Suspended license in Nebraska: points, other causes, and how to reinstate

How the points system works

Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.

Under the Nebraska Point System, points are assessed to the driving record as of the date of violation upon conviction; accumulating 12 points in a two-year period, counting from the last date of violation, causes automatic revocation of the operator's license.

Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Points count toward revocation for two years, counted from the last date of violation, and are assessed as of the date of violation; convictions remain on the driving record for five years.

“If you are under the age of 21, hold an operator’s license or a provisional operator’s permit and you accumulate six (6) or more points within a 12-month time period, you will be required to complete a Defensive Driving Course to prevent suspension.”

“Accumulating 12 points in a two (2) year time period (counting from the last date of violation) causes automatic revocation of the operator’s license under the Nebraska Point System.”

Check points or the driving record: dmv.nebraska.gov

Traffic school and point reduction

A driver with fewer than 12 points may voluntarily complete a DMV-approved Driver Improvement Course of at least four hours; on the school's notice the DMV reduces by two the points assessed within the previous two years (by one if only one point was assessed). The credit is allowed once every five years, the course must be completed before the violation that would assess the twelfth point, and a course the DMV requires for reinstatement or to prevent an under-21 suspension earns no credit. Only DMV-certified agencies may give the course, and the driver pays the course cost.

“Upon notification of successful completion of such course from the conducting organization, the department shall reduce by two (2) the number of points assessed against the driver within the previous two (2) years.”

Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one

These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.

Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension

Reinstatement fee: $50. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,100.01 sets a $50 reinstatement fee for a suspended operator's license, and the DMV's suspension pages (traffic ticket, insurance, support order, unsatisfied judgment, under-21 points) each state $50; a point revocation requires a $125 reinstatement fee.

“Whenever an operator's license is suspended under the Motor Vehicle Operator's License Act, the licensee shall pay a reinstatement fee to the Department of Motor Vehicles as a prerequisite to reinstatement of such license in addition to complying with the other provisions of the act.”

1. Surrender the Nebraska license or sign an affidavit of lost license

   Point-revocation checklist: the license is surrendered to the Downtown Lincoln DMV office only, or an affidavit of lost license is faxed; requirements cannot be submitted to a local exam station.

   “Surrender your Nebraska operator's license/permit to the Downtown Lincoln DMV Office Only at 301 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE or sign an affidavit of lost license if you no longer have possession of the license”

2. Complete a DMV-approved Driver Improvement Course after the revocation date

   At least four hours of instruction from a DMV-certified agency; the school submits the certificate electronically, and this course does not earn the two-point credit.

   “Successfully complete a DMV approved Driver Improvement Course consisting of at least four (4) hours of instruction - the course must be completed after the date of revocation.”

3. File proof of financial responsibility (SR-22) for three years

   An SR-22 must be submitted for each vehicle registered in the driver's name and kept on file for three years from the date of eligibility for reinstatement.

   “File proof of financial responsibility, which is to remain on file at the Nebraska DMV for three (3) years from the date of eligibility for reinstatement – regardless of your state of residence.”

4. Pay the reinstatement fee

   $125 for a point revocation by cashier's check, money order or online; $50 for suspensions under § 60-4,100.01.

   “Pay a $125.00 reinstatement fee. Payment must be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles or be paid online.”

5. Test and apply for a new license after a revocation

   Revoked drivers must retest; the DMV's online reinstatement service shows outstanding requirements and takes fee payments.

   “Drivers who have had their operator's license and/or privileges revoked, must test and apply for a new license.”

Official page: dmv.nebraska.gov

After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Nebraska.

Driving during a non-DUI suspension

Available in some cases · Employment Driving Permit / Medical Hardship Permit. A driver revoked under the Nebraska Point System may apply for an Employment Driving Permit or a Medical Hardship Permit if there are no other open suspensions, revocations or impoundments on the record; § 60-4,183 allows any vehicle except a commercial motor vehicle to be operated under such a permit, and § 60-4,129 makes drivers revoked under § 60-4,183 eligible for the employment driving permit. The DMV requires a certified driver-education course within 60 days of permit authorization and an SR-22 for the permit's duration.

“Driver’s that are revoked under the Nebraska Point System can apply for an Employment Drive Permit and/or a Medical Hardship Permit if there are no other open suspensions/revocations/impoundments on their record.”

For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Nebraska.