The Nebraska DMV driving test

Who takes the Nebraska DMV driving test?

• Teens applying for a school permit or a provisional operator’s permit (POP) with the 50-hour form. The written test is waived if your permit is valid or expired less than a year ago, and a POP applicant whose school permit is valid or expired less than a year ago skips both tests
• Anyone 18 or older getting a first license who never held a POP
• New residents who can’t hand in their out-of-state license
• Anyone driving licensing staff decide to test, including at renewal

Teens who pass a DMV-approved driver safety course don’t take it at the DMV, since the instructor gives the drive test and the school sends the result.

What the examiner checks

Instructions play on a tablet before you start, and the examiner gives each direction as early as possible. Only you and the examiner ride in the car. The test covers, among other things:

• Starting and stopping
• Right and left turns
• Lane use and position
• Stop signs and traffic signals
• Speed control
• Right-of-way
• Parking and backing

DMV’s examiner manual lists 12 mistakes that end the test at once. They include a crash or avoidable incident, going 6 mph or more over the limit, not wearing a seat belt, turning from the wrong lane, driving left of center, driving over a curb or sidewalk, a serious traffic violation, stalling in an intersection, unsafe behavior or poor control of the car.