Nevada Revised Statutes
Chapter 484A - Traffic Laws Generally
NRS 484A.480 - Designation of authorized emergency vehicles; equipment; limitations on use of warning devices.


1. Except as otherwise provided in NRS 484A.490, authorized emergency vehicles are vehicles publicly owned and operated in the performance of the duty of:
(a) A police or fire department.
(b) A sheriff’s office.
(c) The Department of Public Safety, for vehicles that are:
(1) Operated in the performance of the duty of the Capitol Police Division, the Investigation Division, the Nevada Highway Patrol Division, the State Fire Marshal Division, the Training Division and the Office of the Director of the Department of Public Safety; or
(2) Designated an authorized emergency vehicle by the Director of the Department of Public Safety.
(d) The Office of the Attorney General.
(e) The Division of Forestry of the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources in responding to a fire.
(f) The Section for the Control of Emissions From Vehicles and the Enforcement of Matters Related to the Use of Special Fuel in the Department of Motor Vehicles.
(g) A public ambulance agency.
(h) A public lifeguard or lifesaving agency.
2. A vehicle publicly maintained in whole or in part by the State, or by a city or county, and privately owned and operated by a regularly salaried member of a police department, sheriff’s office or traffic law enforcement department, is an authorized emergency vehicle if:
(a) The vehicle has a permit, pursuant to NRS 484A.490, from the Department of Public Safety;
(b) The person operates the vehicle in responding to emergency calls or fire alarms, or at the request of the Nevada Highway Patrol or in the pursuit of actual or suspected violators of the law; and
(c) The State, county or city does not furnish a publicly owned vehicle for the purposes stated in paragraph (b).
3. Every authorized emergency vehicle must be equipped with at least one flashing red warning lamp visible from the front and a siren for use as provided in chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS, which lamp and siren must be in compliance with standards approved by the Department of Public Safety. In addition, an authorized emergency vehicle may display revolving, flashing or steady red or blue warning lights to the front, sides or rear of the vehicle.
4. An authorized emergency vehicle may be equipped with a system or device that causes the upper-beam headlamps of the vehicle to continue to flash alternately while the system or device is activated. The driver of a vehicle that is so equipped may use the system or device when responding to an emergency call or fire alarm, while escorting a funeral procession, or when in pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law. As used in this subsection, "upper-beam headlamp" means a headlamp or that part of a headlamp which projects a distribution of light or composite beam meeting the requirements of subsection 1 of NRS 484D.210.
5. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, a person shall not operate a motor vehicle with any system or device that causes the headlamps of the vehicle to continue to flash alternately or simultaneously while the system or device is activated. This subsection does not prohibit the operation of a motorcycle equipped with any system or device that modulates the intensity of light produced by the headlamp of the motorcycle, if the system or device is used only during daylight hours and conforms to the requirements of 49 C.F.R. § 571.108.
6. A person shall not operate a vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the center of the vehicle except an authorized emergency vehicle, a school bus or an official vehicle of a regulatory agency.
7. A person shall not operate a vehicle with any lamp or device displaying a blue light, except a motorcycle pursuant to NRS 486.261 or an authorized emergency vehicle.
(Added to NRS by 1969, 1505; A 1975, 320; 1979, 1814; 1985, 26, 341, 1956; 1989, 1132; 2003, 402; 2011, 343; 2019, 1228; 2021, 669)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.787)

Structure Nevada Revised Statutes

Nevada Revised Statutes

Chapter 484A - Traffic Laws Generally

NRS 484A.005 - Purposes of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS.

NRS 484A.010 - Definitions.

NRS 484A.015 - "Alley" defined.

NRS 484A.020 - "Authorized emergency vehicle" defined.

NRS 484A.025 - "Bicycle" defined.

NRS 484A.030 - "Bus" defined.

NRS 484A.035 - "Bus stand" defined.

NRS 484A.040 - "Center" and "centerline" defined.

NRS 484A.045 - "City" defined.

NRS 484A.050 - "Combination of vehicles" defined.

NRS 484A.055 - "Commercial vehicle" defined.

NRS 484A.060 - "Controlled-access highway" defined.

NRS 484A.065 - "Crosswalk" defined.

NRS 484A.070 - "Divided highway" defined.

NRS 484A.075 - "Driveaway-towaway operation" defined.

NRS 484A.080 - "Driver" defined.

NRS 484A.081 - "Electric bicycle" defined.

NRS 484A.082 - "Electric scooter" defined.

NRS 484A.085 - "Explosives" defined.

NRS 484A.090 - "Funeral procession" defined.

NRS 484A.095 - "Highway" defined.

NRS 484A.100 - "House trailer" defined.

NRS 484A.105 - "Intersection" defined.

NRS 484A.110 - "Laned highway" defined.

NRS 484A.115 - "Local authority" defined.

NRS 484A.120 - "Manufactured home" defined.

NRS 484A.125 - "Moped" defined.

NRS 484A.130 - "Motor vehicle" defined.

NRS 484A.135 - "Motorcycle" defined.

NRS 484A.140 - "Nonresident" defined.

NRS 484A.145 - "Official traffic-control device" defined.

NRS 484A.150 - "Owner" defined.

NRS 484A.155 - "Park" and "parking" defined.

NRS 484A.160 - "Passenger car" defined.

NRS 484A.165 - "Pedestrian" defined.

NRS 484A.170 - "Person with a disability which limits or impairs the ability to walk" defined.

NRS 484A.175 - "Pole trailer" defined.

NRS 484A.180 - "Police officer" defined.

NRS 484A.185 - "Premises to which the public has access" defined.

NRS 484A.190 - "Private way" and "driveway" defined.

NRS 484A.195 - "Public authority" defined.

NRS 484A.200 - "Railroad" defined.

NRS 484A.205 - "Regulatory agency" defined.

NRS 484A.210 - "Right-of-way" defined.

NRS 484A.215 - "Road" defined.

NRS 484A.220 - "Roadway" defined.

NRS 484A.225 - "Rural area" defined.

NRS 484A.230 - "School bus" defined.

NRS 484A.235 - "Semitrailer" defined.

NRS 484A.240 - "Sidewalk" defined.

NRS 484A.245 - "Special mobile equipment" defined.

NRS 484A.250 - "Stand" and "standing" defined.

NRS 484A.255 - "Stop" defined.

NRS 484A.260 - "Stop" and "stopping" defined.

NRS 484A.265 - "Street" defined.

NRS 484A.270 - "Taxicab" defined.

NRS 484A.275 - "Through highway" defined.

NRS 484A.280 - "Tow car" defined.

NRS 484A.285 - "Traffic" defined.

NRS 484A.290 - "Traffic-control signal" defined.

NRS 484A.295 - "Trailer" defined.

NRS 484A.300 - "Traveled portion of highway" defined.

NRS 484A.305 - "Truck" defined.

NRS 484A.310 - "Truck-tractor" defined.

NRS 484A.315 - "Urban area" defined.

NRS 484A.320 - "Vehicle" defined.

NRS 484A.400 - Provisions uniform throughout State; local authority prohibited from enacting certain ordinances; trial for same offense for violation of traffic ordinance prohibited. [Effective through December 31, 2022.] Provisions uniform throughou...

NRS 484A.410 - City or county may adopt penalties for certain violations of driving under influence of alcohol or prohibited substance; person convicted of violation of city or county ordinance subject to other provisions of law for such violation.

NRS 484A.420 - Powers of local authority.

NRS 484A.430 - Adoption of manual and specifications for devices for control of traffic by Department of Transportation.

NRS 484A.440 - Local device for control of traffic.

NRS 484A.450 - Designation of through highways and intersections requiring stop or yield; vehicle entering intersection.

NRS 484A.460 - Authority of Department of Transportation to designate carpool lanes; duties of Department of Transportation; regulations.

NRS 484A.463 - Authority of Department of Transportation to adopt regulations to allow certain low emission and energy-efficient vehicles to be operated in lane designated for high-occupancy vehicles.

NRS 484A.467 - County or city authorized to adopt ordinance to allow low emission and energy-efficient vehicles to travel in designated lane in planned community.

NRS 484A.469 - Local authority may regulate operation of electric scooters and scooter-share program; requirements for and limitations on scooter-share program.

NRS 484A.4695 - Electric bicycles may be ridden where bicycles are allowed; local authority or state agency may regulate operation of electric bicycle on certain paths and trails.

NRS 484A.470 - Authority of Department to adopt regulations concerning special mobile equipment.

NRS 484A.480 - Designation of authorized emergency vehicles; equipment; limitations on use of warning devices.

NRS 484A.490 - Permit for authorized emergency vehicle issued to other vehicles; certain vehicles not considered emergency vehicles.

NRS 484A.600 - Use by governmental entity or agent of photographic, video or digital equipment to gather evidence for issuance of traffic citation. [Effective through December 31, 2022.] Use by governmental entity or agent of photographic, video or d...

NRS 484A.610 - Issuance of forms for traffic citations; maintenance of records of books, electronic devices and citations.

NRS 484A.615 - Court or traffic violations bureau authorized to establish system to allow person to respond to traffic citation by mail or electronic means; requirements of system; exceptions; Nevada Supreme Court may adopt rules regarding system. [E...

NRS 484A.620 - Citation filed with court deemed lawful complaint.

NRS 484A.630 - Citation: Contents; minimum 5-day notice to appear in court; written promise to appear; physical receipt deemed personal service of notice to appear.

NRS 484A.640 - Matching of certain information before officer issues citation or makes arrest; when officer may arrest driver for prior offense.

NRS 484A.650 - Officer to demand proof of insurance; citation for operation of vehicle without insurance or for failure to present proof of insurance. [Effective through December 31, 2022.] Peace officer to demand proof of insurance during traffic st...

NRS 484A.660 - Issuance of citation at scene of crash.

NRS 484A.670 - Effect of violation of written promise to appear or failure to comply with notice to appear; when appearance by counsel in lieu of personal appearance is authorized; exceptions.

NRS 484A.680 - Disposition and records of traffic citations. [Effective through December 31, 2022.] Disposition and records of traffic citations. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.690 - Audit of records of traffic citations.

NRS 484A.700 - When warrant for failure to obey citation for parking violation may be issued; exception.

NRS 484A.703 - Traffic enforcement agency to provide form for civil infraction citations; duty of chief administrative officer regarding books and electronic devices. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7031 - Civil infraction citation serves as complaint for initiating civil case. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7033 - Authority of peace officer to detain, search or arrest person suspected of committing civil infraction; inclusion of civil infraction in criminal complaint. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7035 - Civil infraction citation: Contents; signature; service. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7037 - Peace officer to demand proof of insurance during traffic stop; citation for operation of vehicle without insurance or for failure to present proof of insurance; proof of insurance displayed on mobile electronic device. [Effective Jan...

NRS 484A.7039 - Filing of civil infraction citation; electronic filing; disposal of citation; return of citations; retention of records. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.704 - Response to civil infraction citation: Deadline; reminder; effect of failure to respond or appear at hearing; reimbursement of costs by person found to have committed civil infraction. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7041 - Hearing: Request; bond or deposit required; representation by counsel; evidence and witnesses; determination; appeal. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7043 - Penalties. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7045 - Community service; payment of associated insurance costs; conditions. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7047 - Delinquent penalty, assessment or fee; collection fee; collection; distribution of money collected. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.7049 - Violation punishable as misdemeanor may be treated as civil infraction; dismissal of underlying criminal charge. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.705 - Violation committed under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance may be charged as misdemeanor. [Effective January 1, 2023.]

NRS 484A.710 - Arrest without warrant for certain offenses.

NRS 484A.720 - When person must be taken immediately before magistrate.

NRS 484A.730 - When peace officer has option to give traffic citation or take person before magistrate.

NRS 484A.740 - Arrest of nonresident.

NRS 484A.750 - Appearance before magistrate having jurisdiction.

NRS 484A.760 - Release of defendant when magistrate not available.

NRS 484A.770 - Procedure prescribed for arrest without warrant not exclusive.

NRS 484A.772 - Legislative findings and declarations.

NRS 484A.774 - Presumption for release of person arrested for traffic violation; exceptions.

NRS 484A.780 - 30-day grace period must be provided before warrant may be issued to person after failure to appear or failure to pay assessment, fine or fee for traffic violation; exceptions.

NRS 484A.782 - Warrant must not be issued for failure to pay assessment, fine or fee for traffic violation unless person provided opportunity to satisfy assessment, fine or fee by way of community service and has failed to perform such service.

NRS 484A.784 - Court fees not expressly authorized by statute or for specialty court participation must be assessed on per case basis.

NRS 484A.786 - Order in which installment payments must be applied.

NRS 484A.788 - Order in which payment must be applied when person has more than one outstanding citation or is charged with more than one offense; exceptions.

NRS 484A.790 - Imposition and disposition of fee for traffic violation for purpose of reducing demerit points in lieu of completing course of traffic safety; duties of court collecting such fees; use of money collected.

NRS 484A.792 - Certain fines and forfeitures of bail must be paid into State Permanent School Fund.

NRS 484A.798 - Conviction for traffic violation not criminal conviction for applying for employment, professional licensure or educational opportunity; exceptions.

NRS 484A.800 - Sponsor of special event to provide for control of vehicular traffic.

NRS 484A.805 - Peace officer may seize license plates from or impound certain commercial vehicles subject to out-of-service order: Requirements; procedures; notice.

NRS 484A.810 - Department required to compile list of new and amended traffic laws and related provisions after each legislative session; posting and dissemination of information for public.

NRS 484A.900 - Penalty for violation of traffic law when no penalty provided in statute; authority of court to order repeat offender to pay for and attend school for driver training. [Effective through December 31, 2022.] Penalty for violation of tra...