The Intracavity Laser Absorption Spectrum (ICLAS) of nitrous oxide, 12N216O, has been recorded between 9560 and 9980 cm−1 with a Vertical External Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VECSEL). Thirteen bands were observed, 11 of which are new. The rovibrational analysis has revealed the occurrence of a number of local perturbations due to anharmonic or Coriolis couplings, which could be analysed on the basis of the polyad model of effective Hamiltonian.