Supervised practice and driver education in Nebraska

By the end of this topic you can

• You can choose between the 50 hour route and the driver safety course route.
• You can explain who may sign the 50 hour certification form.
• You can plan your 10 hours of night practice.
• You can describe which tests each route waives.
• You can follow the supervision rules while practicing.

What you need to know and understand

• The 50 hour certification form must show at least 10 hours driven between sunset and sunrise.
• The form must be signed by a parent, guardian or licensed driver aged at least 21, and must be obtained from the DMV.
• With the form, you still take the vision and drive tests; the written test is waived if your permit is valid or expired under a year.
• A DMV approved driver safety course waives the written and drive tests for a School Permit or POP.
• Driver safety schools send course results to the DMV electronically.
• Supervisors must be licensed, at least 21, and sit in the seat beside you.
• Everyone in the car must wear a seat belt when a permit holder drives.

Two routes to your next permit

Either route works for both the School Permit and the POP. Our guide to the 50 hour driving certification form walks through filling it in.

• 50 hour route: practice with a qualified adult, log the time, and hand in the DMV's 50 hour certification form. You take a vision test and a drive test with driver licensing staff.
• Driver safety course route: finish a DMV approved driver safety course. The school tests you and sends your results to the DMV, so the state written and drive tests are waived. If you meet the other rules, you may be able to get your permit online.

Making your 50 hours count

Nebraska gives teens under 16 the Parent's Supervised Driving Program when they apply for a learner permit. It sets out lessons in a sensible order and helps parents cover every skill.

1. Start in an empty parking lot to practice steering, braking and smooth starts.
2. Move to quiet residential streets, where the limit is usually 25 mph.
3. Add busier roads, left turns at lights, roundabouts and lane changes.
4. Practice on highways and, once confident, the interstate, where the minimum speed is 40 mph.
5. Spread at least 10 hours across sunset to sunrise, including country roads where deer are common.
6. Include rain and, if your season allows, snow or ice under close supervision.

Rules while you practice

Your supervisor must hold a license, be at least 21 and sit beside you. You may not use any interactive wireless device while the car is moving; doing so brings a fine and a point. All occupants must be buckled.

If an applicant fails three drive tests in a row for a Class O license, Nebraska requires either a DMV approved driver training course with at least six hours of classroom and six hours behind the wheel, or holding a Learner's Permit for at least 90 days, before trying again.

Common mistakes

• Logging night hours in the late afternoon. Night hours must fall between sunset and sunrise.
• Using a supervisor who is 19 or 20. The adult must be at least 21 and licensed.
• Downloading a random log template. Nebraska requires its own certification form obtained from the DMV.
• Practicing only familiar routes. The drive test checks turns, lane use, speed control, right of way, parking and backing.

Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Nebraska

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Nebraska Permit Practice Test
• Learning to Drive in Nebraska
• Nebraska 50-Hour Driving Certification Form