Nevada moving violations…such as speeding or failure to signal…are misdemeanors in Nevada. As crimes, moving violations carry the following consequences:
- Moving violations go on the driver’s criminal record (though convictions may be sealed one year after the case ends).
- The penalties may include a fine of up to $1,000, Traffic School, and (in rare cases) jail.
- The Nevada DMV will add demerit points to the driver’s license.
- The driver’s insurance premiums will increase.
- If the driver does not pay the fine (or fight the ticket in court), the judge will issue a bench warrant for the driver’s arrest.
Moving violations are more serious than parking tickets in Nevada. They carry harsher penalties and consequences for non-payment.
In contrast, most parking violations…such as parking too far from the curb…are not crimes in Nevada but rather civil infractions. Infractions are not as serious as moving violations:
- Parking tickets usually do not go on the person’s criminal record.
- The fines are usually $100 or less.
- Traffic school and jail are not possible penalties.
- There is no demerit point penalty for parking tickets.
- Insurance premiums will not go up.
- And if the driver does not pay the fine, the worst that can happen is a fine increase and suspension of the car’s registration.
Anyone who gets cited for a moving violation in Nevada is advised to fight the charge. It may be possible to persuade the prosecutor to either dismiss the charge or reduce it to a parking ticket. Parking tickets carry far laxer penalties and long-term consequences than moving violations do. Learn more about Las Vegas Nevada traffic laws.
