Nevada Reckless Driving Laws: Penalties, Points and Speed (2026)

Nevada makes reckless driving a misdemeanor under NRS 484B.653: driving a vehicle "in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property" on a highway or on premises to which the public has access is punished, for a first offense, by a fine of $250 to $1,000, or by both that fine and up to 6 months in county jail. The same section makes reckless driving a category B felony when it proximately causes the death of or substantial bodily harm to another person, and it also treats speed contests, trick driving displays, fleeing a police officer and some crashes with pedestrians and cyclists as reckless driving.

Information last verified on 2026-10-25. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Nevada state statutes on reckless driving (NRS 484B.653), speed contests and trick driving displays, aggressive driving, the speed rules in NRS 484B.600, demerit points and license revocation under NRS Chapter 483 and NAC Chapter 483, and driving without a valid license. It does not cover DUI penalties (see Nevada DUI laws), vehicular manslaughter (see Nevada manslaughter laws), city or county ordinances, or federal and commercial-driver rules beyond a short note. For other states, see reckless driving laws by state.

What is reckless driving in Nevada?

NRS 484B.653(1) lists five unlawful acts, each committed "on a highway or premises to which the public has access":

"(a) Drive a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property on a highway or premises to which the public has access. (b) Drive a vehicle in an unauthorized speed contest on a highway or premises to which the public has access. (c) Organize an unauthorized speed contest on a highway or premises to which the public has access. (d) Drive a vehicle in an unauthorized trick driving display on a highway or premises to which the public has access. (e) Facilitate an unauthorized trick driving display on a highway or premises to which the public has access." NRS 484B.653(1)

The closing sentence of that subsection decides what counts as reckless driving for every other purpose: "A violation of paragraph (a), (b) or (d) of this subsection or subsection 1 of NRS 484B.550 constitutes reckless driving." So driving with willful or wanton disregard, driving in a speed contest, driving in a trick driving display, and fleeing a peace officer under NRS 484B.550(1) are all reckless driving. Organizing a speed contest and facilitating a trick driving display are offenses in the same section but are not on that list.

Crashes with pedestrians and cyclists

NRS 484B.653(2) adds a deemed-reckless rule. If, while violating one of the listed provisions (subsections 1 to 5 of NRS 484B.270, NRS 484B.280, paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection 1 of NRS 484B.283, NRS 484B.350, subsections 1 to 4 of NRS 484B.363, or subsection 1 of NRS 484B.600, the basic speed rule), a driver on a highway or premises open to the public "is the proximate cause of a collision with a pedestrian or a person riding a bicycle, an electric bicycle or an electric scooter, the violation constitutes reckless driving." These cases are punished on the heavier speed-contest scale described below.

Where the law applies

The section reaches both highways and "premises to which the public has access." NRS 484A.095 defines a highway as "the entire width between the boundary lines of every way dedicated to a public authority when any part of the way is open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular traffic, whether or not the public authority is maintaining the way."

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Nevada? Penalties

Yes. Under NRS 484B.653(3), a person who drives with willful or wanton disregard under paragraph (a) "is guilty of a misdemeanor" and:

• First offense: "a fine of not less than $250 but not more than $1,000," or "both fine and imprisonment in the county jail for not more than 6 months" (484B.653(3)(a)).
• Second offense: "a fine of not less than $1,000 but not more than $1,500," or both that fine and county jail "for not more than 6 months" (484B.653(3)(b)).
• Third and each subsequent offense: "a fine of not less than $1,500 but not more than $2,000," or both that fine and county jail "for not more than 6 months" (484B.653(3)(c)).

The statute sets no minimum jail term for this basic form of reckless driving; jail is available only together with the fine. The general misdemeanor range in NRS 193.150(1) (up to 6 months, a fine up to $1,000, or both) applies "unless the statute in force at the time of commission of such misdemeanor prescribed a different penalty," and 484B.653 prescribes its own fines, including amounts above $1,000 for a third offense.

Speed contests and deemed-reckless crashes

A person who drives in or organizes an unauthorized speed contest, or whose violation is reckless driving under the pedestrian and cyclist rule in subsection 2, is also guilty of a misdemeanor, but on a stricter scale (484B.653(4)):

• First offense: a fine of $250 to $1,000, 50 to 99 hours of community service, and possible county jail for up to 6 months.
• Second offense: a fine of $1,000 to $1,500, 100 to 199 hours of community service, and possible jail for up to 6 months.
• Third and each subsequent offense: a fine of $1,500 to $2,000, 200 hours of community service, and possible jail for up to 6 months.

On top of that, NRS 484B.653(5) provides that the court "Shall issue an order suspending the driver's license of the person for a period of not less than 6 months but not more than 2 years." For speed contests (paragraphs (b) and (c)), the court may impound a vehicle registered to the person and used in the offense for 15 days on a first offense, and shall impound it for 30 days on a second or later offense. When it orders impoundment, the court must require the Department of Motor Vehicles to rescind and cancel the vehicle's registration "unless the registered owner completes an inspection of the vehicle as prescribed by subsection 3 of NRS 482.460."

Trick driving displays

NRS 484B.653(11)(c) defines a "trick driving display" as "using a vehicle to perform tricks, stunts or other maneuvers on a highway, or premises to which the public has access, upon which traffic has been diverted, slowed, impeded or blocked to enable the performing of such tricks, stunts or maneuvers or having such tricks, stunts or maneuvers filmed or otherwise recorded."

• Driving in a display is a gross misdemeanor (484B.653(6)): for a first offense, a fine of $1,000 to $1,500, 100 to 199 hours of community service, and possible jail for up to 364 days; for a second or later offense, a fine of $1,500 to $2,000, 200 hours of community service, and possible jail for up to 364 days.
• Facilitating a display (484B.653(7)) is a misdemeanor for a first offense (a fine of not more than $1,000, 50 to 99 hours of community service, and possible jail for up to 6 months) and a gross misdemeanor for a second or later offense (a fine of $1,000 to $1,500, 100 to 199 hours of community service, and possible jail for up to 364 days). "Facilitate" includes using a vehicle to block traffic, or filming or recording a display, with the intent to enable, assist or promote it (484B.653(11)(a)).

For trick driving offenses, the license suspension (6 months to 2 years) and a 30-day impoundment are discretionary: the court "May issue" those orders (484B.653(8)). An impoundment again triggers the registration rescission rule unless the owner completes the inspection.

When reckless driving is a felony

NRS 484B.653(9) provides that, unless a greater penalty applies under NRS 484B.550(4), a person who does any act or neglects any duty imposed by law while driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle "in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property, if the act or neglect of duty proximately causes the death of or substantial bodily harm to another person, is guilty of a category B felony." The sentence is:

• a prison term with a minimum of not less than 1 year and a maximum of not more than 6 years, and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000; or
• a minimum of not less than 1 year and a maximum of not more than 10 years, and a fine of $2,000 to $5,000, if the violation involves driving "50 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit," or is committed "in an area designated as a pedestrian safety zone or school zone or a school crossing zone."

Work zones, pedestrian safety zones and school zones

Under NRS 484B.653(10), a person who violates the section "may be subject to any additional penalty set forth in NRS 484B.130, 484B.135 or 484B.370," unless the fleeing penalty in NRS 484B.550(4) applies.

• Work zones. NRS 484B.130(1) covers listed violations, including 484B.653 and 484B.650, committed in a temporary traffic control zone while workers are present, or when the effects of the act may be aggravated by the condition of the highway caused by the work. For a criminal offense, the person "shall" receive an additional term or fine equal to the one imposed for the primary offense, capped at a total of $1,000, 6 months of imprisonment or 120 hours of community service (484B.130(2)(a)), and any added jail term runs consecutively.
• Pedestrian safety zones. NRS 484B.135(1) provides that a listed violation, including 484B.653 and 484B.650, in a designated pedestrian safety zone "may" receive an equal additional penalty, capped at $1,000, 6 months or 120 hours for a criminal offense (484B.135(2)(a)); it does not apply where the zone signs the section requires are not erected (484B.135(4)).
• Active school zones. Since July 1, 2026, NRS 484B.370(1) provides that a person convicted of a listed violation, including 484B.653, 484B.650 and 484B.600, in an active school zone or an active school crossing zone "may" receive an equal additional penalty, capped at $1,000, 6 months or 120 hours for a criminal offense (484B.370(2)(a)). If an additional penalty applies, the Department "shall assess against the person twice the number of demerit points assigned to the offense" (484B.370(3)).

How fast is reckless driving in Nevada?

Section 484B.653 sets no speed at which driving becomes reckless. Speed enters the reckless driving picture in three other ways: a violation of the basic speed rule that is the proximate cause of a collision with a pedestrian or cyclist is reckless driving under 484B.653(2); a speed of 50 mph or more over the posted limit raises the felony tier to a 10-year maximum under 484B.653(9)(b)(1); and speed is one element of aggressive driving under NRS 484B.650.

The speed statute itself, NRS 484B.600(1), makes it unlawful to drive at "(a) A rate of speed greater than is reasonable or proper, having due regard for the traffic, surface and width of the highway, the weather and other highway conditions," "(b) Such a rate of speed as to endanger the life, limb or property of any person," above the posted limit, at a speed that results in injury to a person or property, or "(e) In any event, a rate of speed greater than 80 miles per hour."

Most speeding violations are not crimes. NRS 484A.900(1) makes a forbidden act in chapters 484A to 484E "a civil infraction" unless those chapters declare otherwise for a particular offense, and NRS 484B.600(6) caps a fine under paragraphs (a), (b), (c) or (e) at "$20 for each mile per hour" over the limit or proper speed. Two exceptions matter here:

• 30 mph or more over the limit is a crime. NRS 484B.600(8) provides that a person who violates the section while driving "30 miles per hour or more over that posted by a public authority is guilty of a misdemeanor."
• Speed that causes injury or damage. Except as subsection 8 provides, a speeding violation "that causes physical injury to a person or damage to property shall be punished by a civil penalty of not more than $1,000" (484B.600(7)).

Reckless driving points and license revocation in Nevada

Nevada counts demerit points under a regulation, NAC 483.510, which assigns "Reckless driving 8 demerits." The points then work under NRS 483.475(3):

• First accumulation of 12 demerit points during a 12-month period: 6-month suspension, with eligibility for a restricted license.
• Second accumulation within 3 years: 1-year suspension, with eligibility for a restricted license.
• Third accumulation within 5 years: 1-year suspension, with no restricted license.

NRS 483.475(4) separately requires a 1-year suspension, with no restricted license, for a sixth traffic offense or civil infraction within 5 years when all six carry 4 or more demerit points. Under NAC 483.220(3)(b), a driver whose license is suspended or revoked is not issued a restricted license if, in the past 5 years, the driver has been convicted of a combination of three or more of these offenses: driving while suspended or revoked, leaving the scene of a crash that caused injury or death, and reckless driving. In an active school zone, the points for a qualifying offense are doubled under NRS 484B.370(3).

Some reckless driving cases bypass the point system. NAC 483.500(1) provides that the Department "will not assign demerit points to a person for violation of a traffic law for which suspension or revocation of license is required by statute," and several reckless driving outcomes carry mandatory license action:

• Three reckless driving charges in 12 months. NRS 483.460(1)(b)(4) requires a 1-year revocation on "Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon three charges of reckless driving committed within a period of 12 months." The same list includes a violation of NRS 484B.550, the fleeing statute (483.460(1)(b)(6)).
• Felony reckless driving. A violation of NRS 484B.653(9) brings a 3-year revocation (483.460(1)(c)(2)).
• Speed contests and deemed-reckless crashes. The court-ordered suspension of 6 months to 2 years under 484B.653(5)(a) is mandatory.

For a first offense of the basic form of reckless driving, 484B.653(3)(a) provides only a fine, or a fine plus jail; the license consequence comes through the 8 demerit points.

Under NRS 484B.574(2) and (4), a person convicted of reckless driving for driving into an area covered by floodwater may be liable for the costs of the emergency response to remove the occupants or the vehicle, up to $2,000 for a single incident.

A reckless driving conviction stays a criminal conviction

NRS 484A.798(1) provides that a conviction for a traffic violation under chapters 484A to 484E "is not a criminal conviction for the purpose of applying for employment, a professional license or any educational opportunity." Subsection 2 excludes three offenses from that rule, and the first is "Reckless driving in violation of NRS 484B.653" (the others are vehicular manslaughter and DUI). For whether a record can later be sealed, see Nevada expungement laws.

Separately, NRS 484A.7049 provides that a prosecuting attorney "may elect to treat a violation of a provision of chapters 483 to 484E, inclusive, 486 or 490 of NRS that is punishable as a misdemeanor, other than a violation of NRS 484C.110 or 484C.120, as a civil infraction."

Commercial drivers and federal land

For commercial drivers, federal rule 49 C.F.R. 383.51 makes reckless driving a serious traffic violation that disqualifies a CDL holder from commercial driving for 60 days on a second conviction and 120 days on a third within three years, and a conviction in a personal vehicle counts only if it results in a revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license or non-commercial driving privileges. On national park roads, 36 C.F.R. 4.2 adopts state traffic law, so Nevada's reckless driving statute applies there; the reckless driving laws by state hub covers the federal layer.

Is there a careless driving law in Nevada?

NRS Chapter 484B, the rules of the road, contains no offense named careless, negligent or inattentive driving. The closest rules are the basic speed rule in NRS 484B.600(1)(a), quoted above, and NRS 484B.603(1), which provides that "The fact that the speed of a vehicle is lower than the prescribed limits does not relieve a driver from the duty to decrease speed."

The demerit regulation is broader than the statute. Under the heading "Inattention to driving," NAC 483.510(4) lists "Driving without due care, including, without limitation, failing to decrease speed when necessary 4 demerits," "Careless driving 6 demerits" and "Imprudent driving, including, without limitation, failing to maintain full attention 4 demerits." The same regulation assigns 2 demerits to a motorcyclist "Riding between vehicles which occupy adjacent lanes" (NAC 483.510(6)(e)); see Nevada lane splitting laws.

Aggressive driving in Nevada

Nevada does have an aggressive driving offense. Under NRS 484B.650(1), a driver commits it if, "during any single, continuous period of driving within the course of 1 mile," the driver does all of the following, in any sequence:

• commits one or more acts of speeding in violation of NRS 484B.363 or 484B.600;
• commits two or more of the listed acts, or one of them more than once: failing to obey an official traffic-control device (484B.300), passing on the right by driving off the paved portion of the highway (484B.210), improper or unsafe driving on a highway with marked lanes (484B.223), following too closely (484B.127), or failing to yield the right-of-way (484B.250 to 484B.267); and
• "Creates an immediate hazard, regardless of its duration, to another vehicle or to another person."

Aggressive driving is a misdemeanor. A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $1,000, or that fine plus up to 6 months in county jail; a second offense a fine of $1,000 to $1,500, or that fine plus up to 6 months; and a third or later offense a fine of $1,500 to $2,000, or that fine plus up to 6 months (484B.650(3)). In addition, for a first offense within 2 years the court "shall order the driver to attend, at the driver's own expense, a course of traffic safety" and "may" suspend the license for up to 30 days, and for a second or subsequent offense within 2 years the court "shall issue an order revoking the driver's license of the driver for a period of 1 year" (484B.650(4)).

Fleeing a police officer

NRS 484B.550(1) makes it a misdemeanor for the driver of a motor vehicle on a highway or premises open to the public to willfully fail or refuse to stop, or otherwise flee or attempt to elude a peace officer in a readily identifiable vehicle, when given a signal to stop; the signal "must be by flashing red lamp and siren" (484B.550(2)). Under 484B.653(1), that misdemeanor "constitutes reckless driving."

• Property damage or endangerment. Unless NRS 484B.653 applies, a fleeing driver who is the proximate cause of damage to another person's property, or who drives in a manner that endangers or is likely to endanger another person or property, "is guilty of a category B felony": 1 to 6 years in prison, a fine of not more than $5,000, or both (484B.550(3)).
• Death or bodily harm. A fleeing driver who is the proximate cause of the death of or bodily harm to another person is guilty of a category B felony: 2 to 20 years in prison, a fine of not more than $50,000, or both (484B.550(4)).
• Fleeing while impaired. If the driver is also convicted of DUI under NRS 484C.110 or 484C.120 arising out of the same act or transaction, the fleeing offense is a category D felony (484B.550(5)).

Is there a wet reckless in Nevada?

Nevada's DUI chapter, NRS Chapter 484C, contains no provision that mentions reckless driving, either as a reduced charge or as a prior offense, and the sentencing chapter, NRS Chapter 176, does not mention it either. The DUI plea rule in NRS 484C.420(1) does not name reckless driving; it provides that "A prosecuting attorney shall not dismiss a charge of violating the provisions of NRS 484C.110 or 484C.120 in exchange for a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to a lesser charge or for any other reason unless the attorney knows or it is obvious that the charge is not supported by probable cause or cannot be proved at the time of trial."

Alcohol does change related penalties: DUI arising from the same act as fleeing makes the fleeing offense a category D felony (484B.550(5)), and a DUI-related license suspension raises the penalty for driving while suspended (below). For DUI penalties themselves, see Nevada DUI laws.

Driving without a license in Nevada

Nevada separates driving with no valid license, driving while suspended or revoked, and failing to carry a license.

No valid license. NRS 483.550(1) makes it unlawful "to drive a motor vehicle upon a public street or highway in this State without being the holder of a valid driver's license," and a violator "is guilty of a misdemeanor." The court "shall require" a person convicted under the section "to obtain a valid driver's license or produce a notice of disqualification from the Department" (483.550(2)).

Suspended, revoked or cancelled license. Under NRS 483.560(1), driving on a highway or premises open to the public while the license "has been cancelled, revoked or suspended" is a misdemeanor. A stricter tier in 483.560(2) applies when the license was suspended, revoked or restricted because of a DUI-related violation (NRS 484C.110, 484C.120, 484C.210 or 484C.430), a homicide resulting from impaired driving, or a comparable violation in another jurisdiction:

• jail of 30 days to 6 months, or residential confinement of 60 days to 6 months, plus a fine of $500 to $1,000;
• no probation and no suspended sentence; and
• a prosecutor "may not dismiss a charge of such a violation in exchange for a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to a lesser charge or for any other reason, unless the prosecutor believes the charge is not supported by probable cause or cannot be proved at trial."

That tier does not apply "if the period of revocation has expired but the person has not reinstated the license." After a conviction, the Department extends a suspension "for an additional like period," extends ineligibility after a revocation "for an additional 1 year," and revokes a restricted license with another year of ineligibility (483.560(5)).

License not in possession. NRS 483.350 requires a licensee to have the license "in his or her immediate possession at all times when driving." The section provides that "no person charged with violating this section shall be convicted if he or she produces in court or the office of the arresting officer a driver's license theretofore issued to the person and valid at the time of the demand."

Nevada reckless driving and related offenses: penalty table

The class ranges come from NRS Chapter 193. A misdemeanor carries up to 6 months in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both (193.150(1)), and a gross misdemeanor up to 364 days, a fine of up to $2,000, or both (193.140), in each case "unless the statute in force at the time of commission" prescribed a different penalty, as 484B.653 does. A category B felony carries a minimum term of not less than 1 year and a maximum of not more than 20 years "as provided by specific statute" (193.130(2)(b)). For the full class table, see Nevada felony and misdemeanor classes.

Vehicular homicide in Nevada

Apart from the reckless driving felony in NRS 484B.653(9), Nevada's vehicular manslaughter offense is NRS 484B.657, covered on the Nevada manslaughter laws page.

Recent changes to Nevada reckless driving law

• July 1, 2026: school-zone penalties. Assembly Bill 6 of the 36th Special Session (2025), chapter 10, took effect July 1, 2026 ("This act becomes effective on July 1, 2026."). It added NRS 484B.370, the active-school-zone additional penalty and double demerit points, and added 484B.370 to the cross-reference in 484B.653(10).
• October 1, 2025: impounded vehicles and inspections. Statutes of Nevada 2025, chapter 148 (Assembly Bill 417, approved May 30, 2025), sets no effective date of its own, so it took effect October 1, 2025 under NRS 218D.330(1). It requires a court that orders impoundment under 484B.653 to also order the Department of Motor Vehicles to rescind and cancel the vehicle's registration unless the registered owner completes an inspection (484B.653(5)(e) and (8)(d)). It also added NRS 484B.655: an officer investigating a speed contest or trick driving display who has reasonable cause to believe the vehicle is unsafe or not equipped as required shall inspect it and may cite the registered owner.
• 2023: traffic offenses become civil infractions by default. Assembly Bill 116 (2021) made most traffic violations civil infractions under NRS 484A.900; its main provisions took effect "On January 1, 2023, for all other purposes." Reckless driving kept its criminal penalties because 484B.653 declares them.

Related Nevada laws

• Reckless driving laws by state
• Nevada DUI laws
• Nevada manslaughter laws
• Nevada felony and misdemeanor classes
• Nevada lane splitting laws
• Nevada expungement laws
• California reckless driving laws
• Arizona reckless driving laws

This article is general legal information about Nevada law, not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Nevada, or the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles for driver's license questions.

Last updated: 2026-10-25.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is reckless driving a misdemeanor in Nevada?

Usually. Under NRS 484B.653(3), a first offense is a misdemeanor punished by a $250 to $1,000 fine, or that fine plus up to 6 months in county jail. It becomes a category B felony if it proximately causes death or substantial bodily harm (484B.653(9)).

What is the fine for reckless driving in Nevada?

A first offense carries a fine of $250 to $1,000, a second $1,000 to $1,500, and a third or later $1,500 to $2,000, in each case with possible jail of up to 6 months (NRS 484B.653(3)). Speed contests and trick driving displays have separate fine scales.

How fast is reckless driving in Nevada?

NRS 484B.653 names no speed that makes driving reckless. Driving 30 mph or more over the posted limit is a misdemeanor under 484B.600(8), and 50 mph or more over raises the felony reckless driving maximum to 10 years.

How many points is reckless driving in Nevada?

Eight demerit points under NAC 483.510. A first accumulation of 12 points within 12 months brings a 6-month suspension (NRS 483.475), and points are doubled for qualifying offenses in an active school zone (484B.370).

Does reckless driving suspend your license in Nevada?

For a first basic offense, NRS 484B.653(3)(a) provides only a fine or a fine plus jail, and the license consequence is 8 demerit points. Three reckless driving charges committed within 12 months that end in conviction bring a 1-year revocation (NRS 483.460), and speed contests and deemed-reckless crashes carry a mandatory court suspension of 6 months to 2 years (484B.653(5)).

Is fleeing the police reckless driving in Nevada?

Yes. NRS 484B.653(1) provides that a violation of NRS 484B.550(1), failing to stop for or fleeing a peace officer, constitutes reckless driving. Fleeing becomes a category B felony with property damage, endangerment, death or bodily harm (484B.550(3)-(4)).

Does Nevada have a wet reckless?

Nevada's DUI and sentencing chapters contain no wet reckless provision. The DUI chapter, NRS 484C, does not mention reckless driving, and 484C.420(1) bars dismissing a DUI charge for a plea to a lesser charge unless the charge is unsupported by probable cause or cannot be proved.

Is a street takeover illegal in Nevada?

Driving in an unauthorized trick driving display, stunts on a road where traffic has been diverted or blocked, is a gross misdemeanor under NRS 484B.653(6), and facilitating one (including blocking traffic or filming to promote it) is an offense under 484B.653(7).

What is the penalty for driving without a license in Nevada?

Driving without a valid license is a misdemeanor under NRS 483.550, punishable by up to 6 months, a fine up to $1,000, or both (NRS 193.150). Driving while suspended for a DUI-related reason carries 30 days to 6 months in jail and a $500 to $1,000 fine (483.560(2)).