Rules of the Road
Rules of the Road covers the everyday operating laws Nevada tests: lane use, passing, signaling, following distance, lighting, occupant protection, and the special rules for school buses, railroad crossings and emergency vehicles.
Position and passing
- Keep right except to pass; slower traffic stays in the right lane.
- Pass on the left. Never pass in a no-passing zone - pennant sign, solid yellow on your side, hill crest, curve, railroad crossing or intersection.
- Return to your lane only when you can see the passed vehicle in your mirror.
- Passing on the right is limited; the common legal case is a vehicle ahead that is turning left.
Following and signaling
- Three-second gap in good conditions; add a second for rain, darkness or heavy loads, and more behind trucks and motorcycles.
- Signal at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change, then cancel it. Change one lane at a time.
Lights and attention
- Headlights from sunset to sunrise, and whenever rain, fog or snow reduces visibility. Low beams in fog.
- Handheld phone use while driving is prohibited in Nevada.
Occupant protection
- Seat belts for all occupants. Children under 6 years old and under 60 pounds must be in an approved child restraint.
Special situations
- School bus with flashing red lights: stop and stay stopped until the lights stop - except traffic on the opposite side of a divided highway.
- Railroad crossing: stop when the lights flash or the gate lowers; never stop on the tracks.
- Move over: change lanes away from any stopped emergency, tow or highway-maintenance vehicle with lights on, or slow to a safe speed if you cannot.
Worked example
A school bus stops with red lights flashing on a four-lane road split by a raised median. You are traveling the opposite direction. Because the opposing lanes are separated by a median, you are not required to stop - but traffic behind the bus in its own direction is, and you should still slow and watch for children.
Traps
- Signaling as you begin the turn instead of 100 feet early.
- Assuming the school-bus stop rule applies across a divided highway.
- Running parking lights in rain instead of full headlights.
- Cutting back into the lane before the passed car is visible in your mirror.