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Nebraska Traffic Laws: Points, Tickets, License Suspension and DUI

Nebraska driving rules: point system, speeding points, traffic school, how to pay or fight a ticket, license suspension, DUI limits and penalties.

Quick answers for Nebraska

Point system
Nebraska uses a point system. A driver who accumulates 12 or more points within any two-year period has the license summarily revoked for six months and must complete a driver improvement course of at least four hours before reinstatement. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-4,182, 60-4,183
Points for speeding
More than 5 but not more than 10 mph over the limit: 2 points; more than 10 but not more than 35 mph over: 3 points; more than 35 mph over: 4 points. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,182(10)
Legal BAC limit
0.08 for drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 21 may not drive with 0.02 or more (but under 0.08). Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,196, 60-6,211.01
First-offense DUI penalties
A first DUI (no prior conviction) is a Class W misdemeanor: mandatory minimum of 7 days in jail and a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail. Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,197.03(1)–(2), 28-106, 60-4,182

Last verified: 2026-10-27

Tickets and points

Point systemNebraska uses a point system. A driver who accumulates 12 or more points within any two-year period has the license summarily revoked for six months and must complete a driver improvement course of at least four hours before reinstatement. During that revocation, a non-commercial vehicle may be driven under an employment driving permit or medical hardship driving permit.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-4,182, 60-4,183
Points for speedingMore than 5 but not more than 10 mph over the limit: 2 points; more than 10 but not more than 35 mph over: 3 points; more than 35 mph over: 4 points. On certain highways listed in § 60-6,186(1)(f)–(i), the points are 1 (up to 10 over), 2 (more than 10 up to 15 over) and 3 (more than 15 up to 35 over).
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,182(10)
How long points lastRevocation is based on points accumulated within any period of two years. After a revocation of at least six months, the points that led to it and all prior points are disregarded for any later revocation.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-4,183, 60-4,185
Traffic schoolA driver with fewer than 12 points may voluntarily complete a DMV-approved driver improvement course; the DMV then removes two points assessed within the previous two years (one point if only one point is on the record). It must be completed before the offense that would bring the total to 12 or more points, and the reduction is allowed only once in five years. It does not apply to courses required by the DMV after a revocation.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,188
Paying or fighting a ticketIf the 'waiver allowed' box on the ticket is marked, the driver may waive their rights, plead guilty and pay the fine and costs without appearing in court, using the state's online citation payment service or by mail; points are then assessed where applicable. The driver may instead appear in court and contest the ticket. If a waiver is not allowed, or any one offense on the ticket requires an appearance, the driver must appear on the court date. Not taking care of a ticket can lead to a DMV suspension; reinstatement requires proof of compliance from the court and a $50 fee.
Online payment can take 24 hours or more to post and may not stop a suspension already noticed.
Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch, Waiver and Plea Instructions; Nebraska DMV, Failure to Comply with a Traffic Ticket
Paying or looking up a ticket onlineWaiverable citations (those that do not require a court appearance) can be paid online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's citation payment system, run by the State Court Administrator. Court costs apply even when you plead guilty by waiver, and a convenience fee is added. Online payment is not available once you have appeared in court; you must deal with the court directly from then on, and partial payments require a time-payment agreement signed with the court. Online payments can take 24 hours or more to post, and a late online payment will not stop a license suspension already noticed by the DMV.
The FAQ states a $2.25 convenience fee per ticket; the DMV page says online payment adds $1.25 to $2.95.
Source: Nebraska Judicial Branch, Citation Payment FAQ; Nebraska DMV, Failure to Comply with a Traffic Ticket

License suspension

License suspensionVerified grounds include 12 or more points in two years (six-month revocation), failing to comply with a traffic ticket (suspension until proof of compliance and a $50 reinstatement fee), DUI convictions, and administrative license revocation for a failed or refused chemical test.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-4,183, 60-498.02; Nebraska DMV, Failure to Comply with a Traffic Ticket
Hardship or restricted licenseA driver revoked for points may drive a non-commercial vehicle under an employment driving permit or a medical hardship driving permit. For DUI revocations, the court generally orders the person to apply for an ignition interlock permit and drive only vehicles with an interlock device during the revocation.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-4,183, 60-6,197.03
Checking and reinstating a licenseCheck the status of your driving privileges, and pay reinstatement fees online, through the Nebraska DMV's reinstatement service. Fees depend on the reason for suspension. For a suspension for failing to comply with a traffic ticket: contact the court, resolve the citation, send the DMV Financial Responsibility Office the court's notice of compliance or receipt, and pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee (waived if the ticket was paid and five years have passed since the suspension took effect). The fee can be paid by cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles or online; personal checks are returned. Reinstatement items go to the DMV in Lincoln (301 Centennial Mall South), not to local driver license exam stations.
Status check and online payment: https://www.nebraska.gov/dmv/reinstatements/client.cgi
Source: Nebraska DMV, Failure to Comply with a Traffic Ticket

DUI / DWI

Legal BAC limit0.08 for drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 21 may not drive with 0.02 or more (but under 0.08).
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,196, 60-6,211.01
First-offense DUI penaltiesA first DUI (no prior conviction) is a Class W misdemeanor: mandatory minimum of 7 days in jail and a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail. The court revokes the license for six months and requires an ignition interlock permit and device for that period. If the court grants probation or suspends the sentence, the revocation is 60 days with an ignition interlock permit, and a $500 fine is a condition. At 0.15 or more, the revocation is one year with an ignition interlock. A DUI conviction adds 6 points.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,197.03(1)–(2), 28-106, 60-4,182
When a DUI is a felonyDUI becomes a felony in Nebraska in these cases: (1) a 3rd offense (two prior convictions) with a BAC of 0.15 or more, or with a refused chemical test, is a Class IIIA felony; (2) a 4th offense (three prior convictions) is a Class IIIA felony, or a Class IIA felony with at least 1 year in prison if BAC was 0.15+ or the person refused testing; (3) a 5th or later offense is a Class IIA felony (minimum 2 years), or a Class II felony at 0.15+ or with a refusal; (4) a DUI that causes serious bodily injury to another person is a Class IIIA felony. Prior convictions count if they fall within 15 years of the current offense. Felony DUI also brings a license revocation of up to 15 years.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,197.03, 60-6,197.02, 60-6,198
Refusing a breath testAdministrative license revocation: refusing a chemical test of blood, breath or urine results in a one-year revocation. A test at or above the legal limit results in a 180-day revocation (one year if the person had a prior administrative revocation within the preceding 15 years).
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-498.02
DUI lookback period15 years. Prior convictions within the fifteen-year period before the current offense count for enhanced DUI sentencing.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-6,197.02
How long a DUI stays on your recordAccording to the Nebraska DMV's driver record retention schedule, a DUI conviction stays on the driving record for 55 years from the conviction date. The DUI revocation itself is kept for 55 years from the reinstatement date, or permanently if the license is never reinstated. For sentencing, prior DUIs count only if they fall within the previous 15 years.
Source: Nebraska DMV, Driver Record Retention Schedule (03/2021); Neb. Rev. Stat. 60-6,197.02
Sobriety checkpointsLegal and used. Nebraska's impaired-driving program assessment says sobriety checkpoints are allowed in Nebraska but must follow strict guidelines set by U.S. Supreme Court and Nebraska court decisions. The state's impaired-driving plan says law enforcement, including the Nebraska State Patrol, runs high-visibility enforcement checkpoints during mobilizations, major holidays, sporting events and community events.
Source: Nebraska DOT Highway Safety Office, Impaired Driving Program Assessment (June 2025); Nebraska Impaired Driving Strategic Plan

Phones and distracted driving

Phone and texting lawsA driver of a moving vehicle may not use a handheld wireless device to read, type or send a written communication (texting). Exceptions include on-duty law enforcement, firefighters, ambulance drivers and EMTs, and emergencies. It is enforced only as a secondary offense (the driver must be cited for another violation). Fines are $200 for a first offense, $300 for a second and $500 for a third or later, plus 3 points. Separate rules apply to commercial vehicle drivers.
The statute read bans handheld texting; it does not ban handheld voice calls for non-commercial adult drivers.
Source: Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-6,179.01, 60-4,182(13)

Where to get help in Nebraska

Traffic Tickets & DUI FAQ

How does the driver point system work in Nebraska?
Nebraska uses a point system. A driver who accumulates 12 or more points within any two-year period has the license summarily revoked for six months and must complete a driver improvement course of at least four hours before reinstatement. During that revocation, a non-commercial vehicle may be driven under an employment driving permit or medical hardship driving permit.
How many points is a speeding ticket in Nebraska?
More than 5 but not more than 10 mph over the limit: 2 points; more than 10 but not more than 35 mph over: 3 points; more than 35 mph over: 4 points. On certain highways listed in § 60-6,186(1)(f)–(i), the points are 1 (up to 10 over), 2 (more than 10 up to 15 over) and 3 (more than 15 up to 35 over).
How long do points stay on your license in Nebraska?
Revocation is based on points accumulated within any period of two years. After a revocation of at least six months, the points that led to it and all prior points are disregarded for any later revocation.
Can traffic school remove a ticket or points in Nebraska?
A driver with fewer than 12 points may voluntarily complete a DMV-approved driver improvement course; the DMV then removes two points assessed within the previous two years (one point if only one point is on the record). It must be completed before the offense that would bring the total to 12 or more points, and the reduction is allowed only once in five years. It does not apply to courses required by the DMV after a revocation.
How do I pay or look up a traffic ticket online in Nebraska?
Waiverable citations (those that do not require a court appearance) can be paid online through the Nebraska Judicial Branch's citation payment system, run by the State Court Administrator. Court costs apply even when you plead guilty by waiver, and a convenience fee is added. Online payment is not available once you have appeared in court; you must deal with the court directly from then on, and partial payments require a time-payment agreement signed with the court. Online payments can take 24 hours or more to post, and a late online payment will not stop a license suspension already noticed by the DMV.
How do I check if my license is suspended and get it reinstated in Nebraska?
Check the status of your driving privileges, and pay reinstatement fees online, through the Nebraska DMV's reinstatement service. Fees depend on the reason for suspension. For a suspension for failing to comply with a traffic ticket: contact the court, resolve the citation, send the DMV Financial Responsibility Office the court's notice of compliance or receipt, and pay a $50.00 reinstatement fee (waived if the ticket was paid and five years have passed since the suspension took effect). The fee can be paid by cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles or online; personal checks are returned. Reinstatement items go to the DMV in Lincoln (301 Centennial Mall South), not to local driver license exam stations.
How do you pay or contest a traffic ticket in Nebraska?
If the 'waiver allowed' box on the ticket is marked, the driver may waive their rights, plead guilty and pay the fine and costs without appearing in court, using the state's online citation payment service or by mail; points are then assessed where applicable. The driver may instead appear in court and contest the ticket. If a waiver is not allowed, or any one offense on the ticket requires an appearance, the driver must appear on the court date. Not taking care of a ticket can lead to a DMV suspension; reinstatement requires proof of compliance from the court and a $50 fee.
What gets your license suspended in Nebraska?
Verified grounds include 12 or more points in two years (six-month revocation), failing to comply with a traffic ticket (suspension until proof of compliance and a $50 reinstatement fee), DUI convictions, and administrative license revocation for a failed or refused chemical test.
What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Nebraska?
0.08 for drivers 21 and older. Drivers under 21 may not drive with 0.02 or more (but under 0.08).
What is the penalty for a first DUI in Nebraska?
A first DUI (no prior conviction) is a Class W misdemeanor: mandatory minimum of 7 days in jail and a $500 fine, up to 60 days in jail. The court revokes the license for six months and requires an ignition interlock permit and device for that period. If the court grants probation or suspends the sentence, the revocation is 60 days with an ignition interlock permit, and a $500 fine is a condition. At 0.15 or more, the revocation is one year with an ignition interlock. A DUI conviction adds 6 points.
What happens if you refuse a breathalyzer in Nebraska?
Administrative license revocation: refusing a chemical test of blood, breath or urine results in a one-year revocation. A test at or above the legal limit results in a 180-day revocation (one year if the person had a prior administrative revocation within the preceding 15 years).
How long does a DUI count as a prior offense in Nebraska?
15 years. Prior convictions within the fifteen-year period before the current offense count for enhanced DUI sentencing.
Can you get a hardship license in Nebraska?
A driver revoked for points may drive a non-commercial vehicle under an employment driving permit or a medical hardship driving permit. For DUI revocations, the court generally orders the person to apply for an ignition interlock permit and drive only vehicles with an interlock device during the revocation.
Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Nebraska?
A driver of a moving vehicle may not use a handheld wireless device to read, type or send a written communication (texting). Exceptions include on-duty law enforcement, firefighters, ambulance drivers and EMTs, and emergencies. It is enforced only as a secondary offense (the driver must be cited for another violation). Fines are $200 for a first offense, $300 for a second and $500 for a third or later, plus 3 points. Separate rules apply to commercial vehicle drivers.
Is a DUI a felony in Nebraska?
DUI becomes a felony in Nebraska in these cases: (1) a 3rd offense (two prior convictions) with a BAC of 0.15 or more, or with a refused chemical test, is a Class IIIA felony; (2) a 4th offense (three prior convictions) is a Class IIIA felony, or a Class IIA felony with at least 1 year in prison if BAC was 0.15+ or the person refused testing; (3) a 5th or later offense is a Class IIA felony (minimum 2 years), or a Class II felony at 0.15+ or with a refusal; (4) a DUI that causes serious bodily injury to another person is a Class IIIA felony. Prior convictions count if they fall within 15 years of the current offense. Felony DUI also brings a license revocation of up to 15 years.
How long does a DUI stay on your record in Nebraska?
According to the Nebraska DMV's driver record retention schedule, a DUI conviction stays on the driving record for 55 years from the conviction date. The DUI revocation itself is kept for 55 years from the reinstatement date, or permanently if the license is never reinstated. For sentencing, prior DUIs count only if they fall within the previous 15 years.
Are DUI checkpoints legal in Nebraska?
Legal and used. Nebraska's impaired-driving program assessment says sobriety checkpoints are allowed in Nebraska but must follow strict guidelines set by U.S. Supreme Court and Nebraska court decisions. The state's impaired-driving plan says law enforcement, including the Nebraska State Patrol, runs high-visibility enforcement checkpoints during mobilizations, major holidays, sporting events and community events.

Traffic Tickets & DUI in other states

More Nebraska law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.