Penalties Imposed for Driving Without a License in Nevada

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) imposes penalties and fines for driving without a license. This applies to anyone operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license to show to the officer, whether s/he only forgot to bring his/her driver's license card, his/her driver's license is currently suspended or revoked, or s/he has not yet been granted a driver's license.

Penalties and Fines for Driving without a License

For an individual who only forgot his/her driver's license card, s/he must still pay the fine for driving without a license. A citation will also be added to his/her driving record. The same rule applies to somebody operating a motor vehicle even without being granted a driver's license yet. The said offense affects his/her future driving privileges and driving record.

In Nevada, a misdemeanor such as driving without a license imposes a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment in county jail up for up to 6 months, or both. Car insurance premiums is significantly affected as well, usually for about three to seven years.

Driving with a Suspended or Revoked License

A motorist who continues to operate a vehicle even with a suspended or revoked driver's license is considered a serious offense similar to contempt of court. Doing so is a direct violation of a court order; thus, punishable by law as a severe crime. Depending on the result of the court order and any agency restriction imposed, an individual with a suspended or revoked driver's license cannot drive until the court or the legal agency that imposed the suspension or revocation restores his/her driving privileges. Driving with a suspended or revoked license entails big fines, mandatory imprisonment, or both.

Penalties for Instruction Permit Holders Driving on their Own

For an individual holding only an instruction permit and not yet a driver's license, any violation incurred by the instruction permit holder such as driving on his/her own without any licensed driver accompanying him/her entails penalties decided on a case-to-case basis by the court. According to the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS 483.230): "It is unlawful for any person to drive a motor vehicle upon a public street or highway in this State without being the holder of a valid driver's license. The court shall require any person convicted of violating this section to obtain a valid driver's license or produce a notice of disqualification from the Department."

Depending on how the court decides on an individual's case, s/he may be cited for driving without a license (which will already appear in his driving history) or be required to hold the permit for a longer period of time. It is also possible for his/her permit to be suspended; thus, further delaying his/her eligibility to get a driver's license.