Nebraska Driving Laws 2026: Speed Limits, DUI BAC and Nebraska DMV Road Rules for the Permit Test

What is the default speed limit in Nebraska when no sign is posted in a residential area? Nebraska sets 25 mph in residential districts, 20 mph in business districts, 50 mph on gravel or other roads that are not dustless surfaced, 65 mph on four-lane divided highways not part of the state highway system, and 75 mph on rural interstates. Nebraska DUI: 0.08% for adults, 0.02% for under-21. Nebraska headlights: high beams must be dimmed when following another vehicle within 200 feet. Texting while driving carries a $200 first-offense fine, $300 for a second offense, $500 for a third or subsequent offense, and 3 points; Nebraska enforces the general texting ban as a secondary action.

1. Nebraska Speed Limits: 20 in Business Districts, 50 Gravel, 75 Rural Interstates

What is the speed limit in a residential area in Nebraska, and what happens if no sign is posted? Speed limits are set by state law; when no sign is visible, these default limits apply:

Key test point: Nebraska sets 20 mph in business districts, 25 mph in residential districts, 50 mph on gravel or other roads that are not dustless surfaced, 70 mph on state expressways, super-two highways and non-Interstate freeways, and 75 mph on rural Interstate highways unless a lower limit is posted. Interstate limits are 65 mph on Interstate portions in Douglas County, on I-180 in Lancaster County and on I-129 in Dakota County. Fines are doubled in school crossing zones and in maintenance, repair or construction zones when workers are present.

2. Nebraska Right-of-Way: T-Intersections, Pedestrian Priority & Unmarked Crossings

Who has the give, never something you take.right-of-way at a 4-way stop in Nebraska, and do pedestrians always go first? Right-of-way questions are among the most frequently tested; remember: right-of-way is something you

4-way stop (all arrive at once)

Driver to the right

4-way stop (one arrives first)

Driver who arrived first

Roundabout / traffic circle

Vehicles already inside the circle

Emergency vehicles (lights/siren)

Emergency vehicle, pull to the right and stop

Pedestrians in crosswalk

Pedestrians always

T-intersection (no signs)

Through road traffic; drivers on the dead-end must yield

Yield sign

Cross traffic and pedestrians always

Merging onto a highway

Traffic already on the highway

3. Nebraska Turn Signal Law: 100 Feet Before Every Turn, Move or Lane Change

Can you turn right on red in Nebraska, and how far in advance must you signal a turn? Intersection and turn rules are heavily tested, including when left turns on red are legal and exactly how far in advance you must signal.

Right turn on red

Permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it. Yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.

No right turn on red

When posted, you must wait for a green light before turning right.

Left turn on red

Only allowed from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after a full stop.

Left turn from two-way street

Start from the left lane; end in the left lane of the cross street.

Right turn

Stay as close to the right curb as possible; end in the right lane.

U-turns

Legal where not prohibited, but do not make a U-turn on a curve or near the crest of a grade where your vehicle cannot be seen from either direction within 500 feet. U-turns are prohibited on freeways except for authorized emergency vehicles.

4. Nebraska Lane Markings: Two-Way Left Turn Lanes, Broken vs Solid Yellow Lines

When can you use the center turn lane in Nebraska, and what do solid versus broken yellow lines mean for passing? Lane rules determine where you drive and when you can cross a line, all commonly tested on the knowledge exam.

Center turn lane (CTSL)

Use the center lane to prepare for and make a left turn. Use caution because left-turning vehicles from the opposite direction may also use the lane.

Solid white line

Separates lanes moving in the same direction or marks an edge/turn lane; a solid white line discourages lane changes where crossing could create a hazard.

Solid yellow line (your side)

No passing allowed.

Broken yellow line

Passing allowed when safe.

Solid + Broken yellow centerline

Passing allowed only on the broken-line side.

5. Passing in Nebraska: When the Broken Line Isnt Enough & No-Pass Zones

When is it illegal to pass another vehicle in Nebraska, and how close to an intersection can you pass? Passing is one of the most dangerous maneuvers on the road, Nebraska law sets strict distance and visibility rules:

• Only pass on the left, using the oncoming lane, when it is safe and legal.
• Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, or curve where your view is limited. Look for the No Passing Zone pennant sign.
• The vehicle being passed must not speed up while you are overtaking.
• Return to your lane before coming within 200 feet of oncoming traffic.
• Never pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights, this applies in both directions on undivided roads.
• You may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is a usable lane to the right.
• When overtaking a bicyclist traveling in the same direction, leave a safe clearance of at least 3 feet when applicable and maintain that clearance until safely past. If 3 feet cannot be provided safely, reduce speed and wait until it is safe to pass.
• Nebraska vulnerable road user law: Effective July 18, 2026, when approaching or passing a vulnerable road user, move at least one moving lane away when two adjacent same-direction lanes are available. If that lane change is not reasonably possible, reduce speed, maintain a safe speed, and proceed with due care.

6. Nebraska Following Distance: 3-Second Rule & Corn Country Two-Lane Safety

What is the safe following distance in Nebraska, and how does weather change it? Nebraska uses the 3-second rule as the minimum under normal conditions: pick a fixed object ahead, and when the car in front passes it, you should reach it no sooner than 3 seconds later.

7. Nebraska School Bus Law: When to Stop & 500-Foot Fire Apparatus Parking Ban

Do you have to stop for a school bus on a divided highway in Nebraska, and what is the fine for passing one illegally? These are two of the most frequently tested topics on the Nebraska permit exam.

School Buses

• When a school bus has flashing yellow warning lights, drivers meeting or overtaking it must reduce speed to no more than 25 mph. When the bus is stopped with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, traffic meeting or overtaking the bus must stop unless the divided-highway or designated-loading-area exception applies.
• On roads with a true median or physical barrier, only traffic behind the bus must stop, oncoming traffic may proceed.
• A center turn lane does not count as a divider. On 4+ lane roads without a raised median or barrier, all directions must stop.
• You must remain stopped until the red lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted.
• Penalty for violating Nebraska's school bus stop law: a $500 fine and 3 points on the driver's record.
• Railroad crossings: School buses must stop within 15–50 feet of railroad grade crossings, listen and look in both directions, and proceed only when safe. The statutory exceptions include crossings where a peace officer or flagperson directs traffic to proceed and abandoned or exempted crossings that are clearly marked.

Emergency Vehicles

• When you see or hear an emergency vehicle (police, fire, ambulance) with lights or siren: pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Do not block intersections.
• Move Over Law (Nebraska): On a controlled-access highway, when approaching or passing a stopped vehicle on the same side of the highway, move into a lane at least one moving lane away when reasonably possible. If not, reduce speed, maintain a safe speed for conditions, and proceed with due care. This controlled-access rule does not apply when the stopped vehicle is unoccupied and no person is present in or near it. On other roadways, Nebraska also requires drivers to slow and, when possible, move over for stopped emergency, towing, utility, highway-maintenance, solid-waste or recycling vehicles displaying the required warning lights.

8. Nebraska DUI Laws: Refusal Is a Crime, 0.02% Under-21 Threshold & 180-Day ALR

What is the legal BAC limit in Nebraska for drivers under 21, and can you refuse a breathalyzer? Nebraska DWI laws cover every driver category with different limits and strict implied consent penalties.

9. Nebraska Seat Belt Law: $25 Fine, Child Seat Until Age 8 & Cargo Area Ban

Who gets the ticket if a passenger is not wearing a seat belt in Nebraska, and is Nebraska a primary or secondary seat belt state? Nebraska requires the driver and each front-seat occupant to be properly belted, but the general adult seat-belt law is enforced only as a secondary action.

10. Nebraska Parking Laws: Hydrant Distance, Crosswalk Rules & No-Park Zones

How far from a cannot park:fire hydrant must you park in Nebraska, and is it legal to park on a bridge? These distance rules are frequently tested and easy to miss if you have not studied the specific numbers. Know where you

• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection
• Within 30 feet of a stop sign, yield sign, or traffic signal
• Within 50 feet of a railroad crossing
• On a sidewalk, in front of a driveway, or on a bridge
• In a no-parking zone or alongside a curb painted yellow or red
• Double parking (alongside a vehicle already parked at the curb)
• Headed downhill: turn wheels toward the curb. Headed uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from curb. Uphill without a curb: turn wheels toward the shoulder.

11. Nebraska Weather Driving: Blizzards on I-80, the 6-Inch Water Rule & Hydroplaning

Are headlights required when it is raining in Nebraska, and what should you do if your car starts to hydroplane? Nebraska weather can change quickly, including heavy rain, flooding, high winds, snow, ice and blizzards; these rules tell you how to adjust.

• Headlights required in Nebraska from sunset to sunrise. Turn on low beams when daylight begins to fade. Use low beams in rain and fog.
• In heavy fog, use low beams, high beams reflect off fog and reduce visibility.
• If you start to hydroplane, ease off the gas gently. Do not brake hard or turn sharply.
• Flooded roads: Do not drive through flooded areas. Nebraska's Driver's Manual warns that 6 inches of water can reach the bottom of most passenger cars and cause loss of control or stalling, while 2 feet of moving water can carry away most vehicles.
• In icy conditions, brake gently well in advance. Start slowing earlier than normal. Leave extra following distance.
• If your car goes into a skid, steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. Do not overcorrect.
• Never use cruise control on wet, icy, or slippery roads.

12. Nebraska Points System: 12 Points in 2 Years Revokes, Texting Costs 3 Points

How many points does a speeding ticket add to your Nebraska license, and at what point do you lose it? Nebraska assesses points for traffic convictions, and accumulating 12 points within 2 years results in license revocation.

Note: A driver with fewer than 12 points may voluntarily complete a DMV-approved driver improvement course for a reduction of 2 points assessed within the previous two years. This voluntary reduction is allowed only once within a 5-year period.

13. Nebraska Headlight Law: Dim at 200 Feet Following: Not 300 Like Most States

When must you dim your high beams in Nebraska, and how close can you follow another vehicle with high beams on? Nebraska's Driver's Manual requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and says high beams must be dimmed when following another vehicle within 200 feet.

Key test point: High beams must be dimmed when following another vehicle within 200 feet. Driving with parking lights only is unlawful, and auxiliary driving lights must be turned off at the same time the vehicle's headlights are required to be dimmed.

14. Night Driving in Nebraska: Deer Caution Zones, Open Plains & I-80 After Dark

What does "overdriving your headlights" mean in Nebraska, and why is it dangerous? Driving at night significantly increases crash risk; these rules cover visibility, speed, and wildlife hazards specific to Nebraska roads.

15. Nebraska Texting Law: $200–$500 Fines, 3 Points & Secondary Enforcement

Is it legal to use your phone while driving in Nebraska, and can a police officer stop you just for texting? Nebraska prohibits using a handheld wireless communication device to read, type, or send written communications while a motor vehicle is in motion, and the general texting law is enforced only as a secondary action. Permit and provisional-license holders have additional wireless-device restrictions.

Key test point: Nebraska's general texting prohibition is a secondary-enforcement law, not a primary-enforcement law. A conviction carries 3 points plus the applicable $200, $300 or $500 fine.

16. Nebraska Railroad Crossings: 15-to-50-Foot Stop Rule & Who Must Always Stop

How far from the tracks must you stop at a railroad crossing in Nebraska, and what vehicles must always stop even when no train is coming? Railroad crossing rules are tested on the Nebraska knowledge exam; know exactly when to stop and how far back.

Key test point: Never drive around or under a lowered crossing gate, it is illegal and extremely dangerous. Wait until gates are fully raised and all tracks are clear.

17. Nebraska Roundabouts: Yield on Entry, Lane Choice & Signaling Your Exit

Nebraska's Driver's Manual covers both single-lane and multi-lane roundabouts. Entering traffic must yield to vehicles already circulating inside, and drivers should choose the correct lane before entering by following signs and pavement arrows.

Key test point: Drivers entering a roundabout must yield to traffic already inside, stay in the selected lane through the roundabout, and signal right when approaching the intended exit.