Chapter 1: Your License to Drive

Understanding Nevada’s licensing rules is the first step toward becoming a safe and legal driver. Mastering this information is essential for passing the knowledge test, as questions about license classes, age restrictions, and the point system are common. More importantly, following these rules on the road protects your driving privilege and contributes to the safety of everyone.

Glossary

• Right-of-way — The legal right of a pedestrian or vehicle to proceed before another in a particular situation.
• Per-se BAC — The blood alcohol concentration level at which it is illegal to drive, which is 0.08% for adults in Nevada.
• Implied consent — The legal principle that by driving, a person has agreed to submit to a chemical test for alcohol or drugs if requested by law enforcement.
• Divided highway — A road separated by a physical barrier or unpaved median where traffic moves in opposite directions.
• Keep right/left-lane — The rule requiring slower traffic to stay in the right-hand lane, leaving the left lane for passing or faster-moving vehicles.
• No-zone — The large blind spots around a commercial truck or bus where cars are not visible to the driver.
• Hydroplaning — A dangerous condition where a vehicle’s tires lose contact with the road surface and ride on a thin film of water.
• Reversible lane — A traffic lane where the direction of traffic flow can be changed to match peak traffic patterns, controlled by overhead signals.

License Classes

Nevada issues different classes of non-commercial licenses based on the type of vehicle a person intends to drive. Each class requires specific knowledge and, in some cases, skills tests to ensure the driver can operate the vehicle safely.

• Class C: This is the most common license for Nevada drivers. It authorizes the operation of cars, vans, and pickups. A Class C license holder may tow a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less. The total combination of the towing vehicle and the trailer may not exceed 70 feet in length.
• Class M: This license is required to operate a motorcycle or a moped on public roads. Obtaining a Class M license requires passing both a general knowledge test and a specialized motorcycle knowledge test, as well as a motorcycle skills test. Passing an approved motorcycle safety course may waive the skills test requirement.
• Class A & B (Non-Commercial): While typically associated with commercial vehicles, non-commercial Class A and B licenses are required for operating very large recreational vehicles (RVs) or certain vehicle combinations that exceed the limits of a Class C license but are not used for commercial purposes.