A guide to right-of-way laws in Nevada

Right-of-way laws help ease traffic through intersections and minimize accidents. In Nevada, refusal to yield is one of the most common causes of accidents, so these rules are based on cooperation, courtesy, and common sense. They are for your protection, so study and follow them.

Summary of Nevada Right of Way Laws

In Nevada, right-of-way laws can be summarized as follows.

Unregulated intersections

• In the absence of signals or road signs, the right of way must be given to the vehicle on the right.

• Vehicles that are already at the intersection always have the right of way.

• If a vehicle is already at the intersection and moving straight ahead, it has priority over vehicles turning left.

• When entering from a carriageway, secondary road, or private road, you must yield to vehicles and pedestrians already on the carriageway.

Ambulances

• An emergency vehicle that uses flashers and/or sounds a siren has right-of-way regardless of the direction it is approaching from.

• If you are already at the intersection, don't stop. Clear the intersection and then stop.

funeral processions

• You must give way to funeral processions with their headlights on and allow them to pass as one, even if the light favors you.

Pedestrians

• Pedestrians at intersections and pedestrian crossings have the right of way.

• Visually impaired persons walking a guide dog, other service animal, or carrying a cane or white cane have priority under all circumstances.

Carousel

• Right of way at a roundabout should be granted to vehicles that are already at the roundabout.

• Give way to traffic moving on the left, wait for a light and then enter the roundabout.

Common Misconceptions About Nevada's Right of Way Laws

The right of way means the right of one driver to overtake another. Preemption laws also apply to cyclists and pedestrians. However, if you think that you have the right to take advantage under certain conditions, you are mistaken. Nevada state law does not give you right of way—it only states who must yield right of way to another. And even if you are legally in a position where the right of way must be ceded to you, you cannot use it if it could lead to an accident.

Penalties for non-compliance

Penalties for failure are the same throughout the state of Nevada. If you fail to yield the right of way, your driver's license will be assessed at four demerit points. You will also be required to pay a $200 fine plus additional fees totaling $305.

See Nevada Driver's Manual, Chapter 3, page 32, and Chapter 4, page 40 for more information.