If your Nevada driver’s license has been suspended or revoked for a DUI or other reason, you can request a DMV administrative hearing (“DMV hearing”) by emailing a signed letter to [email protected]. The request must include:
- your driver’s license number;
- current mailing address; and
- contact telephone number
You can also phone in the request for a DMV hearing by calling the administrative office at (702) 486-4940 or (775) 684-4574.
How soon must I make the request?
To request a DMV hearing in Nevada DUI cases, you have seven days from the date you are given a temporary license and notice of revocation. This typically occurs:
- right after the DUI arrest if you took the evidentiary breath test or refused to take a test; or
- a few weeks after the DUI arrest if you consented to the evidentiary blood test.
If your license is being suspended from accruing too many demerit points from traffic violations, the DMV will send you a letter with instructions and a deadline for requesting a DMV hearing.
If you request the DMV hearing after the deadline, your request will be denied.
Can my lawyer request a DMV hearing?
Yes. If you hire a Nevada attorney, they can request a DMV hearing on your behalf. They can also appear at your DMV hearing on your behalf so you do not have to show up yourself.
Where do DMV hearings happen?
Nevada DMV hearings take place in one of three locations throughout the state:
Las Vegas DMV Administrative Office
2621 E. Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89104
(702) 486-4940
Reno DMV Administrative Office
9155 Double Diamond Pkwy
Reno, NV 89521
(775) 684-4574
Carson City DMV Administrative Office
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89117
(775) 684-4574
However, the majority of DMV hearings can be conducted telephonically without you or your attorney having to appear in person.
What if I do not request a DMV hearing in time?
If you do not request a Nevada DMV hearing by the deadline, the DMV will suspend or revoke your license. Then you may not drive during that suspension/revocation period.
Note that if you are a DUI defendant and you lose your DMV hearing, you may be able to drive with an ignition interlock device in your vehicles during the revocation period.
Do DMV hearings affect my criminal case?
No. DMV administrative cases are completely separate from criminal cases. So if you get arrested for DUI and lose your DMV hearing, you still may be able to win your criminal DUI case.
Note that if you get charged with DUI and lose your criminal case, the DMV will automatically revoke your license – even if you win the DMV hearing. The only way to avoid a license suspension after a DUI arrest is to win both
- the criminal case and
- the DMV administrative case.
Additional resources
For more information, refer to these articles by the Nevada DMV.
- Office of Administrative Hearings
- Nevada Live Hearing Request
- Hearings Before the Hearing Officer
- Appeals Officer Hearings
- Driver’s License DUI Revocation Hearings
- DMV Administrative Office locations
Legal References
- Office of Administrative Hearings, Nevada DMV. Driver’s License DUI Revocation Hearings, Nevada DMV.
- NRS 484C.230. NRS 483.460. NAC 483.8485; NRS 483.448. NRS 484C.180. NRS 484C.220.
- Beavers v. Department of Motor Vehicles & Pub. Safety, (1993) 109 Nev. 435, 851 P.2d 432. Wright v. State DMV, (2005) 121 Nev. 122, 110 P.3d 1066.
