What are Nevada Public Traffic Records?
In Nevada, public traffic records refer to a collection of publicly accessible documents containing traffic-related information about drivers residing within the state. This information includes a driver's full name, license suspensions, traffic convictions, accidents, and more. Typically, the records are created upon the issuance of a Nevada driver's license to individuals.
Nevada public traffic records are generated and maintained by the state's Department of Motor Vehicles and courts. These two government agencies also oversee the dissemination of the records to the general public.
Are Traffic Records Public in Nevada?
Yes, traffic records are public in Nevada. However, not everyone can look up the personal information (e.g., a motorist's address) contained in those records.
In the state, a motorist's personal information is protected under NRS 481.063, the Nevada Administrative Code (481.500 to 481.600), and Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Therefore, anyone who discloses or uses personal information obtained from the Department of Motor Vehicles for a purpose not authorized by the Nevada Revised Statutes shall be liable to the person whose information was used. For example, the record's subject can take civil action against them in a Nevada court.
What do Nevada Traffic Records Contain?
Nevada traffic records contain the following information:
- A driver's details (name, address, date of birth, physical descriptors)
- License number
- Traffic violations, accidents, and convictions
- License suspensions and revocations
- License status and renewals
Does a Citation Go on Your Record in Nevada?
Yes, a citation goes on a driver's record in Nevada. However, the type of citation issued for a violation determines if it will appear on a record. Citations issued for minor offenses like speeding do not usually go on a traffic record. However, citations issued for criminal traffic offenses appear not only on a driver's traffic record but also on their criminal record if leading to a conviction. Examples of these criminal offenses include hit and run, reckless driving, driving without insurance, driving under the influence, driving with no license, and so on.
Types of Traffic Citations in Nevada
Nevada law enforcement officers issue civil and criminal traffic citations to motorists who break the law.
Civil traffic citation: This is issued for the violation of a statute or local ordinance relating to traffic control and movement for which the punishment does not involve imprisonment. Since civil traffic offenders are not sentenced to jail, they tend not to require the services of a lawyer when resolving their case. Furthermore, because such offenses are not considered crimes, a guilty conviction will not be recorded on an offender's criminal record.
Examples of civil traffic infractions that can lead to a citation include speeding, prohibited parking, driving without a seatbelt, running a stop sign, and having an expired safety check sticker. Civil infraction penalties include monetary assessments (fines and surcharges), community service, and compulsory attendance at a driving school or other instructional program.
Criminal traffic citation: This occurs due to a violation of a statute or rule relating to traffic control or movement for which the punishment includes a potential jail sentence. For example, driving without a license, driving without motor vehicle insurance, reckless driving, hit and run, driving under the influence, etc.
Anyone charged with a criminal traffic violation in Nevada must appear in court on the day and time specified on their citation. Failure to appear as instructed may result in a bench warrant being issued by the court for the offender's arrest, among other penalties.
Nevada Traffic Citation Lookup
Interested parties may look up traffic citations in Nevada by visiting the Citation Search and Payment Portal on the website of the court presiding over the citation. A map on the Supreme Court's Find a Court page can assist in retrieving a court's website address. The Supreme court's Pay a Ticket page also contains direct links to courts' search and payment portals.
Furthermore, individuals can access the Nevada Court System Online Payment and Case Inquiry System to look up a traffic citation. However, it is only possible to retrieve citation information from a few courts.
As a last resort, people can contact or visit the presiding municipal or justice of the peace court for citation information (the status of a case, citation number, upcoming court dates, fine amount, etc.).
How to Lookup my Nevada Traffic Records
Individuals who wish to look up their Nevada traffic records must request copies from the state's Department of Motor Vehicles. The department provides three request methods: online, in-person/at kiosks, and mail.
Online: This is the most convenient means of obtaining three- or ten-year traffic records in Nevada. Interested record-holders can access the DMV's Nevada Official Driving Records Online System or log into the myDMV platform. Either way, the information on one's driver's license or ID card will be required to retrieve a record. The requester will also need to pay $7 for each request. A record should be printed after it becomes available as it cannot be saved on the system.
In-Person/Kiosk: Record owners can visit the nearest Department of Motor Vehicle office or the nearest self-service kiosk to look up their traffic records. Like the internet request method, requesters should go along with their driver's license, as the information on it will be required to process an inquiry. The DMV assesses a $7.00 fee and a $1.00 kiosk processing fee for in-person/kiosk requests.
It should be noted only three-year, school bus, and ten-year traffic records can be obtained from the kiosks. If requiring a certified record, an individual is advised to show up at a DMV office or request by mail.
Mail: Traffic records can be obtained via the mail in Nevada. Interested parties must mail a completed Application for Individual Record Information (IR 002) form to:
DMV Records Section
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711-0250
Phone: (Las Vegas Area): (702) 486-4368
Phone: (Reno/Sparks/Carson City): (775) 684-4590
Each request costs $7.00. This payment should be sent in a check or money order and made payable to the DMV. If the requester needs a certified copy, it costs an additional $4.00.
Nevada traffic case records may also be available from third-party websites since they are considered public records. Unlike government sources or websites, third-party websites do not have geographical limitations. Hence, interested parties may access these websites from anywhere in the world. However, some third-party websites may require registration or subscription to access traffic record.
Nevada Traffic Violations
Traffic violations in Nevada are governed by state law. Drivers convicted of violating traffic laws can be subject to several penalties, including fines, points on their driver's license, and even jail time. The most common traffic violation in Nevada is speeding. Other common violations include running red lights, failure to yield, and DUI.
Penalties for traffic violations vary depending on the severity of the offense. For example, speeding 20 miles over the posted limit is a misdemeanor offense that carries a fine of up to $1,000. Persons caught driving under the influence can be charged with a felony and face up to six years in prison.
Nevada License Plate Lookup
There are several ways to conduct a Nevada license plate lookup.
Requestors may visit the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website. Users can search for license plates by name or vehicle identification number (VIN) on the website. The DMV also has a public database of registered vehicles in Nevada. Requestors can search this database to find license plate information.
Another way to lookup license plates in Nevada is through third-party sites. There are several of these services available online. These companies charge a fee to lookup license plates.
Requestors can contact the Nevada DMV with the license plate number and ask them to look up the required information. They will charge a fee for this service.
How to View Traffic Case Records for Free in Nevada
In Nevada, the justice and municipal courts maintain traffic case records. One way to view these records for free is to go to or contact the appropriate clerk's office (the one located in the courthouse where a case took place). The Nevada judiciary's Find a Court page can assist in obtaining a court's street address and the clerk's contact number. At the clerk's office, the records can be viewed on paper. Also, public access terminals provided by the court or clerk can be used to view electronic traffic case records at no cost.
Some Nevada courts also offer free remote access to traffic case records on their websites. An interested person can visit a court's website to check for a Case Search tool. Again, if one's case was handled by the Argenta Justice Court, Boulder City Municipal Court, or Tonopah Justice Court, the Nevada Court System Online Payment and Case Inquiry System can be used to retrieve case information.
It is worth noting that the public may not have access to all information in a traffic case record. Usually, full access may only be granted to the record holder, their legal representative, and other people authorized by court order.
How Long do Traffic Offenses Remain on a Public Record in Nevada
Generally, most traffic offenses (including crashes and convictions) stay on driving records for three years in Nevada. During this period, insurance agencies and employees can access the information. However, serious violations remain available for ten years after one's conviction or license reinstatement.
How to Remove Traffic Records from Public Websites in Nevada
In Nevada, traffic records can appear on government websites and third-parties websites. To remove traffic records from these public websites, individuals can petition the court to seal their records (Nevada has no expungement law). Sealing a record in Nevada does not erase a record, but it will withhold it from public examination and dissemination. However, this process only pertains to criminal traffic records.
Another way to remove traffic records from public websites is to opt out. Most third-party websites provide opt-out tools for record owners who wish to halt the dissemination of their records. However, this method requires constant maintenance, as a record may easily reappear later.
Do Motoring Offenses Affect Criminal Records in Nevada?
Yes, motoring/traffic offenses perpetrated in Nevada can affect an individual's criminal record. However, an offense must be classified as criminal before impacting one's criminal record. Usually, an offense is regarded as criminal when it causes a fatality, bodily injury, or property damage, or it involves an intent to break the law.
