Motorcycle License in Nebraska

Nebraska may be filled with beautiful, quiet farmsteads, but those with a taste for a faster pace can find plenty to love about cruising the state on a motorcycle.

The first step toward that zippy future is getting your motorcycle license through the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

New to Nebraska

After officially settling down in Nebraska, you have 30 days to transfer your out-of-state license.

If you have an out-of-state motorcycle license or endorsement you'd also like to switch over, the process is the same as transferring a driver's license. Make sure to tell the personnel about your out-of-state motorcycle license.

You may also be asked to take a written and/or behind-the-wheel exam, but this step is not always required. Contact your local DMV for details.

NE Motorcycle License Eligibility

To earn your NE motorcycle license, you must be at least 17 years old.

If you've already earned your provisional operator's permit (POP), you'll simply need to take a vision test. Make sure your POP:

• Has a motorcycle endorsement.
• Was issued within the last 24 months.
  • Only required if you're 18 years old or older.

If this is the first license you're applying for in Nebraska, and you've never held a POP, you'll need to pass a/an:

• Vision test.
• Written test.
• On-road motorcycle test.

If you're under 18 years old, there are a few additional requirements. You'll have to:

• Pass a vision test.
• Hold a provisional operator's permit for at least 12 months.
• Have LESS than 3 points on your driving record.
  • Points are counted from the past 12 months before you apply.

Regardless of your license status, you will have to pay the appropriate motorcycle licensing fees.

Motorcycle Licensing Process

There are a few different ways you can complete the motorcycle licensing process in Nebraska. You can either:

• Go directly through the DMV.
• Pass a NE motorcycle education course.

Read below for more details on how to complete these steps.

How to Get a NE Motorcycle License

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles offers a way for most applicants to quickly and easily earn a motorcycle license. However, you can bypass the state agency completely by passing a motorcycle education course.

If you stick with the DMV route, visit your local office and submit:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Nebraska address (2 documents).
    • Here's a list of acceptable identification and residency documents.
• A completed New, Renewal and Replacements Permit, Class O, Class M, and State ID Card Data Form (Form DMV 06-104).
• Payment for the appropriate fee.

You'll also need to pass a vision exam*—and if this is the first license you're applying for in Nebraska, you must:

• Take a written test.
  • May be waived if you have a Nebraska learner's permit that is:
    • Currently valid.
      OR
    • Expired less than 1 year.
• Take an on-road motorcycle test at an approved location.
• Tests may be administered either in traffic or on a course.

Ask employees at your local DMV for more details on:

• Testing fees.
• Testing time periods.

* NOTE: Those who already hold a provisional operator's permit only need to complete a vision test if:

• Your POP includes a motorcycle endorsement/is a Class M POP.
• You got your POP within 24 months of applying.
  • Only required for applicants 18 years old or older.

What Happens If I Fail?

You are free to retake your behind-the-wheel exam, but the process gets more involved if you fail your skills exam 3 times.

At that point, you will not be allowed to reapply for your motorcycle permit until you either:

• Bring proof of completing a DMV-approved driving trainer course.
  OR
• Have your Nebraska learner's permit for at least 90 days.

Motorcycle Education Courses in Nebraska

Attending a Nebraska DMV-approved motorcycle education course is a way to earn your license without spending more time at the NE Department of Motor Vehicles.

If this is the first license you've applied for in NE, you'll be able to waive your motorcycle knowledge and skills tests by successfully completing a course.

The NE DMV offers a full list of available courses on its website.

When contacting a program, don't forget to ask about:

• How much the course costs.
• The next steps to get your license after passing the class.

Motorcycle License Fees in NE

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles bases their license fees on:

• How old you are.
• How long you will need the license.

If you are 21 years old or older, your motorcycle license will:

• Be valid for 5 years.
• Cost $29.

If you are younger, the price will vary, depending on how far you are from 21 years old. Check out the fee chart offered by the NE DMV to figure out how much you will owe.