Nebraska Driver's License

Standard Licenses

This includes the operator's license (Class O) for regular passenger vehicles and the motorcycle license (Class M). Individuals who operate a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of Nebraska must possess any of these licenses.

Class O

A Class O Driver's License allows individuals to operate any motor vehicle, including mopeds, All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), and autocycles, except for motorcycles and commercial vehicles.

Class M

Licensed drivers in this category have the privilege to operate motorcycles or three-wheeled motor vehicles within the state.

New Driver's Licenses

As a new driver in Nebraska, obtaining the appropriate license is essential for operating vehicles on the state's roads. The state DMV provides a variety of licenses in this classification.

School Permit

Individuals who live or attend school outside a city with a population of 5,000 or more must secure this permit. School permit holders can drive a motor vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older.

Provisional Operator's Permit (POP)

Drivers with this permit can only drive unsupervised between midnight and 6 a.m. if they are driving to or from home to work or a school activity. However, individuals can drive anytime if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver at least 21.

Learner's Permit (LPD)

This permit is granted to legally practice driving in preparation for obtaining a POP, Class O, or Class M License.

School Learner's Permit

The purpose of this permit is to authorize students to engage in legal driving practice in preparation for a School Permit. Acquiring a School Learner's Permit requires applicants to be eligible for a School Permit and meet all associated criteria.

Commercial Driver's Licenses

This category encompasses a range of license types for heavy, large, or passenger-carrying vehicle operators. The CDL primarily features three classes, A, B, and C, each structured to suit distinct vehicle capacities and the specific nature of the transported cargo.

Class A

This class applies to vehicle combinations with a Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the vehicles being towed exceeds 10,000 pounds.

Class B

Class B is designated for single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more or for such vehicles towing another vehicle not exceeding 10,000 pounds.

Class C

Vehicles within this class include single vehicles with a GVWR of less than 26,001 pounds or those towing another vehicle not exceeding 10,000 pounds.

Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)

This type of permit allows an individual accompanied by a Class O license to operate a commercial motor vehicle under the supervision of a valid CDL holder for behind-the-wheel training purposes.

Restricted CDL (RCDL)

Drivers with this license can operate Class B or C commercial motor vehicles for farm-related or farm service industry activities within 150 miles of their employer's business location or the farm or ranch being serviced.

Employees of specific agricultural service industries, including Custom Harvesters, Retail Agricultural Outlets or Suppliers, Agricultural Chemical Businesses, and Livestock Feeders, are eligible to receive RCDLs.

Eligibility and Documentation

Complying with various requirements is necessary to meet the eligibility criteria for a Nebraska driver's license. Any driver operating a motor vehicle on the streets and highways of the state must possess a valid license.

When applying for a Class O License, applicants must provide specific documentation to the DMV, including proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status that includes their name and date of birth and proof of identity. Additionally, they must present at least two documents proving their principal address in Nebraska.

Furthermore, applicants must disclose their valid social security number, which will be verified through the Social Security Administration (SSA). If exempted from this requirement, applicants must present a valid, unexpired Record of Arrival and Departure in a valid foreign passport ( Form I-94 or I-94A).

Testing Requirements

Applicants for a Class O license who failed three consecutive driving tests are disqualified from reapplying until they complete a DMV-approved driver training course, which must include six hours of classroom learning and six hours of practical behind-the-wheel training, or they have acquired LPD for a minimum of 90 days.

For detailed information about necessary preparations on how the driving skills test and other required tests will be conducted, see the provided descriptions:

Driving Skills Test

This test evaluates an applicant's ability to operate a vehicle safely and follow traffic laws. It includes various maneuvers like parking, backing up, and turning. To acquire a certification for this test, individuals may enroll in any Driving Training School approved by the state DMV.

Knowledge Test and Vision Test

The knowledge test, which includes driving laws and regulations, is required for individuals applying for their first Nebraska license. Specifically, it is for those without a valid out-of-state license or those with a Nebraska license that has expired for over a year.

For thorough preparation, drivers are encouraged to study using downloadable practice exams, as well as the Driver's Manuals and Handbook. Alternatively, applicants may take the online Practice Drivers Examination to further improve their knowledge.

Meanwhile, to start the process for a vision test, individuals are required to complete a Statement Vision Form. Once the form is filled out, it must be emailed to dmv.vismed@nebraska.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 94726, Lincoln, NE 68509.

Driver Education Requirements (Under Age 18)

Individuals under 18 in Nebraska who have held a POP for at least one year and maintained a driving record with fewer than three points in the last 12 months are eligible to upgrade to an operator's license.

New residents under 18 who possess a valid out-of-state license must meet the same POP criteria to apply for a Nebraska operator's license.

Driver Education Requirements (Over Age 18)

In Nebraska, drivers over 18 applying for an operator's license have distinct procedures based on their previous driving permits. Those who hold a POP and are between 18 and 21 years old can obtain their license without the written and driving tests, either online or at an NE DMV licensing office.

First-time applicants without a POP must undergo vision, written, and driving tests, although the written test is waived if they have had a valid LPD for up to one year.

Nebraska Driver's License Fees

When seeking a driver's license in Nebraska, individuals must consider the costs involved, which vary based on license type, applicant age, and validity duration.

Standard Licenses

• Operator's License: $10 - $29
• Motorcycle License: $10 - $29

New Driver's Licenses

• School Permit: $13
• Provisional Operator's Permit: $20
• Learner's Permit: $13
• School Learner's Permit: $13

CDLs

• Class A, B, and C: $16 - $60
• Commercial Learner's Permit: $15
• Restricted CDL: $16 - $60

Detailed information on these fees can be found on the Driver Licensing Services page of the NE DMV website.

Verification of Documents

All applicants seeking any Nebraska identification must undergo verification through several established systems. This process is possible through five different systems, including:

State to State (S2S)

The system checks for any existing driver's licenses from other states. If an applicant in the state is found to have a valid license from another state, the new license from Nebraska will invalidate those out-of-state documents, and the respective state will be notified. Additionally, the driving record from the previous state will be transferred to Nebraska's driver history.

Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS)

This verification process determines if the individual's driving privilege has been suspended, revoked, or canceled.

Social Security Online Verification (SSLOV)

The NE DMV mandates that new or renewed driver's license applicants verify their social security numbers or provide a valid I-94 document. This verification, conducted through the SSA, is critical in preventing fraudulent identities. Failure to provide a valid Social Security number results in denial of the license or I.D.

Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE)

The SAVE system is designed to verify the authenticity and check the expiration dates of all documents provided by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure their validity.

U.S. Passport Verification

The passport validation is managed through the U.S. Department of State.

For detailed instructions on acquiring a motorcycle, new driver's, or CDL, individuals must refer to the Nebraska Driver's Manual.

Renewal Process

In Nebraska, the driver's license renewal process offers several convenient options, including online or in-person at designated locations. The NE DMV will send renewal notice postcards to applicants 30 days before their license expires.

Online

This process requires that the driver's name and physical description have not changed since the last issuance. Class O and Class M licenses can be renewed online through the Driver's License and State ID Card Services page for two consecutive periods if they expire before their 72nd birthday, while CDLs can be renewed online every other period under the same condition.

Additionally, CDL holders must not have requested more than two replacements in the past five years, need not change their self-certification category, or possess a Hazmat endorsement.

In-person

To renew a driver's license in person at a local NE DMV licensing office, applicants must complete a data form, either the Operator License-ID Data Form or the Commercial Drivers License Data Form.

The renewal process requires one form of identification displaying the applicant's name and date of birth and two proofs of address. The list of required documents can be found in the Document Verification Form. Upon submitting the forms, paying the fees, and satisfying any vision and medical requirements, applicants will receive a 30-day receipt.

The renewed license or ID will be mailed within 20 business days. Note that payment methods may vary by location, with some driving licensing offices not accepting checks or credit cards; hence, having cash on hand is advisable.

Out-Of-State

Nebraska Class O licensed drivers who are out of state during their renewal period can renew their driver's license by mail. The renewal process is available under specific conditions. For individuals turning 21, license renewal can begin 60 days before the license expires. For all other renewals, the process can start 90 days before the expiration date.

Renewals can be done before the expiration date or within one year after expiration. However, CDLs and identification cards cannot be renewed by mail. To initiate the renewal process, the driver must complete the DMV Operator License Out of State Renewal Data Form and fulfill the vision testing requirements.

After complying with all the requirements, the driver will receive an issuance certificate, which must be signed and returned to the Driver Licensing Services Home Office in Lincoln with the appropriate fee. The permanent Nebraska driver's license will follow within 10-14 business days.

Replacement Process

A license replacement must be obtained if it is no longer in the driver's possession or legible. Different methods for the replacement are as follows:

Online

In Nebraska, drivers can conveniently replace their licenses online through the Driver's License and State ID Card Services page of the NE DMV. This service is available for those with a Class O license, CDL, Class M license, or State ID Card.

To be eligible for online replacement, the driver must not have changed their name since the issuance of their last license or State ID Card and must not have obtained more than two replacements within the past five years.

To determine if there are any additional conditions that might affect the eligibility of a driver for online replacement, they must check the online FAQs. This online process does not apply to drivers requiring a Learner's Permit, School Permit, or Provisional Permit. Instead, they must apply at the nearest licensing office.

In-person

Another option is the in-person replacement process, which requires downloading and completing the Operator License-ID Data Form before the application or filling one out at the licensing office.

If the applicant's address has not been previously verified or if they have moved, they need to provide two forms of proof of address. After processing the application and fee, the County Treasurer or Driver License Service Center (Douglas and Sarpy Counties) will issue a 30-day receipt, which grants driving privileges if appropriate.

If the license is not received within 20 days, the applicant must contact Driver Licensing Services at 402-471-3861.

Out-Of-State

Like the renewal process, license holders who are out-of-state at the time of application can obtain a replacement license, permit, or State ID Card by mail. To start the process, individuals must submit a completed Operator License Out of State Renewal Data Form.

Applicants should contact the Driver Licensing Services Home Office in Lincoln before mailing their request. This ensures any specific questions regarding the application process for replacement licenses, permits, and State ID Cards by mail are addressed and acceptable payment methods are confirmed.

Lastly, all applicants for replacement licenses must meet the DMV's vision and medical requirements.