I'm a new resident in Nebraska: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Nebraska. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Nebraska

Each rule comes from the Nebraska driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 30 days (new resident with a valid out-of-state license).

  What the manual says

  • A new resident who holds a valid license from another state must obtain a Nebraska license within 30 days.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 1

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Age 18+ surrendering a valid out-of-state license: vision test; for a Class M license, drive test at staff discretion.

  What the manual says

  • A new resident 18 or older who surrenders a valid out-of-state license must take a vision test.
  • For these new residents the vision test is required and the drive test is administered at the discretion of driver licensing staff.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 5, 8

• Liability insurance

  Required minimums: $25,000 injury or death of one person, $50,000 for two or more, $25,000 property.

  What the manual says

  • The manual lists twenty-five thousand dollars for bodily injury to or death of one person in any one crash.
  • The manual lists fifty thousand dollars for bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one crash, subject to the limit for one person.
  • The manual lists twenty-five thousand dollars for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one crash.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 28

• Change of address

  Within 60 days of the change.

  What the manual says

  • State statute requires that name and address changes be made within 60 days of the change.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 16

• How long the license lasts

  Expires on your birthday in the fifth year after issue (age 21 or older).

  What the manual says

  • Licenses issued to individuals 21 or older expire on the license holder's birthday in the fifth year after issuance.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 15

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  POP: unsupervised driving 6 a.m.-midnight; midnight-6 a.m. only to or from work or a school activity.

  What the manual says

  • A POP holder may only drive unsupervised between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. when driving to or from home to work or a school activity.

  • POP driving hours

    A POP allows you to drive unsupervised from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. Between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. you may drive unsupervised only to or from work or a school activity. You may drive at any time when accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver at least 21.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 4

  Source: [1] [2]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  POP, first six months: at most one passenger under 19 who is not immediate family.

  What the manual says

  • The POP holder can only operate a motor vehicle with no more than one passenger who is not an immediate family member and who is under nineteen years of age.

  • POP passengers

    During the first six months of the POP, you may carry no more than one passenger who is under nineteen and not an immediate family member. A School Permit holder may only transport family members who live with them to the school the holder attends.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 4

  Source: [1] [2]

• Refusing a chemical test

  Driving means you agreed to testing; refusal is a separate crime and brings one year license revocation.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says any driver who operates a vehicle on Nebraska roadways has already agreed to submit to a chemical test when requested by an officer.
  • The manual states that refusal is a separate crime for which a person may be charged.
  • The manual states that the administrative sanction for refusal is one year of license revocation.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 24

• Seat belts

  Driver and front-seat passengers must buckle up; children 8 to under 18 must be belted (secondary law).

  What the manual says

  • The manual says drivers and front seat passengers are required to ride buckled up in a seat belt or child safety seat.
  • The manual says children ages eight up to age eighteen must ride secured in a seat belt or child safety seat.
  • The manual labels this requirement a Secondary Law, which means drivers are cited only if stopped and ticketed for another violation.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 26

• Child safety seats

  Rear-facing to age 2 or seat limit; child seat to 8; then belt or seat to 18.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says children ride rear-facing up to age two or until they reach the upper height or weight limit allowed by the car seat's manufacturer.
  • The manual says children up to age eight must ride correctly secured in a federally approved child safety seat.
  • The manual says children ages eight up to age eighteen must ride secured in a seat belt or child safety seat.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 26

• Phone use while driving

  Handheld use to read, type or send messages is illegal; permit holders: no interactive wireless devices while moving.

  What the manual says

  • It is illegal in Nebraska to use a handheld wireless communication device to read, type or send written communication while operating a motor vehicle.

  • Phones

    A permit holder may not use any interactive wireless communication device while the vehicle is in motion.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 65

  Source: [1]

• School buses

  Stay stopped while red lights and stop arm are on; only exception: opposite direction on median-divided road.

  What the manual says

  • Stop and remain stopped until the bus driver retracts the stop arm and deactivates the red warning lights.
  • Not stopping for a school bus with stop lights on and the stop arm extended is unlawful, except when approaching it in the opposite direction on a roadway divided by a median.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 70

• Move Over law

  On multi-lane controlled-access highways, change lanes away from stopped flashing-light vehicles; if not possible, slow down.

  What the manual says

  • The Move Over Law requires moving into a lane at least one travel lane away from the stopped vehicles with flashing lights.
  • If a lane change is not possible because of traffic or other conditions, the driver must reduce speed and maintain a safe speed past the stopped vehicles.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 51

• Headlights

  From sunset to sunrise, whenever you use windshield wipers, and when you have difficulty seeing other vehicles.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says headlights must be used from sunset to sunrise.
  • The manual says to use headlights any time you have difficulty seeing other vehicles and whenever you use windshield wipers.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 61, 66

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a complete stop, yielding to pedestrians and traffic, unless signs prohibit it.

  What the manual says

  • Turning right at a circular red light after stopping is allowed unless signs prohibiting it are posted.
  • Before a turn on red, the driver must stop completely, look both ways and yield to pedestrians and other traffic.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 32

• Speed limits

  Unless posted: business districts 20 mph, residential 25 mph, rural interstates 75 mph.

  What the manual says

  • The maximum speed limit in business districts, unless otherwise posted, is 20 MPH.
  • The maximum speed limit in residential districts, unless otherwise posted, is 25 MPH.
  • The maximum speed limit on rural interstate highways, unless otherwise posted, is 75 MPH.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 52

• Left lane and keeping right

  Slower traffic keeps right on the interstate; Slower Traffic Keep Right signs are used on multi-lane roads.

  What the manual says

  • The manual tells slower traffic to keep to the right on the interstate.
  • Slower Traffic Keep Right signs are used on multiple-lane roadways to reduce unnecessary weaving where drivers tend to stay in the left lane below the normal speed of traffic.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 60, 37

• Points and suspension

  12 points within two years means automatic six-month license revocation; points count two years.

  What the manual says

  • Accumulating 12 points in a two-year period causes automatic revocation for six months.
  • Points no longer count two years after the date of violation, even though the conviction stays on the record for five years.

  Source: Nebraska Driver's Manual (January 2025), page 18, 19

Official steps for moving to Nebraska

• Get a Nebraska license within 30 days

  A new resident with a valid license from another state must get a Nebraska license within 30 days.

  Source: [3]

• What to bring

  New residents must provide proof of citizenship or lawful status and identity, two documents that show a Nebraska address, and a Social Security number (or proof of exemption). Once you have presented proof of citizenship, it is not required again.

  Source: [1] [3]

• Tests for new residents 18 or older

  If you are 18 or older and surrender a valid out-of-state license, you take a vision test, and driver licensing staff decide at their discretion whether you also take the drive test. Bring the out-of-state license so you can surrender it. If your license is expired or you cannot surrender it, check with the DMV before you go.

  Source: [1] [3]

• New residents under 18

  A new resident under 18 must meet all POP requirements and obtain a POP. This applies to an under-18 person who surrenders a valid out-of-state permit or license.

  Source: [1] [3]

• Your old license and driving record

  Your out-of-state license or ID card becomes void when the Nebraska document is issued, and the other state is notified. Through the State to State (S2S) system, the previous state’s driving record becomes part of your Nebraska driver history.

  Source: [4]

• Licenses before age 21

  A license obtained before age 21 expires on the 21st birthday. The Renewing part of Keeping your license says when you can renew it.

  Source: [3]

• Military

  Special licensing rules exist for active-duty military members and their immediate family stationed outside Nebraska who hold a Nebraska license. The license is valid while the holder is serving on active duty and for 60 days following a discharge or return to Nebraska. Military members stationed outside Nebraska may keep the license current by renewing online or by mail, and must still prove Nebraska residency.

  Source: [1] [5]

Sources

1. Nebraska Driver’s Manual (January 2025 edition; printed page = PDF page - 8) (dmv.nebraska.gov) — Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
2. Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP) (dmv.nebraska.gov) — Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
3. New Nebraska Resident Driver’s Licensing (dmv.nebraska.gov) — Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
4. Driver Licensing Services (dmv.nebraska.gov) — Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
5. Renewals - Driver’s License, Motorcycle and State ID (dmv.nebraska.gov) — Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles