Nebraska learner’s permit requirements

Everything here comes from Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Nebraska doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.

Last checked September 22, 2026.

At a glance

Minimum age
14 years
To pass the knowledge test
20 of 25 correct (80%)
Fees
$13 total
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)

The knowledge test and your permit

Test format
25 questionsSources 123
Passing score
20 of 25 correct (80%)Sources 123
Time limit
None published
Permit and test fees
$13 totalAn original learner's permit costs $13 ($8 permit plus a $5 security fee); there is no separate test fee.Sources 123
Minimum age for a permit
14 yearsSchool Learner's Permit (LPE) at 14 (for school-permit track, rural/small-town residents); regular Learner's Permit (LPD) at 15 (may apply 60 days early). School Permit (SCP) at 14 years 2 months after holding LPE/LPD 2 months; Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) at 16; Class O license at 17.Sources 456
Supervised driving
50 hours (10 at night)Sources 456
Hold your permit
6 months minimumSources 456
Test languages
3 languagesEnglish, Spanish, American Sign LanguageSources 123
Take it online
No, in personSources 123
If you fail
Any test failed may not be retaken the same dayWritten test results are valid for 6 months. Failing six written tests requires waiting 90 days from the date of the last written test to retest, or showing proof of completing a driver training course.Sources 123
Vision standard
Minimum acuity and field of vision per NebRev. Stat. 60-4,118; the DMV Statement of Vision form treats best visual acuity worse than 20/40 in either eye or both, or total horizontal field less than 140 degrees, as below standard (referral to ophthalmologist/optometrist).Sources 456

From permit to full license

  • LPE (14) or LPD (15) requires vision and written tests; holder must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 in the seat beside them.
  • SCP (14y2m, must have held LPE/LPD 2 months) allows unsupervised driving to/from school.
  • POP (16) requires holding LPE/SCP/LPD at least 6 months with fewer than 3 points, and either a DMV-approved driver safety course or a 50-hour certification (10 hours between sunset and sunrise) signed by a parent/guardian/licensed driver 21+, plus vision and drive tests (written waived with a valid or <1-year-expired permit).
  • POP restrictions: unsupervised driving only 6 a.m. to midnight; first 6 months no more than one non-family passenger under 19; all occupants restrained.
  • POP expires on the 18th birthday; Class O available at 17.

Before you go

Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles website: dmv.nebraska.gov.

Sources

  1. dmv.nebraska.gov: DLE ENTIRE MANUAL 09 12 24
  2. dmv.nebraska.gov: Class O Drivers Manual English 1 2025
  3. dmv.nebraska.gov: nebraska dmv launches test american sign language
  4. dmv.nebraska.gov: learners permit
  5. dmv.nebraska.gov: school learners permit
  6. dmv.nebraska.gov: school permit
  7. dmv.nebraska.gov: pop
  8. dmv.nebraska.gov: driver license
  9. dmv.nebraska.gov: visionstatement 11 23
  10. nebraskalegislature.gov: statutes

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