AN OVERVIEW OF GRADUATED LICENSING IN NEBRASKA

School Learner’s Permit (LPE) – An LPE is issued for the purpose of allowing a student to legally practice driving for a School Permit. Individuals applying for an LPE must be eligible for a School Permit and meet all School Permit criteria. Individuals must be at least 14, but younger than 16 years to apply for an LPE. The LPE is valid for three months and may be renewed. LPE holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. Applicant must pass the vision and written tests prior to the LPE being issued. The fee for an LPE is $8.00.

School Permit (SCP) – An SCP can be issued if such person lives a distance of one and one-half miles or more from the school he or she attends and either resides outside a city of 5,000 or more or attends a school outside a city of 5,000 or more. A person holding an SCP may operate a motor vehicle: 1) unsupervised to and from where he or she attends school and between schools of enrollment over the most direct and accessible route by the nearest highway from his or her place of residence to transport such person or any family member who resides with such person to attend duly scheduled courses of instructions and extracurricular or school-related activities at the school he or she attends; or 2) any time when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.

Applicants must hold an LPE or LPD for at least two months before they can apply for an SCP. They must also be at least 14 years and two months old, but younger than 16 years and three months of age to be issued an SCP. The SCP expires when the individual is 16 years and three months of age. The fee for an SCP is $8.00

Before individuals can apply for a SCP they must do one of the following: 1) complete a DMV approved driver safety course and pass a written and driving test given by the driver safety course instructor, or 2) present to the Driver’s License Examiner a 50 Hour Certification form signed by a parent, guardian or licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The 50 Hour Certification form must be obtained from the DMV.

The written and drive test may be waived if the applicants presents a Written and Drive Test Waiver form to the Driver’s License Examiner. This waiver form will be given to the student by the instructor upon successful completion of the DMV approved driver safety course.

If an individual presents the 50 Hour Certification form and has been isued an LPE or LPD that is valid or expired no more than one year the written test may be waived. They will be required to pass a drive test administered by a Driver’s License Examiner before the SCP will be issued.

Learner's Permits (LPD) - Individual may apply and take the written test 60 days prior to their 15^th birthday. However, the LPD cannot be issued until the individual turns 15. LPD holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The applicant must pass the vision and written tests prior to the LPD being issued. The written test may be waived for any person who has been issued an LPE, SCP or previous LPD that has been expired for no more than one year. The LPD is valid for one year and may be renewed. The fee for an LPD is $8.00.

Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) - Individual may apply and take the tests 60 days prior to their 16^th birthday. However, the POP cannot be issued until the individual turns 16, has held an LPE, LPD or SCP for at least six months and has not accumulated three or more points on their driving record during the six month period immediately preceding the POP application date. The POP expires on the applicant's 18^th birthday. The POP allows an individual to operate a motor vehicle unsupervised in Nebraska from 6 a.m. - 12 midnight. Individuals may drive unsupervised between 12 midnight and 6 a.m. if they are driving to or from home to work or a school activity. Individuals may drive anytime if they are accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The fee for a POP is $15.00. During the first six months of the POP, the 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.

Before individuals can apply for a POP they must do one of the following: 1) complete a DMV approved driver safety course and passes a written and driving test given by the driver safety course instructor, or 2) present to the Driver's License Examiner a 50 Hour Certification form signed by a parent, guardian or licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The 50 Hour Certification form must be obtained from the DMV and must indicate that at least 10 hours of motor vehicle operation was between sunset and sunrise.

The written and drive tests may be waived if the applicant presents a Written and Drive Test Waiver form to the Driver's License Examiner. This waiver form will be given to the student by the instructor upon successful completion of the DMV approved driver safety course.

If an individual presents the 50 Hour Certification form the written test may be waived if they have been issued a LPE or LPD that is valid or expired no more than one year. They will be required to pass a drive test administered by a Driver's License Examiner before the POP will be issued.

If an individual has been issued an SCP, the written and drive tests may be waived and there will be no need for the individual to present a Written and Drive Test Waiver form or a 50 Hour Certification form.

Individuals under the age of 18 years old who have held a POP for at least 12 months, and who have not accumulated three or more points on their driving records during the previous 12 month period will be eligible for an operator's license. The written and drive tests may be waived.

If an individual holds a POP and waits until they are 18 years of age to apply for an operator's license, the written and drive tests may be waived by the Driver's License Examiner.

Any individual under the age of 21 years old who holds a POP or operator's license and who accumulates within any 12 month period a total of six or more points on their driving record will be required to attend and successfully complete a driver improvement course. This course will consist of at least eight hours of instruction. If an individual fails to complete the course within three months after notification by the Department, their POP or operator's license will be suspended.

The Nebraska Safety Center shall offer a DMV approved driver safety course at least once each year in any county where no approved course is offered.

All persons being transported in a motor vehicle operated by a holder of a SCP or POP are required to ride secured in an occupant protection system.

The holder of an LPE, SCP, LPD or POP shall not use any type of interactive wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. Interactive wireless communication device means any wireless electronic communication between two or more parties, including, but not limited to, a mobile or cellular phone, a text messaging device, a personal digital assistant that sends or receives messages, an audio-video player that sends or receives messages, or a laptop computer.

COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. I’ve heard that it isn’t necessary to study for the written driver’s license test. Is that true?

What you heard wasn’t true! The written test failure rate in 2007 for individuals applying for an LPE was 38%, LPD was 45%, SCP 42% and POP 41%. Please take the time to prepare before coming to the exam office.

2.What could I do to improve my chances of passing the written test?

Carefully study the Nebraska Driver’s Manual. You can also take the Interactive Driver’s License Test online at www.nebraska.gov/dmv_cgi/2003exam/practice_test.cgi.

The questions on the Interactive Driver’s License Test are identical to the ones on the “real” written test.

3.How do I know if the driver safety course I have signed up for has been approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles?

You can contact the Department at 402-471-3861 or check the Department's home page at www.dmv.state.ne.us/examining/trngtest/pop.html to see if the course you are interested in has been approved.

4.If I presented the Written and Drive Test Waiver form or the 50 Hour Certification form when I applied for my SCP – must I present it again when I apply for my POP?

No – the DMV will have a record of what was presented for the SCP and you will not be required to present the Written and Drive Test Waiver form or the 50 Hour Certification form again.

Additional information can be found on the Nebraska Home Page: www.dmv.dmv.ne.gov