Nevada drivers charged with minor traffic offenses can pay a demerit point reduction fee to keep the points off their records. This option is available in some counties, including Clark County, which contains Las Vegas and two other major cities.
That said, here’s what you should know about the demerit point reduction fee in Las Vegas and how using this option compares to traffic school.
What Is a Demerit Point Reduction Fee?
In Nevada, accumulating 12 or more points within a year results in automatic license suspension. If you’re about to lose your driving privileges, you have two options to reduce the points on your record:
- Complete Nevada traffic school
- Pay the point reduction fee
In either case, you must plead guilty or no contest and pay the fine associated with your ticket. You’ll also need the court’s permission to attend traffic school or pay a demerit point reduction fee.
Submit your request online or in person on or before the appear-by-date on your citation. Our advice is to do it when paying the ticket at the court.
The judge may or may not allow you to pay a point reduction fee, depending on your driving history and the severity of your offense. If the court allows this, just pay the fee and the court will knock the charge down to a non-moving violation (e.g., a parking ticket), which carries no demerit points. This won’t erase the conviction from your record, but it can help you avoid license suspension.
Check the court’s policies, too. For instance, the Mesquite Township Justice Court in Clark County may agree to reduce your demerit points if:
- This is your first traffic violation in the last 36 months.
- You waive your right to fight the ticket.
- You pay the ticket in full within 90 days from the citation date.
Once your request is approved, you must pay the point reduction fee within 90 days from the date you received the ticket.
How Much Does It Cost?
Neither the Clark County Courthouse nor the Las Vegas Justice Court’s website specifies the fee amount. The Municipal Court of Henderson, a major city in Clark County, charges a $60 point reduction fee, so you can expect to pay a similar amount in Las Vegas.
Contact the Las Vegas Justice Court by phone at (702) 671-3444 or by mail at LVJCTraffic@ClarkCountyNV.gov to get an exact figure. You may also ask if the offense you’re charged with qualifies for point reduction.
Which Counties Offer This Option?
While most courts across Nevada allow traffic school, that’s not the case with the demerit point reduction fee. Its availability is determined by individual courts and varies by jurisdiction. There are cases where not all courts within a county offer this option.
Below are a few examples of counties where you may choose to pay a point reduction fee:
Fees and rules differ, so check with the applicable court to find out whether a demerit point reduction fee is an option, how much it’ll be, and whether you qualify.
Read: Nevada Speeding Ticket Dismissal: 3 Options
Nevada Demerit Point Reduction Fee vs. Traffic School
Wondering whether you should go to traffic school or pay a point reduction fee? Either option can help you keep points off your license, but traffic school is more accessible and widely available. Plus, it often costs less than what you’d pay to have the points reduced.
Without further ado, let’s see how these options compare so you can make the right choice.
Nevada Traffic School | Demerit Point Reduction Fee | |
---|---|---|
Purpose | Remove 3 points from your driving record.* | Reduce the charge down to a non-moving violation to keep points off your license. |
Eligibility |
|
|
Court approval needed | Yes | Yes |
What to expect | Complete a five-hour course online or in person | Pay a fee online, in person, or by mail |
Cost | $40–$50, on average | $60+ (varies by court) |
Availability | Available statewide through DMV-approved providers, such as Traffic Safety Institute | Select courts only |
Best for | Drivers with 3–11 demerit points looking to clean up their records | First-time traffic offenders charged with minor infractions |
*In Las Vegas, if this is your first conviction in 36 months, you may have it reduced to a non-moving violation by completing traffic school. |
While it may seem easier to pay a point reduction fee, the court handling your case might not offer this option. But since most courts allow traffic school, you can take a five-hour course to remove three points from your license as long as you meet Nevada traffic school eligibility criteria.
Why Take Traffic School at Traffic Safety Institute
Our Nevada traffic school is approved by the Nevada DMV and accepted by all courts, offering the fastest course allowed by law. You can start anytime and finish in just five hours or study over several sessions.
The course materials are compatible with all devices, so you can access them on the go. Take breaks as often as you want, pick up where you left off, and test your knowledge after each lesson with quizzes.
Our online course ends with a final exam consisting of 25 questions. It requires a 70% passing score, but if you fail, you can retake the test for free. (You can learn more of the details by reading about how Nevada traffic school works.)
As far as pricing goes, we charge an all-inclusive fee of only $19.99, which you’ll pay after passing the final exam. Our flat fee covers 12 user-friendly lessons plus:
✅Unlimited retakes
✅Audio read-along
✅Open-book final exam
✅Instant electronic certificate
✅DMV reporting within 30 days
✅24/7 live chat support
✅Study at your own pace from any device
Take our course to qualify for auto insurance discounts, fulfill a court order, or keep points off your record. From sign-up to certification, we’ll guide you every step of the way!
Why not try it yourself? Take advantage of our “Don’t Pay Until You Pass” guarantee and start traffic school for FREE!