Motorcycle Laws in Nevada 2024

Last Updated: February 2024

Motorcyclists are much more likely to suffer fatal injuries in traffic accidents than the occupants of cars and trucks. Motorcycles simply don’t provide the physical protection of a hood, trunk, roof, or side doors that vehicles with four or more wheels provide. Many motorcycle accident victims have two sets of impacts. The first is with another vehicle. The second is with the road.

In 2022, 78 motorcyclists lost their lives in Nevada traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle fatalities nationwide increased 11% from prior years.

One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Nevada is breaking traffic laws. If every driver and motorcyclist in Nevada obeyed the law, far fewer collisions would occur. Check to make sure you have all the information and equipment you need before taking your motorcycle out on the road.

Quick Questions

• What type of license is required to legally operate a motorcycle in Nevada?
• What percentage of riders killed in accidents did not have valid driver’s licenses?
• At what age can someone operate a motorcycle in Nevada?
• What are the restrictions for motorcycle permit holders under 18 years old?
• What are the required types of equipment for motorcycles under Nevada Revised Statute 486.180?
• Does Nevada have a universal helmet law for motorcyclists?
• What are the requirements for protective goggles or face shields for motorcyclists in Nevada?
• Is lane-splitting legal for motorcyclists in Nevada?
• Are drivers of other vehicles obligated to respect the rights of motorcycle riders?
• Is there a motorcycle accident lawyer near me?

 

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What type of license is required to legally operate a motorcycle in Nevada?

You cannot legally operate a motorcycle in Nevada without obtaining the right type of operator’s license. A standard driver’s license is not sufficient to operate a motorcycle. You must have a valid Class M license.

In Nevada, you must fill out a special application at the Department of Motor Vehicles, pass a written test, and take a driving test to receive a Class M license. You will not need to take a skills test if you are transferring an out-of-state motorcycle license to Nevada.

Drivers should also consider taking motorcycle education courses that match their level of experience.

What percentage of riders killed in accidents did not have valid driver’s licenses?

It is important to obtain the correct license to have the skills and knowledge to safely operate a motorcycle. According to motorcycle crash statistics, 31% of riders killed in accidents did not have valid driver’s licenses.

In most cases, bikers have less than two seconds to try to avoid a collision. Nearly half of all fatal motorcycle accidents involved the use of alcohol by the driver of another vehicle or the motorcycle operator.

At what age can someone operate a motorcycle in Nevada?

You can operate a motorcycle if you are 16 years old or older in Nevada – provided you obtain a Nevada driver’s license permit. There are restrictions on driving a motorcycle between the ages of 16 and 18 that we discuss in the next section.

What are the restrictions for motorcycle permit holders under 18 years old?

If you are under 18, you must obtain a driver’s license permit first. The permit will be valid for one year after issuance. With only a permit, someone 21 years or older with a valid Class M license must visually supervise you while you operate the motorcycle.

If you do not acquire a full class M license after one year, you will need to renew your permit. Permits automatically expire on your 18th birthday. If you are over 18 years old, your permit will only be valid for six months and can only be renewed once every five years.

What are the required types of equipment for motorcycles under Nevada Revised Statute 486.180?

Under Nevada Revised Statute 486.180, the operation of a motorcycle is prohibited unless the vehicle meets all state and local provisions in terms of required equipment. A motorcycle is only roadworthy in Nevada if it contains all of the following:

• At least one headlight
• Electric turn signals (for motorcycles manufactured after 1972)
• Fenders on front and back wheels
• Footrests, including passenger footrests
• Front and rear brakes
• Horn
• Muffler
• One rearview mirror per handlebar
• A rear reflector visible from 300 feet and properly mounted 20 to 60 inches above the ground
• Red taillight that is visible from at least 500 feet
• Stoplight/brake light that is visible for 300 feet in daylight

Headlights, between one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise (and during daylight hours when visibility is a problem) should be able to provide light at a distance of 1,000 feet ahead and must comply with other Nevada statutes.

Handlebars should not extend “more than 6 inches above the uppermost portion of the driver’s shoulders when the driver sits on the seat and the seat is depressed by the weight of the driver.”

As the owner of the motorcycle, it is also your responsibility to properly maintain your vehicle. Poor motorcycle maintenance could lead to faulty parts that malfunction or break down in transit. This could cause an accident.

Does Nevada have a universal helmet law for motorcyclists?

All motorcyclists must wear helmets in Nevada. The state has a universal helmet law that requires every motorcycle operator and passenger to wear protective helmets. The helmet must meet the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

What are the requirements for protective goggles or face shields for motorcyclists in Nevada?

NRS 486.241 requires that protective headgear, glasses, goggles, and face shields should meet the safety standards of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles or the rules and regulations of the US Department of Transportation.

NRS 486.231 provides that the driver and passenger should both wear protective glasses, goggles, or a face shield securely fastened. If a motorcycle is “equipped with a transparent windscreen meeting those standards, the driver and passenger are not required to wear glasses, goggles or face shields.” The driver and passenger still must wear protective headgear (a helmet).

Is lane-splitting legal for motorcyclists in Nevada?

It is against the law in Nevada for a motorcyclist to ride between two lanes of traffic moving in the same direction (lane splitting). A motorcyclist has the right to use an entire lane of traffic. While a motorcyclist can share the lane with a fellow motorcyclist, he or she cannot share the lane with a passenger vehicle. A motorcyclist cannot pass a motor vehicle in the same lane. Even if the surrounding traffic is stopped, a motorcyclist may not drive between two adjacent rows of vehicles.

Are drivers of other vehicles obligated to respect the rights of motorcycle riders?

Yes. NRS 486.331 provides that unless an exception applies, motorcycle drivers are entitled to “all the rights and subject to all the duties applicable to the drivers of motor vehicles as provided by law.” NRS 486.341 provides that one of these rights is the right to the full use of the lane the motorcycle driver is occupying. Drivers of cars and trucks that cause motorcycle accidents should be held accountable for any harm they cause.