Driver Handbook Discrepency

OFF THE WIRE
Dear Mr. Stilwell,

I want to thank you for taking the time to identify the discrepancies in the Motorcycle Operator Manual and the Driver’s Handbook. It appears we have information in both of these handbooks that will need correcting.

NRS 486.341 - Right to full use of traffic lane. Every motorcycle or moped when being driven on the highway is entitled to full use of the traffic lane it is occupying, and a person shall not drive another motor vehicle in a manner which would deprive any such motorcycle or moped of such use.

The statute above allows a person to drive their motorcycle in the full lane without another motorcycle next to him/her. Only upon consent of the person using the full lane will another motorcycle join them side-by-side in one lane as described in the below statute.

NRS 486.351 - Unlawful passing; driving abreast.
1. A person, except a police officer in the performance of his or her duty, shall not drive a motorcycle or moped between moving or stationary vehicles occupying adjacent traffic lanes.
2. Except as provided in subsection 3, a person shall not drive a motorcycle, moped or trimobile abreast of or overtake or pass another vehicle within the same traffic lane.
3. Motorcycles and mopeds may, with the consent of the drivers, be operated no more than two abreast in a single traffic lane.

Therefore, corrections do need to be made to reference the intent of both of these statutes. We will work to make the needed corrections to the Motorcycle Operator Manual and we will make the corrections to the Driver’s handbook during our next revision.

Due to budget restraints we will need to exhaust the existing stock prior to placing an additional order. I apologize if the verbiage in our handbooks has caused you any hardship.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

Sincerely,
Donna Lewis, Program Officer III
Management Services & Programs
Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles