Driver's License- Don't Leave Home Without It or You Could Be Arrested

Did you know that failure to have sufficient evidence of your identity (such as your driver's license or other government issued photo identification) when driving could result in your arrest? Under Nevada law, a peace officer may, at his or her discretion, arrest you if you do not have proper identification.

NRS 484.795 When peace officer has option to take person before magistrate.

Whenever any person is halted by a peace officer for any violation of this chapter and is not required to be taken before a magistrate, the person may, in the discretion of the peace officer, either be given a traffic citation, or be taken without unnecessary delay before the proper magistrate. He must be taken before the magistrate in any of the following cases:

1. When the person does not furnish satisfactory evidence of identity or when the peace officer has reasonable and probable grounds to believe the person will disregard a written promise to appear in court;

2. When the person is charged with a violation of NRS 484.701, relating to the refusal of a driver of a vehicle to submit the vehicle to an inspection and test;

3. When the person is charged with a violation of NRS 484.755, relating to the failure or refusal of a driver of a vehicle to submit the vehicle and load to a weighing or to remove excess weight therefrom; or

4. When the person is charged with a violation of NRS 484.379 or 484.379778, unless he is incapacitated and is being treated for injuries at the time the peace officer would otherwise be taking him before the magistrate.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 1211; A 1969, 1509; 1981, 1362; 2007, 2807)