Apply for a License (Under 18) in Nebraska

Applying for a Teen Driver's License in Nebraska

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has a graduated driver licensing (GDL) program that you must complete before obtaining your first driver's license as a teen driver.

If you're at least 14 years old, you may begin the driver licensing process. To proceed, you need to apply for your learner's permit. See “NE Graduated Driver Licensing" below for more information.

REAL ID Requirements in Nebraska

The Mississippi DMV complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005, meaning it provides first-time driver license applicants with REAL ID-compliant driver licenses. REAL ID driver’s licenses meet the federal identification requirements required for tasks such as entering federal buildings and boarding domestic commercial flights. Without a REAL ID, you'll need to bring your passport or birth certificate for such activities after October 1, 2021.

New applicants will automatically receive a REAL ID. For more details, visit the DPS' guide to REAL ID licensing.

New to Nebraska?

If you've recently moved to Nebraska, you must transfer your out-of-state driver's license within 30 days.

If you're 18 years old or older, visit your local NE DMV office and:

  • Surrender your valid out-of-state driver's license.
  • Show proof of your identity, citizenship, and NE residency.
  • Pass a vision test.
  • Pass the written and driving tests, if required.
  • Pay the driver's license fee.

NOTE: If you're a new resident who is younger than 18 years old, you can apply for the learner's permit appropriate for your age.

NE Graduated Driver's Licensing

The Nebraska DMV uses a graduated driver licensing system to help teen drivers learn defensive driving skills, drive safely, and avoid traffic accidents.

The GDL system consists of the following stages:

  • School learner's permit (LPE).
  • School permit (SCP).
  • Learner's permits (LPD).
  • Provisional operator's permit (POP)/Provisional license.
  • Full driver's license.

Age Requirements

You are eligible for the following permits/licenses once you reach the ages or milestones listed below.

  • School learner's permit (LPE): 14 years old to 16 years old.
  • School permit (SCP): 14 years and 2 months old to 16 years and 3 months old.
  • Learner's permit (LPD): 60 days before you turn 15 years old.
  • Provisional operator's permit (POP)/Provisional License: 60 days before you turn 16 years old.

LPE Learner's Permit

A LPE allows your to practice for the Nebraska School Permit.

You must be at least 14 years old and younger than 16 years old to apply for this learner's permit, which will be valid for 6 months. To apply, visit your local NE DMV office in person and:

  • Provide 1 document to prove your identity (including citizenship/legal presence), 2 documents to prove your address, and proof of Social Security number.
  • Pass the vision and DMV written tests.
  • Pay the $13 learner's permit (LPE) application fee.

LPE Driving Restrictions and Next Steps

Your LPE allows you to drive as long as you are supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and seated next to you.

Before you can move on to your school learner's permit, you must:

  • Hold your LPE for at least 2 months.
  • Be between 14 years and 2 months old to 16 years and 3 months old.
  • Complete either:
    • A DMV-approved Nebraska driver safety course.
      OR
    • 50 hours of supervised driving practice.

Nebraska School Permit (SCP)

With a school learner's permit, you may legally practice driving for a school permit, which allows you to drive unsupervised to and from school only (see “School Permit" below to check if you're eligible)

You can apply for a school permit (SCP) if you live:

  • Live outside a city of more than 5,000 people.
  • Attend a school outside a city of more than 5,000 people.

To apply, you must:

  • Be between 14 years and 2 months old and 16 years and 3 months old.
  • Have held a LPE or LPD for at least 2 months.
  • Have completed either:
    • A DMV-approved Nebraska driver safety course. (The Nebraska DMV will waive your written and road tests if you complete this safety course.)
      OR
    • 50 hours of driving practice. (Your written test will be waived.)

If you meet all eligibility requirements, visit your local NE driver licensing office and:

  • Show a paper waiver form, if you did not have a LPE.
  • Complete a 50 Hour Certification (Form DMV 06-91), certifying you completed 50 hours of driving practice (if applicable).
  • Provide 1 document to prove your identity (name and date of birth), 2 documents to prove your residence, and proof of Social Security number.
  • Pass the written and DMV road tests, if required.
  • Pay the $13 school permit (SCP) application fee.

NOTE: The DMV will waive the written test if your LPE or LPD is valid or has been expired for no more than 1 year.

If you currently hold a learner's permit (LPD) and completed a driver safety course, you can also apply for a school permit online.

School Permit Restrictions & Next Steps

You may operate a motor vehicle with your school learner's permit:

  • Anytime when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.
  • Unsupervised to and from school.
  • Unsupervised between your school and other scheduled instructional courses, extracurricular, or school-related activities.

You can move on to the next phase of the Nebraska GDL process and apply for your provisional operator's permit (POP) when you:

  • Turn 16 years old.
  • Have held your SCP for 6 months.
    • You must not have received 3 points or more on your driving record in the 6 months prior to your application.

Nebraska Learner's Permit (LPD)

Your NE learner's permit (LPD) allows you to practice driving for a provisional operator's permit (POP) or earner's permit.

You must be at least 15 years old to obtain this learner's permit, but you may apply 60 days before you turn 15 years old. The permit is valid for 1 year. To apply, visit your local NE DMV office and:

  • Provide 1 document to prove your identity and citizenship/legal presence, plus 2 documents to prove your address and proof of Social Security number.
  • Pass the vision exam and Nebraska DMV written test.
    • If you hold a current LPE or SCP, or one that has been expired for less than 1 year, the DMV will waive your written test.
  • Pay the $13 learner's permit (LPD) application fee.

Learner's Permit Restrictions & Next Steps

With your learner's permit, you may only drive when accompanied by a licensed driver at who is least 21 years old.

Before you can move on to your provisional license, you will need to:

  • Complete an approved driver safety course.
    OR
  • Complete 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice, including 10 hours at night.

Provisional Operator's Permit (POP)

You must be at least 16 years old to obtain the provisional license. However, you may apply 60 days before you turn 16 years old. To be eligible for a provisional operator's permit, you must:

  • Have held a LPE, SCP, or LPD for at least 6 months.
  • Not received 3 points or more on your driving record within the last 6 months.
  • Have completed:
    • A DMV-approved driver safety course.
      OR
    • 50 hours of driving practice with your parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. (10 hours must be at night).

NOTE: If you completed the DMV-approved driver safety course, the Nebraska DMV will waive your written and driving tests. Your course completion results will be sent electronically to the DMV.

Pass The Written Test On Your First Try

To help you prepare for the written exam, the DMV offers a basic practice test. If you want to ensure passing on the first try, we suggest using an online practice test from our certified partner.

To apply for your provisional license, visit your local Nebraska driver licensing office and:

  • Show a waiver form, if you did not already have a LPE, LPD, or school permit when completing a driver safety course.
  • Present a certification form for 50 hours of driving practice, if applicable.
    • Your written test will be waived if your LPE, SCP, or LPD is valid OR has been expired for less than 1 year.
  • Pass the written, vision, and driving tests, if required.
    • Your driving test and DMV written test will be waived if you completed a driver safety course.
  • Provide 1 document to prove your identity, 2 documents to prove your address, and proof of Social Security number.
  • Pay the $20 provisional operator's permit application fee.

NOTE: If you had your learner's permit while you were completing a driver safety course, or if you currently hold a school learner's permit, you can also apply for your POP online.

Your provisional operator's permit will expire when you turn 17 years old.

POP Restrictions and Next Steps

With your provisional license, you can drive:

  • Unsupervised from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m.
  • Unsupervised between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. for work or school purposes only.
  • Anytime if accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.

During the first 6 months of holding your POP, you can only drive:

  • With no more than 1 passenger who is younger than 19 years old, unless they are an immediate family member.
  • If all your passengers are wearing seat belts.

You can move on to your full, unrestricted Nebraska driver's license once you have held your POP for at least 1 year and have accumulated less than 3 points on your driving record during this time.

Full Unrestricted Nebraska Driver's License

You can apply for your full, unrestricted driver's license once:

  • You've had your POP provisional license for at least 1 year and are 17 years old.
    OR
  • You turn 18 years old.

NOTE: You must NOT have accumulated more than 3 points during the 12 months prior to your application.

You can apply online, or visit your local Nebraska DMV office in person.

The fee for your driver's license will vary by how long it is valid. The fee will be between $10 and $29. For more information, please view the NE DMV fee chart.

Follow the major steps towards your first Nebraska driver's license with our new license checklist.

Forms

DMV 06-91
School Permit/Provisional Operators Permit 50 Hour Certification Form
Nebraska DMV form certifying a teen driver in your care has completed the required number of supervised driving hours with their learner’s permit.
DMV.ORG BBB Business Review