Nebraska has several routes for teens to obtain a driver's license. The specific procedures depend on the teen's experience, age, and transportation needs. In this article, we explain how to get a license, the restrictions on certain licenses, insurance requirements, and the like.
The generic introductory license in Nebraska is the learner's permit, also called an "LPD." Many teens start driving with an LPD. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-4,123 (2024).)
Application process. At age 15, a person can submit a parent-approved application (along with the application fee and proof of residency) to obtain an instruction permit. The applicant must then take the vision exam and a written test covering local traffic signs and traffic laws. The application and tests can be processed up to 60 days before the teen's 15th birthday. But the permit won't be valid until the teen turns 15.
What you can do with an LPD. This permit authorizes the teen to drive only under the supervision of a licensed adult. The LPD must be held for one year before applying for the provisional license.
The school learner's permit (LPE) is available to teens who are at least 14 years old or will turn 14 by October 15 of the current year. Like with the learner's permit, the operator must apply, submit parental consent, pay the application fee, provide proof of residency, and pass the written and vision exams. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-4,123.01 (2024).)
LPE holders can be supervised only by a certified driver training instructor. The permit is valid for three months.
The school permit (SCP) is available to teens who are at least 14 years and two months old, live in a small town (less than 5,000 population), and have held an LPE for two months. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-4,124 (2024).)
To get a school permit, applicants must complete either a driver safety course or 50 hours of parent instruction.
Driver training courses. The driver training course includes behind-the-wheel training and a written and driving test administered by the course instructor.
Parent instruction. Applicants who opt to do parental instruction need to submit a driving log of 50 supervised driving hours (including 10 nighttime hours) signed by a parent, guardian, or supervising licensed adult who's at least 21 years of age. The applicant will then need to pass the driving and written tests (unless already completed for a learner's permit).
School permit holders are allowed to drive directly to and from work or school activities and are permitted to drive family members to school as well. While under the supervision of a licensed adult who's at least 21 years old, the school permit holder can drive without restrictions.
The school permit will expire six months after the teen's 16th birthday.
Violations of any SCP, LPE, or LPD restrictions are infractions and will result in license revocation until the teen is 16 years old.
The provisional operator's permit (POP) is available to persons who are at least 16 years old and have held the SCP, LPE, or LPB for at least six months, and have less than three driving record points in the past six months. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-4,120.01 (2024).)
All applicants who have not already held an LPE must complete either a driver safety course (including behind-wheel training and written and driving tests) or 50 hours of home instruction (including 10 nighttime hours). Applicants who do home instruction must also pass driving and written tests (unless already completed for a learner's permit).
The application and tests can be processed up to 60 days before the teen's 16th birthday, but the license will not be valid until the teen turns 16.
A POP holder is allowed to drive unsupervised from 6 a.m. until midnight or at any time while traveling to or from a work or school activity. For the first six months, the teen can transport only one non-family member passenger younger than 19 years old.
All persons under 18 years old are prohibited from using a cell phone while driving and all persons in the vehicle must wear seat belts.
Violations of provisional license restrictions are an infraction and will result in POP revocation for a court-determined period of time.
Teens who have held a POP for at least 12 months and have less than three driving points in the last 12-month period are eligible for a full driver's license. While the license restrictions and cellphone ban are lifted (though all drivers are prohibited from texting while driving), certain restrictive provisions still apply. All drivers who are under 21 years old and accumulate six driving points in 12 months face license suspension unless they complete an 8-hour driver improvement course. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-4,118.05 (2024).)
Although not applicable to passenger vehicles, younger teens can drive tractors with a farm permit. To be eligible, applicants must be 13 years old if they live on a farm or 14 years old if they just work on a farm. With parent approval and a valid demonstration of operation knowledge, the teen can obtain the farm permit which authorizes the operation of tractors, mini-trucks, and farm implements along the road. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-4,126 (2024).)
Nebraska requires all vehicles driven to be properly insured. Below, we explain the minimum insurance coverage and the consequences of driving without insurance.
At a minimum, a liability insurance policy must include at least $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage per accident. (Neb. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 60-534 (2024).)
Civil. Any time the state is notified that an insurance policy has been terminated or that a person was operating a vehicle without insurance, it will suspend the driver's license until proof of insurance is provided. The Department of Motor Vehicles will also revoke the vehicle's registration unless the vehicle has been insured for at least three years
Criminal. Driving without proof of insurance is also a class III misdemeanor. The vehicle owner can face up to three months in jail and a maximum fine of $500.