Nevada · Handbook chapter 7 · 4 min read
Chapter 7: Special driving conditions
Night driving and headlight rules in Nevada, bad weather, snow and ice, studded tires, skids, brake failure, stuck accelerator, blowouts, flash floods, work zones and stopped emergency vehicles.
Why this chapter matters
Nevada's weather changes fast: wind, sudden storms, snow in the mountains and flash floods in the desert. Knowing how to handle darkness, bad weather and emergencies can save your life, and the test asks about all of them.
Night driving
- Drive so you can stop within the range of your headlights.
- Do not look into oncoming headlights; look down and to the right edge of your lane.
- Keep the windshield clean and never wear sunglasses at night.
Headlights are required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, whenever there is not enough light, and whenever you cannot clearly see people or vehicles 1,000 feet away. Use them in rain, snow or fog too.
Use high beams in open country, but dim to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following. Never drive on parking lights alone.
Bad weather
Slow down. On slippery roads, stopping can take 2 to 10 times as far as on dry pavement. On snow and ice:
- Use snow tires, all-weather radials or chains.
- Start slowly and test your brakes gently to feel the road.
- Brake early and gently, and avoid sudden changes of speed or direction. With ABS, use firm, steady pressure.
- There is no completely safe speed on ice.
Studded tires are allowed only from October 1 to April 30.
A skid means your tires have lost traction. Check your owner's manual for how your vehicle recovers.
Driving emergencies
| Emergency | What to do |
|---|---|
| Brakes fail | Pump the pedal; use the parking brake; shift to a lower gear. Never shift into park |
| Wet brakes | Drive slowly in low gear and brake lightly, testing about every 200 feet until they work normally |
| Gas pedal sticks | Tap it hard to free it. If not, shift to neutral, brake and pull off. Never shift into park |
| Blowout | Grip the wheel, ease off the gas, do not slam the brakes, and brake gently once under control |
| Off the pavement | Ease off the gas, grip the wheel, stay on the shoulder until under control, then ease back on |
| Headlights fail | Slow down and pull off, using parking lights, signals or flashers |
| Engine fire | Pull off and turn off the ignition. Use sand or dirt, not water; move at least 100 feet away if it spreads |
| Oncoming car in your lane | Slow down, honk, flash your lights and steer right. Do not swerve into the other lane |
| Wipers fail | Slow down, look out the open window and pull off |
Flash floods
Flash floods are common in Nevada, especially in summer. Less than 1 inch of water can make you lose control, 6 inches can push a fast car off the road, and most vehicles can float in 2 feet or less. Never drive into a flooded road or around a barricade: turn around and find another route. If the car stalls in rising water and you can get out safely, leave it and go to higher ground.
Work zones
Work zones are marked with orange signs, cones and barrels. Slow down, merge early and follow flaggers. Fines double for speeding in a work zone. Black and white speed signs are legal limits; orange speed signs are advisory. Moving barriers to enter a closed road is illegal.
Stopped emergency and service vehicles
When you approach a stopped police car, tow truck, NDOT vehicle, garbage truck or other emergency, utility or service vehicle, or someone repairing a vehicle, you must:
- slow to less than the posted limit,
- go with caution and be ready to stop, and
- if you can, move to a lane not next to the stopped vehicle.
Some highway shoulders are signed for use by emergency vehicles, tow cars and transit buses. Other drivers may not stop on them.
Frequently asked questions
When must I dim my high beams?
Within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.
What should I do if my gas pedal sticks?
Try tapping it hard. If it stays stuck, shift to neutral, brake and pull off the road. Do not shift into park.
How deep does water have to be to float a car?
Most vehicles can float in 2 feet of water or less. Never drive into a flooded road.
When can I use studded tires in Nevada?
From October 1 through April 30.
What must I do when passing a stopped tow truck with flashing lights?
Slow to less than the posted limit, be ready to stop and, if possible, move out of the lane next to it.
Based on the Nevada Driver's Handbook (DMV 700, March 2024), Chapter 5: Special Driving Conditions.