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Nebraska driver's license

Get your first license in Nebraska after moving to the US.

The short answer

Nebraska issues a first driver's license after you pass the written test and the drive test.1, 2 A license valid for five years costs $29.3 If you fail the written test, you take it again the following day, and after the fourth try the wait is seven days.4, 5 You may bring a translator for the application and the drive test instructions, and the office can call a translation phone service if you come without one.6

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to Nebraska and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

Operator's license, class O, good for 5 years3$24.00
Security fee3$5.00
Most people pay, all in3$29.00

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

USCIS parolees can get Nebraska identification and driving documents that are not for federal identification purposes and do not carry the REAL ID star.7

If your license from another state has expired

An expired out-of-state non-CDL license can be accepted, and testing waived, if you bring a copy of your home state's Executive Order showing the license is still valid.8

  • If the license has been expired for more than a year, or you cannot surrender the card, you must take both the written and driving tests. If it has been expired for less than a year, only the written test is required.9

If you have no license to transfer

Nebraska residents who surrendered their Nebraska license, permit, or ID card in another state and are returning must apply for a new document, not a replacement.10

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

Your complete Social Security number goes on the application data form, unless you are not eligible for one.11

Tests you take

Eye test

If a Statement of Vision is required, it must be current, completed within the last 90 days.12

Drive test

You must take a driving test for a Class O license.2

  • A drive test is required if your out-of-state license has been expired for over one year or you cannot present it.13

  • If you surrender a valid out-of-state license, a vision test is required, and driver licensing staff decide whether you take a drive test.14

  • If you are applying for a first-time license and have never held a Provisional Operator's Permit, you must take vision, written, and drive tests.1

  • When moving from a School Permit to a Provisional Operator's Permit, the written and drive tests are waived if the School Permit is valid or expired no more than one year.15

Tries you get on the written test

A failed test cannot be retaken the same day.5

  • You wait one day between your first three tests and seven days before a fourth test. After failing a sixth test, you must wait 90 days from your last failure or complete an approved driver training course before testing again.4

  • Staff can shorten the wait between tests, but they cannot make it longer.16

Using an interpreter

You may use a translator to help with the application process, including the vision check, drive test instructions, and explaining the drive test results. If you do not have a translator with you at the driver licensing office, staff can use the Translation Phone Service to assist.6

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

A licensed driver who is at least 21 and holds a current Nebraska or out-of-state operator's license must occupy the seat beside you.17

  • A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, licensed by Nebraska or another state, must ride in the seat beside you.18

What to bring to the drive test

The car and its insurance

Before the drive test begins, the examiner checks the brake lights; if both are missing, broken, or not working, the test is cancelled for an improper vehicle.19

  • The drive test cannot be taken in an autocycle for a permit or Class O license.20

  • State vehicles are never used to give a drive test.21

  • The vehicle you bring for the skills test must match exactly the vehicle characteristics given when the appointment was made.22

Where to go

Who gives the tests

Department of Motor Vehicles personnel, appointed by the director, examine applicants who apply for a first license.23

Booking an appointment

You can book an appointment at nebraska-dmv.caseapp.tylerapp.com/page.request.do?page=com.tylertech.dmv.landing.24

Other states

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “Applying for a first time license, who have never held a Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) are required to take vision, written and drive tests.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/operators-license-class-o

    Checked July 28, 2026

  2. 2

    “The Class O or M drive test is required.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  3. 3

    “Operator's License (Class O) Fees Type of Document Fee Security Fee Total Valid for 5 years $24.00 $5.00 $29.00”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/driver-license

    Checked August 4, 2026

  4. 4

    “Retest on the written test is as follows: • Tests 1-3 – one day between tests. • Test 4 – the current date plus 7 days. • Prior to the 4th test, this question will display on the system “Has the applicant been informed of all options available?” • After a failure on the 5th test, the system will instruct you to contact your Supervisor/Driver License Manager for test 6 instructions. After failure of the 6th test, the applicant will be required to attend an approved driver training course or wait 90 days from the date of the last test failure before any further testing.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  5. 5

    “3. Any test that is failed cannot be retaken the same day.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  6. 6

    “Applicants may use translators to assist with the application process, including vision check, drive test instructions and explaining the results of the drive test. If the applicant does not have a translator with them at the driver licensing office, you can use the Translation Phone Service to assist.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  7. 7

    “USCIS Parolees will be able to acquire Nebraska State identification and driving documents that are not for federal identification purposes. These documents are not for Federal Identification, they do not have the star indicating Real ID in the top right corner of the document.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  8. 8

    “If applicant is presenting an expired out of state license (non CDL), with the copy of their home state Executive Order that indicates the license is still valid, you can accept this out of state Executive Order and waive the written and/or drive tests.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  9. 9

    “If a person is unable to surrender the out-of-state License or the license is more than a year expired both written and driving tests are required. Only the written test is required when the license is less than a year expired.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/dl/operators-license-class-o

    Checked August 1, 2026

  10. 10

    “Nebraska residents who have surrendered their Nebraska license, permit or ID card in another state and are returning to Nebraska are not eligible for a replacement of that surrendered document. They will be required to apply for a new document.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  11. 11

    “Your complete Social Security Number must be written on the data form (unless ineligible for an SSN).”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/Document%20Verification%20Form%20Color%209Sept24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  12. 12

    “If a Statement of Vision is required, the applicant must present a current statement (completed within the last 90 days).”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  13. 13

    “If the out of state license is expired over one year or the applicant cannot present it, vision, written and drive tests are required.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  14. 14

    “Surrendering a valid out of state license: vision test required, drive test administered at discretion of driver licensing staff.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/new-nebraska-resident-drivers-licensing

    Checked August 4, 2026

  15. 15

    “SCP to POP – No requirement to surrender SCP, written and drive tests will be waived if SCP is valid or expired no more than one year.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  16. 16

    “Staff can shorten intervals between written tests, but not lengthen them.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  17. 17

    “The applicant must be accompanied by a licensed motor vehicle operator who occupies the seat beside the driver. Motorcyclists must be accompanied by a licensed motorcycle operator within visual contact. Note: Such licensed motor vehicle or motorcycle operator shall be at least 21 years of age and hold a current Nebraska or out of state operator’s license.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  18. 18

    “The applicant must be accompanied by a licensed motor vehicle operator at least 21 years of age who occupies the seat beside the driver. Motorcyclists must be accompanied by a licensed motorcycle operator within visual contact. Note: Such licensed motor vehicle or motorcycle operator shall be at least 21 years of age and licensed by this state or another state.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  19. 19

    “Prior to beginning the Class O drive test the examiner will conduct a brake light check, if both brake lights are missing, broken or not functional the drive test will not be administered, and the test will be cancelled for improper vehicle.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  20. 20

    “A drive test cannot be administered in an autocycle for a permit or Class O license.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  21. 21

    “Under no circumstances will state vehicles be used to administer a drive test.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  22. 22

    “Do NOT begin any segment of the skills test without verifying the vehicle being tested matches EXACTLY with the vehicle characteristics the appointment was made for.”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/…/DLE_ENTIRE_MANUAL_09_12_24.pdf

    Checked August 4, 2026

  23. 23

    “Appoint department personnel to examine any applicant who applies for an initial license or whose license has been revoked or canceled to ascertain such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle properly and safely;”

    nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php

    Checked August 1, 2026

  24. 24

    “href="https://nebraska-dmv.caseapp.tylerapp.com/page.request.do?page=com.tylertech.dmv.landing"”

    dmv.nebraska.gov/services

    Checked July 23, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in Nebraska?

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