Traffic Stops
NRS 484B.550 and NRS 171.123 — stop for the red lamp and siren, give your name, and no more than 60 minutes on suspicion
At a stop, the sections this page reads say, in short:
- Willfully failing to stop, or fleeing, when signaled by a peace officer's flashing red lamp and siren is a misdemeanor.
- An officer may detain a person on suspicion only to learn the person's identity and the suspicious circumstances.
- The person detained identifies himself or herself, but may not be compelled to answer any other question.
- A detention on suspicion lasts no longer than 60 minutes, and no longer than reasonably necessary.
- The detention stays at or near the place it began unless the person is arrested.
- Evidence of insurance is kept in the vehicle and surrendered to a peace officer on demand.
- Insurance shown on a phone is not consent for the officer to look at anything else on the device.
Red lamp and siren. A Nevada driver who willfully fails to stop, or flees or tries to elude, when a peace officer in a readily identifiable vehicle signals to stop by flashing red lamp and siren commits a misdemeanor. Doing it while endangering others or damaging property is a category B felony of 1 to 6 years, and causing a death or bodily harm a category B felony of 2 to 20 years.
An officer may detain someone encountered in circumstances that reasonably indicate a crime or civil infraction, only to learn the person's identity and the suspicious circumstances. The person detained identifies himself or herself, but may not be compelled to answer any other question.
60 minutes at most. Such a detention lasts no longer than reasonably necessary, and in no event longer than 60 minutes, and stays at or near the place it began unless the person is arrested.
The owner keeps evidence of insurance in the vehicle and surrenders it to a peace officer on demand. Showing it on a phone is not consent for the officer to look at anything else on the device.
The duty to carry and show a driver's license, the search of a vehicle, and arrest are governed by other sections and by constitutional law not reproduced here. Whether a particular stop or its length was lawful is a question for a court and a licensed Nevada attorney.
Sources for this section (3)
- NRS 484B.550 — Stop required upon signal of peace officer
- NRS 171.123 — Temporary detention by peace officer of person suspected of crime or civil infraction
- NRS 485.187 — Unlawful acts; fines and penalties; exceptions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Nevada attorney.