Nevada Drivers License Instructions

DMV got you confused? Check out our easy instructions for earning your Nevada drivers license.

1. Take a DMV-licensed Nevada drivers education course

2. Study for the Nevada learners permit / instruction permit test

3. Apply for the Nevada learners permit / instruction permit

4. Practice driving under supervision

5. Take the driving test for your Nevada drivers license

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

1. Take a DMV-licensed Nevada drivers education course

If you are under 18, you will need to take a DMV-licensed Nevada drivers education course and earn a Certificate of Completion which is needed to obtain your Nevada drivers license.

DriversEd.com’s Online Nevada drivers education course is DMV-licensed. You can take your drivers education course all online with DriversEd.com and receive a DMV-recognized Certificate of Completion.

Please note: The DMV requires that you send us a notarized form, which we will provide, upon completion of the DriversEd.com course in order to receive your Certificate of Completion.

2. Study for the Nevada learners permit / instruction permit test

In order to get the learners permit and eventually the Nevada drivers license, everyone no matter how old must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. 70% of test-takers fail on their first try and end up returning to the DMV.

A proven way to increase your chances of passing your learners permit test is with up-to-date online Nevada permit practice tests. Randomly generated questions test your driving knowledge and prepare you for the real deal.

Fifty online practice permit tests come free with our Nevada drivers education course.

3. Apply for the Nevada learners permit / instruction permit

Apply for your instruction permit at a Nevada DMV field office.

To be eligible for the Nevada instruction permit, you must:

Be at least 15½ years old.
Submit Application Form DLD1 and Form DLD-38 – you can get these at the DMV field office. Have a parent or guardian sign the financial responsibility section on the application. Parents will also need to call their auto insurance agent to check what adjustments need to be made to include a teen driver into their policy.
Provide your Social Security number with one of the following:
- State-Issued License or ID with number listed
- Social Security Card
- Social Security Benefits Documentation
Present proof of name and birth date with one of the following:
- Certified U.S. State-issued Birth Certificate
- U.S. Passport
- Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- Resident Alien Card or I-551 Receipt
Have your picture taken.
Give a thumb print.
Pay the $21.25 application fee.
Pass a vision exam.
Pass the written permit test. This test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions based on the Nevada Drivers Handbook.

Note: All documents used at the DMV must be originals and not photocopies.

Once you pass the written permit test, you’ll be issued a Nevada instruction permit. Remember that when driving with an instruction permit, a licensed driver 21 or older and who has been licensed for at least one year must be seated next to you at all times.

Instruction permits are valid for one year, and if the permit is expired for more than 30 days, you’ll need to take the written test again.

4. Practice driving under supervision

If you are under 18, you must hold your instruction permit for at least 6 months and complete 50 hours (10 at night) of practice driving under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 and who has been licensed for at least one year. The 50 hours of driving must be logged in a Beginner Driver Experience Log.

Want to make this supervised driving period as stress-free as possible? Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide directs parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive.

It also comes with a FREE passenger-side rear-view mirror that lets you see exactly what your teen sees while driving.

Drivers training with a professional instructor is not mandatory in Nevada. However, for your safety and the safety of those around you, DriversEd.com strongly recommends that you take lessons with an experienced instructor. Find a local driving school here.

5. Take the driving test for your Nevada drivers license

Schedule an appointment for the driving test at your local DMV office.

To be eligible for the Nevada drivers license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old.
Submit a Certificate of Completion from a licensed NV drivers education course, if under 18.
Have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months. During this time, you must not be found at fault in an accident and not be convicted of any moving traffic violation or alcohol or controlled substance offense.
Present your instruction permit.
Submit a completed Beginner Driver Experience Log if under 18. (Form DLD-130).
Have your parent or guardian accompany you when you apply for your drivers license. They must sign the Affidavit for Minor to Be Licensed stating you have completed the required training.
Bring a vehicle in which to take the driving test along with registration and insurance. You can take the driving skills test in a passenger car or truck that is properly registered and insured (rental cars are not accepted). The Driving Examiner will check the registration and insurance and perform a safety inspection.

Once you have passed the driving skills test, your license will be issued. The fee is $2.25.

The following restrictions will apply to your license:

Young drivers may not transport any passenger under 18, except for immediate family members, for the first six months after the license was issued.
Drivers under 18 may not drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are traveling to or from a scheduled event such as school events or work. Law enforcement may ask for satisfactory evidence of the event. This applies to all drivers until they turn 18.It is illegal to drive in violation of any local curfew law.
Nevada has a .02 blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21. Drivers can be arrested for any detectable amount of a controlled substance. Minors' drivers licenses can be suspended for any of the same reasons as adult licenses and also for alcohol or drug convictions, firearms violations, or habitual truancy.

DriversEd.com is a privately held company and is in no way associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. DriversEd.com does not claim any responsibility for the accuracy of the drivers license information posted within or for the business practices associated with any other schools listed on the DriversEd.com site. For up-to-date information, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle registration agency. Also, DriversEd.com is not liable for any information or claims posted within third party links.