Young Drivers, Alcohol and Open Containers

Key points

1. Under 21, a BAC of at least .02% but under .08% means suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “If you are under the age of 21 and a chemical test shows an alcohol concentration of .02%, but less than .08%, your driving privilege will be suspended.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 79

2. A .02% BAC for drivers under 21 means a 185 day revocation.

   Source: Handbook p. 80

   “.02% alcohol concentration for drivers under 21 years of age Driver license is revoked for 185 days”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 80

3. A driver under 18 found by juvenile court to have driven under the influence has the license suspended for 185 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “A licensed driver under the age of 18 found by juvenile court to have been driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance will have his or her license suspended for 185 days.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 81

4. Drivers under 21 convicted of DUI must be evaluated for alcohol or drug abuse.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “a driver under the age of 21 who is convicted of a DUI, will be required by the court to undergo evaluation for alcohol or drug abuse.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 81

5. Minors buying, drinking or possessing alcohol can have the license suspended or delayed up to 2 years.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Suspended or issuance delayed for up to two years for: Placing graffiti on or defacing public or private property. Any criminal activity involving alcohol or a controlled substance. Using, possessing, selling or distributing a controlled substance. Purchasing, consuming, or possessing an alcoholic beverage.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 13

6. Opened alcohol is illegal in the driver and passenger areas while the vehicle is driven.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “makes it illegal to have alcoholic beverages which have been opened in the driver or passenger areas when a vehicle is being driven.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 81

7. Having passengers under 15 during a DUI is an aggravating factor at sentencing.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “you had passengers under the age of 15 in the vehicle you were driving, the court will consider that as an aggravating factor”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 81

8. A DUI conviction with a chemical test adds a $60 fine.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “the court will impose an additional $60 fine to cover the costs of the chemical analysis.”
   Nevada Driver's Handbook, Handbook p. 81

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Nevada practice test

1. 1. What is the lowest BAC threshold for Nevada's under-21 alcohol driving rule?

   1. .10%
   2. .04%
   3. .08%
   4. .02%
   Show answer

   .02%. For a driver under 21, Nevada identifies an alcohol concentration of .02% as the threshold for the administrative action described in the handbook. The .08% figure is the general guide for adult drivers, while .04% is the commercial-driver range shown in the separate discussion. Choosing .10% sets the threshold higher than the handbook's young-driver rule. Because this is an administrative consequence, it can affect the driving privilege even apart from what a court later decides. Age and the exact concentration are the key details to separate.

2. 2. What may a Nevada court require after a driver under 21 is convicted of DUI?

   1. A vehicle purchase before the case can proceed
   2. A commercial driver license upgrade
   3. A waiver of all license consequences after one class
   4. An evaluation for alcohol or drug abuse and possible treatment
   Show answer

   An evaluation for alcohol or drug abuse and possible treatment. Nevada requires a driver under 21 who is convicted of DUI to undergo a court-ordered evaluation for alcohol or drug abuse. The judge may order treatment based on the evaluation report. A class alone does not erase the evaluation, and neither a commercial license nor a vehicle purchase is part of this rule. The age and conviction conditions are the key cues. Young-driver DUI consequences therefore include both the license action and a possible health assessment with treatment ordered by the court.

3. 3. How are first-time DUI offenders under 18 treated under Nevada's handbook?

   1. They are permanently barred from driving
   2. They receive only a written warning
   3. They become subject to the same penalties as drivers over 21
   4. They are exempt from DUI penalties until age 21
   Show answer

   They become subject to the same penalties as drivers over 21. Nevada states that young drivers who become first-time DUI offenders are subject to the same penalties as drivers over the age of 21. The warning choice understates the rule, while permanent disqualification is not the stated result. The age-based exemption reverses the handbook's instruction and could lead a new driver to underestimate the consequences of impaired driving. The practical cue is the phrase first-time DUI offender: the handbook connects that status to the adult penalty structure instead of creating a lesser young-driver exception.

Source: the Nevada Driver's Handbook, Chapters 1 and 10: DUI Laws for Young Drivers. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.