Category: Nebraska

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Nebraska 50-hour certification form is the alternative to a driver safety course for a School Permit (SCP) or Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP). It certifies at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 between sunset and sunrise. This checklist covers who can sign, which hours count and what tests follow.

What the 50-hour form requires

• At least 50 hours of lawful behind-the-wheel driving.
• At least 10 of those hours between sunset and sunrise.
• Hours logged after your permit was issued.
• Signed by a parent, guardian, or another licensed driver aged 21 or over. The signer needs a current Nebraska license or a license from another state.

The form is on the Nebraska DMV forms page as “School Permit (SCP)/Provisional Operators Permit (POP): 50 Hour Certification”. Hand it to the examiner.

The log is separate from the form

The DMV also publishes a supervised driving log, with columns for:

• date
• day or night
• weather
• driving time
• the supervising adult’s initials

The log is a tracking tool. The certification form is what you submit. Filling in the log as you go makes the form easy and honest to sign.

Checklist before you sign

1. Total hours: 50 or more.
2. Night hours (sunset to sunrise): 10 or more.
3. Every session was after the permit issue date.
4. Every session had a licensed adult aged 21 or over in the seat beside the driver.
5. Varied practice: city streets, highways, rain, parking lots, rural roads and gravel.
6. Parking practice: angle, parallel and perpendicular. These are scored on the drive test.

A simple 50-hour plan

Hours	Focus
1 to 5	Empty parking lot: controls, smooth stops, turning, mirrors
6 to 15	Quiet residential streets: stop signs, right of way, four-way stops
16 to 30	Busier roads: lane changes, left turns, traffic signals
31 to 40	Highways and interstate: merging and exits
41 to 50	Night, bad weather and test practice: snow, fog and rain

Spread the 10 night hours through the plan, not all at the end.

What happens after you hand in the form

• For a POP: you take the vision and drive tests. The written test is waived if your LPD is valid or expired no more than 1 year. See when the Nebraska driving test is waived.
• For an SCP: you take the vision and drive tests. The written test is waived if your LPE or LPD is valid or expired no more than 1 year. See the school permit guide.

Common questions

Who can sign the Nebraska 50-hour form?

A parent, a guardian, or a licensed driver aged 21 or over. The signer needs a current Nebraska license or a license from another state.

Do hours before my permit count?

No. Only lawful driving after your permit was issued counts.

Can a driving school’s lessons count?

Supervised lawful driving after your permit was issued counts. If you complete a full DMV-approved driver safety course instead, you do not need the form at all.

Do I have to hand in the log?

The certification form is the document you submit. The log helps you track the hours. Keep it in case you are asked.

Is 50 hours a lot compared with other states?

It is common. See supervised driving hours by state.

Back to the learning to drive in Nebraska guide. Next: Nebraska POP rules.

Sources

• Nebraska DMV, “50 Hour Certification” form (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, supervised driving log (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)” and “School Permit (SCP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, Driver Licensing Examiners Manual (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-4,120.01 (nebraskalegislature.gov)

Photo: Carol M. Highsmith, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska lets rural students start driving at 14. The School Learner’s Permit (LPE) lets you practice with an adult. Two months later, the School Permit (SCP) can let you drive yourself to school. This guide explains who qualifies, the age windows and what each permit allows.

Key facts

• LPE: from your 14th birthday. It is for practicing toward an SCP.
• SCP: from 14 years 2 months to under 16 years 3 months.
• You must hold an LPE or LPD for 2 months before applying for the SCP.
• You must live, or go to school, outside a larger city. The Nebraska Driver’s Manual says a city of 5,000 or more.

Step 1: the School Learner’s Permit (LPE) at 14

• You cannot apply before your 14th birthday, and you must meet all the SCP eligibility criteria.
• Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or over in the seat beside you.
• You take a vision test and the 25-question written test. See the Nebraska permit test guide.
• The LPE expires 6 months after it is issued, so plan your 2 months of practice and your SCP application inside that window.

Step 2: the School Permit (SCP)

Who qualifies

• Age 14 years 2 months to under 16 years 3 months.
• You live, or attend school, outside a city of 5,000 or more (Driver’s Manual wording).
• You have held an LPE or LPD for 2 months.

A 2016 law change added a rule about how far you live from school. Ask the DMV whether a distance rule applies to you.

How to qualify

Choose one:

• A DMV-approved driver safety course. Written and drive tests are waived. If you held an LPE while taking the course and meet every requirement, you can get the SCP online.
• The 50-hour certification form, with at least 10 hours between sunset and sunrise. See the 50-hour form guide. On this route you take the vision and drive tests. The written test is waived if your LPE or LPD is still valid or expired no more than 1 year ago.

If you finished an approved course before you were old enough for an LPE, the school gives you a paper waiver form. Take it to a driver licensing examiner when you apply for the SCP.

The 2-month trap: finishing the course is not enough. If you have not held an LPE or LPD for 2 months when you apply, you are not eligible for the SCP.

What the SCP lets you do

• Drive to and from school, and between the schools you are enrolled in, by the most direct route from home.
• Drive to school property used for school events or functions.
• Drive family members who live with you to school courses and school activities.
• Drive at any time with a licensed driver aged 21 or over.

Everyone you carry must be buckled up or in a child restraint, and you may not use any interactive wireless device while driving. The SCP expires at 16 years 3 months.

Worked example: Jordan, age 14

Date	Step
14th birthday	Passes the vision and written tests; gets an LPE. Starts a driver safety course.
14 years 2 months	Has held the LPE 2 months and finished the course. Gets the SCP online.
Drives to school	Takes the direct route from home, alone.
16th birthday	Has held permits for 6 months with no points. Eligible for a POP; tests waived because of the course.

LPE, SCP or LPD?

	LPE	SCP	LPD
Earliest age	14	14 years 2 months	15
Drive alone?	No	School trips only	No
Rural rule	Yes (SCP criteria)	Yes	No
Counts toward the 6 months for a POP	Yes	Yes	Yes

Common questions

Can I get a permit at 14 in Nebraska if I live in Omaha?

The school permits are only for students who live or go to school outside a larger city. Most city students start with an LPD at 15.

Can I drive to a friend’s house on an SCP?

Not alone. The SCP covers school trips and school activities. Other driving needs a licensed driver aged 21 or over with you.

Can I drive to a school game in another town?

The SCP covers property used by your school for events or functions. Check the exact route rules with the DMV for away events.

Does SCP time count toward my POP?

Yes. The 6 months can be on an LPE, SCP or LPD.

Can I drive my younger sister to school on an SCP?

Yes. You can drive family members who live with you to school courses and activities.

Back to the learning to drive in Nebraska guide. Next stage: Nebraska POP rules.

Sources

• Nebraska DMV, “School Permit (SCP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “School Learner’s Permit (LPE)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, Driver Licensing Examiners Manual (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Nebraska Driver’s Manual” (January 2025), Section 1C (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-4,124, and LB 814 (2016) (nebraskalegislature.gov)

Photo: SounderBruce, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska’s Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP) is the license for 16 and 17 year olds. It lets you drive alone from 6 a.m. to midnight. In the first 6 months you can carry no more than one passenger under 19 from outside your immediate family. This guide covers every POP rule and how to move up to a full Class O license.

Nebraska POP restrictions

Rule	What it means
Hours	Drive alone 6 a.m. to midnight. From midnight to 6 a.m., only to or from work or a school activity, or with a qualifying adult.
Qualifying adult	A parent, guardian or adult aged 21 or over with a current Nebraska license or a license from another state
Passengers, first 6 months	No more than one passenger under 19 who is not an immediate family member
Seat belts	Every passenger must use a seat belt or child restraint
Phones	No use of any interactive wireless communication device while driving
Expires	On your 18th birthday

Scenario: Friday night game

You are 16 and got your POP 3 months ago. You drive home from a school basketball game at 12:30 a.m. with your brother and one teammate, aged 17.

• Time: allowed, because you are coming home from a school activity.
• Passengers: allowed, because your brother is family and the teammate is your one non-family passenger under 19.

Add a second teammate and you break the passenger rule.

How to get a POP

1. Be at least 16 and under 18. You can apply up to 60 days before your 16th birthday, but the POP is issued on or after it.
2. Hold an LPE, SCP or LPD for at least 6 months.
3. Have fewer than 3 points in the 6 months before you apply.
4. Do one of these:
   • complete a DMV-approved driver safety course (written and drive tests waived)
   • hand in the 50-hour certification form and pass vision and drive tests
5. Bring identity, Nebraska address and Social Security number documents.

The fee table lists an original POP at $20, including the $5 security fee. Check the current fee with the Nebraska DMV.

When does a Nebraska POP become a full license?

You qualify for a Class O after holding the POP for 12 months with fewer than 3 points in the previous 12 months. The written and drive tests are waived, so you can apply online or at any driver licensing office. Because the POP starts at 16, the earliest this can happen is about age 17.

The POP expires on your 18th birthday. If you are 18 to 21 and hold a POP, you can still get the Class O with the written and drive tests waived. Check the details with the DMV.

Points while on a POP

• 3 or more points in the 12 months before you apply delays the move to Class O.
• Any driver under 21 who gets 6 or more points within 12 months must complete a driver improvement course within 3 months.
• Breaking the passenger rule or the midnight to 6 a.m. rule costs 1 point each time. A phone violation costs 1 point plus a $200 fine for a first offense. Riding unbelted costs the driver a $25 fine and 1 point.

More on points: points systems in the US.

Common questions

What time can I drive with a POP in Nebraska?

Alone, from 6 a.m. to midnight. Between midnight and 6 a.m., only for work or a school activity, or with a parent, guardian or licensed adult aged 21 or over.

How many friends can I drive with on a Nebraska POP?

In the first 6 months: one passenger under 19 who is not immediate family. The passenger limit in the law applies to the first 6 months only.

Can I use my phone for GPS on a POP?

The law bans POP holders from using any interactive wireless communication device while driving. Set your route before you start and do not touch the phone while driving. For all-driver rules, see hands-free laws.

Does a church youth event count as a school activity?

The exception covers work and school activities. For anything else after midnight, have a qualifying adult with you.

Can I take my POP out of state?

Other states set their own rules for visiting teen drivers. Check with that state before you go. Compare state GDL rules in US graduated licensing compared.

Back to the learning to drive in Nebraska guide. Related: when the Nebraska driving test is waived.

Sources

• Nebraska DMV, “Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Driver’s License (Class O)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-4,120.01, Provisional operator’s permit (nebraskalegislature.gov)

Photo: JNOJ1423, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Nebraska, many teens never take a state drive test: a DMV-approved driver safety course waives both the written and drive tests for the Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP). This guide explains who must take the drive test, who skips it, and what the examiner scores.

Do you need a drive test in Nebraska?

Your situation	Drive test?
POP applicant who completed a DMV-approved driver safety course	No: written and drive tests waived
POP applicant with a 50-hour certification form	Yes, plus a vision test (written waived if your LPD is valid or expired no more than 1 year)
POP holder moving up to Class O after 12 months with fewer than 3 points	No: written and drive tests waived
18 or over and never held a POP	Yes, plus vision and written tests
School Permit (SCP) applicant who completed an approved course	No: written and drive tests waived

How the driver safety course waiver works

• The course must be approved by the Nebraska DMV.
• The school sends your completion result to the DMV electronically. You do not carry a certificate.
• You still need the permit time: at least 6 months on an LPE, SCP or LPD, with fewer than 3 points in the 6 months before you apply.
• The POP is issued on or after your 16th birthday. You can apply up to 60 days before it.

Cost and course length vary by school, so ask the school directly.

Booking the Nebraska drive test

Car drive tests need an appointment. Bring:

• your permit
• the signed 50-hour certification form if you are on that route
• a vehicle you can drive safely

The Nebraska Driver’s Manual sets these vehicle rules:

• good mechanical condition, with working brake lights and speedometer
• clean, working seat belts for you and the examiner (a passenger belt from model year 1964; both belts from 1973)
• a clean interior
• a vehicle of the type you are licensing for (an autocycle cannot be used for a Class O test)

What the examiner looks for

The manual lists the maneuvers: starting and stopping, right and left turns, lane use and position, stop signs and traffic signals, speed control, right of way, and parking and backing. The test checks that you have the minimum skills to drive safely in most road conditions. The examiner scores you on a list of behaviors for each maneuver. The DMV’s examiner manual includes:

• Before moving: seat belt on, mirrors adjusted.
• Lane changes and general driving: checking traffic on all sides.
• Parking: angle, parallel and perpendicular parking. You must signal for the space, avoid crossing into the spaces next to it, finish inside the lines, and secure the car in gear or park.

Automatic failure: if your driving causes any safety concern for you, the examiner or the public, the test ends.

If you fail the drive test

You cannot retake a failed test on the same day. After 3 failed drive tests in a row, you cannot apply again for a Class O until you either:

• complete a DMV-approved driver training course with at least 6 hours in the classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel, or
• have held an LPD for at least 90 days.

Common causes of failure are covered in common reasons people fail the US driving test.

Practice checklist for the 50-hour route

• Full stops behind the line at every stop sign: four-way stops
• Mirror, signal and head check before every lane change
• Parallel park and angle park until each is routine. The DMV’s parent guide suggests a professional instructor can help with parallel parking.
• Correct speed for each zone: speed limits and the basic speed law
• Railroad crossings and school zones: railroad crossings

Common questions

Is the Nebraska drive test waived with driver’s ed?

Yes. For a POP or SCP, completing a DMV-approved driver safety course waives both the written and drive tests.

Do I take a drive test to turn my POP into a full license?

No. With 12 months on the POP and fewer than 3 points in the last 12 months, the tests are waived. You can apply online or at any driver licensing office.

Does the 50-hour form replace the drive test?

No. On the 50-hour route you still take the vision and drive tests.

Is parallel parking on the Nebraska drive test?

The examiner’s scoring covers angle, parallel and perpendicular parking. Practice all three.

Do I need an appointment?

Yes. Car drive tests are by appointment.

Back to the learning to drive in Nebraska guide. Compare states: US road test by state.

Sources

• Nebraska DMV, “Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Driver’s License (Class O)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “School Permit (SCP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “How many times can you take your driving test?” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, Driver Licensing Examiners Policies and Procedures Manual (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Nebraska Driver’s Manual” (January 2025), Section 1D (dmv.nebraska.gov)

Photo: Nanilluc, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Nebraska permit test is a 25-question written test on the Nebraska Driver’s Manual. To pass, you need 80%, so you can miss no more than 5. This guide covers when you need the test, retake rules, waivers and how to prepare for your Learner’s Permit (LPD).

Nebraska permit test facts

Item	Rule (Nebraska DMV, as of November 2026)
Number of questions	25 (Class O written test)
Pass mark	80%: miss no more than 5
Result valid for	6 months after you pass
Retakes, tests 1 to 3	One day between tests
Test 4	Seven days after test 3
After 6 failures	Wait 90 days from the last failure, or complete an approved driver training course
Also required	Vision test

Who has to take the written test?

• First-time LPD applicants, aged 15 and over. You can apply up to 60 days before your 15th birthday, but the permit is issued on or after it.
• Adults 18 and over applying for a Class O who have never held a POP.

The written test is waived if you have been issued an LPE, SCP or LPD that is still valid or expired no more than 1 year ago. It is also waived for POP applicants who completed a DMV-approved driver safety course.

What is on the test?

The questions come from the Nebraska Driver’s Manual: road signs, signals, pavement markings, right of way, speed, parking, sharing the road, and alcohol and drug laws. Topics learners often slip on:

• sign shapes and colors: US road signs explained
• right of way at all-way stops: four-way stops
• when to stop for a school bus: school bus laws
• alcohol limits for under-21s: zero tolerance laws
• Nebraska’s own permit and POP rules, such as who can supervise you and the phone ban for permit holders: POP rules

Nebraska practice exam

The Nebraska DMV offers a free Class O practice exam online and as an app, plus a printable AAA practice exam PDF. The practice questions are different from the real test. The DMV says to use them alongside the manual, not instead of it.

How to prepare in a week

1. Read the licensing and rules of the road chapters of the manual first. Most questions come from there.
2. Make a list of every number in the manual, such as distances and limits. Learn it.
3. Take the practice exam. For each wrong answer, find the manual page and reread the section.
4. Retake the practice exam until you are scoring well above 80%.

Nebraska numbers worth learning

Topic	Nebraska Driver’s Manual figure
Default speed limits	20 mph business district, 25 mph residential, 50 mph gravel, 55 mph other paved roads, 65 to 70 mph state highways and expressways, 75 mph rural interstate
Interstate minimum speed	40 mph
Signal before turning or moving over	At least 100 feet
Following distance	At least 3 seconds
Dim high beams	When meeting oncoming traffic, and within 200 feet when following
Parked at the curb	Within 12 inches
No parking	15 feet from a fire hydrant, 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet from a stop sign, yield sign or signal, 50 feet from railroad tracks
Stopping at a railroad crossing	15 to 50 feet from the nearest rail
No passing	Within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing
School bus with amber lights	Slow to 25 mph and prepare to stop
Following fire equipment on a call	No closer than 500 feet
Snowplows and maintenance vehicles	Stay 100 feet back unless passing
Passing a bicycle	At least 3 feet
Studded tires	November 1 to April 1 only
BAC limits	.02 under 21, .04 commercial, .08 everyone
Child passengers	Rear-facing to age 2 (or the seat’s limit); a child safety seat to age 8; a seat belt or child seat from 8 to 18; no riding in cargo areas under 18
Tire pressure	Check all tires, including the spare, once a month; tires can lose about 1 psi a month
Window tint	Front side windows at least 35% light transmission; rear windows at least 20%
Crash report to NDOT	Within 10 days if anyone is hurt or damage reaches $1,500, unless police investigated

Dark traffic signal: treat it as an all-way stop. Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign bans it; turning on a red arrow is not.

On test day

• Bring identity, Nebraska address and Social Security number documents. See REAL ID documents for your first license.
• Bring glasses or contacts if you use them, for the vision test.
• The fee table lists an original LPD at $13, including the $5 security fee. Check the current fee with the Nebraska DMV before you go.

After you pass: what the LPD lets you do

• Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or over in the seat beside you.
• No use of any interactive wireless communication device while driving.
• The permit expires 1 year after it is issued.

Hold it for 6 months, then move to a POP at 16. See the learning to drive in Nebraska guide.

Common questions

How many questions are on the Nebraska permit test?

25. You must score at least 80%, so you can get up to 5 wrong.

Can I retake the Nebraska permit test the same day?

No. Leave one day between tests 1 to 3. Test 4 is seven days after test 3.

What happens if I fail six times?

Wait 90 days from the last failure, or complete an approved driver training course before testing again.

How long is my passed written test good for?

6 months.

Is the test the same as the practice exam?

No. The DMV says the practice questions differ from the real ones.

How does Nebraska’s test compare with other states?

See the US permit test by state table.

Sources

• Nebraska DMV, “Learner’s Permit (LPD)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, Driver Licensing Examiners Policies and Procedures Manual (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Practice Driver’s License Exam” and “Nebraska Driver’s Practice Exam” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Driver’s License (Class O)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-4,123 (nebraskalegislature.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Nebraska Driver’s Manual” (January 2025), Sections 1 to 7 (dmv.nebraska.gov)

Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This guide is for Nebraska teens, their parents and adult first-time drivers. It sets out every Nebraska permit (LPE, SCP, LPD and POP), the order you get them in, the tests, and when you can move up to a full Class O license.

Key facts (Nebraska DMV, as of November 2026)

• Earliest permit: the School Learner’s Permit (LPE), from your 14th birthday.
• Learner’s Permit (LPD): from your 15th birthday.
• Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP): from 16, after holding a permit for at least 6 months.
• Full Class O license: after 12 months on a POP with fewer than 3 points in the last 12 months.
• Written test: 25 questions, pass mark 80% (miss no more than 5).
• A DMV-approved driver safety course waives the written and drive tests for the POP.

Nebraska permits and licenses at a glance

Credential	Age	What it lets you do
School Learner’s Permit (LPE)	14 to under 16	Practice driving toward a School Permit, with a licensed driver aged 21 or over in the seat beside you
School Permit (SCP)	14 years 2 months to under 16 years 3 months	Drive alone to and from school and school activities by the most direct route, if you live or go to school outside a larger city
Learner’s Permit (LPD)	15 and over	Drive with a licensed driver aged 21 or over in the seat beside you
Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)	16 to under 18	Drive alone 6 a.m. to midnight, with passenger and phone limits
Operator’s License (Class O)	After 12 months on a POP, or 18 and over	Full, unrestricted license

The usual route for a Nebraska teen

1. Get an LPD at 15 (or an LPE at 14 if you will apply for a school permit). You can apply up to 60 days before your 15th birthday, but the LPD is issued on or after the birthday. You pass a vision test and the written test. See the Nebraska permit test guide.
2. Practice for at least 6 months. You must hold an LPE, SCP or LPD for 6 months, with fewer than 3 points in the 6 months before you apply for a POP.
3. Choose a route to the POP. Either complete a DMV-approved driver safety course, or log 50 hours of supervised driving (10 between sunset and sunrise) on the 50-hour certification form.
4. Get your POP at 16. Course route: written and drive tests waived. 50-hour route: vision and drive tests. See when the Nebraska driving test is waived.
5. Drive on the POP for 12 months under its limits. See Nebraska POP rules.
6. Move up to Class O. With 12 months on a POP and fewer than 3 points in the last 12 months, the written and drive tests are waived, and you can get the license online or at any driver licensing office.

School permits for rural students

Nebraska is one of the few states with a school permit. If you live or go to school outside a larger city (the Nebraska Driver’s Manual says a city of 5,000 or more), you can get an SCP from 14 years 2 months. You must first hold an LPE or LPD for 2 months. Full details are in the Nebraska school permit and LPE guide.

Driver safety course or 50 hours?

	DMV-approved driver safety course	50-hour certification
Who teaches	An approved driver training school	Parent, guardian or licensed driver aged 21 or over
Tests at the POP stage	Written and drive tests waived	Vision and drive tests (written waived if your LPD is valid or expired under 1 year)
Paperwork	The school sends your result to the DMV electronically	You hand in the signed form

Applying at 18 or over without a POP

If you are 18 or older and have never held a POP, you take the vision, written and drive tests for a Class O license. The written test is waived if you hold an LPD that is valid or expired less than 1 year.

After you pass, take the issuance certificate to a county treasurer (or, in Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy counties, the state driver licensing office) within 90 days and pay the fee. You get a 30-day receipt, and the card arrives by mail in about 20 days. The TSA does not accept the receipt as ID.

Moving to Nebraska

New residents with a valid license from another state must get a Nebraska license within 30 days. At 18 or over you surrender your old license and take a vision test; the drive test is at the examiner’s discretion. If you cannot surrender the license, or it has expired, you also take the written test. Under 18, you must meet the POP rules.

Nebraska’s point system

Points count from the date of the violation, not the court date.

• 12 points in 2 years: your license is revoked. A first point revocation lasts 6 months; a second within 5 years lasts 3 years.
• Examples from the DMV point table: careless driving 4, reckless driving 5, DUI (first or second offense) 6.
• Under 21: 6 or more points within 12 months means you must complete a driver improvement course.
• Teen permits: 3 or more points stops you moving from a permit to a POP, or from a POP to a Class O.
• Point reduction: with fewer than 12 points, a DMV-approved course of at least 4 hours takes off 2 points, once every 5 years.
• Speeding: 1 to 4 points, depending on how far over the limit you were and whether you were inside city limits. Since November 14, 2020, 1 to 5 mph over carries no points.
• Chemical tests: an officer takes your license if you fail or refuse an alcohol test and gives you a 15-day temporary license. A first failed test means a 180-day administrative revocation; a refusal means 1 year.
• Other teen risks: a minor in possession conviction impounds your permit or license for 30 days (90 days for a second, 12 months for a third). Leaving the scene of a crash can cost your license for up to a year. Using nitrous oxide in a vehicle on a public road is illegal.

How points work across states: points systems and license suspensions in the US.

Phones

Under Nebraska law, LPE, SCP, LPD and POP holders may not use any interactive wireless communication device while the vehicle is moving. A first offense carries a $200 fine, and 1 point goes on your record. Breaking the POP passenger or midnight rule also costs 1 point, and anyone riding with a permit holder must be belted ($25 fine). Under 21, Nebraska has zero tolerance: a first .02 conviction means the court impounds your permit or license for 30 days.

For the general rules for all drivers, see hands-free and texting laws for US drivers.

What to study: the Nebraska Driver’s Manual

All written test answers come from the Nebraska Driver’s Manual. The newest Class O manual listed on the DMV site is the English edition dated January 2025. The DMV also publishes a Spanish edition and an audio version. The manual covers:

• licensing
• signs, signals and pavement markings
• rules of the road
• safe driving
• alcohol and drugs

Most rules match national practice. These guides cover them in depth:

• US road signs by shape and color
• Traffic signals and pavement markings
• Four-way stops, right on red and roundabouts
• School bus stopping laws and move over laws
• Railroad crossings, speed limits and parking
• Implied consent and DUI and zero tolerance for under-21s
• Driving in snow, fog and rain

Fees

The Nebraska DMV fee table lists these totals, including the $5 security fee:

• original LPD: $13
• original POP: $20
• 5-year Class O license: $29

Check the current figures with the Nebraska DMV before you go. A license issued under 21 expires on your 21st birthday; from 21 it runs to your birthday in the fifth year. Report a change of name or address within 60 days.

Common questions

What is the difference between LPE, LPD, SCP and POP in Nebraska?

The LPE and LPD are supervised learner’s permits: the LPE is for students working toward a school permit, from 14, and the LPD is the standard permit, from 15. The SCP lets eligible rural students drive alone to school. The POP is the provisional license for 16 and 17 year olds.

Can I get my license at 16 in Nebraska?

You can get a POP at 16, which lets you drive alone between 6 a.m. and midnight. The full Class O comes after 12 months on the POP.

Do I need driver’s ed in Nebraska?

No. You can use the 50-hour certification instead. The driver safety course does save you the written and drive tests at the POP stage.

Do I need an appointment for the drive test?

Yes. The Nebraska DMV requires appointments for car and motorcycle drive tests.

Can I drive in another state on a Nebraska permit?

That depends on the other state’s rules. See driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

I am moving to Nebraska with a license. What do I do?

Get a Nebraska license within 30 days (see Moving to Nebraska above). See moving to a new state and REAL ID documents, then check the Nebraska DMV’s requirements.

For how Nebraska compares with other states, see learning to drive in the USA and US graduated licensing compared.

Sources

• Nebraska DMV, “Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Learner’s Permit (LPD)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “School Permit (SCP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “School Learner’s Permit (LPE)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Driver’s License (Class O)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Nebraska Point System” and “Point Revocations” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “New Edition of Nebraska Driver’s Manual Released” and “Nebraska Driver’s Manual” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, Driver Licensing Examiners Manual (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska DMV, “Nebraska Driver’s Manual” (January 2025), Sections 1 to 7 (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Legislature, Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-4,120.01, 60-4,123, 60-4,124 and 60-4,183 (nebraskalegislature.gov)

Photo: Pfly, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Nebraska Class O written test has 25 questions, and you need 80% to pass, so you can miss no more than 5. This practice test is the same length. Its 25 questions are original and unofficial, written to the Nebraska Driver’s Manual topics and DMV permit rules, and are not the DMV’s questions.

Nebraska written test: key facts

• 25 questions; pass with 80% (20 correct).
• You also take a vision test.
• A passing result is valid for 6 months.
• Retakes: one day between tests 1 to 3, and seven days before test 4.

Who must test, waivers and retakes: the Nebraska permit test explained. The full process: learning to drive in Nebraska.

Signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 8)

1. You can recognize a STOP sign from behind, or when it is covered in snow, because it is the only sign that is:

• A. Triangular
• B. Round
• C. Eight-sided (an octagon)
• D. Shaped like a pennant

Answer: C. Only STOP signs use the octagon shape. Manual topic: signs.

2. A red and white triangle pointing down tells you to:

• A. Stop every time, even when the road is clear
• B. Slow down and give the right of way, stopping if you need to
• C. Merge without checking traffic
• D. Watch for a railroad crossing

Answer: B. A YIELD sign means cross traffic and pedestrians go first. You stop only when you have to. Manual topic: signs.

3. A yellow diamond-shaped sign usually warns you about:

• A. A hazard or change in the road ahead, such as a curve
• B. A law you must obey
• C. Gas, food and lodging
• D. A route number

Answer: A. Yellow diamonds are warning signs. Manual topic: signs.

4. A round yellow sign with a black X and the letters RR means:

• A. A rest area is ahead
• B. Road repairs are ahead
• C. The right lane ends
• D. A railroad crossing is ahead

Answer: D. The round shape is used only for railroad advance warning signs. Manual topic: signs.

5. A steady yellow traffic light means:

• A. Speed up to beat the red light
• B. Stop even if you are already in the intersection
• C. The light is about to turn red, so stop if you can do so safely
• D. Pedestrians have the right of way

Answer: C. Steady yellow warns that red is next. If you are too close to stop safely, go through with care. Manual topic: signals.

6. A flashing red traffic light means:

• A. Come to a complete stop, then go when it is safe, as at a STOP sign
• B. Slow down and go ahead with caution
• C. The signal is broken, so you may ignore it
• D. Stop only if other cars are there

Answer: A. Treat a flashing red light exactly like a STOP sign. Manual topic: signals.

7. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means you may turn left:

• A. Without stopping, because oncoming traffic must stop
• B. After yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
• C. Only after waiting three seconds
• D. Only if a police officer waves you on

Answer: B. This is a permissive turn. Oncoming traffic may have a green light, so wait for a safe gap. Manual topic: signals.

8. Two solid yellow lines down the center of a two-lane road mean:

• A. Passing is allowed in both directions
• B. Passing is allowed only in daylight
• C. The road is one-way
• D. No passing in either direction

Answer: D. Double solid yellow lines mark a no-passing area for traffic both ways. Manual topic: pavement markings.

Right of way and safe driving (questions 9 to 14)

9. You and another car reach a four-way stop at the same time. The other car is on your right. Who goes first?

• A. You do, because you are on the left
• B. The car on your right
• C. Whoever is driving the larger vehicle
• D. Whoever signals first

Answer: B. When drivers arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Manual topic: right of way.

10. At an intersection with no signs or signals, two cars arrive at about the same time. Which driver must yield?

• A. The driver on the left
• B. The driver on the right
• C. The driver going straight
• D. Neither, both may go

Answer: A. At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to the vehicle on your right and to any vehicle already in the intersection. Manual topic: right of way.

11. You are turning left on a solid green light with no arrow. You must:

• A. Go first, because you have a green light
• B. Turn quickly before oncoming cars reach you
• C. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before you turn
• D. Wait for the light to turn yellow

Answer: C. A plain green light lets you turn left only when there is a safe gap. Manual topic: right of way.

12. An ambulance with its siren and lights on is coming up behind you. You must:

• A. Speed up to stay ahead of it
• B. Stop at once, even in the middle of an intersection
• C. Move to the left lane and keep going
• D. Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop until it passes

Answer: D. Clear any intersection first, then pull to the right and stop. Manual topic: emergency vehicles.

13. Your car starts to hydroplane on a wet road. You should:

• A. Brake hard
• B. Accelerate to push through the water
• C. Turn the wheel sharply
• D. Ease off the gas, keep the wheel straight and avoid hard braking

Answer: D. Your tires are riding on water. Let the car slow until they grip the road again. Manual topic: emergencies.

14. What is the only thing that lowers your blood alcohol level?

• A. Time
• B. Black coffee
• C. A cold shower
• D. Eating a large meal

Answer: A. Your body removes alcohol at a steady rate, and nothing speeds it up. Manual topic: alcohol.

Nebraska permit (LPD) rules (questions 15 to 18)

15. At what age can you be issued a Nebraska Learner’s Permit (LPD)?

• A. 14
• B. 15
• C. 16
• D. 17

Answer: B. You can apply up to 60 days before your 15th birthday, but the permit is issued on or after it. DMV rules: licensing.

16. An LPD holder may drive only with:

• A. Any licensed driver aged 18
• B. A passenger aged 16 or older
• C. A licensed driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside them
• D. No one, if it is daylight

Answer: C. The supervisor must sit in the front seat next to you. DMV rules: licensing.

17. LPD and POP holders may use an interactive wireless communication device while driving:

• A. Hands-free only
• B. Not at all
• C. At stop signs
• D. For calls under one minute

Answer: B. Put the phone away before you start the car. Nebraska law: distracted driving.

18. A School Permit (SCP) is for students who:

• A. Live or go to school outside a larger city
• B. Live in Omaha or Lincoln
• C. Are 18 or older
• D. Have failed the written test

Answer: A. You can get one from 14 years 2 months, after holding an LPE or LPD for 2 months. See Nebraska school permit and LPE. DMV rules: licensing.

Nebraska POP and point rules (questions 19 to 25)

19. How long must you hold an LPE, SCP or LPD before applying for a Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)?

• A. 30 days
• B. 3 months
• C. 6 months
• D. 1 year

Answer: C. You also need fewer than 3 points in the 6 months before you apply. DMV rules: licensing.

20. On the 50-hour route to a POP, how many of the hours must be between sunset and sunrise?

• A. 5
• B. 10
• C. 15
• D. 20

Answer: B. The other route is a DMV-approved driver safety course, which waives the written and drive tests. DMV rules: licensing.

21. A POP holder may drive alone during which hours?

• A. 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• B. 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• C. Any time
• D. 6 a.m. to midnight

Answer: D. From midnight to 6 a.m. you may drive only to or from work or a school activity, or with a qualifying adult. See Nebraska POP rules. DMV rules: licensing.

22. In the first 6 months on a POP, how many passengers under 19 who are not immediate family may you carry?

• A. 0
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. 3

Answer: B. Every passenger must also use a seat belt or child restraint. DMV rules: licensing.

23. You can move from a POP to a full Class O license after holding the POP for 12 months with:

• A. Fewer than 6 points
• B. No more than 12 points
• C. Fewer than 3 points in the previous 12 months
• D. A new road test

Answer: C. The written and drive tests are waived for this step. DMV rules: licensing.

24. A Nebraska driver under 21 collects 6 or more points within 12 months. What happens?

• A. Nothing until 12 points
• B. A warning letter only
• C. Their permit is extended
• D. They must complete a driver improvement course

Answer: D. Separately, 12 points in 2 years leads to revocation for any driver. DMV rules: points.

25. How many points in 2 years lead to revocation of a Nebraska license?

• A. 6
• B. 8
• C. 12
• D. 18

Answer: C. A first point revocation lasts 6 months. DMV rules: points.

How to score yourself against the Nebraska standard

Correct out of 25	What it means
23 to 25	Ready for the written test.
20 to 22	A pass at the 80% standard. Review what you missed.
Under 20	A fail on the real test. Reread the manual’s licensing and rules of the road chapters.

The Nebraska DMV also has a free Class O practice exam online and as an app. Its questions differ from the real test, so use it with the manual, not instead of it.

Common questions

Are these the real Nebraska DMV questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions written to the Nebraska Driver’s Manual topics and DMV rules.

How many questions can I miss on the Nebraska permit test?

Five. You need 20 of 25 (80%).

What if I fail the Nebraska written test several times?

Wait one day between tests 1 to 3 and seven days before test 4. After 6 failures, wait 90 days or complete an approved driver training course. See the permit test guide.

Do I have to take the written test for a POP?

Not if you complete a DMV-approved driver safety course, or if your LPD is still valid or expired less than a year ago.

What does the LPD cost?

The DMV fee table lists an original LPD at $13, including the $5 security fee. Check the current figure with the Nebraska DMV.

Are there practice tests for other states?

Yes. See US permit practice tests by state.

Sources

• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s Permit (LPD)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, “Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP)” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, “Nebraska Point System” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, “How many times can you take your driving test” (dmv.nebraska.gov)
• Nebraska Legislature, “Nebraska Revised Statutes 60-4,120.01 and 60-4,123” (nebraskalegislature.gov)