The Nevada permit test has 25 questions, and you need 20 correct (80%) to pass. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-22.
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Key Nevada DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the Nevada handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free Nevada DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the Nevada handbook (last verified 2026-09-07).
Speed limits
- Nevada school-zone speed limits of 15 or 25 mph generally apply on school days from one-half hour before school begins until one-half hour after school ends, unless posted otherwise. (Handbook, p. 33)
- In Nevada school zones the speed limit is either 15 or 25 mph, as posted. (Handbook, p. 33)
- The handbook's table of example Nevada speed limits lists 25 mph for business and residential areas, a figure it also gives for some school zones. (Handbook, p. 35)
- According to the example list, limits of 70 mph and higher are found on rural interstate freeways. (Handbook, p. 35)
- Nevada's Basic Rule requires a reasonable speed that accounts for weather and the distance a driver can see. (Handbook, p. 35)
Right of way
- Nevada says that if there is a stop sign at a railroad crossing, drivers must stop, and if a train is coming, they must stop at least 15 feet from the tracks. (Handbook, p. 33)
- The handbook states that motorists who cause even a minor collision with a pedestrian may be charged with reckless driving, which carries 8 demerit points. (Handbook, p. 66)
- The handbook suggests giving blind or visually impaired pedestrians time to decide whether they want to cross, with 3 to 4 seconds as a good rule of thumb. (Handbook, p. 67)
- At an intersection without signs or signals, Nevada's usual rule gives priority to the vehicle on the right. (Handbook, p. 34)
- Nevada gives the vehicle already occupying the intersection priority over vehicles that are just getting there. (Handbook, p. 34)
Alcohol and DUI
- Nevada's Illegal Per Se rule provides that a chemical test showing an alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more can result in revocation for an adult driver. (Handbook, p. 79)
- The Nevada penalty table identifies a lower administrative range for a commercial driver license holder: 0.04% or more but less than 0.08%. (Handbook, p. 80)
- Nevada requires a driver under 21 who is convicted of DUI to undergo a court-ordered evaluation for alcohol or drug abuse. (Handbook, p. 81)
- For a driver under 21, Nevada identifies an alcohol concentration of .02% as the threshold for the administrative action described in the handbook. (Handbook, p. 79)
- Nevada lists a minimum license revocation of 185 days for a first DUI offense. (Handbook, p. 80)
Signals and markings
- Nevada's handbook directs drivers to change from high beams to low beams at least 500 feet before an oncoming vehicle. (Handbook, p. 56)
- On an open highway, the turn signal must begin at least 300 feet before the turn. (Handbook, p. 45)
- A roundabout is a circular intersection area designed to control vehicle right-of-way without traffic signals. (Handbook, p. 44)
- Entering drivers must yield to traffic already circulating inside the roundabout. (Handbook, p. 44)
- A solid white line between same-direction lanes marks a restriction on changing lanes or passing across it. (Handbook, p. 32)
Parking
- Nevada lists the places where you may not park your car, and one of them is within 15 feet of a fire hydrant in a place where parallel parking is permitted. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Among Nevada's general parking rules, your vehicle should be visible for 200 feet, about 20 car lengths, in each direction. (Handbook, p. 48)
- Before parallel parking, the handbook says to make sure the space is big enough for your vehicle, about 5 feet longer than your car. (Handbook, p. 49)
- The handbook's parallel parking steps say to pull up beside the car parked in front of your chosen space, about 2 or 3 feet away from it, with your rear bumpers lined up across from each other. (Handbook, p. 49)
- Nevada says that when you park on a hill, you should turn your front tires so that if the vehicle starts to roll, it will move away from traffic or into the curb. (Handbook, p. 49)
Safe driving
- For travel at 40 mph or less, the handbook gives two seconds as the minimum gap behind the vehicle in front. (Handbook, p. 42)
- In 2020, 23.03 percent of highway fatalities in Nevada were drivers who were not wearing seat belts, a 1.15 percent increase from 2016 statistics, and between 2016 and 2020, 345 unbelted vehicle occupants lost their lives. (Handbook, p. 25)
- Highway safety studies show normal reaction times are 2 to 2.5 seconds, and the handbook's stopping chart assumes a 2.5 second reaction time on dry level pavement. (Handbook, p. 41)
- If you are going 30 mph, your stopping distance on ice would be 373 feet, well over the length of a football field. (Handbook, p. 41)
- Defensive driving starts with searching at least 12 seconds ahead to where your vehicle will be. (Handbook, p. 42)
Road signs
- Nevada school zone limits are either 15 or 25 mph, and signs and signals clearly show them. (Handbook, p. 33)
- Nevada tells drivers to look both ways when approaching a railroad crossing and to stay clear of the tracks when a train is approaching. (Handbook, p. 29)
- A STOP sign requires a full stop behind the sign at the crosswalk or stop line. (Handbook, p. 29)
- A YIELD sign permits a driver to proceed without a full stop when doing so is safe, but the driver must slow down and yield to pedestrians, through traffic, and drivers already on the highway. (Handbook, p. 29)
- Nevada tells drivers to use the on-ramp when entering the freeway, and says signs will read DO NOT ENTER and WRONG WAY if a driver has made a mistake. (Handbook, p. 36)
Laws and paperwork
- Nevada's DUI penalty table identifies an SR-22 as proof of financial responsibility that may be required after an administrative revocation. (Handbook, p. 80)
- Nevada charges $25.00 for each initial knowledge or skills test. (Handbook, p. 12)
- Nevada prohibits a U-turn when a curve, hill, rain, fog, or another condition prevents a clear view for 200 feet in each direction. (Handbook, p. 46)
- At no time will a Nevada driver license or identification card be valid for more than eight years under NRS 483.290, though shorter terms apply to some applicants, such as those with limited lawful stays. (Handbook, p. 6)
- A young driver's license can be suspended, or its issuance delayed, for up to one year for handling or possessing a firearm or having one under their control in violation of NRS 202.300. (Handbook, p. 13)
Emergencies
- The Nevada handbook warns that most cars begin to lose traction and hydroplane between 35 and 55 mph in heavy rainfall, and that when this happens you lose control of your vehicle. (Handbook, p. 41)
- If a crash is not investigated by law enforcement and causes $750 or more in damage or anyone is injured, you must complete and send an SR-1 Report of Crash form to the DMV within 10 days. (Handbook, p. 75)
- Since January 1, 2024, certain emergency vehicles may drive on the paved shoulder of a Nevada highway where signs authorize it. (Handbook, p. 61)
- Nevada extends the stopped-vehicle duty to anyone attending to a vehicle repair. (Handbook, p. 61)
- The approach speed must be reasonable and proper and less than the posted speed limit. (Handbook, p. 61)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 23 short lessons quoted from the Nevada manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Nevada DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Nevada DMV facts and fees before test day.