1. The Department may require every applicant for a driver’s license, including a commercial driver’s license issued pursuant to NRS 483.900 to 483.940, inclusive, to submit to an examination. The examination may include:

(a) A test of the applicant’s ability to understand official devices used to control traffic;

(b) A test of the applicant’s knowledge of practices for safe driving and the traffic laws of this State;

(c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, a test of the applicant’s eyesight; and

(d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3, an actual demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the type or class of vehicle for which he or she is to be licensed.

The examination may also include such further physical and mental examination as the Department finds necessary to determine the applicant’s fitness to drive a motor vehicle safely upon the highways. If the Department requires an applicant to submit to a test specified in paragraph (b), the Department shall ensure that the test includes at least one question testing the applicant’s knowledge of the provisions of NRS 484B.165.

2. The Department may provide by regulation for the acceptance of a report from an ophthalmologist, optician, optometrist, physician or advanced practice registered nurse in lieu of an eye test by a driver’s license examiner.

3. If the Department establishes a type or classification of driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle of a type which is not normally available to examine an applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of such a vehicle, the Department may, by regulation, provide for the acceptance of an affidavit from a:

(a) Past, present or prospective employer of the applicant; or

(b) Local joint apprenticeship committee which had jurisdiction over the training or testing, or both, of the applicant,

in lieu of an actual demonstration.

4. The Department may waive an examination pursuant to subsection 1 for a person applying for a Nevada driver’s license who possesses a valid driver’s license of the same type or class issued by another jurisdiction unless that person:

(a) Has not attained 21 years of age, except that the Department may, based on the driving record of the applicant, waive the examination to demonstrate the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the same type or class of vehicle for which he or she is to be licensed;

(b) Has had his or her license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle suspended, revoked or cancelled or has been otherwise disqualified from driving during the immediately preceding 4 years;

(c) Has been convicted of a violation of NRS 484C.130 or, during the immediately preceding 7 years, of a violation of NRS 484C.110, 484C.120 or 484C.430 or a law of any other jurisdiction that prohibits the same or similar conduct;

(d) Has restrictions to his or her driver’s license which the Department must reevaluate to ensure the safe driving of a motor vehicle by that person;

(e) Has had three or more convictions of moving traffic violations on his or her driving record during the immediately preceding 4 years; or

(f) Has been convicted of any of the offenses related to the use or operation of a motor vehicle which must be reported pursuant to the provisions of Part 1327 of Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations relating to the National Driver Register Problem Driver Pointer System during the immediately preceding 4 years.

5. The Department shall waive the fee prescribed by NRS 483.410 not more than one time for administration of the examination required pursuant to this section for a homeless child or youth under the age of 25 years who submits a signed affidavit on a form prescribed by the Department stating that the child or youth is homeless and under the age of 25 years.

6. As used in this section, “homeless child or youth” has the meaning ascribed to it in 42 U.S.C. § 11434a.

[Part 17:190:1941; A 1943, 268; 1943 NCL § 4442.16] — (NRS A 1963, 481, 843; 1969, 543; 1985, 570; 1987, 448, 1309, 1318; 1991, 999; 1995, 111; 1997, 61; 1999, 3408; 2005, 130; 2007, 2784; 2009, 2021; 2013, 505; 2019, 496, 4502, effective January 1, 2020)