How to Get a CDL in Nebraska
You must obtain a Nebraska Commercial Driver License (CDL) if you live in Nebraska and want to drive commercial vehicles. These include vehicles in three classes: A, B, and C, which are divided by the weight of the vehicle being used and/or its purposes. You must be at least 18 years old to drive intrastate and at least 21 years old to drive interstate. You also need a CDL endorsement to drive a school bus, double/triple trailer, tank vehicle, passenger vehicle, vehicle that carries hazardous materials or tank vehicle and hazardous materials combination. Nebraska CDL restrictions can limit you to vehicles without air brakes, intrastate driving, seasonal driving, and farm- or ranch-related driving, among others.
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Things You'll Need
- Valid Nebraska Class O (operator's) license
- Commercial Learner's Permit (LCP) for the class of vehicle in which you will take your road test
- Valid Federal Department of Transportation medical card
- Valid verified Social Security Number
- Verified proof of Nebraska residence
- Commercial Driver's License Data Form
Instructions
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Download from the Department of Motor Vehicles website a schedule of fees for the type of license(s) you seek, such as the Commercial Learner's Permit fee, CDL fee, or School Bus Permit. Address any questions in an email to dmv.dvrweb@nebraska.gov or call 402-471-3918.
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Obtain a Commercial Learner's Permit from a driver's license office in the county in which you reside, a Commercial Driver's License Data Form and a CDL manual. You must provide a completed CDL Data Form when visiting a driver licensing office, or complete one there. If you apply for a Nebraska School Bus Permit, you must present a Department of Transportation Medical Examination Report. Obtain this form from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
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Prepare for the CDL general knowledge test by reading the CDL manual and providing answers to the test questions.
Make an appointment to take the CDL skills tests -- pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control and on-road driving -- after you pass the required general knowledge written test. Bring one form of identification that includes your name and date of birth to the testing site. Bring two forms of address verification. Provide proof of a valid verified Social Security Number. Download the Identification/Address/Social Security Verification Requirements from the DMV website for information about acceptable forms of address and Social Security Number verification documents.
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Take the skills tests in the type of vehicle for which you wish to be licensed. Take your tests at a DMV office in the county in which you reside or at a third-party testing location. Contact the DMV at 402-471-3861 for a list of third-party testers or download it from the DMV website. Pass all of your tests, pay the required fees, and you will receive your Nebraska CDL.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are a new Nebraska resident surrendering a valid out-of-state CDL you will not be required to take any CDL knowledge tests that you previously passed, except hazardous materials.
If you are seeking a hazardous materials endorsement you must complete an application and a Transportation Security Administration security threat assessment. Contact the TSA at 1-877-429-7746 for more information. You must be fingerprinted. The Nebraska State Patrol and several Nebraska County Sheriffs Offices collect fingerprints for Nebraska residents only.
If you take your CDL tests at a third-party tester location, you may be required later to retake the skills test administered by a driver licensing staff as part of a DMV audit.
References
Resources
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles: Driver Licensing Services
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles: County Locations
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles: Driver's License Manuals
- Nebraska Commercial Driver's License: Data Form
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles: CDL Third Party Testers
- Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles: Identification, Address/Social Security Verification Requirements
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