“Driving too slowly” in Nevada (NRS 484B.623, 484B.627 & 484B.630)

Like speeding, driving too slowly in Las Vegas can get motorists a traffic ticket as well as two (2) driver’s license demerit points in Nevada. Civil penalty payments for violating this “Move Over Law” increase with each successive citation for knowingly driving too slowly in the left lane of a Nevada highway:

• $50 for a first-time offense
• $100 for a second-time offense
• $250 for a third-time (or later) offense

In this article, our Las Vegas traffic ticket attorneys answer frequently-asked-questions about driving too slowly. We tackle such issues as defenses, punishments, demerit points, and more. Click on a topic below to jump directly to that section:

• 1. Is “driving too slowly” illegal in Las Vegas, Nevada?
• 2. How do I fight the charges?
• 3. What are the penalties for “driving too slowly”?
• 4. Can I get the charge reduced to a non-moving violation?
• 5. How many points will go on my driver’s license?
• 6. Will my auto insurance rates go up?
• 7. Do I have to do traffic school?
• 8. What will happen if I ignore my ticket?
• 9. What will happen to my commercial driver’s license?
• 10. What will happen to my out-of-state driver’s license?
• 11. When can I seal my record for “driving too slowly” in Nevada?
• 12. Will I get deported?
• 13. Should I fight my ticket or just pay?
• 14. Can I go to trial?
• 15. Do I need an attorney?

If you have been injured by someone not driving fast enough, you may be able to sue. Contact our Las Vegas personal injury attorneys to learn more.

1. Is “driving too slowly” illegal in Las Vegas, Nevada?

Yes. Nevada law prohibits driving so slowly “as to impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic except when reduced speed is necessary for safe operation or in compliance with the law.” Slow drivers that are impeding traffic are obligated to:

• If the road has one lane for traveling in each direction, drive to the extreme right side of the road and if necessary turn off the roadway; or
• If the road has two or more clearly marked lanes for traffic traveling in the direction in which the driver is traveling, drive in the extreme right-hand lane except when necessary to pass other slowly moving vehicles; or
• if the road is a highway, use alternate routes whenever possible.

Note that if five (5) or more vehicles form a line behind a slow-moving vehicle on road with just one lane for each direction, that vehicle must turn off the roadway at the nearest turnout or safe place to pull over. Failing to do so is a civil infraction.

And obviously, it is illegal to completely stop a car on the road so as to impede the normal movement of traffic unless the stop is lawful or necessary for safe operation. This section is comparable to Vehicle Code 2400 VC, California’s minimum speed law which makes it illegal to drive too slowly.

1.1. Not driving fast enough in the left lane of a highway

The Nevada Legislature recently passed a law prohibiting driving on the left lane of a highway if the driver knows, or reasonably should know, that he/she is traveling below the speed limit and is being overtaken in that lane from the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed. There are five common-sense exceptions:

1. When traffic conditions, inclement weather, obstructions or hazards make it necessary to drive in the extreme left lane; or
2. When compliance with an official traffic control device or the directions given by a peace officer makes it necessary to drive in the extreme left lane; or
3. The driver is driving an authorized emergency vehicle in the course of his/her official duties; or
4. The driver is operating a motor vehicle within the geographical limits of a city or town; or
5. The driver is operating a motor vehicle that is:

• overtaking another vehicle proceeding in the same direction; or
• preparing for a left turn at an intersection; or
• traveling in a lane designated for the use of high-occupancy vehicles pursuant to NRS 484A.460, if the driver complies with the requirements to travel in such a lane; or
• engaged in the construction, maintenance or repair of the highway, including, without limitation, the removal of snow.

As explained in question 3 below, the sentence for violating this law gets harsher with each successive infraction.¹

2. How do I fight the charges?

Firstly, most traffic ticket defendants can achieve a charge reduction or possibly a dismissal without having to litigate the case on the merits. But in the rare instance a traffic case progresses into litigation, the defendant may be able to show that he/she did not go too slowly – or that the slow speed was legally justifiable – through surveillance video, photographs or eye-witnesses.

If the defendant is facing the specific charge of driving at too slow a pace on a highway’s left lane, there is another possible defense: that the driver did not know that he/she was driving below the speed limit: Perhaps the car’s odometer was defective, or there was insufficient signage to indicate what the speed limit was. If the judge does not find beyond a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant knew, or should have known, that he/she was not driving fast enough, the case should be dropped.

3. What are the penalties for “driving too slowly”?

Driving at too slow a pace is a civil infraction in Nevada. The maximum penalty is $500 in civil penalties.

Not driving fast enough on the left lane of a highway, the penalties get harsher with each successive infraction: A first-time citation is $50; a second-time citation is $100; and a third-time citation is $250.²

4. Can I get a charge reduced to a non-moving violation?

Chances are very good that a citation for driving at too slow a pace can get reduced to a non-moving violation, especially if the person has little-to-no traffic offense history.

5. How many points will go on my driver’s license?

Two (2) demerit points, but the Nevada DMV removes these points after one (1) year. If the person gets twelve (12) points, his/her license will get suspended for six (6) months.³

If the defendant’s license does get suspended, he/she can ask for a DMV hearing to contest it. It is recommended that an attorney appear in the defendant’s place because DMV hearings are like mini-trials and can get complicated.

While the license is suspended, the license-holder must not drive or else face charges for driving with a suspended license. This civil infraction carries up to $500 in civil penalties.⁴

6. Will my auto insurance rates increase?

Probably, though it should have less consequence than a speeding ticket. If the driver can get the charge pleaded down to a non-moving violation, though, there may not be any rate hikes at all.

7. Do I have to do traffic school?

Not usually. A civil penalty is often the only punishment for driving too slowly. But many judges will reduce the charge to a non-moving violation if the defendant completes Level 1 Nevada Traffic school. The benefit of having just a non-moving violation is that it carries no demerit points.⁵

8. What will happen if I ignore my ticket?

You can be assessed a late penalty, and your license may be suspended.⁶

9. What will happen to my commercial driver’s license?

As with a regular Nevada driver’s license, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) will get two (2) demerit points for driving too slowly. The driver also has to tell his/her employer about it within thirty (30) days.⁷

10. What will happen to my out-of-state license?

The Nevada DMV will inform the out-of-state DMV about the ticket, so that DMV will probably impose whatever punishment is standard for that state. Consult with an attorney from the home state for more information.

11. When can I seal my record for “driving too slowly” in Nevada?

Civil infractions cannot be sealed from your DMV driving record.⁸

Because infractions are civil, they do not go on your criminal record at all. (Though if you fail to pay the penalty, a civil judgment can show up on your record.)

Old misdemeanor convictions from before January 1, 2023 can be sealed one year after the case ended. Dismissed cases can be sealed immediately.⁹

12. Will I get deported?

Driving at too slow a pace in and of itself deportable. But if the person is undocumented and brought to the attention of ICE, he/she may be at risk of getting deported.

13. Should I fight my citation or just pay?

Always fight because there is a good chance the charge can get reduced with lesser civil penalties and no demerit points. And because the penalties get steeper for each successive infraction for driving too slowly on a highway’s left lane, getting the charge reduced or dismissed will relieve the defendant from harsher punishments if he/she gets cited a second time.

14. Can I go to trial?

Yes, you can request a hearing to contest the citation.¹⁰ Traffic trials are exceedingly rare, however, since most cases resolve well for the defendant.

15. Do I need an attorney?

No, but having an experienced traffic defense attorney is a huge benefit. It relieves the defendant from having to show up to court (which is important for people with day jobs or out-of-town defendants), and they can often get very favorable resolutions based purely on their reputation.

Traffic ticket? Call a traffic defense attorney…

Were you cited for driving at too slow a pace in Clark County or elsewhere in Nevada? Then contact our Las Vegas criminal defense attorneys right now for a consultation. Our legal team has had great success in fixing our clients’ traffic tickets so they pay minimum civil penalties, get zero demerit points, and do no traffic school.

Have you been injured because someone else was not driving fast enough in Nevada? Our Las Vegas car accident attorneys may be able to win a large financial settlement to cover your losses, including doctor bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and future earnings. Most of the time, we can recover monetary damages without having to resort to a hearing.

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