Nevada · Handbook chapter 6 · 5 min read

Chapter 6: Turning, passing and parking

Signaling distances, hand signals, right and left turns, roundabouts, legal and illegal U-turns in Nevada, passing rules, passing bicyclists, curb colors, hill parking and no-parking distances.

Why this chapter matters

Many crashes happen while drivers are turning, changing lanes or passing. Nevada's distances are popular test questions: 100 feet, 300 feet, 200 feet, 3 feet, 18 inches and 15 feet.

Signaling

Signal at least 100 feet (about 10 car lengths) before a turn or lane change on city streets, and 300 feet (about 30 car lengths) on highways. If your signals fail, use hand signals from the driver's window:

Turning

• Get into the correct lane well ahead, slow down and yield to pedestrians and other traffic.
• Right turns: from the far right lane or a marked right-turn lane, into the right lane of the new road. You may not drive straight through an intersection from a right-turn-only lane.
• Left turns: keep your wheels straight while you wait. On a two-way road, start from the lane just right of the center line and finish in the nearest lane going your way.
• Make sure your signal turns off afterwards.

Roundabouts

Traffic moves counterclockwise. Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout and wait for a gap. Use the left lane to turn left, make a U-turn or go straight, and the right lane to turn right or go straight. Signal right as you exit. The raised truck apron around the center is for large trucks only.

U-turns

Nevada allows U-turns where they can be made safely, from the far left lane or a center turn lane. Never make a U-turn:

• at or on a railroad crossing,
• across a divided highway's median or curb (use a marked opening),
• where you cannot see 200 feet each way,
• where a No U-turn sign is posted, or on a one-way street,
• in front of a fire station or using its driveway,
• in a business district except at an intersection or a provided opening,
• near a grade with less than 500 feet of visibility both ways,
• in a school zone while it is in effect.

Passing

Never speed to pass and never pass on the shoulder. On a two-lane road, pass on the left only where the yellow line on your side is broken, you can see clearly and no traffic is close. Return to your lane when you can see the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror.

Do not pass on a two-lane road near a curve or hilltop, within 100 feet of a street crossing or a railroad crossing, where there is a double solid yellow line, or where signs forbid it. If someone passes you, keep right and do not speed up.

On a highway with two lanes in your direction, outside cities and towns, do not drive slower than the limit in the far left lane when someone faster is behind you. You may pass on the right only on a road with two or more lanes your way, and never by leaving the pavement.

Passing bicyclists

Move into the next lane if there is one and it is safe. If not, pass at least 3 feet to the left of the bicycle and stay out of the bike lane.

Parking

• Turn off the engine, set the parking brake, take your keys and lock up.
• Park with the flow of traffic, within 18 inches of the curb, where others can see you from 200 feet.
• Never turn the ignition to lock while moving: the steering will lock.

Curb colors

Parking on a hill

• Downhill: turn the front wheels toward the curb or shoulder.
• Uphill with a curb: turn them away from the curb.
• Uphill without a curb: turn them toward the shoulder.
• Always set the parking brake.

Where you may not park

• On a sidewalk, crosswalk or within an intersection, or in front of a driveway.
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant (20 feet where angle parking is allowed).
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk, and within 30 feet of a traffic signal.
• Within 50 feet of the closest railroad rail.
• Within 20 feet of a fire station driveway (75 feet on the opposite side).
• On a bridge or in a tunnel, double parked, next to a construction zone, or in a bike lane.

Parking in a disabled space without the plate or placard carries a minimum fine of $250.