Nebraskans who purchase a vehicle out-of-state will need to register their new ride in Nebraska within 30 days of completing the purchase and surrender any previous vehicle plates to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.
Maybe you couldn’t find the car you wanted in the Cornhusker State—or maybe there was just a better deal across the border. Whatever the reason, out-of-state vehicle purchases aren’t necessarily uncommon, but they do come with extra complications that can make the registration process more confusing.
That’s why Jerry
, the trustworthy insurance comparison app
, has put together this handy guide to help you navigate the process of buying a car in Nebraska from out of state. We’ll walk you through the steps to register your out-of-state vehicle, then show you have to save on Nebraska car insurance costs
. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How to buy a car out of state as a Nebraska resident
New Nebraska residents have up to 30 days to obtain a Nebraska registration and title for their out-of-state vehicle—but what do you do if you’re already a Nebraska resident who just bought a car from out of state?
In that case, the process is a little more complicated. Most of the general rules still apply—you’ll need to obtain your Nebraska Certificate of Title and registration within 30 days of purchasing the vehicle, along with paying Nebraska sales tax and passing your in-state vehicle inspection. You’ll also need to present a few documents to your local County Treasurers’ office, including the original out-of-state title and proof of insurance.
First, you’ll want to file a copy of the vehicle’s title with your local County Treasurer’s office, along with paying any local county fees such as an excise tax, which is a sales tax levied specifically on motor vehicles. If there’s a lien on your vehicle’s title, you’ll need to pass along any pertinent information to the treasurer’s office at this time. You should also pick up a copy of Nebraska’s Application for Certificate of Title (Form RV-707
). The next step is obtaining an in-state inspection for your new vehicle (your local treasurer’s office should have more information on Inspection Centers near you). You should bring along your out-of-state title (or a copy of it) and $10, which is the cost of the inspection fee.
Once you’ve completed your Application for Certificate of Title and obtained a valid in-state inspection, you’re ready to complete registration. You’ll need to return to your local County Treasurer’s office to do so—but before you head over, make sure you have the following documents on hand:
Your out-of-state vehicle title
Valid proof of insurance (original documents only, no photocopies!)
Receipt from sales and excise tax payment
Proof of in-state inspection
Completed application and $10 application fee (for vehicles with liens on their titles, the fee is raised to $17)
A signed copy of your vehicle’s lease (if applicable)
If completing your registration in-person doesn’t work for you, you also have the option to mail in the above documents and fees to your local County Treasurer’s office.
Upon completing the steps above, your county treasurer will issue a new, in-state vehicle registration, along with stickers and license plates for your car. At this time, you’ll need to surrender your previous vehicle’s license plates to the nearest DMV.
How to buy a car in Nebraska if you live out of state
What if you’re in the opposite position? For non-Nebraskans looking to purchase a vehicle in the confines of the Cornhusker State, the process is pretty similar—although it can vary depending on where you intend to register the vehicle upon purchase. In most cases, you’ll need to:
Obtain a bill of sale upon purchasing the vehicle (in some states, you’ll be required to have a notary stamp on the Bill of Sale)
Bring the bill of sale to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with photo ID, proof of insurance, proof of residency, odometer disclosure, and any other documents required
Complete your vehicle registration in your state of residency
You may also be required to surrender your plates to the DMV—meaning you’ll have to look into getting temporary plates for the car ride home.
What if I don’t have a physical title?
In Nebraska, you must have a physical copy of the title in order to initiate the title transfer and registration process—so if you’re buying your new vehicle in a state where electronic titles are the default, make sure to ask for a paper copy before you head home.
Tips for buying a vehicle out of state
There are tons of reasons you may choose to purchase a vehicle from another state—from finding a lower sales price to dealing with limited stock of your desired model in your home state. But be warned: pursuing an out-of-state purchase comes with some complications, so it’s important to keep the following tips in mind.
Don’t skip the vehicle history report. Vehicle history reports let you know important facts about the vehicle you’re buying, such as past accidents the car was involved in or other issues in the vehicle’s history. These kinds of reports are especially important if you’re planning on buying a used vehicle from a private seller. Luckily, services like CARFAX
make it easy to access vehicle reports anywhere. Make sure your new car is inspected in your home state. The car you buy will need to meet your home state’s inspection requirements—not the state where you bought it.
Don’t forget about emissions tests. In Nebraska, there are currently no requirements for emissions testing—but some nearby states, like Missouri
and Colorado
, have emissions requirements you’ll want to be aware of if you’re a resident there. Look up your home state’s vehicle sales tax laws. You’ll need to pay your home state’s sales tax upon purchasing a vehicle, even if that sale takes place out of state. In Nebraska, there’s an excise tax associated with vehicle sales and registrations—so make sure to do your research and have the money you need on hand.
Buy insurance before you leave the dealership. If you’re hoping to drive your new vehicle back home, don’t hit the road without the right insurance! You’ll need proof of insurance in order to register your vehicle, anyways—and driving without insurance in any state is technically illegal.
MORE: How to donate a car in Nebraska
How to save on car insurance in Nebraska
In virtually every state, you’ll be required to show proof of car insurance prior to obtaining a valid vehicle registration. It’s a good idea to get that part of the process out of the way sooner rather than later—and with trusted broker app Jerry
, you can find and purchase your state’s minimum car insurance
requirements no matter where you are! As a licensed broker and the #1-rated insurance app on the App Store, Jerry helps you shop for affordable car insurance
anytime, anywhere, in as little as 60 seconds. Just download the app and enter a few key pieces of information about you and your new car—then sit back while Jerry takes care of the rest! From collecting quotes from 55+ name-brand partners to securing your new policy, Jerry handles it all. If you find a quote with Jerry that you prefer, our team of agents tackle the phone calls and paperwork associated with swapping—and even send you new quotes each time your policy comes up for renewal, so you can keep the coverage you need at the right price.
“Buying my first car was stressful since I’m 19 and it was from out-of-state. But getting car insurance wasn’t, thanks to Jerry
! The process was simple, easy, and quick! Thanks you guys!” —Carl I.
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