Driving Tests

Nevada Instruction Permit Rules: Age 15½, Supervisor and Fees

informational·how to guide·Published June 25, 2026

How old must I be to get an instruction permit in Nevada, and who can ride with me?

You can apply for a Nevada instruction permit at age 15½. On a car (Class C) permit, a licensed driver who is 21 or older, has at least one year of licensed driving experience and sits beside you must be with you whenever you drive. The permit is valid for 1 year. The Nevada DMV lists the permit at $22.50, plus a $25 testing fee.

Where these Nevada permit rules come from

The rules in this guide come from the Nevada DMV teen instruction permit page, the Nevada Driver's Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024) and the Nevada DMV driver license fees page. Other Nevada DMV pages give the test, driver education, road test, adult permit, first license and appointment details, and a DMV news release of September 22, 2025 describes Quick Cards. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Nevada DMV (dmv.nv.gov) before you drive.

Nevada instruction permit at a glance

Nevada instruction permit at a glance
Rule	Nevada requirement
Minimum age	15½
Who must ride with you (Class C)	A licensed driver who is 21 or older, has at least one year of licensed driving experience and sits beside you
Valid for	1 year
Knowledge test	25 multiple-choice questions; 20 correct answers (80 percent) to pass
Vision standard	20/40 in at least one eye
Fees	$22.50 permit, $25 testing fee, $10 for each retest
Hold time before a license (under 18)	At least 6 months

How a Nevada teen gets an instruction permit

1
Pass the knowledge test
Take it online through KnowTo Drive Nevada at any time with no appointment, or in person at a DMV office. The test is in English or Spanish, with an audio format in the office. You pay the $25 testing fee before the test. It has 25 multiple-choice questions, and you need 20 correct answers to pass.
2
Gather your documents
Unless you already have a Nevada ID card, bring proof of identity (for example, a certified U.S. birth certificate), proof of Social Security and two documents that show your Nevada residential address. Under 18, you also need the Certification of Attendance (DMV 301) from your school. It is valid for 60 days, so get it close to your DMV visit.
3
Apply at a DMV office with a parent or guardian
Submit the application for driving privileges (DMV 002), your documents and the Minor Affidavit and Information Sheet (DP-38), which confirms that you understand the laws for minor drivers. Under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign your application and be available to authorize the permit.
4
Pass the vision test
You need 20/40 vision in at least one eye.
5
Start driving with your interim permit
You receive an interim paper permit to begin driving. The official permit arrives by mail within 10 business days.

How to study for the Nevada permit test

Read the Nevada Driver's Handbook before the test. The knowledge test covers Nevada traffic laws, highway signs, markings and safe driving practices. If you fail, you can retake the test the next day, and each retest costs $10. Our free Nevada Class C practice tests and question pages help you study the handbook topics. They are in English only, and they are practice material, not the DMV test. The Nevada written test guide explains online testing and test languages.

What a Nevada instruction permit costs

Permit: $22.50.
Testing fee: $25. It covers the written test and the first skills (drive) test.
Retest: $10 for each retake.
Fee waiver: the DMV may waive the fee for an original, renewal or duplicate driver license or ID card for people under 25 who are experiencing homelessness. You apply in person at a DMV office with the Declaration of Homeless Status (DMV 128).
Fees can change, so check the DMV fee page before you go.

How long does a Nevada permit last, and what if it expires?

A Nevada instruction permit is valid for 1 year. If it expires, you must renew it in person at a DMV office. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign a new Financial Responsibility Statement. If the permit has been expired for more than 30 days, you must pass the vision and knowledge tests again.

How long must a teen hold the Nevada permit?

Under 18, you must hold the permit for at least 6 months before you apply for a driver license. Most first-time drivers under 18 must also finish driver education. You do not need it to get the permit: you can enroll at 15½ and finish the course after you pass the written test. The Nevada drivers ed and 50-hour log guide explains the practice hours. Try the practice question on the teen permit holding period.

Do you need a Nevada permit? It depends on your age

You are under 18

You need an instruction permit to schedule a behind-the-wheel (drive) test.

You are 18 or older

The instruction permit is optional. Without one, you cannot schedule your drive test online. After you pass the written test, you schedule the drive test in person at a DMV office.

When the Nevada DMV can cancel, retest or refuse to renew a permit

The DMV may cancel your permit if you violate driving regulations or laws.
The DMV may require you to retake the written knowledge test, the driving skills test or both.
The DMV may deny renewal of your permit if you have been convicted of traffic violations or other offenses on its suspension and revocation list.

Key takeaways

You can apply for a Nevada instruction permit at age 15½. It is valid for 1 year, and after more than 30 days expired you must pass the vision and knowledge tests again.
On a Class C permit, your supervisor must be a licensed driver who is 21 or older, has at least one year of licensed driving experience and sits beside you.
Plan for $22.50 for the permit and $25 for testing, plus $10 for each retest. Under 18, bring the DMV 301 form and a parent or guardian.
Under 18, hold the permit at least 6 months before you apply for a driver license. Adults 18 and older may skip it, but then they book the drive test in person.
Next step: practice on the free Nevada Class C instruction permit practice test.

Nevada instruction permit: common questions

Can my older brother or sister supervise me on a Nevada permit?

Yes, if your brother or sister is a licensed driver who is 21 or older, has at least one year of licensed driving experience and sits in the seat beside you. A 19-year-old sibling with a full license does not qualify. Carry your permit every time you drive. Try the practice question on permit supervisor requirements.

Can I apply for a Nevada instruction permit online?

Only at 18 or older. Adults can start the application for a first instruction permit online through Quick Cards with a DriveNV account. You still visit a DMV office to pay, show your documents and take your photo. Quick Cards is not available to applicants under 18, so teens apply in person at a DMV office with a parent or guardian.

Do I need glasses to pass the Nevada permit vision test?

You need 20/40 vision in at least one eye. If you meet that standard only with glasses or contact lenses, you can still get the permit, but the DMV adds Restriction B to it. Restriction B means that you must wear your glasses or contact lenses when you drive. Bring them to the DMV office for the vision test.

Can a parent cancel a teen's Nevada permit?

Yes. The parent or guardian who signed the Financial Responsibility Statement can cancel the permit at any time. To do this, they complete the Minor Affidavit (DP-38), present it in person at a DMV office and surrender the physical permit. The DMV says that Nevada law requires the surrender of the permit.