New Driver Checklist

The Nebraska Graduated Driver License System

Because of their relative lack of experience behind the wheel, teen drivers are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed in an auto accident.

To help keep teens safe, Nebraska has a Graduated Driver License (GDL) system that requires drivers younger than 18 to complete several different steps before earning a drivers license with unrestricted driving privileges.

Learners Permit

Nebraska has two different types of permits.

• Teens age 14 and older who live a mile and a half or farther from their high school and outside a city of 5,000 people or more obtain a school learners permit (LPE) and then a school permit (SCP). A school permit allows you to drive unaccompanied to school, but you must be accompanied by a licensed driver older than 21 when driving to other destinations.
• Teens age 15 and older who do not live in rural areas can obtain a learners permit (LPD) to drive when accompanied by a licensed driver older than 21.

A vision screening and written knowledge test are required to receive either drivers permit (the LPE or LPD).

NOTE: To receive a SCP, a teen must either complete an approved driver education course or present a 50-hour certification form that has been signed by a licensed driver older than 21. The 50-hour certification form must include at least 10 hours of driving after sunset.

Provisional Operators Permit

A Provisional Operators Permit (POP) allows for unsupervised driving between the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight. You may still drive unsupervised outside of this time period if attending school or work activities, however.

To apply for a POP, you must either complete an approved drivers education course or present a 50-hour certification form that has been signed by a licensed driver older than 21. The 50-hour certification form must include at least 10 hours of driving after sunset.

The written license test and behind-the-wheel driving test will not be required to receive a POP if you have a test waiver form given to you by the instructor of an NE DMV approved driver training or drivers ed course. Still, it’s a good idea to take a permit practice test or two to refresh your knowledge.

Full Driving Privileges

A POP expires when a driver turns 18.  

If you have no more than three points on your record, the written license test and behind-the-wheel driving tests will be waived when you apply for your regular drivers license. If you have more than six points on your driving record, however, you will first need to complete a driver improvement course before applying for a full unrestricted Nebraska license.

The written license test and behind-the-wheel driving test will not be required to receive a POP if you have a test waiver form given to you by the instructor of an NE DMV approved driver training or drivers ed course.