Nevada’s Cellphone-Use & Texting-While-Driving Laws

Nevada's distracted driving law prohibits motorists from driving while texting or using a handheld phone. Here's what the law says, including its exceptions.

Texting While Driving

Nevada's texting-while-driving law says that no motorist while operating a vehicle can use a cellphone or other handheld wireless communication device to:

• enter or type text
• send or read data
• search the internet, or
• engage in nonvoice communication with another person such as texting, electronic messaging (email), and instant messaging.

Basically, the law prohibits wireless device that requires the driver to use a hand or look away from the road.

Talking on the Phone While Driving

Nevada's distracted driving also prohibits handheld cellphone use while driving. Drivers can use a phone for voice communications only if the device is in voice-operated mode. However, drivers can use their hands for the limited purpose of activating, deactivating, or initiating a function of the device.

Exceptions

Nevada's distracted driving restrictions don't apply to:

• emergency service workers (such as firefighters and police) using a device within the scope of their duties
• any person using a device in a situation that requires immediate action to protect the safety or well-being of another person and stopping the vehicle would be inadvisable, impractical, or dangerous
• any person reporting a medical emergency or criminal activity
• public utility workers using a device within the scope of their duties in an emergency, or
• using a voice-operated or affixed GPS or navigation system.

Generally, all the exceptions to handheld device use relate to emergency work and situations.

Distracted Driving Ticket Penalties

Distracted driving is a misdemeanor in Nevada. A conviction carries a fine of:

• $50 for a first offense within seven years
• $100 for a second offense within seven years, and
• $250 for a third or subsequent offense within seven years.

The fines are doubled for violations that occur in work or pedestrian safety zones. A second or subsequent offense will also result in traffic violation demerit points.