1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, the Department may issue a driver’s license to a person who is 16 or 17 years of age if the person:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, has completed:

(1) A course in automobile driver education pursuant to NRS 389.090; or

(2) A course provided by a school for training drivers which is licensed pursuant to NRS 483.700 to 483.780, inclusive, and which complies with the applicable regulations governing the establishment, conduct and scope of automobile driver education adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to NRS 389.090;

(b) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, has at least 50 hours of supervised experience in driving a motor vehicle with a restricted license, instruction permit or restricted instruction permit issued pursuant to NRS 483.267, 483.270 or 483.280, including, without limitation, at least 10 hours of experience in driving a motor vehicle during darkness;

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, submits to the Department, on a form provided by the Department, a log which contains the dates and times of the hours of supervised experience required pursuant to this section and which is signed:

(1) By his or her parent or legal guardian; or

(2) If the person applying for the driver’s license is an emancipated minor, by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or by a licensed driving instructor,

who attests that the person applying for the driver’s license has completed the training and experience required pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b);

(d) Submits to the Department:

(1) A written statement signed by the principal of the public school in which the person is enrolled or by a designee of the principal and which is provided to the person pursuant to NRS 392.123;

(2) A written statement signed by the parent or legal guardian of the person which states that the person is excused from compulsory attendance pursuant to NRS 392.070;

(3) A copy of the person’s high school diploma or certificate of attendance; or

(4) A copy of the person’s certificate of general educational development or an equivalent document;

(e) Has not been found to be responsible for a motor vehicle crash during the 6 months before applying for the driver’s license;

(f) Has not been convicted of a moving traffic violation or a crime involving alcohol or a controlled substance during the 6 months before applying for the driver’s license; and

(g) Has held an instruction permit for not less than 6 months before applying for the driver’s license.

2. If a course described in paragraph (a) of subsection 1 is not offered within a 30-mile radius of a person’s residence, the person may, in lieu of completing such a course as required by that paragraph, complete an additional 50 hours of supervised experience in driving a motor vehicle in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection 1.

3. In lieu of the supervised experience required pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 1, a person applying for a Class C noncommercial driver’s license may provide to the Department proof that the person has successfully completed:

(a) The training required pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection 1; and

(b) A hands-on course in defensive driving that has been approved by the Department pursuant to NRS 483.727.

4. A person who is 16 or 17 years of age, who has held an instruction permit issued pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 483.280 authorizing the holder of the permit to operate a motorcycle and who applies for a driver’s license pursuant to this section that authorizes him or her to operate a motorcycle must comply with the provisions of paragraphs (d) to (g), inclusive, of subsection 1 and must:

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, complete a course of motorcycle safety approved by the Department;

(b) Have at least 50 hours of experience in driving a motorcycle with an instruction permit issued pursuant to subsection 4 of NRS 483.280; and

(c) Submit to the Department, on a form provided by the Department, a log which contains the dates and times of the hours of experience required pursuant to paragraph (b) and which is signed by his or her parent or legal guardian who attests that the person applying for the motorcycle driver’s license has completed the training and experience required pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b).

5. If a course described in paragraph (a) of subsection 4 is not offered within a 30-mile radius of a person’s residence, the person may, in lieu of completing the course, complete an additional 50 hours of experience in driving a motorcycle in accordance with paragraph (b) of subsection 4.

(Added to NRS by 2005, 2306; A 2013, 2463; 2015, 1630; 2017, 963; 2019, 2971, effective July 1, 2020)