SR-22 in Nevada: DUI, Insurance Lapses and the 3-Year Rule

Nevada has no grace period on insurance. A long enough lapse, or a DUI, puts you on an SR-22 for 3 years, and the fines stack by how long you were uninsured.

Who needs an SR-22 in Nevada

The Nevada DMV lists an SR-22 for reinstatement when your issue relates to a DUI, a revocation, an accident, a lapse of an SR-22, or a lapse of insurance. The two most common cases:

After a DUI

For a first DUI, the DMV lists a revocation of at least 185 days, an ignition interlock device, a $121 reinstatement fee, a $42.25 civil penalty, DMV tests, and an SR-22 for 3 years (36 consecutive months). The DMV spells out the order: install the interlock, get a "Y" restriction placed on your license, and after 36 consecutive months with the SR-22 you can have the restriction removed and then take the interlock out.

After an insurance lapse

Nevada requires continuous insurance on every active registration (NRS 485.185) and has no grace period: even a one-day lapse can bring fees and fines. You need an SR-22 for 3 years if the lapse lasted 91 days or more, or if it's your third lapse within five years, which also brings a license suspension of at least 30 days. You must get the SR-22 before paying the fines and fees.

Lapse length	1st offense	2nd in 5 years	3rd in 5 years
1-30 days	$250	$500	$750 + SR-22
31-90 days	$500	$1,000	$1,250 + SR-22
91-180 days	$750 + SR-22	$1,000 + SR-22	$1,500 + SR-22
181 days or more	$1,250 + SR-22	$1,500 + SR-22	$1,750 + SR-22

Totals of reinstatement fee plus fine, per the Nevada DMV's Insurance Reinstatement Guide (NVL 010). A third offense within five years also means a license suspension of at least 30 days. If you had sold the vehicle or moved out of state, you don't owe these fees, but you must tell the DMV to stop the suspension.

What the insurance must cover

Nevada's minimums are $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $20,000 for property damage. The policy must be written for Nevada; out-of-state insurance isn't accepted on Nevada-registered vehicles.

If the SR-22 lapses

Your insurer notifies the DMV immediately if you drop the coverage, and failing to maintain insurance under an SR-22 requirement leads to a driver's license suspension. Reinstating a suspended license involves a $75 reinstatement fee plus the license and any testing fees.

Related: When does my SR-22 end? (calculator) · Driving without insurance in Nevada · SR-22 requirements in every state