Nevada DUI Laws & Drunk Driving Penalties

Overview of the penalties upon conviction of DUI in Nevada

Nevada DUI Laws, BAC limits, fines, jail times, IID requirements, suspension/revocation periods and SR22 insurance requirements for first time and repeat offenders with multiple DUI's.

If you've been charged with DUI in Nevada, the law allows only 7 days for a Nevada DUI Lawyer to make a request with the Nevada DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) for a hearing to help save your drivers license.

What are the penalties for DUI in Nevada?

The penalties for driving under the influence in Nevada will depend upon the exact circumstances of each particular case and the number of previous offenses (if any) a person has.

NV DUI Penalties

Nevada is a state with a 7 year 'washout period' also known as a 'look back period'

1st DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty upon conviction of a first DUI offense in Nevada:

• Fine: $400 to $1,000 fine + $35 civil penalty
• Jail: 2 days to 6 months in jail; OR 48 - 96 hours community service in lieu of jail time
• License Suspension: 90 days drivers license suspension (may be eligible for hardship ignition interlock restricted license after 45 days)
• Ignition Interlock: possible 3 to 6 month ignition interlock restriction as a condition of license re-instatement (12 to 36 month if BAC 0.18 or more)
• must attend substance abuse education course
• attendance at victim impact panel
• NV SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

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2nd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty upon conviction of a second DUI offense in Nevada:

• Fine: $750 to $1,000 fine + $35 civil penalty
  (possible community service in lieu of fine)
• Jail: 10 days to 6 months in jail OR 10 days to 6 months residential confinement
• Licence Revocation: 1 year drivers license revocation
• Ignition Interlock: possible 3 to 6 month ignition interlock restriction as a condition of license re-instatement (12 to 36 month if BAC 0.18 or more)
• must attend alcohol/drug abuse treatment program
• motor vehicle registration suspension
• attendance at victim impact panel
• NV SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

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3rd DUI Offense / Conviction - Misdemeanor

The penalty upon conviction of a third DUI offense in Nevada:

• Fine: $2,000 to $5,000 fine + $35 civil penalty
• Jail: 1 to 6 years in state prison
• License Revocation: 3 years drivers license revocation
• Ignition Interlock: mandatory 12 to 36 months ignition interlock restriction as a condition of license re-instatement
• motor vehicle registration suspension
• attendance at victim impact panel
• NV SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

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4th (& subsequent) DUI Offense / Conviction - Class C Felony

The penalty upon conviction of a fourth or subsequent DUI offense in Nevada:

• Fine: $2,000 to $5,000 fine + $35 civil penalty
• Jail: 2 to 15 years in state prison
  License Revocation: 3 years drivers license revocation
• Ignition Interlock: mandatory 12 to 36 months ignition interlock restriction as a condition of license re-instatement
• motor vehicle registration suspension
• attendance at victim impact panel
• NV SR22 Insurance (proof of financial responsibility) Requirement

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Implied Consent (Chemical Testing) Laws

refusing to submit to a chemical test in Nevada

If a person refuses to submit to a required test and the officer has reasonable grounds to believe the person was driving or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance, reasonable force may be used to the extent necessary to obtain a sample of blood.

Refusing a chemical test can be used as admissible evidence in any criminal or administrative actions and can help secure a conviction for DUI.

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What is the legal alcohol limit in Nevada

The maximum legal BAC (blood alcohol content) limits in Nevada for driving are as follows:

ADULT DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.08%
In the State of Nevada it is an offense for adult drivers to drive any regular motor vehicle with 0.08% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

DRIVERS UNDER 21 - BAC LIMIT = 0.02%
In the State of Nevada it is an offense for drivers under the age of 21 (minors) to drive any motor vehicle with 0.02% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS - BAC LIMIT = 0.00% - ZERO TOLERANCE
In the State of Nevada it is an offense for drivers who drive commercial vehicles to drive any commercial motor vehicle with 0.00% or more, by weight, of alcohol in his/her blood.

It is an offense to refuse to submit to a chemical test in Nevada and implied consent laws are enforced.