Get your first driver's license in Nebraska

By · checked

A first-time Nebraska driver under 18 gets a learner's permit (LPD) at 15, a provisional operator's permit (POP) at 16 after six months and a driver safety course or 50 logged hours, and a full Class O license after 12 months on the POP; at 18 or older you pass the vision, written and drive tests for a Class O license.

Your situation

How old are you?
Online or in person
No, in person · At least one visitA first-time adult applicant takes the vision, written and drive tests at a driver licensing office. Vision, written and drive tests at a driver licensing office; the written test is waived if you hold a valid learner's permit (LPD). The DMV says appointments are required for car drive tests, and highly recommended for other driver licensing services, in Bellevue, Grand Island, Norfolk, Lincoln and Omaha (limited walk-in assistance); its pages do not say appointments are needed elsewhere.
Cost
$29 Class O license$24 + $5 security fee for a 5-year license; shorter terms cost $10 to $24. An optional learner's permit costs $13. No separate test fee is listed.
You leave with
Class O operator's license

Your plan

  1. Gather your documents

  2. Study the driver's manual

    Study the Nebraska driver's manual for cars; the DMV also offers an online practice test.

    Driver's Manuals (Nebraska DMV) ↗

  3. Take a free practice test

    Before the knowledge test, try our Nebraska Permit Practice Test: 25 questions like the real exam, based on the official handbook, with every answer explained.

    Start the Nebraska practice test

  4. Practice on a learner's permit (optional)

    A learner's permit lets you practice legally with a licensed driver 21 or older beside you, and holding a valid one waives the written test later.

    Learner's Permit (Nebraska DMV) ↗

  5. Pass the tests and get your Class O license

    At a driver licensing office, pass the vision, written and drive tests. After three failed drive tests you can't reapply until you complete a DMV-approved course (six hours classroom, six behind the wheel) or hold a learner's permit for 90 days.

    Driver's License (Class O) (Nebraska DMV) ↗

Common reasons people get turned away

  • The POP needs six months on a permit and no three or more points in the six months before you apply.
  • The 50-hour certification must include at least 10 hours between sunset and sunrise and be signed by a parent, guardian or licensed driver 21 or older.
  • With a school learner's permit (LPE), moving up online works only after the DMV has received your driver education waiver electronically.
  • After three failed drive tests you must finish an approved course or hold a learner's permit for 90 days before reapplying.

Offices for permits, tests and first licenses

You can get a driver's license at any Nebraska DMV driver licensing office. Agency source.

87 offices where you can apply for a permit or first licenseSee them on a map, search by county or show the ones open now

Largest cities with them: Omaha (2) · Lincoln (1)

Results show offices where you can apply for a permit or first license or may be able to, nearest first, each labelled.

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Sources · checked November 4, 2026

We wrote this plan ourselves from the official pages above on the date shown. Agencies change rules without notice: the official page always wins. DMV Decoded is independent and not a government agency; we don't book appointments or take payments.