Nebraska License to Drive
The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues Class O operator licenses, REAL ID compliant credentials, and commercial driver licenses. New Nebraska residents must obtain a Nebraska license within 30 days of establishing residency, and all license holders must notify the DMV within 60 days of an address or name change.
Under Nebraska's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for drivers under age 18, teens at age 15 may obtain a Learner's Permit (LPD) after passing vision (minimum 20/40 acuity) and written exams (50 multiple-choice questions with 80 percent / 40 correct pass mark). At age 16, after holding the permit for 6 months and logging 50 hours of practice (including 10 hours at night), drivers advance to a Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) subject to a night curfew (midnight to 6:00 a.m.) and a passenger restriction allowing only one non-family passenger under 19 during the first 6 months. Using any interactive wireless device while driving carries a $200 fine for permit and POP holders, and accumulating 6 or more points in one year requiring a driver improvement course.
Important Driver Information
Under the Nebraska Financial Responsibility Law, all motor vehicles must carry continuous liability insurance. Minimum required limits are $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for total bodily injury per crash, and $25,000 for property damage (25/50/25).
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) carries severe criminal penalties and Administrative License Revocation (ALR). The legal Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) limit is 0.08 percent or higher for drivers 21 and older, 0.02 percent (zero tolerance) for drivers under 21, and 0.04 percent for CDL holders; chemical test refusal results in an automatic 6-month to 1-year ALR license revocation. Seat belts are mandatory for all front-seat occupants and all passengers under 18, child safety seats or booster seats are required for children under 8 years of age, and tire tread depth must meet or exceed the legal minimum of 1/16 of an inch.
Signs, Signals and Markings
Traffic control devices communicate mandatory legal directives and hazard warnings across Nebraska roadways. Octagon red signs mandate full stops, downward triangles indicate yield, pennant signs placed on the left side of the highway mark no-passing zones, and diamond signs warn of road hazards. Work zone warning signs feature orange backgrounds, and traffic fines are doubled in active construction zones.
Flashing red traffic signals function as a stop sign, while a flashing yellow arrow permits turns after yielding. Double solid yellow pavement lines prohibit passing in both directions, broken white lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and shared center left-turn lanes are reserved strictly for left turns.
Rules of the Road
Nebraska statutory speed limits establish maximum legal speeds: 20 mph in posted school zones or business districts, 25 mph in residential districts, 50 mph on gravel county roads, 60 to 65 mph on state highways, and 70 to 75 mph on rural interstate highways. Turn signals must be activated at least 100 feet prior to turning in cities, and 500 feet prior on highways.
Drivers must yield right-of-way to emergency vehicles, pedestrians in crosswalks, and circulating traffic in roundabouts. Stop at least 15 feet away from a stopped school bus displaying flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. When parking along public streets, park parallel within 12 inches of the curb; parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or crosswalk, 30 feet of a stop sign or signal, or 50 feet of a railroad crossing.
Special Driving Conditions
Interstate driving requires smooth acceleration along entry ramps to match highway traffic speeds before merging. Headlights must be illuminated from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, during fog or precipitation, and whenever visibility is reduced to under 500 feet. High-beam headlights must be dimmed within 500 feet of oncoming vehicles and 200 feet when following.
Hydroplaning can occur at speeds as low as 35 mph on wet pavement; ease off the accelerator without sudden braking. Texting while driving is strictly illegal in Nebraska. Drivers should maintain a visual space cushion of at least three to four seconds behind the vehicle ahead.
Sharing the Road With Other Users
Motorists must safely share highways with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, commercial trucks, school buses, and snowplow operations. When passing bicyclists, Nebraska law requires leaving at least three feet of clearance.
Commercial trucks have massive blind spots called 'No-Zones' extending 20 feet in front of the cab and 200 feet behind the trailer. On undivided roads, traffic in both directions must stop for a school bus with flashing red lights; on divided highways with a physical barrier, opposing traffic may proceed.
If You're Involved in a Crash
If involved in a motor vehicle collision, stop immediately, turn on hazard lights, check for injuries, and render aid if qualified. Exchange names, addresses, driver license numbers, vehicle registration, and insurance information with all involved parties.
Crashes resulting in injury, death, or total property damage of $1,000 or more must be reported in writing to the Nebraska Department of Transportation within 10 days if law enforcement officers did not submit an official report.