Nebraska Driving Records

Nebraska driving records provide a comprehensive overview of a driver's history, including traffic offenses, license status, and accident involvement.

These records are essential for individuals to keep track of their driving status and for businesses to evaluate the driving histories of prospective employees. The Federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) and the Nebraska Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act strictly regulate access to these records.

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees these records and ensures personal information is disclosed only under specific legal circumstances or with the record holder’s authorization to uphold privacy and legal standards.

Types of Driving Records Available in Nebraska

The Nebraska DMV maintains three types of driving records, each serving different needs and timeframes.

5-Year Record

The 5-year record provides a snapshot of a driver's history over the most recent five-year period. This record typically includes:

Traffic violations and convictions
License suspensions or revocations
Accidents reported to the Nebraska DMV
Driver improvement course completions
Any administrative actions taken against the driver's license

This record is often sufficient for most purposes, such as insurance quotes or employment background checks.

Complete Record

The complete driving record offers a comprehensive overview of a motorist's entire driving history within Nebraska. It encompasses:

All information found in the 5-year record
Historical data beyond the five-year window
Original issuance date of the driver's license
All past license renewals and upgrades (e.g., from provisional to full license)
Any instances of license reinstatement after suspension or revocation

This record type is particularly useful for legal proceedings or when a thorough background check is required.

Clearance Letter

The clearance letter is a specialized document designed for former Nebraska residents applying for a driver's license in another state. This letter typically includes:

Confirmation that the individual held a valid Nebraska driver's license
The license's expiration date
A statement indicating whether the license was in good standing at the time of the driver's departure from Nebraska
Information about any outstanding issues or restrictions that may affect license issuance in another state

The clearance letter facilitates a smoother transition for drivers moving between states. It guarantees that their driving history is accurately communicated to their new state of residence.

How To Request a Nebraska Driving History Report?

Nebraska offers three convenient methods for obtaining a driving history report: online, in-person, and by mail. These options accommodate a range of needs and preferences.

Online Requests

The quickest way to obtain a driving history report is through the Nebraska DMV’s’ One-Time Driver License Search Application online service. For $7.50 per record, individuals can instantly view and purchase their driving records.

To complete the request, individuals must provide their full name, driver’s license number, date of birth, and a valid email address. Payments can be made via credit card or electronic check.

Following the purchase, the driving record will be mailed to the address specified during the request process.

In-Person Requests

For in-person requests, individuals should complete the "Application for Copy of Driving Record" form and bring it, along with a $7.50 payment, to a local Nebraska DMV office.

Mail Requests

To request a driving record by mail, individuals must fill out the Application for Copy of Driving Record and include the appropriate fee for each requested record.

The completed form and payment should be sent to the Nebraska DMV's Driver and Vehicle Records Division located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The application must be fully completed and contain all necessary information.

Uses of Nebraska Driving Records

Under Nebraska's Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act, driving records may be used for various purposes:

Record holder requests: Individuals may request their own driving records directly.
Government agency use: Driving records can be accessed by government agencies or private entities acting on their behalf for official functions.
Vehicle safety and research: Records are used for vehicle safety, emissions, recalls, and research, with personal information protected.
Business verification: Businesses may verify submitted information and prevent fraud or pursue debts using records.
Legal proceedings: Records support civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings, including investigations and enforcement of judgments.
Statistical research: Records can be used for research and statistical reports without disclosure of personal details.
Insurance activities: Insurers and self-insured entities access records for claims, anti-fraud, and underwriting purposes.
Abandoned vehicle notices: Records help notify owners of abandoned, towed, or impounded vehicles.
Private investigators: Licensed private detectives use records for authorized investigative purposes.
Commercial driver verification: Employers and insurers verify information related to commercial driver licenses or learner permits.
Toll facility operations: Records are used to manage private toll transportation facilities.
Media publication: The media uses records for news about vehicle safety or theft, with proper disclosure.
Organ procurement: Records support the Donor Registry managed by federally designated organ procurement organizations.
Electronic dealer services: Records fulfill requirements for electronic dealer services systems.
Authorized uses by law: Any other use specifically permitted by law related to motor vehicle operation or public safety.

Understanding Nebraska Driving Laws

Motorists in Nebraska must understand and adhere to the state's driving laws, as violations result in significant penalties. Below are some of the essential traffic laws in Nebraska, along with their corresponding consequences.

Licensing Laws and Penalties

In Nebraska, driving without a valid license or on a suspended license is a serious offense. Nebraska Revised Statutes (NRS) Section 60-484 states that all residents must carry a valid operator’s license when driving on state highways or alleys.

Violating this law is a Class III misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500, a maximum of three months in jail, and one point added to the driver’s record.

Per NRS Section 60-4,108, driving on a suspended license also results in similar penalties, which underscores the importance of maintaining proper licensing.

Speeding Laws and Penalties

Nebraska enforces both absolute and basic speeding laws. According to NRS Section 60-6,186, absolute speed limits range from 20 miles per hour (mph) in business districts to 75 mph on interstate highways.

Violations result in fines from $10 to $300, depending on the speed excess. In construction or school zones, fines double. Per NRS Section 60-6,185, the basic speed law requires motorists to drive at speeds safe for road conditions.

Severe violations may lead to reckless driving charges, with penalties of up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. If a fatality occurs, charges of motor vehicular homicide can apply, leading to significant prison time and fines.

Reckless and Careless Driving Laws and Penalties

In Nebraska, reckless driving is categorized into standard and willful reckless driving. Under NRS Sections 60-6,213 and 60-6,214, standard reckless driving involves a wanton disregard for safety, while willful reckless driving shows intentional disregard.

Penalties for a first offense include up to three months in jail and a $500 fine. Willful reckless driving also carries a 30-day to one-year license suspension.

A third offense is a Class I misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a $1,000 fine, and a mandatory one-year license suspension.

Careless driving, defined as endangering others through negligence, incurs lesser penalties, including fines up to $300 and four demerit points.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Laws and Penalties

NRS Section 60-6,196 makes it unlawful to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .08% or higher or while impaired by alcohol or drugs.

First-time offenders with a BAC under .15% face up to 60 days in jail, a $500 fine, and a six-month license revocation. A BAC of .15% or more increases the revocation to one year.

Repeat offenses bring harsher penalties, such as up to a year in jail, $1,000 fines, and license revocations up to 15 years. Probation can reduce some penalties, but any violations lead to more severe consequences, including mandatory ignition interlock devices.

The Point System in Nebraska

Nebraska's point system assigns points to drivers based on the severity of traffic violations. Minor infractions like driving with an expired license or minor speeding incur one point, while more serious offenses like texting while driving or careless driving result in three to four points.

Severe violations, such as DUI or hit-and-run, carry up to six points. Accumulating points discourages repeated offenses and promotes safer driving in Nebraska.

Consequences of Excessive Points and How to Reduce Them

When a driver accumulates 12 or more points within a two-year period, the Nebraska DMV will automatically revoke their license.

The length of the revocation can range from six months for a first-time offender to three years for repeat violations within five years. To help mitigate the impact of accumulating points, drivers can participate in a DMV-approved Driver Improvement Course.

Successfully completing this four-hour course can reduce the driver’s point total by up to two points, depending on the number of points accumulated in the last two years. This credit, however, is only available once every five years and must be completed voluntarily rather than as part of a court mandate.

The course must also be completed before an additional violation pushes the driver’s point total to 12 or more, which triggers the automatic license revocation.

Criminal vs. Civil Driving Offenses in Nebraska

In Nebraska, driving offenses fall into two categories: criminal and civil, each with its own set of legal repercussions. Criminal offenses involving serious violations result in severe penalties, while civil infractions typically carry lighter, non-criminal consequences.

The following outlines the key differences between these offense types and their respective penalties.

Criminal Driving Offenses and Their Penalties

Criminal driving offenses in Nebraska include felonies and misdemeanors that represent serious breaches of state traffic laws. These offenses jeopardize public safety and are adjudicated in criminal courts with severe legal consequences.

Felonies, such as vehicular homicide and repeat DUI offenses, are punishable by over a year in prison, substantial fines, and long-term or permanent license revocation

Misdemeanors, including first and second DUI offenses, reckless driving, and driving without insurance, carry penalties like fines up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, and license suspension.

Civil Driving Offenses and Their Penalties

Civil driving offenses in Nebraska consist of infractions, which are minor, non-criminal violations of traffic laws.

Infractions, such as speeding, running red lights, and improper passing, result in fines ranging from $10 to $300 and demerit points on the driver’s record.

While these offenses do not involve jail time, accumulating points can lead to license suspension or revocation. Infractions are typically handled in traffic courts, where motorists may pay fines electronically or contest the ticket in court.

Nebraska Driving Statistics and Goals

Nebraska's roadway safety landscape remains complex. In 2021, the state recorded 223 traffic fatalities, a 10% decrease from the previous year's 248 deaths. However, this number fell short of the state's goal of reducing fatalities to 218 for that year.

Rural roads remain a significant concern, accounting for 70% of fatal crashes despite carrying only 40% of the state's traffic. Interestingly, Nebraska has seen a rise in pedestrian fatalities, with 31 deaths in 2021 compared to 19 in 2020.

The Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) of the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) targets a 5% annual reduction in serious injury crashes.

This goal is pursued through data-driven strategies, such as focused enforcement in high-risk zones and the increased implementation of roundabouts. Roundabouts have proven effective, reducing fatal crashes at intersections by up to 90%.

Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Driving Records

Below are answers to common questions about requesting, expunging, and correcting driving records in Nebraska:

How Can Individuals or Businesses Request Multiple Driving Records of Other Persons?

When individuals or businesses need to request multiple driving records of other persons in Nebraska, they can use the Online Driver License Record Administration system, available through the Nebraska DMV’s Subscription Services. Alternatively, they can submit a paper request using the "Application for Copies of Multiple Driving Records" form.

Each request must include the record holder's name and date of birth or Nebraska driver’s license number, along with the requester’s full name, address, and signature.

For mailed requests, the requester's signature must be notarized, while in-person requests at a local Nebraska DMV office require proof of identification.

To access the driving records on behalf of others, requesters must secure a signed and notarized consent form from each record holder. This form must include the record holder’s full name, address, and explicit authorization for the requester to access their driving records.

Additionally, all requests must comply with the exempted uses specified in the Nebraska Uniform Motor Vehicle Records Disclosure Act.

Can Driving Records for Traffic Violations Be Expunged or Sealed?

In Nebraska, driving records for traffic violations can be set aside or sealed but not expunged. Expungement applies only to arrests that do not lead to a conviction.

To set aside a record, individuals must file a Motion to Set Aside with the sentencing court and provide proof of good conduct, such as post-conviction records, recommendation letters, and employment details.

Expungements can be requested for erroneous arrests or those without convictions. Under NRS Section 29, records may be sealed after one year with no prosecution, two years for successful pre-trial diversion, or three years if charges were dismissed.

How To Correct an Error on a Driving Record?

Inaccurate information on a Nebraska driving record can result in license suspension, missed job opportunities, or higher insurance rates. To correct any errors, individuals must visit a local Nebraska DMV office and request the removal of the incorrect details.

Helpful Links and Resources

The following resources provide essential insights into Nebraska's driving records, point system, and traffic laws:

Information found on a Nebraska driving record: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/dvr/whats-driver-record
Nebraska Point System: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/fr/nebraska-point-system
Nebraska traffic laws: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/browse-chapters.php?chapter=60

Counties in Nebraska

List of Content

Types of Driving Records Available in Nebraska
How To Request a Nebraska Driving History Report?
Uses of Nebraska Driving Records
Understanding Nebraska Driving Laws
The Point System in Nebraska
1. Consequences of Excessive Points and How to Reduce Them
Criminal vs. Civil Driving Offenses in Nebraska
1. Criminal Driving Offenses and Their Penalties
2. Civil Driving Offenses and Their Penalties
Nebraska Driving Statistics and Goals
Frequently Asked Questions About Nebraska Driving Records
Helpful Links and Resources