Nevada Demerit Points Explained: How Many It Takes to Lose Your License

Every moving violation in Nevada adds demerit points to your driving record. Rack up too many and the DMV suspends your license. Here’s exactly how the system works — and how to stay under the line.

The magic number: 12 points

The Nevada DMV suspends your license when you accumulate 12 or more demerit points within 12 months. The suspension length depends on how far over you go:

• 12–17 points: 6-month suspension.
• 18–23 points: 1-year suspension.
• 24+ points: 1-year suspension plus a 1-year restriction.

Points stay on your record for 12 months from the date of the violation, then no longer count toward suspension (though the conviction itself remains on your record).

How many points each violation carries

Approximate Nevada demerit values:

Violation	Points
Speeding 1–10 mph over	1
Speeding 11–20 mph over	2
Speeding 21–30 mph over	3
Speeding 31–40 mph over	4
Speeding 41+ mph over	5
Failure to yield	4
Following too closely	4
Careless driving	6
Reckless driving	8

One reckless driving conviction (8 points) puts you two-thirds of the way to suspension from a single ticket.

How to keep points off your record

• Reduce the charge. The most reliable way to avoid points is to get the ticket amended to a non-moving violation, which carries zero points.
• Traffic school. Completing a DMV-approved course can remove 3 points once every 12 months — but it won’t erase the conviction, and CDL holders generally can’t use it to mask a violation.
• Don’t just pay. Paying the ticket locks in the points. (See: Should You Just Pay Your Las Vegas Traffic Ticket?)

Already close to the limit?

If you’re carrying several recent violations, every new ticket matters more. This is exactly when fighting a ticket — even a minor one — is worth it, because a single reduction can keep you driving.

Not sure how many points you’re carrying or what a new ticket would add? Send us your citation and we’ll walk you through it — free.