if there’s a smarter way to handle it.
Don’t worry, we can help. Here we’ll answer all your questions about Nevada traffic tickets – and how to deal with them.
How Many Traffic Tickets Are Issued in Nevada Each Year?
Nevada’s law enforcement agencies issued 1,425,762 traffic citations between 2018 and 2021. That’s an average of 475,254 traffic tickets per year, most of which related to failure to use due care, reckless driving, and careless driving.
These figures haven’t changed much over the past few years. In 2023, state agencies issued thousands of tickets for speeding alone.
What Happens If You Get a Traffic Ticket in Nevada?
Any tickets issued for moving violations carry up to eight demerit points in Nevada, depending on the severity of the offense. You’ll also have to pay a fine and, in some cases, may face criminal charges.
For example, driving 10 mph over the Nevada speed limit is punishable by one demerit point and a fine of up to $200. But if you exceed the speed limit by 40 mph, you’ll get a maximum fine of $1,000 plus four demerit points. On top of that, you’ll be charged with a misdemeanor and may receive up to six months of jail time.
A traffic ticket can also raise your insurance premiums. Even minor offenses, such as running a stop sign, will go on your record unless the charge is dismissed. The conviction will be available to insurance companies, resulting in higher insurance costs.
Read: Nevada Speeding Fines: How Much Are They?
How Can I Look Up My Traffic Ticket?
Most Nevada courts have online portals where drivers can look up the tickets they received. Simply follow these steps:
- Access the Supreme Court of Nevada website.
- Select the court in charge of your case.
- Go to the court’s website or payment portal.
- Click Case/Citation Lookup (like here) or use the search function to find your case information. The second option typically requires entering your name, driver’s license number, and/or ticket number.
Some courts don’t have such a system, but you can reach out by phone or email to inquire about your case. If you’re not sure which court is handling your case, check out this map or contact the DMV.
Note that it can take several days to three weeks or longer for the court to receive your citation from law enforcement. So, if you were ticketed recently, your case may not yet appear in the court’s system.
Do You Have to Sign a Ticket in Nevada?
Yes, you must sign or accept a copy of the ticket as soon as you receive it. Your signature is not an admission of guilt, but a promise to pay the fine or appear in court by the due date on the citation.
How to Pay a Traffic Ticket Online?
You can pay a Nevada traffic ticket online via the court’s website. Visit the Nevada Supreme Court page for ticket payment to select the court in charge of your case and access the payment portal.
Next, enter your name, citation number, and other relevant details along with your credit or debit card information. Wait to receive a confirmation number, and save it for your records.
How to Fight a Traffic Ticket?
If you choose to fight the charges, plead not guilty and request a trial before the “appear by” date on your ticket. Depending on the court, you may enter your plea in person or by mail.
Once this step is completed, decide whether you want to hire an attorney or represent yourself. In either case, you must gather evidence in your favor.
For example, if you’re charged with speeding, you may use dashcam or traffic camera footage, radar gun calibration records, GPS data, photos, and more. The goal is to build a strong defense and have the charge dismissed or reduced.
Whether you should seek legal help depends on your driving history and the nature of your offense. For instance, you may not need a lawyer for minor traffic offenses like running a red light or stop sign – unless you’re about to lose your driver’s license.
However, you should ask an attorney to look over your case if you’re charged with a DUI, reckless driving, or hit-and-run. These are major violations that can result in a criminal record, jail time, and license suspension.
Read: How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Nevada
How Can I Get a Traffic Ticket Dismissed?
Under Nevada law, there are three ways to get a traffic ticket dismissed:
- Contest the citation in court – and win the case
- Complete Nevada traffic school
- Request a plea bargain
Let’s assume you want to dismiss a speeding ticket. One way to do that is to enter a plea bargain.
With this option, the court may agree to drop the charges if you attend a DMV-approved traffic school, do community service, or maintain a clean driving record for six months or longer.
How to Get a Ticket Reduced to a Non-Moving Violation?
In some cases, it’s possible to get a ticket reduced to a non-moving violation, which carries lower fines and less-severe penalties than speeding, texting and driving, careless driving, or other moving offenses.
One solution is to complete Nevada traffic school. For example, the Las Vegas Justice Court offers this option for drivers who:
- Committed no more than one moving violation within the last three years.
- Are charged with an infraction, such as disobeying traffic signs.
- Take a five-hour traffic safety course.
- Agree to pay the fine associated with the ticket.
If you meet these requirements, the court will reduce the charges to a non-moving violation. As a result, no points will be added to your license.
You could also pay a demerit point reduction fee instead of attending traffic school. However, this option is only available in Clark County, Nye County, and a few other jurisdictions, not statewide.
Alternatively, request a plea deal and ask the court to amend your ticket to a non-moving violation. Plea bargains are usually offered for minor offenses like speeding 10 mph over the limit or running a red light.
When Can I Go to Traffic School for a Ticket in Nevada?
Nevada residents can attend traffic school for point reduction no more than once every 12 months. To qualify, you must hold a valid non-commercial driver’s license and have three to 11 points on your record, among other Nevada traffic school eligibility requirements.
If you go this route, ask for the court’s permission to complete traffic school when paying your fine. Just make sure you do it before the due date on your ticket. Once the course is over, the court will remove three points from your license.
Note that you can go to traffic school only for minor offenses carrying a maximum of four points. For instance, you may request this option if you’re charged with speeding (up to 30 mph over the limit), driving on a sidewalk, unsafe backing, or failure to yield the right-of-way.
Reckless driving, hit-and-runs, excessive speeding, and other major violations don’t qualify for traffic school. In such cases, the court may still order traffic school as part of the sentence – but without removing any points from your record.
Does Nevada Traffic School Reduce Ticket Cost?
No, it doesn’t. You still need to pay the fine, plus any court and administrative fees.
How Does Nevada Handle Out-of-State Tickets?
If you’re a Nevada resident and get a ticket from another state, the conviction will go on your Nevada driving record. However, you won’t receive demerit points.
If you live in another state and get ticketed in Nevada, contact the court handling your case about your options. This information will appear on the ticket. Nevada courts sometimes accept out-of-state traffic schools. You may also be able to negotiate a plea deal if your offense was minor. Regardless, the conviction will be reported to your home state’s DMV, which will determine how it affects your driving record and whether demerit points are assigned.
How Long Does a Ticket Stay on Your Record in Nevada?
Any points associated with your ticket will stay on your record for 12 months. The actual conviction will become part of your Nevada driving record and remain there for up to 10 years unless you get it dismissed.
Why Choose Traffic Safety Institute
Traffic school is the easiest way to deal with a traffic ticket issued for minor moving offenses. While you still need to pay the fine, you’ll get three points off your license, helping to prevent license suspension. Plus, it’s a lot more convenient than fighting the ticket in court!
If you choose this option, register with a state-approved course provider like Traffic Safety Institute. Our Nevada traffic school is 100% online and costs only $19.99. You can sign up for free, study from any device, and take the final exam as many times as you need.
Our self-paced course takes five hours and includes free audio read-alongs for easier learning. We also offer additional perks like:
✅ Open-book final exam
✅ 24/7 live chat
✅ Unlimited course retakes
✅ Save-and-resume feature
✅ Electronic certificate of completion
✅ DMV reporting within 30 days
✅ No hidden fees
Did we mention our “Don’t Pay Until You Pass” Guarantee?” We believe that learning should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we let our students take traffic school for free and pay only after passing the final test.
Plus, our flat fee covers all course materials and extra perks, including unlimited exam attempts. See what students say or check out our FAQ section for more information.
Any driver can make mistakes. Start traffic school for FREE to keep points off your license and refresh your knowledge of traffic laws.
