2026 Nevada Revised StatutesChapter 484B – Rules Of The RoadNRS 484B.300 Obedience to devices for control of traffic; exceptions; placement of devices; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone or pedestrian safety zone.

Statutory Text

1.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 484B.307, it is unlawful for any driver to disobey the instructions of any official traffic-control device placed in accordance with the provisions of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS, unless at the time otherwise directed by a police officer.

2.  No provision of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS for which such devices are required may be enforced against an alleged violator if at the time and place of the alleged violation the device is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular provision of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS does not state that such devices are required, the provision is effective even though no devices are erected or in place.

3.  Whenever devices are placed in position approximately conforming to the requirements of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS, such devices are presumed to have been so placed by the official act or direction of a public authority, unless the contrary is established by competent evidence.

4.  Any device placed pursuant to the provisions of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS and purporting to conform to the lawful requirements pertaining to such devices is presumed to comply with the requirements of chapters 484A to 484E, inclusive, of NRS unless the contrary is established by competent evidence.

5.  A person who violates any provision of subsection 1 may be subject to any additional penalty set forth in NRS 484B.130 or 484B.135.

(Added to NRS by 1969, 1489; A 2003, 3237; 2013, 428; 2015, 1568)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.278)

NV Rev Stat § 484B.300 – Last Verified February 2026

Plain English Explanation

In Nevada, drivers are required by law to follow the instructions of official traffic control devices. These include things like traffic signals, stop signs, yield signs, lane markings, and any other device placed on or near a road to direct the flow of traffic. If a police officer is present and gives a driver a different instruction than what a device indicates, the driver should follow the officer.

There is one important exception built into this law. A driver cannot be cited for disobeying a traffic control device if that device was not properly positioned or visible enough for a reasonably attentive person to see it at the time of the alleged violation. In other words, a sign that is knocked over, hidden by overgrowth, or otherwise obscured cannot be the basis for a ticket. However, some traffic rules apply regardless of whether any signs or signals are posted at all. Those rules stay in effect even when no device is present.

When a traffic control device appears to be placed in a location that follows the rules set out in Nevada law, the assumption is that a public authority put it there legally. That assumption stands unless someone presents solid evidence proving otherwise. Similarly, any device that appears to meet the legal requirements for traffic control devices is assumed to actually comply with those requirements unless proven otherwise.

Drivers who disobey official traffic control devices in Nevada can face standard penalties for the violation. On top of that, if the violation happens in a work zone or a pedestrian safety zone, additional penalties may apply under separate provisions of Nevada law. Those added consequences are meant to protect workers and pedestrians in areas where the risk of serious injury is especially high.

Frequently Asked Questions About NRS 484B.300

What happens if you disobey a traffic control device in Nevada?

Under NRS 484B.300, disobeying an official traffic control device is unlawful in Nevada. A driver who violates this law can face standard traffic penalties, and if the violation occurs in a work zone or pedestrian safety zone, additional fines and penalties may be added on top of the base punishment.

Can you get a ticket for running a stop sign if the sign was not visible?

Nevada law provides a protection for drivers in this situation. If a traffic control device was not properly positioned or visible enough for an ordinarily observant person to see it at the time of the alleged violation, the law says that violation cannot be enforced. So if a stop sign was knocked down, obscured by tree branches, or otherwise hidden from view, a ticket issued for disobeying it may not hold up.

Do traffic laws apply even when there are no signs posted?

Yes, in many cases they do. NRS 484B.300 makes clear that certain traffic rules are effective regardless of whether any signs or devices are present. If a specific provision of Nevada traffic law does not require a device to be posted, that rule applies whether or not any sign exists at the location.

What extra penalties apply for traffic violations in a work zone in Nevada?

Nevada law allows for additional penalties when a driver disobeys a traffic control device inside a work zone or pedestrian safety zone. These enhanced consequences exist because the risk of seriously injuring road workers or pedestrians in those areas is significantly greater than on a typical stretch of road.

Can a driver follow a police officer’s directions instead of a traffic signal in Nevada?

Yes. NRS 484B.300 explicitly states that a driver may deviate from what a traffic control device instructs if a police officer is present and directing traffic differently. The officer’s instructions take priority over the signal or sign in that moment.

If you were injured because a driver ignored a traffic signal, a stop sign, or any other traffic control device, the team at Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Wooldridge Law Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation and let an experienced legal team put Nevada traffic law to work for you.