Nevada Permit Restrictions
Having a learners permit entitles you to driving, but you must make sure to observe all permit restrictions while you do that. Nevada permit restrictions depend on the age of the permit holder and require all permit holders to drive only under the supervision of another licensed driver. Permit holders under the age of 18 must also observe additional Nevada permit restrictions that are placed onto them by the state graduated drivers license program. Failure to observe these permit restrictions and requirements may result in your driving privilege being suspended or revoked.
Many people wonder what these learners permit restrictions are for and why not go ahead and issue everyone who can pass the required tests with full driving privileges right away? The reason why this is done this way is because the Department of Motor Vehicles in Nevada is giving you the chance to gain the essential driving experience in a relatively safe driving environment before you start driving alone. Experience is very important when it comes to driving and there is only one way of gaining it - that is, spending hundreds of hours behind the wheel. You may be able to pass your Nevada permit test and perform all of the required maneuvers on the driving test, but that does not make you a driving pro, it just proves that you have the required minimal skills for operating a vehicle. Becoming a safe driver takes years and years of practice.
You may ask how to the Nevada permit restrictions fit into this picture? Very simple. The restrictions that are placed onto your Nevada drivers permit keep you from making the most common mistakes made by inexperienced drivers. The permit restrictions are there to ensure that you pay more attention to the road and are not distracted by outside factors, such as cell phones, loud stereo or a bunch of friends being present in the car with you.
Nevada Permit Restrictions - 18 Years of Age and Older
If you are at least 18 years of age when you pass the permit test and receive your learners permit, there is really only one restriction that is placed onto your drivers permit and that is no driving alone. Whenever you are behind the wheel, you must have another driver at least 21 years of age accompany you. The supervising driver must have at least one year of driving experience and be seated in the front seat next to you, so he can take control of the vehicle at any time. The supervising driver should coach you on the matter of safe driving and help you get through difficult situations at first, such as entering a highway or giving the right of way on an unregulated intersection. Once you feel confident behind the wheel and have mastered the basic driving skills, you take your Nevada drivers test and get a full drivers license.
Although there is no minimum amount of time that you must hold your permit for, we advise that you get as many supervised driving hours as possible before you apply for a Nevada drivers license. The more hours you do now, the easier it will be for you to start driving alone. We also recommend that you avoid using a cell phone or listening to a stereo while driving during your first couple of months at least. These activities are very distracting and are a known cause of traffic accidents.
If you haven't taken your permit test yet, you may wish to prepare for the exam by reading the Nevada drivers handbook. The book contains all traffic rules you need to know to be able to pass the exam. Once done with the book, you can test yourself with some Nevada practice permit tests that are offered free of any charge.
Nevada Permit Restrictions - Under 18 Years of Age
If you are under 18 years of age, you are subject to the Nevada graduated drivers license law and have to meet additional licensing requirements before you can get a full unrestricted drivers license. You must observe the following learners permit restrictions:
- No driving alone. You must have a supervising driver accompany you at all times while you practice your driving skills. The supervising driver must be seated in the front seat next to you and be prepared to take control of the vehicle at any time. The supervising driver has to be at least 21 years old and have not less than one year of driving experience.
- No cell phones. You cannot use a cell phone for any purpose other than making a call to an emergency service while driving.
- Seat belts. Both the driver and the supervisor must wear seat belts.
In addition to observing these restrictions for at least six months, the state also requires you to complete an approved Nevada drivers education course. The certificate of completion for the course must be presented at the DMV when you show up for your drivers license test.
The DMV monitors driving records for young drivers and you must keep a clean driving record for at least six months prior to taking the Nevada drivers test. If you are convicted or a moving violation or are involved in an at-fault traffic accident, the holding period for your permit is extended by another six months.
Intermediate Drivers License
If you receive a Nevada drivers license before the age of 18, your license comes with a number of additional license restrictions for you to observe. The intermediate license restrictions in Nevada are as following:
- Curfew. There is a night time driving restriction in Nevada that does not allow drivers under the age of 18 to be driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. This is a state-wide curfew and the hours may differ for your area. You may check with the local DMV what are the curfew hours for your area. An exception can be made if you are traveling to an employment or school event for which no other transportation is available.
- Passenger restrictions. For the first six months after being licensed, a minor cannot carry any passengers under the age of 18 who are not members of the driver's immediate family.
These restrictions are lifted once the driver reaches the age of 18.
Please remember that these learners permit and drivers license restrictions are enforced for your own safety. The DMV reserves the right to cancel the driving privileges of anyone to fails to observe all Nevada drivers permit restrictions.
