Nevada motorcycle laws: helmets, lane splitting and more

This page explains Nevada motorcycle laws in plain English so riders know what to look up. It is not legal advice and it doesn't cover every condition or exception. Laws change. Most of Nevada's motorcycle rules sit in chapter 486 of the Nevada Revised Statutes. Read the source and talk to a lawyer about your situation.

Nevada requires every motorcycle rider and passenger to wear a protective helmet, with no age exemption. Choose one that meets the federal DOT standard and look for the certification label. So-called novelty helmets don't meet it.

Nevada law also requires eye protection, such as glasses, goggles or a face shield, unless the motorcycle has a windscreen. Read the statute for the exact wording. In practice, a full-face helmet handles both, and it keeps desert sun, grit and bugs off your face on a long US 50 day.

No. As of 2026, Nevada law doesn't allow lane splitting or filtering. That means no riding between lanes of moving traffic and no moving up between stopped cars at a light. Ride in your lane like any other vehicle.

Several states are changing their laws, and lane filtering has come up in other western legislatures, so check before you ride. Until the law changes, the Las Vegas Strip, I-15 and I-80 at rush hour mean sitting in traffic. Plan around the worst of it.

Helmet rules change too. Nevada and California require helmets for all riders, while Arizona, Utah and Idaho only require them for some riders. Wear one everywhere. The California hub covers the rules on that side of the line.

In Nevada, you need a Class M license or endorsement to ride a motorcycle on public roads. It is issued by the Nevada DMV after knowledge and riding skills requirements. Completing an approved motorcycle safety course is the common path, and it can let you skip the DMV riding test. Requirements change, so check the Nevada DMV for the current steps.

A course is worth it even if you're already licensed. Nevada riding asks a lot: heat, wind, long distances between help, and wildlife on rural roads. If you're new, see our page on the motorcycle app for beginners.

A passenger needs their own seat and footrests and, like the rider, a helmet. Equipment rules cover lights, mirrors and other basics. Check chapter 486 before you modify a bike.

Carry your license with the motorcycle class, your registration and proof of insurance. Nevada requires liability insurance on registered vehicles; check the DMV for the current minimums. Nevada also bans handheld phone use while driving. Mount the phone, set the route before you roll and pull over to change anything.

Rippin' is built for a phone you don't touch. Tap Record Ride once before you roll, pocket or mount the phone and ride. Recording runs in the background, and you tap Stop at the end.

Segments in Rippin' are stretches of road a rider added. Ride through one and you're timed automatically, but the board is about who owns the road and who rides it, not a race. Turf, poker cards and points come from riding, not from riding fast. Red Rock, Mount Charleston and the Tahoe passes all see patrols, and the long straights on US 50 tempt people. Leave margin for cattle and wind. The roads themselves are in our Nevada roads guide.

Set a home privacy safe zone so the part of your rides near home stays hidden. Live location is only shared when you start a group ride or broadcast. For the state overview, see the Nevada hub.