Nevada Reckless Driving

Reckless driving in Nevada carries a possible fine of $5,000, jail time up to 6 years, community service, license suspension, and 8 points.
Written by Maxine Boyko
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
A reckless driving charge in
Nevada
carries a penalty of up to $5,000 in fines, up to 6 years in jail, and eight points on your driving record. You could also get a 3-year
license suspension
, your vehicle impounded, or court-ordered community service.
If you don’t know when to put on the brakes, you could be considered a
high-risk driver
and set yourself up for a reckless driving charge. A reckless driving charge in Nevada is considered a misdemeanor that can result in jail time even if no one gets hurt.
Here to explain everything you need to know about Nevada’s reckless driving laws is
car insurance
comparison and broker app
Jerry
.

How does Nevada define reckless driving?

The Nevada Legislature defines reckless driving as “driving a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.” A person can be convicted of reckless driving for: 
  • Speeding
  • Street racing
  • Drag racing
  • Unsafe lane changes 
  • Driving aggressively/road rage
  • Not driving with care around pedestrians and cyclists
  • Not yielding to a pedestrian in a crosswalk
  • Disobeying the directions of a school crossing guard
  • Not following posted school zone speed limits or making a U-turn in a school zone while school is in session
If you are caught doing any of the above behaviors, a law enforcement officer has the right to charge you with reckless driving, which can lead to a number of serious penalties.
MORE: How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

What are the penalties for reckless driving in Nevada? 

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor traffic offense with criminal charges, meaning you can’t get the ticket dismissed by simply paying a fine. Here are the penalties you can expect to face if you’re convicted of reckless driving:
Reckless driving is a very easy way to lose your driving privileges—accumulating more than 12 points in a year will result in a six-month license suspension.
In addition to points and jail time, a collision due to reckless driving will earn a driver 50 to 99 hours of community service and license suspension for a period of six months to two years. A judge can also order to impound your vehicle for 15 days.
If you cause “serious bodily harm” or death to another person while committing a reckless driving offense, it is considered a category B felony. This conviction will earn you the following penalties:
  • One to six years in prison
  • $2,000 to $5,000 in fines
  • A three-year license suspension
What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas—getting charged with reckless driving in Nevada can be a significant life event with long-lasting consequences.  
Key Takeaway Reckless driving in Nevada can take many forms. The best way to avoid a reckless driving charge is to pay attention and stay calm while at the wheel. 
rating reverse-full
"I’m earning
awesome rewards
every week, just for driving safe!”

How can I remove a reckless driving charge from my record? 

The Nevada DMV removes points from a driving record one year after the conviction date. Depending on your circumstances, there is a possibility of removing these points quicker by either paying additional fees or taking a traffic safety course. 
To take a course for point reduction, you must have 3 to 11 points on your record and not be taking the course as part of a plea bargain. If you are eligible, it will remove three points from your driving record. You can take a traffic safety course for point reduction every 12 months. 
For most reckless driving cases in Nevada, convictions can also be sealed after one to two years. If reckless driving results in death or substantial bodily harm, however, the conviction may be sealed five years after the case ends. 
Each court has its own procedures for record seals, but your best bet is to keep your record clean by not getting a reckless driving charge.  

Will reckless driving make my insurance go up? 

A reckless driving charge will significantly increase your insurance premium. After being charged with reckless driving in Nevada, you can expect your insurance premium to go up by 62%
There are major repercussions to a reckless driving charge, which is why it is so important to drive safely and with a level head. If you are trying to avoid a reckless driving charge, you know you shouldn’t street race or drive aggressively. 
To be extra safe and careful, you can take a defensive driving course—this will help keep your record clean and prevent any insurance rate increases. 
MORE: How to get car insurance with a bad driving record

How to find affordable car insurance in Nevada

You probably won’t see a hike in your insurance rates immediately following a reckless driving charge, since your insurance company likely won’t check your record until it is time to renew your policy. When the time comes, however, you will want to shop around to find an affordable rate. 
If dealing with
car insurance
makes you want to take off and drive far away, it’s your lucky day:
Jerry
is an insurance comparison app that will handle all the hard work of comparison shopping for you. 
Jerry scours quotes from more than 50 insurance providers to find you the best rates. Once you find the policy you want, Jerry takes care of switching you over and even helps cancel your old policy.
The average Jerry user saves $887 per year on car insurance!
“I recently started looking for insurance. With my past ticket, I got rejected from several companies while others charged me extreme prices. My friend referred me to
Jerry
and their amazing customer service helped me get the lowest insurance rate.” —Christina H.
icon
Make safe driving pay
Get rewarded for safe driving. Earn points and unlock benefits. Totally free.
Start earning now

FAQs

Yes, you can go to jail for reckless driving in Nevada. A Nevada judge can sentence you up to 6 months in prison for a reckless driving misdemeanor charge. If your reckless driving results in the death or injury of another person, you could end up in jail for one to six years.
The minimum penalty for reckless driving in Nevada is 8 points, $250 in fines, and up to six months of jail time.
Aggressive driving, often associated with or as road rage, is technically considered reckless driving in Nevada. If you get pulled over for aggressive driving or road rage, you can get charged with reckless driving.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings