Nevada DMV Driver Handbook – Key Vocabulary

Key vocabulary terms and their definitions extracted from the Nevada Driver Handbook to aid study and review.

Real ID

A Nevada driver’s license or ID card marked with a gold Nevada outline and star that meets federal identification standards for boarding aircraft and entering federal facilities.

Standard License

A Nevada driver’s license or ID card marked “NOT FOR REAL ID PURPOSES” that does not meet federal identification requirements.

Driver Authorization Card (DAC)

A four-year Nevada card that authorizes driving but is not valid for federal or state identification and cannot be used to prove legal presence.

Instruction Permit

A one-year permit allowing supervised driving while learning to operate a vehicle, required for at least six months for applicants under 18.

Certificate of Completion (Driver Education)

Document proving an approved driver-education course has been finished; required for young driver licensing.

Beginning Driver Experience Log (DLD-130)

Official DMV log used to record supervised driving hours for teen licensing.

DMV-301 Certification of Attendance

Form signed by a school official certifying a minor meets school attendance requirements for permit or license issuance.

Class C License

Nevada license category for cars, vans, and pickups; may tow a vehicle 10,000 lbs. GVWR or less.

Class M License

Nevada license category for operating motorcycles or mopeds.

Endorsement J

Non-commercial endorsement allowing a Class C driver to tow trailers over 10,000-pound GVWR (combined weight under 26,000 lbs.).

Demerit Point System

Nevada DMV system that assigns points for traffic violations; 12 or more points in 12 months results in license suspension.

SR-22

Proof of financial responsibility insurance certificate required for certain suspended or revoked drivers before license reinstatement.

No-Zone

Large blind-spot areas around commercial vehicles where cars disappear from truck or bus driver view.

ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)

Vehicle braking technology that prevents wheel lock-up and allows steering control during hard braking.

Blind Spot Monitor

Advanced driver assistance technology that alerts drivers to vehicles in adjacent lane areas they cannot see.

Lane Departure Warning

System that alerts a driver when the vehicle unintentionally drifts out of its lane.

Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)

Safety technology that automatically applies brakes to avoid or lessen a forward collision.

HOV Lane

High-Occupancy Vehicle lane reserved for vehicles carrying two or more people, motorcycles, and certain buses during posted hours.

Ramp Meter

Traffic signal on freeway entrance ramps that controls the rate of vehicles entering to reduce congestion.

Roundabout

A circular intersection where traffic moves counter-clockwise around a center island and entering vehicles yield to circulating traffic.

Center Turn Lane

Shared lane marked by solid and dashed yellow lines reserved exclusively for left turns by traffic from either direction.

Flashing Yellow Arrow

Traffic signal indicating drivers may make a turn after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

NV LIVE

Nevada Liability Insurance Validation Electronically program used by DMV to verify continuous vehicle insurance coverage.

Implied Consent Law

Nevada law stating drivers must submit to chemical testing for alcohol or drugs when suspected of DUI.

Illegal Per Se Law

Statute making it unlawful to drive with a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher (or 0.02% for under 21).

Administrative License Revocation

Immediate DMV action to revoke a driver license based on failed chemical test or refusal, separate from criminal court penalties.

School Zone Speed Limit

Reduced speed of 15 mph or 25 mph in designated areas during specified hours or when children are present.

Crossbuck

White X-shaped railroad crossing sign indicating drivers must yield to trains.

Colored Curb Markings

Painted curbs indicating parking rules—white (short stop), green (limited), yellow (loading), red (no parking), blue (disabled).

Emergency Vehicle Move-Over Law

Requires drivers to slow down and, if possible, move to a non-adjacent lane when approaching stopped emergency or service vehicles with flashing lights.

Perception-Reaction Distance

The distance a vehicle travels from the moment a driver sees a hazard until the brakes are applied.

Traction

Friction between a vehicle’s tires and the roadway surface necessary for control and stopping.

Hydroplaning

Condition where tires ride on a film of water, causing loss of steering and braking control.

Rear-End Collision

Most common Nevada crash type, often caused by inadequate following distance and inattention.

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)

Manufacturer-specified maximum loaded weight of a single vehicle.

Fifth-Wheel Hitch

Coupling device mounted in a truck bed used to tow fifth-wheel trailers via a kingpin connection.

Ball-and-Hitch Coupler

Common trailer connection system using a ball on the tow vehicle and a latching socket on the trailer tongue.

Crack-the-Whip Effect

Dangerous sway amplification in multiple-trailer combinations during sudden steering, increasing risk of rollover.

Evidence of Insurance Card

Document (paper or electronic) proving a Nevada vehicle is covered by required liability insurance.

Vehicle Inspection Report (Smog Check)

Document showing a vehicle passed Nevada emissions testing, required for registration in Clark and Washoe counties.