Nevada New Rule on Right Turns at Red Lights: Everything Drivers Need to Know

Complete Stop: Drivers must come to a full stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection.

No Prohibiting Signs: The maneuver is only permitted if there’s no posted sign stating “No Right Turn on Red” or a corresponding signal restricting the action.

Extreme Right Lane Requirement: You have to be in the rightmost lane to make a legal right-on-red.

Yielding: Absolutely yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians in the crosswalk and any approaching vehicles with the green light or right of way.

Signal Your Turn: Use your right turn indicator well before executing the turn.

Ensure Safety: Make sure the path is clear, including checking for cyclists, before proceeding.

Increased Pedestrian Emphasis: Law enforcement is placing greater focus on pedestrian safety at intersections. Failure to yield to pedestrians can result in higher fines and demerit points on your driver’s license. Las Vegas and Reno have both increased police patrols near busy intersections following a rise in pedestrian accidents.

No-Turn-On-Red Zones Expanding: Some urban areas, such as busy corridors in Las Vegas and Henderson, now have more intersections clearly marked with “No Right Turn on Red” signs. This comes amid a national push to reduce pedestrian injuries in high-traffic areas.

Upgraded Signal Technology: New traffic signals with retroreflective backplates are being rolled out statewide to improve visibility. These help drivers notice signals more easily and reduce the risk of red-light violations, especially at night or during power outages.

Heavier Penalties for Violations: Making an illegal right turn on red—such as turning without a full stop, from the wrong lane, or failing to yield—can result in a civil penalty (often $305 in Las Vegas) and four demerit points on your Nevada license. Accidents or repeat violations may bring steeper consequences, including insurance increases or even license suspension.

Always come to a full stop, even if the intersection appears empty.

Double-check for hidden or “No Right on Red” signs, which are expanding across metro areas.

Check for pedestrians and cyclists, who may enter the crosswalk late.

Never turn right on red from any lane other than the furthest right.

If visibility is poor or the sign is obstructed, wait for the green signal to avoid disputes.

Red Turn Arrow: If the signal displays a red right-turn arrow, you must remain stopped until it turns green, even if the main light is red and right-turns-on-red are usually allowed.

School and Construction Zones: Additional restrictions might apply. Some zones have temporary or permanent no-turn-on-red signs during school hours or active roadwork.