Driver's License, ID and Permits

Information regarding Nebraska Driver's Licenses, IDs, or permits.

Driver's License, ID & Permits

car with moving boxes on top icon

Moving?

Driver's License/ID Cards

Permits

More Information

Commercial Driver's Licnese

Information regarding Nebraska Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs).

Commercial Driver's License

CDL License Expiring?

Obtaining a New CDL

CDL Renewals

CDL Renewals
Medical Certification
CDL Documentation Requirements

Permits & Endorsements

CDL Self Certification Chart
School Bus
Restricted CDL
Hazmat Endorsement
CDL Classes, Restrictments & Endorsements

More Information

DUI Interlock Device

Information regarding Nebraska driving under the influcence (DUI) interlock devices.

DUI Interlock Device

steering wheel icon

Need an Interlock Device?

Steps to Secure your Ignition Interlock Permit

  1. Verify your eligibility online or contact the Department of Motor Vehicles at 402-471-3985
  2. Install an Interlock Device on your vehicle
  3. Submit your paperwork and Certificate of Installation
  4. Get your Ignition Interlock Permit Online or at a Driver Licensing Office

More Information

Ignition Interlock Permit
What is an Ignition Interlock Device?
SR-22
Proof of Financial Responsibility
Approved Interlock Providers
Renew or Replace your Ignition Interlock Permit
Driver Training
Ignition Interlock Incident Report Form
Ignition Interlock Information and Disclaimer Form

Points, Suspensions, and Reinstatements

Information regarding suspensions, reinstatements, and points on Nebraska driver's licenses or permits.

Points, Suspensions, & Reinstatements

checkbox icon

Need to Reinstate your License?

Suspensions

Accident Suspensions

Revocations

Disqualifications

More Information

Vehicle Title and Registration

Information regarding vehicle titles and registration in Nebraska.

Vehicle Title & Registration

pink registration paper with

Renew your Registration Online

Motor Vehicle Registration

Motor Vehicle Registration General Info
Registration Fees and Taxes
Motorboats
Federal Heavy Use Tax
Refunds and Credits
Non-Resident
Snowmobile
Storage and Non-Use
Vehicles Exempt from Registration
Towing Trailers
Insurance Requirements

Motor Vehicle Titles

More Title Info

License Plates

Information regarding Nebraska license plates.

License Plates

Example Nebraska license plate with

Customize your plate!

Specialty Plates

Organizational Plates

Special Use Plates/Permits

Additional Resources

2023-2029 Nebraska License Plates
2017-2023 Nebraska License Plates
History of Nebraska License Plates

Driver and Vehicle Records

Information regarding Nebraska driver and vehicle records.

Driver & Vehicle Records

front of blue car icon with a green check mark on the driver side

Need a Nebraska Driver Record?

Driver Records

What’s on a Driving Record
Obtaining a Driving Record
Clearance Letters
Application for Copy of a Driving Record
Application for Copy of Multiple Driving Records

Vehicle Records

What's on a Vehicle Record
Obtaining a Vehicle Record
Application for Copy of a Vehicle Record
Application for Copy of Multiple Vehicle Records
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

Miscellaneous

Driver Record Retention Schedule
Data Request Guidelines
Bulk Record Searches
Exempted Uses Permitted Under the Uniform Motor Vehicle Disclosure Act
Become a Nebraska.gov Subscriber

New to Nebraska

Driving and/or vehicle recourses for those who have recently moved to Nebraska.

New to Nebraska

car with moving boxes on top icon

Registering a Vehicle?

Licensing and ID Cards

Motor Vehicle Titles & Registrations

More Resources

Motor Carriers/Trucking

Nebraska Motor Carrier/Commercial Trucking resources.

Motor Carriers/Trucking

front of semi-truck icon

Motor Carriers/Trucking Online Services

International Registration Plan (IRP)

International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)

Unified Carrier Registration (UCR)

More Information

Driver Safety and Training

Nebraska driver safety and training resources.

Driver Safety & Training

Driver Safety Waivers and Certificates of Completion

Driver Safety - Teen Drivers

Driver Training Schools

More Information

CDL Third Party

Nebraska Commercial Driver's License (CDL) third party testing resources.

CDL Third Party

CDL Skill Testing & Appointment System

Test Resources

Study Guides

Tractor-Trailer Pre-Trip

Vehicle Title and Registration

Nebraska vehicle title and registration resources.

Vehicle Title & Registration

Title/Lien Registration Records

Qualified business/professional use to view vehicle, title, lien and registration information. Please sign in with your Nebraska.gov subscriber login. If you are not a Nebraska.gov subscriber, sign up.

Motor Vehicle Registration

General Information
Registration Fees and Taxes
Motorboats
Federal Heavy Use Tax
Refunds and Credits
Non-Resident
Snowmobile
Storage and Non-Use
Vehicles Exempt from Registration
Towing Trailers
Insurance Requirements
Nebraska Motor Vehicle Registration Totals

Motor Vehicle Titles

More Title Info

Electronic Lien and Title

Nebraska electronic lien and title (ELT) resources.

Electronic Lien & Title

blue car icon with a green

Need the Status of a Lien or Title?

Liens

Nebraska Electronic Lender Guide

Forms

Provider Application
Lender Application
Electronic Lien & Title Non-Participating Lender Lien Release
Electronic Lien & Title Non-Participating Lender Request for Paper Title
Electronic Lien and Title Name Change, Addition, Removal Request

Miscellaneous

Driver and Vehicle Records

Nebraska driver and vehicle record resources.

Driver & Vehicle Records

front of blue car icon with a green check mark on the driver side

Need a Nebraska Driver Record?

Driver Records

What’s on a Driving Record
Obtaining a Driving Record
Driver Record Retention Schedule
Clearance Letters
Application for Copy of a Driving Record
Application for Copy of Multiple Driving Records

Vehicle Records

What's on a Vehicle Record
Obtaining a Vehicle Record
Application for Copy of a Vehicle Record
Application for Copy of Multiple Vehicle Records
National Motor Vehicle Title Information System

Miscellaneous

Letter of Verification
Bulk Record Searches
Exempted Uses Permitted Under the Uniform Motor Vehicle Disclosure Act
Number of Nebraska Licensed Drivers
Become a Nebraska.gov Subscriber

Ignition Interlock Device Providers

Nebraska ignition interlock device provider resources.

Ignition Interlock Device Providers

steering wheel icon

Need an Interlock Device?

Resources

Approved Interlock Providers
Ignition Interlock Incident Report Form
Billing Invoice for Interlock Providers
Become an Ignition Interlock Provider in Nebraska

For Additional Information Contact

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles
301 Centennial Mall South
PO Box 94877
Lincoln, NE 68509-4877
Phone: 402-471-3985

County Treasurers and Dealers

Resources for Nebraska county treasurers and vehicle dealerships.

County Treasurers, Dealers and Insurance Providers

front of car with green dollar sign icon

Registering a Vehicle?

Need the Status of a Lien or Title?

Manuals

Title Manual
Registration Manual

Title Cancellation

Plate Type Codes

NLETS 2023 Series Specialty Plate Type Codes

NLETS 2017 Series Specialty Plate Type Codes

Forms

Insurance Company Affidavit for Affirmation of Ownership of a Salvage Vehicle
Purchasers Affidavit
Specialty Plate Relinquishment
Inspection Exemption Certification
Statement of VIN Clarification to Original Form 2290 Schedule 1

Additional Resources

Driver License OTC
Self Insurance List
Insurance Company Search

NE MV Industry Licensing Board
Vehicle Tax Estimator
Dealer Automated Services
2021 Odometer Changes
Digital Signatures for Title Documents

History of Nebraska Passenger Vehicle License Plates

  1. Home
  2. Driver and Vehicle Records
  3. License Plates
  4. History of Nebraska Passenger Vehicle License Plates

Motor vehicles were first registered in June 1905. Individuals made their own plates, and registrations were recorded with the Secretary of State. The plates were made of leather with metal numbers; this practice continued until 1915 when the state began issuing the plates. The Secretary of State assigned numbers to the plates, which were then made of metal. From 1915 to 1939 the plates were two colors, which changed every year.

Nebraska license plate from 1903-1914


Nebraska license plate from 1903-1914

Motor vehicle supervision transferred to the Bureau of Roads and Bridges in 1919 where it remained until 1921 when it was transferred to the Department of Public Works. In 1922, the Department of Public Works established the practice of using prefix numbers to identify the counties in which vehicles were registered. Each county was assigned a number based on the number of registered vehicles in the county at that time. The county with the most vehicles, Douglas, was assigned the number 1; the county with the second highest number of vehicles, Lancaster, was assigned number 2; and so forth. For one year, 1951, the county number designation was changed from numeric to a one- or two-digit alpha code.

From 1903 to 1920 only a single plate was issued for each vehicle. In 1921 two plates were issued for each vehicle. Beginning in 2017 owners of passenger vehicles not manufactured or equipped with a front license plate bracket could opt to purchase a single plate decal to be displayed on the driver side of the windshield in lieu of a front plate. Initially, the fee for the purchase was $100.60 annually; effective September 1, 2019 the annual fee was reduced to $50.60.

In 1933 the motor vehicle supervision was again transferred, this time to the Department of Public Works where it remained until the Legislature crated a separate Department of Motor Vehicles in 1957. Oversight of the license plate program continues to be managed by the Department of Motor Vehicles today.

Except for 1920, plates were issued annually until 1943. In 1942 the plates returned to two colors, changing annually. A metal revalidation tab was issued in the years 1920, 1943, 1944, 1947, 1953 and 1959, but after 1960 the tabs became a decal-type material. In 1952 to 1955 the Goldenrod was added to the plates. In 1966, special reflective sheeting was used while numbers were stamped and painted on the plates.

Nebraska license plate form 1940


Nebraska license plate from 1940

Nebraska license plate form 1976-1983


Nebraska license plate form 1976-1983

In 1940 - 1941 the Statehouse Emblem was added. Beginning with the 1956 license plates, a slogan “The Beef State” was embossed on the plates and remained until 1965. In 1966, the word “Centennial” was embossed on the plates in honor or the States Centennial Celebration in 1967 for the license plate series expiring in 1968. In 1969, the slogan “Cornhusker State” was embossed on the plate until 1975.

In 1976 a bicentennial plate honoring the United States Bicentennial was issued to all passenger vehicles. It had the word “Nebraska” on a red banner at the top and the slogan “1776 Bicentennial 1976” on a blue banner at the bottom. In the upper left and corner was a blue sketch of a covered wagon and in the upper right-hand corner was a blue sketch of a Native American Chief.

Beginning with the 1984 blue on white license plate with no slogan or graphic design, plates were to be reissued every three years.

In January of 2002 the State began with issuance of the Alpha/Numeric License Plates. These plates are issued to residents of the three largest counties, Lancaster, Sarpy and Douglas.

From 1962 through 2004, with the exception of the United States Bicentennial License plate series utilized from 1976 through 1983, new distinctive license plates were issued every three years. Starting with issuance of the 2005 plate series, issuance of new license plates changed from every three years to every six years. The reason for the long use of the Bicentennial plates series was the result of budgetary considerations. License plate production had been state general fund expenditure and to save funds, the then Governor and Legislators delayed that expenditure to save money.

In 1972 the Nebraska Legislature authorized the State of Nebraska to issue Message plates.

The State of Nebraska began issuing special Husker Spirit Plates in January of 1997 on behalf of the University of Nebraska. Plates were numbered in consecutive number order and issued in order as applications were received. In January of 2000 Husker Spirit Plate were issued with messages.

A new method of funding the license plate production began with the 1984 plate series. At that time, Highway Trust Funding was used to provide the upfront cost of materials and license plate production. The Legislature established a fee to cover the cost of each license plate and its validation decals. The individual then paid that fee at the time a new plate(s) were issued. The fees collected were then provided to the Highway Trust Fund to replenish those funds. This process of plate funding continues to the present.

Nebraska license plate form 1987-1989


Nebraska license plate form 1987-1989

Issuance of flat digital license plates began in November 2003.

Beginning with the 2005 issuance of license plates, reissuance will occur every six years. Issuance of full size trailer plates also began in 2005.