How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Nevada: 3 Steps

Having your driver’s license suspended or revoked can be stressful and frustrating. And if that wasn’t bad enough, you may need to take a vision, knowledge, or driving test to reinstate your privileges. 

If you’re wondering, “How do I reinstate my suspended license in Nevada?” read on. We’ll break down the steps you need to follow, what it will cost, and how to get back on the road faster. 

How to Reinstate Your Suspended Nevada License

If your driver’s license was suspended, you can’t just start driving again once the suspension period ends. Instead, you must apply for reinstatement with the Nevada DMV. 

How this works depends on the reason your license was suspended. Here’s what you need to do. 

1. Determine Why Your License Was Suspended 

First, check the notice of suspension from the DMV to figure out why you lost your driving privileges. Alternatively, contact the Nevada DMV or visit a local office. 

2. Fulfill the Requirements for License Reinstatement 

Reach out to the DMV to ask what requirements you must meet to reinstate your license. The answer will depend on the reason for suspension. 

Let’s see a few examples:

3. Apply for Reinstatement 

Once you’ve met all requirements, submit any court or clearance documents to the DMV and pay a reinstatement fee. 

Remember to check the end date of the suspension period. The DMV won’t reinstate your driver’s license before this date, even if you’ve completed all other requirements. If you have multiple suspensions or revocations, you must wait until all periods have ended. 

4. Request a Restricted License (If Applicable)

In some cases, it’s possible to apply for a restricted license after serving half of the suspension period. This document allows you to drive to and from:

• Work
• School
• A grocery store
• Your doctor’s office 
• Court-ordered child visitation 
• Court-ordered counseling appointments 
• Court appearances
• Drug testing locations

Let’s assume you accrue 12 demerit points in one year. The DMV will suspend your driving privileges for six months, but you can request a restricted license after three months (following the completion of a Nevada traffic school). 

Applying for a restricted license is quite straightforward. Simply follow these steps:

1. Fill out, print, and sign an application form (e.g., DMV 21 or DMV 247).
2. Obtain supporting documents.
3. Sign an affidavit stating that the information you provided is accurate and truthful.
4. Mail or fax your application and supporting documents to:

Nevada DMV
Central Services & Records 
Driver’s License Assessment Team 
555 Wright Way 
Carson City, NV 89711-0400 
775-684-4364 Option 2 
Fax: 775-684-4829

The DMV will review your application and send you a written decision by mail. If approved, you’ll receive a temporary license with limitations on when, where, and why you can drive. 

Note that you may not request a restricted license for commercial driving purposes. Also, your request will be denied if your permanent license is suspended on medical grounds or for failure to appear. 

How Much Does It Cost to Reinstate Your License?

Depending on the reason your license was suspended, you can expect to pay between $75 and $120 or more. Here’s a look at the reinstatement fees.

Common Reasons for License Suspension or Revocation

Drivers who accumulate 12 or more demerit points in Nevada within a year will have their licenses suspended. DUIs and other major traffic violations result in automatic license suspension or revocation. 

You may also lose your driving privileges if:

• You fail to pay a traffic ticket or appear in court by the due date.
• You’re caught driving without insurance.
• You’re behind on child support payments 
• You’re charged with reckless driving or street racing.
• You’re deemed medically unfit to drive.
• You commit a major criminal offense, such as drug trafficking.
• If you’re under 21 and get caught buying/selling/using alcohol or drugs.
• You’re caught placing graffiti on public or private property.

From a practical standpoint, license suspension is not much different from a revocation. In both cases, you’ll lose your right to drive and must apply for reinstatement.

However, if your license has been revoked (canceled), you must obtain a new one. This often means retaking vision, written, and driving tests.

Avoid a Suspended License with Traffic School

If you have three to 11 points on your record, the court may allow you to take traffic school for point reduction. This is a five- or eight-hour course covering defensive driving, proper lane usage, state traffic laws, and related topics. 

Nevada traffic school will remove three points from your license, which can help you avoid license suspension. 

Per Nevada law, drivers can take traffic safety courses for point reduction no more than once a year. Additional Nevada traffic school eligibility criteria include: 

• You hold a non-commercial driver’s license.
• You’re charged with a moving violation punishable by a maximum of four points.
• You committed the offense outside of a school zone.
• Your traffic citation doesn’t require a court appearance.
• You were not involved in a collision at the time of the offense.
• You did not commit a major violation, such as driving under the influence.

If you meet these requirements, the court will most likely allow you to complete traffic school. 

Why Register with Traffic Safety Institute? 

Our DMV-approved, online Nevada traffic school course is accepted by all state courts and takes just five hours to complete. It’s 100% online, self-paced, and compatible with any device, meaning you can study anytime, anywhere. 

The course consists of 12 modules followed by quizzes and an open-book exam. At Traffic Safety Institute, you can retake the course and exam as many times as needed without paying extra. 

Our flat fee of only $19.99 is due only after you pass the final test and covers the following:

✅ Easy-to-follow study materials
✅ Audio read-along for increased convenience
✅ Unlimited retakes
✅ Save-and-resume feature
✅ Electronic completion certificate 
✅ DMV reporting within 30 days
✅ 24/7 live chat

Demerit points can add up quickly and cause you to lose your driver’s license. Don’t wait until the last moment to do something about it. 🎉 Start traffic school for FREE today. 🎉

FAQs about Suspended Licenses in Nevada

Looking for more information on driver’s license suspension? Below are the answers to some frequently asked questions.