CDL Requirements for Nebraska

Requirements:

Minimum age, Class A, B or C – 21 (Interstate), 18 (Intrastate).

Application Process:

Licenses issued to individuals under the age of 21 expire on the license holder’s 21st birthday. Licenses issued to individuals 21 or older expire on the license holder’s birthday in the fifth year after issuance.

Licenses with hazardous materials endorsement expire five years after the date of issuance of a determination of no security threat. For applicants surrendering an out-of-state license with the hazardous materials endorsement on it, the renewal period established in the preceding state shall be the expiration date of the Nebraska license if a determination of threat assessment has been completed by the other state prior to the issuance of the license.

Any resident of this state who is a seasonal commercial motor vehicle operator for a farm-related or ranch-related service industry may apply for a Restricted Commercial Driver’s License (RCDL). A RCDL authorizes the license holder to operate any Class B or Class C commercial motor vehicle. Any applicant for a RCDL must be 18 years of age or older and must have possessed a valid operator’s license or Provisional Operator’s Permit during the twelve-month period immediately preceding the date of application.

A seasonal permit which is valid for 180 consecutive days, issued to the holder of a Restricted CDL, authorizing the person to operate a Class B or Class C vehicle. May only be issued once in a 12-month period.

A commercial learner’s permit (LPC) is valid for six months. Individuals shall present proof to driver licensing staff that he or she holds a valid Class O (operator’s) license or Commercial Driver’s License or shall successfully complete the requirements for the Class O license before an LPC is issued. An applicant shall also successfully complete the CDL general knowledge examination. Upon application, the examination may be waived if the applicant presents a Nebraska CDL which is valid or has been expired for less than one year, presents a valid CDL from another State, or is renewing a Nebraska LPC that is valid or has been expired for less than one year.

The LPC will authorize the person to operate a commercial motor vehicle for learning purposes when accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years of age, and who is CDL qualified. An LPC may only be renewed once in a two-year period.

Knowledge Tests:

You will have to take one or more knowledge tests, depending on what class of license and what endorsements you need. The CDL knowledge tests include:

• The general knowledge test, taken by all applicants.
• The passenger transport test, taken by all bus driver applicants.
• The air brakes test, which you must take if your vehicle has air brakes, including air over hydraulic brakes.
• The combination vehicles test, which is required if you want to drive combination vehicles.
• The hazardous materials test, required if you want to haul hazardous materials or waste in amounts that require placarding or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 73. In order to obtain this endorsement you are also required to pass a Transportation Security Administration (TSA) background check.
• The tanker test, required if you want to haul a liquid or liquid gas in a permanently mounted cargo tank rated at 119 gallons or more or a portable tank rated at 1,000 gallons or more.
• The doubles/triples test, required if you want to pull double or triple trailers.
• The School Bust test, required if you want to drive a school bus.

Driving/Skills Tests:

If you pass the required knowledge test(s), you can take the CMV skills tests. There are three types of general skills that will be tested: pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and on-road driving. You must take these tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed.

• Pre-trip Vehicle Inspection. You will be tested to see if you know whether your vehicle is safe to drive. You will be asked to do a pre-trip inspection of your vehicle and explain to the examiner what you would inspect and why.
• Basic Vehicle Control. You will be tested on your skill to control the vehicle. You will be asked to move your vehicle forward, backward, and turn it within a defined area. These areas may be marked with traffic lanes, cones, barriers, or something similar. The examiner will tell you how each control test is to be done.
• On-road Test. You will be tested on your skill to safely drive your vehicle in a variety of traffic situations. The situations may include left and right turns, intersections, railroad crossings, curves, up and down grades, single or multi-lane roads, streets, or highways. The examiner will tell you where to drive.

Third party testers are companies that are authorized to conduct the driving skills examination for the issuance of the CDL for a fee. These companies must follow all requirements outlined in title 247 Nac, chapter 8, Nebraska department of Motor Vehicles Rules and Regulations Governing the certification of third-Party testers and third-Party examiners for the commercial driver’s License. You can view these rules and regulations and obtain a list of third party testers online at www.dmv.ne.gov/examining or by contacting the Department at 402-471-3861.

Fees:

CDL and Restricted CDL

• Valid for 1 year or less, $13.50
• Valid for 1-2 years, $24.50
• Valid for 2-3 years, $35.50
• Valid for 3-4 years, $46.50
• Valid for 5 years, $57.50
• Duplicate or replacement, $13.50
• Change of class, endorsement or restriction, $12.50

CDL is issued for five-year period unless issued to an individual who is not yet 21 years of age, but will be 21 years of age less than 5 years from the date of issuance resulting in the license, permit or ID card being valid for less than the full 5 year period.

Learner’s Permit (LPC)

• Original, $12.50
• Duplicate or replacement, $12.50
• Change of class, endorsement or restriction, $12.50

Seasonal Permit (SEP)

• Original, $12.50
• Duplicate or replacement, $12.50
• Change of class, endorsement or restriction, $12.50