Nebraska Online Driver Education and Nebraska Licensing Procedures

Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Nebraska learner’s permit or first Nebraska driver license. Nebraska has a “graduated driver license program()”:http://www.dds.ga.gov/teens/index.aspx for Nebraska drivers ages 15-18, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your Nebraska driving license goes as smoothly as possible. The amount of information isn’t overwhelming, but there are a few pitfalls you’ll want to avoid. That’s where this short guide comes in.

Nebraska Instructional Permit or Nebraska Learner Permit

You can finally apply for a Nebraska instructional permit, otherwise known as a Nebraska School Learner’s Permit (LPE), when you turn 14. This license will allow you to practice driving provided you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21. The permit lasts 3 months and can be renewed. The only test you’ll need to take is a vision screening.

Once you’ve had your Nebraska School Learner’s Permit for just 2 months, you’ll be eligible to apply for a Nebraska School Permit (SCP), provided you meet the following Nebraska requirements:

• You pass the written exam and driving test given by your driver safety course instructor
• You provide a 50 hour certification form signed by your parent or guardian
• You’ve held your Nebraska LPE in good standing for 2 months
• You’ve completed a Nebraska approved driver safety course (more on this later)
• You provide the necessary personal information

At 15, you can also apply for the Nebraska Learner’s Permit (LPD). However, if you already have a Nebraska School Learner Permit or Nebraska School Permit, you’re exempt from taking the required written exams. The Nebraska Learner’s Permit is valid for 1 year and may be renewed.

Don’t forget: with your Nebraska Learner’s Permit, you can practice driving only with your parent, guardian, driving instructor, or a licensed driver who is 21. Be sure to carry your Nebraska Learner’s Permit with you at all times, and insist that all passengers wear seatbelts. After 6 months with your Nebraska Learner’s Permit in good standing (no more than 3 points on your Nebraska driving record), you’ll be ready for the next step in the Nebraska Graduated License Program, the Nebraska Provisional Operator Permit (POP).

The Nebraska Provisional Driver License and Nebraska Full License

In order to apply for your Nebraska Provisional Operator Permit (POP), you’ll need to make sure you’ve satisfied a few “Nebraska State requirements()”:http://www.dmv.state.ne.us/examining/overview.html before heading down to your local Nebraska Driver Service Center:

• Complete a Nebraska approved driver safety course
• Pass the written and driving tests given by your instructor (we hope you’ve been studying your Nebraska driving manual!)
• Hold your Nebraska learner’s permit for at least 6 months without incident
• Provide the 50 hour certification form
• 10 of the 50 driving hours must be at night

If you’ve completed these requirements, hurry down to your local Nebraska Driver Service Center again, where you’ll pay the required fee and submit your Nebraska Provisional License application. The final obstacle, unless you’ve completed a driver safety course, is the dreaded road test! If you pass, then give yourself a pat on the back—you’ve just earned your Nebraska Provisional License!

Nebraska Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties

With driving as with everything else, practice makes perfect. Although you may be eager for full driving freedom, there are still a few restrictions you’ll have to live with for a little bit longer:

• Everyone passenger must wear a seatbelt
• During the first 6 months, you may have only one passenger under 19 unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older
• No driving between midnight and 6AM unless for emergencies, your job, or a school-related activity
• You may not use cell phones while driving (this includes personal digital assistants, text messaging, laptop computers and audio/video devices that send/receive messages)

After you turn 18 and have driven with your Nebraska Provisional Operator Permit for at least 12 months (without receiving more than 3 points on your Nebraska license), you’ve reached the finish line: you can now apply for the Nebraska Operator License. Congrats!

Nebraska Auto Insurance Nebraska Financial Responsibility Laws

Think you’re ready to drive now? Not so fast—receiving your Nebraska Learner’s Permit or Nebraska Intermediate driver’s license is only the first step. Any vehicle registered in Nebraska must be covered by “liability insurance()”:http://www.dmv.state.ne.us/dvr/mvreg/insurance.html. In fact, failure to do so can result in the suspension of your Nebraska license should you get caught.

The minimum liability insurance coverage is:

$25,000 per person for 1 person per accident
$50,000 bodily injury for 2 or more persons per accident
$25,000 for property damage

Nebraska Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As a new Nebraska driver, you’re expected to know the Nebraska drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. Like most states, Nebraska has a Zero Tolerance Law for underage drinking, and if you are convicted of a Nebraska DUI or Nebraska DWI, you face penalties in addition to those listed below.

Upon your first conviction of a Nebraska DUI, you’ll face the following penalties:

• Jail sentence 7 days to 60 days
• License suspension up to 6 months
• Alcohol Assessment/Treatment Possible
• Up to $500 fine

And of course, further Nebraska DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, fines, community service and Nebraska license suspension or even Nebraska license revocation.

Nebraska teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Needless to say, cell phones can be a distraction at any age, so even those who are allowed to use cell phones are strongly encourage to keep their use to a minimum!

Nebraska Online Driver Education

As we said earlier, Nebraska teen drivers must take a Nebraska-approved driver education course. You can find more information on approved Nebraska online driver education courses on “Nebraska DMV website()”:http://www.dmv.ne.gov/examining/trngtest/pop.html.