Nevada Alcohol Related Laws and Regulations

Where to Buy Alcohol
Private retail establishments have alcohol ready for purchase, with beer, wine, and liquor available for purchase in grocery and convenience stores. Drive-through package stores are also offered in Nevada. The days and times alcohol can be sold are determined by local ordinances.

Legal Age for Drinking/Serving Alcohol
Although the legal drinking age is 21, at 16 a person can work in a grocery or convenience store where alcohol is sold as long as they are supervised by an adult over 21 years old. Anyone that wishes to work as a bartender or in a restaurant where alcohol is served must be 21 years old.

Open Container Laws
If a container of alcohol has been previously opened, it must be transported in the trunk of the car where the driver and passengers do not have access.

BAC Limits
A person is considered ‘per se intoxicated’ if their blood-alcohol content level (BAC) is .08 percent or higher. The driver can be convicted of DUI (driving under the influence) by the state with no further proof.

The driver faces stricter penalties if their chemical test shows that their BAC is .18 percent over the legal limit.

Underage drivers are discouraged from drinking and driving due to ‘zero tolerance laws.’ If they test with a BAC of .02 percent or higher, they face DUI charges.

Penalties
If a driver does not comply with an officer’s request to submit to a breath, blood, or urine test to determine their level of intoxication, they can face penalties due to ‘implied consent laws.’ Their refusal can result in the mandatory suspension of their driver’s license for up to one year.

When a driver is convicted of DUI, the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) can suspend a driver’s license for 90 days for the first offense, one year for the second, and three years for the third.

Although a driver’s vehicle cannot be confiscated in Nevada, the courts may require the installation of an ignition interlock device or alcohol treatment, assessment, or education.