How the Nevada Point System Works (and Why It Matters)

Nevada uses a point system to track how many traffic violations a driver accumulates. Racking up too many points can cost you your license — and even a single ticket can quietly raise your insurance premium for years afterward.

What Are Driver's License Points?

Points are a numerical penalty assigned to your driving record for traffic violations. The more serious the violation, the more points it carries. Nevada's point system is managed by the DMV and runs on a rolling 12-month basis.

How Many Points Do Common Violations Carry?

• Speeding 1–10 mph over the limit: 1 point
• Speeding 11–20 mph over the limit: 2 points
• Speeding 21–30 mph over the limit: 3 points
• Speeding 31–40 mph over the limit: 4 points
• Speeding more than 40 mph over the limit: 5 points
• Running a red light or stop sign: 4 points
• Failure to yield: 4 points
• Following too closely: 4 points
• Reckless driving: 8 points
• Improper passing: 4 points

What Happens When Points Accumulate?

Under Nevada law, if you accumulate 12 or more points within any 12-month period, the DMV will suspend your driver's license. The DMV sends a written warning once you reach 3 points below the threshold.

A first-offense suspension typically lasts 30 days, but repeat accumulations can result in longer suspensions. Reinstating a suspended license involves additional fees and paperwork.

How Points Affect Your Car Insurance

Insurance companies periodically check your driving record. When they see points — even from a single ticket — they may increase your premium at your next renewal. Depending on the violation and your insurer, a 3-point moving violation could raise your annual premium by hundreds of dollars and remain on your record for three years or more.

How to Keep Points Off Your License

Here's what most drivers don't realize: if a traffic ticket is reduced to a non-moving violation (commonly called a parking ticket), no points are reported to the DMV and nothing is sent to your insurance company. That's what we do at Cap & Kudler — we negotiate with the prosecutor to reduce your moving violation before it affects your record.