1. Any person who is at least 15 1/2 years of age may apply to the Department for an instruction permit. Except as otherwise provided in subsections 4 and 5, the Department may, in its discretion, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination administered pursuant to NRS 483.330, other than the driving test, issue to the applicant an instruction permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, upon the highways for a period of 1 year when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age, who has had at least 1 year of licensed driving experience in the type of vehicle for which the permit was issued and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. The term “licensed driving experience” as used in this subsection does not include driving experience gained under an instruction permit issued pursuant to the provisions of this section.

2. The Department may, in its discretion, issue a temporary driver’s permit to an applicant for a driver’s license permitting the applicant to drive a motor vehicle while the Department is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to the applicant’s right to receive a driver’s license. The permit must be in the applicant’s immediate possession while driving a motor vehicle, and is invalid when the applicant’s license has been issued or for good cause has been refused.

3. The Department, upon receiving proper application, may, in its discretion, issue a restricted instruction permit for the operation of a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, effective for a school year, or for a more restricted period, to an applicant who is enrolled in a drivers’ education program which includes practice driving and which is approved by the Department even though the applicant has not reached the legal age to be eligible for a driver’s license. The instruction permit entitles the permittee, when the permittee has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle only on a designated highway or within a designated area, but only when an approved instructor is occupying a seat beside the permittee.

4. Any person who is at least 15 1/2 years of age and less than 18 years of age may apply to the Department for an instruction permit authorizing the holder to operate a motorcycle. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, the Department may, in its discretion, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination administered pursuant to NRS 483.330, other than the driving test, issue to the applicant an instruction permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive a motorcycle upon the highways for a period of 1 year. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, a permit issued pursuant to this subsection may be renewed, but expires when the holder of the permit attains the age of 18 years.

5. A person who is 18 years of age or more may, not more than once every 5 years, apply to the Department for an instruction permit authorizing the holder to operate a motorcycle. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, the Department may, in its discretion, after the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the examination administered pursuant to NRS 483.330, other than the driving test, issue to the applicant an instruction permit entitling the applicant, while having the permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive a motorcycle upon the highways for a period of 6 months.

6. A holder of an instruction permit issued pursuant to subsection 4 or 5, is entitled, while having the permit in his or her immediate possession, to drive a motorcycle only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, and may not:

(a) Carry any passengers; or

(b) Operate the motorcycle on a controlled-access highway.

7. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 8, an instruction permit issued pursuant to subsection 5 may be renewed not more than once. The holder of such a permit who allows the permit to expire before applying to the Department for renewal of the permit, if he or she does not hold a driver’s license from this State, must successfully pass all parts of the examination administered pursuant to NRS 483.330, other than the driving test, to renew the instruction permit.

8. A person who has failed the motorcycle driving test required by the Department pursuant to NRS 483.330 two or more times may not be issued an instruction permit pursuant to subsection 4 or 5.

[Part 12:190:1941; A 1955, 129; 1956, 203] — (NRS A 1959, 498; 1965, 563, 1090; 1969, 541; 1997, 1523; 2001 Special Session, 272; 2013, 505; 2017, 964)