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What is the Driving Age in Nevada

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Sean Boehme
· 5 min read
Individuals in
Nevada
have the opportunity to apply for a
learner's permit
when they are 15.5, and they can apply for a proper
driver’s license
six months later. Young drivers will have several restrictions on their Nevada driver’s license until they turn 18. 
Getting your driver's license is an exciting step in your life, and some states allow you to do it a lot earlier than others. Although you can get a driver's license relatively early in Nevada, there are some restrictions you’ll have to deal with until you turn 18
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broker app, has put together this guide to Nevada’s driving age and driver’s license process, as well as how you can lower your Nevada car insurance costs as a brand new driver.
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What is the driving age in Nevada?

The first chance to legally get behind the wheel in Nevada will come when you’re 15 and ½ years old. At that point, you can apply for a learner’s permit and begin driving with adult supervision. 
Once you’ve had your license for at least six months, you may be able to apply for a driver’s license. This makes 16 the official driving age in Nevada. 

Why is it harder for young people to get a driver’s license?

As you learn about the process to get a driver’s license in Nevada, you’ll probably notice that younger drivers have to wait longer and go through more educational steps than older drivers would. That’s because
teenage drivers
are much more likely to be involved in traffic accidents. 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claim that motor vehicle accidents are the
second leading cause of death
for young drivers. The risk is especially high at night or when multiple peers are in a car together.
Thanks to these tragic statistics, many states including Nevada have implemented restrictions on the licenses of young drivers and created a more rigorous vetting process before young drivers can obtain one.
MORE: The best places to live in Nevada

How to get your instruction permit in Nevada

So you’re now 15.5 years old and you’re anxious to get behind the wheel. What’s next? Well, you’ll have to start by acquiring your instruction permit, also known as your
learner’s permit
.
To obtain your instruction permit in Nevada, you’ll need to head to your local DMV office with documents that prove your residence in Nevada as well as your identity. Consider bringing the following documents:
In addition to the proper documentation, you need to bring a parent or guardian along. The licensing fee you’ll need to pay when you apply for a permit is $22.25. You’ll also be asked to pay $25 as a testing fee.
Before securing your permit you’ll need to pass both a written test and a vision test. You can study for the written test using the
Nevada Driver’s Handbook

Instruction permit restrictions

Although having an instructional permit gives individuals their first chance to legally drive a car, there are several limitations. The most obvious is the need for adult supervision, as someone with a permit can only drive if a licensed individual who is 21 or older is in the car with them.
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How to get your driver’s license as a teen in Nevada

Getting a learner’s permit is the first step towards a license in Nevada, but teenagers have to do a lot more if they want to get a proper license by the time they turn 16
For starters, you’ll need to log 50 hours of driving experience with an accredited driver’s education course. If you can’t find a nearby driver’s education course, you’ll need 100 hours of supervised driving.
You’ll have to have your permit for at least six months before you can apply for a proper license, so you can use that time to log the necessary hours and pass a driver’s ed course. Assuming you do everything as soon as you can, you can take your road test as early as your 16th birthday.
When you go to your to take your road test (known as the driving skills test), you will need:
  • Your learner’s permit
  • Proof of residency in Nevada
  • Proof of identity
  • Certificate of driver’s ed completion
  • A valid vehicle with registration
Assuming you bring all the necessary items and pass the test without issue, you’ll finally have a driver’s license to call your own.

Under-18 driver’s license restrictions in Nevada

Although you can get a driver’s license when you’re only 16 in Nevada, it won’t have the privileges of a full license until the day you turn 18. That’s because of the two main restrictions all under-18 drivers in Nevada face.
The first of these restrictions only lasts for six months after you receive your driver’s license. During this time, you are not allowed to transport passengers who are under 18 years of age unless you’re related to them.
The other restriction young drivers face in Nevada relates to curfews. Drivers under the age of 18 are not allowed to drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they need to do so for school or work.
MORE: Nevada road closures

How to save on car insurance in Nevada

Living in Nevada has its perks, but it's no secret that
car insurance is expensive
there, especially if you live near one of the bigger cities. If you’d rather not overpay for your auto coverage, it’s time to download the Jerry app.
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Jerry users save an average of over $800 per year on their coverage. 
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FAQ

Yes, it is possible to get a driver’s license at 16 if you live in Nevada. To do so, you’ll have to acquire a learner’s permit while you are 15.5 and fulfill the driver’s ed requirements within six months of getting it. 
Keep in mind that drivers under the age of 18 have to deal with a few restrictions in Nevada, the most notable being a state-wide curfew.
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