Driving Tests

Nevada Teen Driver License Rules: Passengers and 10 p.m. Curfew

informational·how to guide·Published June 10, 2026

What are the Nevada rules for a teen with a new driver license?

For the first 6 months, a new Nevada driver aged 16 or 17 may not carry passengers under 18, except immediate family. Until 18, a minor may not drive from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., except to or from a scheduled event such as work or school. To get the license, a teen must be 16 or older and have held an instruction permit for 6 months or more.

Where the Nevada teen driver rules come from

The rules come from the Nevada DMV teen license page, the Nevada Driver's Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024) and the Nevada DMV teen driver education page. The DMV teen road test page, the DMV Parents Guide and a DMV traffic safety sheet add details. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Nevada DMV (dmv.nv.gov) before you drive.

Nevada teen driver rules at a glance

Nevada teen driver rules at a glance
Rule	What it says	How long it lasts
Passengers	No passengers under 18, except immediate family	The first 6 months
Statewide driving curfew	No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., except to or from a scheduled event such as work or school	Until the driver turns 18
Local curfews	Set by cities such as Las Vegas and Reno. They are non-driving curfews for minors	Times differ by area and day
Cancellation	The parent or guardian who signed the Financial Responsibility Statement can cancel the license	Any time before age 18

Who can ride with a new teen driver in Nevada?

For the first 6 months, a driver who got the license at 16 or 17 may not carry passengers under 18. Immediate family members are the exception. The Nevada Driver's Handbook names NRS 483.2523 as the law for this rule. So a 16 year old who got the license 3 months ago cannot drive a 15 year old friend. The practice question on a new teen driver's passengers tests this rule. A violation may bring extended restrictions and fines.

Can a Nevada teen drive after 10 p.m.?

The teen drives between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for fun or to see friends

Not allowed for any driver under 18.

The teen drives to or from a scheduled event such as work or a school event

Allowed. Proof of the event may be required.

The teen got the license long ago and is still under 18

The curfew still applies. It stays in effect until the driver turns 18, regardless of when the license was issued. The question about a curfew after a school play shows how it works.

What are the local curfews in Las Vegas and Reno?

Local curfews are separate from the driving curfew. The DMV lists them as non-driving curfews. In Las Vegas, the Strip and Downtown have a 9 p.m. curfew unless the minor is with an adult. Elsewhere in Las Vegas, the curfew is 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Reno has a 9 p.m. curfew in the Downtown Gaming District unless the minor is with an adult. Elsewhere in Reno, the times are the same as in the rest of Las Vegas. For other cities, check with the local police.

How a Nevada teen gets a driver license

1
Get the instruction permit
A Nevada resident can apply for an instruction permit at age 15 and a half. Driver education is not needed for the permit.
2
Finish driver education
Most first-time drivers under 18 must complete a driver education course, and home-schooled students are not exempt. A teen can enroll from age 15 and a half and finishes the course after passing the written test. The choices are a classroom course (30 hours) or an approved online course, each with 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience. A teen with no classroom course within 30 miles of home and no internet access may skip driver education and log 100 hours in total, 10 at night.
3
Log 50 hours of supervised driving
The log must show at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night. A licensed driver who is 21 or older with at least 1 year of driving experience must sit next to the teen at all times. Use the RoadReady app or the DLD-130 form, because other logs are not accepted. The guide to the Nevada 50-hour driving log explains the log rules.
4
Hold the permit and keep a clean record
Hold a valid instruction permit for 6 or more months. In the past 6 months, the teen must have no at-fault crashes, moving violations, or drug or alcohol convictions.
5
Pass the road test at age 16 or older
The teen must be at least 16 years old. Submit the driving log at the test, and bring a parent or guardian to sign forms.
6
Get the license at the DMV
After the road test, return to the DMV to process the license. The DMV hole-punches and returns the permit and gives an interim paper license. The official license arrives by mail within 10 business days.

What can cost a Nevada minor the driver license?

Alcohol or drug offenses, even when the teen was not driving: suspension, or a delay in issuing the license, for up to 2 years.
Graffiti: suspension or a delay of up to 2 years.
Habitual truancy, first offense: suspension for 30 days to 6 months, or a 30-day delay.
A firearm violation: suspension or a delay of up to 1 year, and 2 years for a second offense.
An unauthorized speed contest or trick driving display: suspension for 6 months to 2 years.
Under 21 with an alcohol level of 0.02% or more but less than 0.08% on a blood, breath or urine test: license suspension or revocation. The Handbook's young driver list says revoked for 185 days.
Any detectable controlled substance can lead to arrest.
The guide to Nevada demerit points and teen penalties explains how tickets add points.

What can a parent do, and what is a parent responsible for?

A parent or guardian who signed the Financial Responsibility Statement can cancel a minor's license at any time before age 18. To cancel, complete the Minor Affidavit (DP-38) and bring it with the license to a DMV office, where the license must be surrendered. Parents or guardians who knowingly allow an unlicensed or non-compliant minor to drive may be held legally responsible for fines and for restitution after a citation or accident. Any adult who serves, sells or allows alcohol or controlled substances for a minor on their property may face civil liability for resulting damages.

Key takeaways

For the first 6 months, a new driver under 18 may not carry passengers under 18, except immediate family.
No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. until age 18, unless going to or from a scheduled event such as work or school.
To get the license: age 16 or older, a permit held 6 or more months, driver education, and at least 50 hours of supervised driving with 10 at night.
A parent or guardian who signed the Financial Responsibility Statement can cancel the license before age 18.
Next step: practice the rules on the free Nevada Class C instruction permit practice test.

Nevada teen driver license: common questions

How can police tell that a Nevada driver is under 18?

A Nevada license for a driver under 18 is printed vertically, which shows underage status. The date of the 18th birthday is printed in red. This lets police officers and retailers see quickly that the driver is a minor.

Do I need to tell my insurance company when my teen gets a Nevada license?

Yes. The Nevada DMV tells families to contact the insurance agent after the teen passes the road test. All licensed drivers who live in your household must be disclosed, so tell the agent about the new teen driver.

Does a parent have to sign for a teen's Nevada license?

Yes. For an applicant under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign the application for the license or the instruction permit. The teen also signs an affidavit that lists the ways the license can be revoked, suspended or delayed, such as for alcohol, drug or truancy offenses.

Is the Nevada teen curfew later on weekends?

Not the driving curfew. A driver under 18 may not drive from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on any night, except to or from a scheduled event such as work or school. The midnight times on Friday and Saturday belong to the Las Vegas and Reno local curfews, and those are non-driving curfews.