If you live in Nebraska and are a young driver, you will go through three phases before you get your license. The provisional license is the second part of this process. You must be at least 16 years old, already have a Learner’s or School Permit, and complete a driver’s education course or have proof of 50 hours of driving experience.

Many states use a three-part process for young drivers before they are eligible to get a driver’s license, though requirements vary by state. Nebraska uses a provisional license as an in-between stage that bridges the gap between your learner’s permit and a full license.

If you or your child is gearing up to learn how to drive, you’ll want to know more about your options when applying for a permit. Let’s look at the requirements, how to get one, and what your restrictions are with a Nebraska provisional license.

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What is a provisional driver’s license in Nebraska?

Nebraska grants young drivers different amounts of responsibility depending on factors such as age and experience. Anyone under 18 must go through the following process before getting a full Nebraska driver’s license.

There are three levels of licensing for new drivers in the state of Nebraska:

Learner’s permit or school learner’s permit

Provisional license

Full driver’s license

A new driver is eligible to

get a driver’s permit

once they are 14 years old so they can practice those driving skills, though this version is called a

School Learner's Permit

. Once you are 15, you can apply for a

Learner's Permit

. Here are the requirements before you can transition to the Provisional License:

Have a learner’s permit for at least six months

Do not have more than two points on your driving record

Complete an

approved safety course

OR have

certification

of 50 hours of driving experience, with at least 10 hours driving at night

If you did not take a safety course, you will need to pass a driving exam, while those without a learner’s permit will need to pass both a written and driving test. If you are using the 50-hour driving certification, you must pass a vision and driving test.

If you move to Nebraska and are under 18, you must go through the same process to qualify for a provisional license.

If you are applying for a provisional license, you need to provide proof that you are either a US citizen or have Lawful Status, which should include your name, date of birth, and identity. You will also need two documents

proving your address

, plus provide your social security number.

MORE: How to get cheap insurance for young drivers

What are the age requirements for a Nebraska provisional driver’s license?

You are not eligible for a provisional license in Nebraska until you are 16. You also need to meet the requirements discussed in the previous section.

You won’t be eligible for a driver’s license until you are at least 17 years old, and even then, you would need to have a provisional license for at least a full year without getting more than two points on your driving record. The provisional license lasts until your 18th birthday.

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How long is a provisional license in Nebraska?

A Nebraska provisional license expires on your 18th birthday, though you can have one until you are 21. The license can last 1-2 years, depending on several factors, including how old you are and whether you have driving restrictions added to your license.

If you are not at least 18 years old when you move to Nebraska, you will also need to apply for a provisional license.

If you are under 21 years old and get six or more points on your driving record, you will need to take a safety course to keep your license.

What are the rules for driving with a provisional license in Nebraska?

Nebraska has several laws about whether you can drive unsupervised. Here are the differences based on the time of day:

From 6 AM to midnight: unsupervised, everyone must wear seatbelts

From midnight to 6 AM: unsupervised only if you need to get to a school activity or work

Any time while supervised: you do not have restrictions on your destination if you have at least one licensed person over 21 with you

During the first six months, you can’t have more than one person who is not related to you in your vehicle—so no joyriding with friends just yet.

You can also face suspension or have your provisional license

revoked

if you don’t keep a

clean driving record

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What are the restrictions for a provisional license?

Most rules for a provisional license include restrictions on what you can and can’t do behind the wheel.

If you are driving supervised (i.e., with someone who is at least 21 years old and a licensed driver), you don’t have any restrictions other than following the usual laws. Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt.

If you are driving unsupervised, then you have more restrictions. Between midnight and 6 AM, you cannot drive anywhere other than to work, home, or a school event. You also cannot have more than one person in the vehicle who isn’t related to you for the first six months.

And, of course, all local and state laws apply to you at all times, such as speed limits, DUIs, insurance requirements, and more.

How do I change my Nebraska provisional license to a full license?

You won’t be able to graduate to a

full operator’s license

unless you are at least 17 years old and have kept a clean driving record for an entire year. Note that if you get three or more points added to your driving record, you won’t be eligible for an operator’s license.

You can also apply for a full license once you turn 18. Your provisional license expires on your 18th birthday, anyway.

Consider taking a

Nebraska-approved safety course

before you apply, both to improve your skills and to make the application process easier since you can skip the written and driving test.

Otherwise, you’ll have to show

certification

of at least 50 driving hours and will need to pass a vision and driving test. You need to pass the written test if your learner’s permit expired or if you did not get a learner’s permit.

When applying for the regular operator’s license, you need to provide the following:

Proof of identity

Proof of US citizenship or legal status

Social security number

Two forms of documentation for current address

Complete an

approved safety course

certification

for 50 hours of driving, with at least 10 hours of night driving

Appropriate payment

If you took a safety course, the school will update state records on your behalf. You will want to bring the other documentation to your local DMV. Then you can get your new license!

MORE: Nebraska hit-and-run laws

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