When you are registering your vehicle with the Department of Motor Vehicles in Nebraska, you can go with the standard plates or apply for specialty or personalized license plates. Personalized plates allow you to choose a custom license plate number.

Sample Nebraska License Plate

Types of License Plates in Nebraska

All residents of Nebraska must register their vehicle (car, van, jeep, ATV, etc.) with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

You will be issued with a standard license plate, which must be placed on the rear of your vehicle. Some vehicles are also required to have a license plate at the front of their vehicle.

You may also apply for specialty, personalized, or disability license plates. Some of these may require eligibility before being issued.

All motor vehicles must have a license plate in Nebraska to drive legally.

When you purchase a new vehicle, you are required to have temporary license plates. These are issued by the DMV and remain valid for 30 days. This gives you sufficient time to bring your vehicle to the DMV to be registered.

Specialty Plates in Nebraska

If you don’t want the standard license plate issued by the state of Nebraska, you can apply for specialized license plates. Here are some of the plates available:

Occupational License Plates:
- Firefighter
- Police
Military License Plates
- Military Veterans
- Purple Heart
- Various War Survivors
Organizational License Plates
- University of Nebraska
- Friends of the Union
Antique License Plates
- Hot Rods
- Classic Cars

The fees for specialty license plates start at $40 in addition to the standard registration fees.

Military plates and some organizational plates may require proof of enrollment to be eligible.

Personalized License Plates in Nebraska

If you want to personalize your license plate with a custom plate number, you must follow the DMV’s guidelines to be approved. You can look up available plate numbers in Nebraska online.

Plate numbers must:

Have up to 7 characters (i.e., letters and numbers)
Use appropriate words (no profanity or vulgar suggestions)
Be available for registration (no duplicate plate numbers)

The cost for personalization is $40 on top of standard license plates fees. Please see the Nebraska DMV for more information.

Disability License Plates in Nebraska

People with disabilities can apply for special plates and placards that permit them to park in disability parking spaces in the community.

These plates are issued to people with permanent disabilities.

Alternatively, disability placards are issued to people with temporary or permanent disabilities.

Disability placards must be hung on the rearview mirror. Failure to do so can lead to ticketing and other penalties by the state.

Applying for License Plates in Nebraska

When you apply for license plates with the Nebraska DMV, you must provide the following:

Proof of vehicle insurance
Emission tests certificate
Valid ID (i.e., driver’s license)
Title certification
Application documents
Payment for fees (see Summary of License Plate Fees in Nebraska)

Recently acquired vehicles and out-of-state vehicles must be registered with the DMV within 30 days.

You can register in person by visiting a local office.

Renewing License Plates in Nebraska

All registered vehicles in Nebraska must display registration stickers on their rear license plates. You must renew your vehicle before the date issued to avoid unnecessary late fees.

You can renew your vehicle’s registration in person, online, or by mail.

After you have paid the required renewal fees, you will receive new registration stickers, which you can place over the old ones.

Transferring License Plates in Nebraska

If you purchase a new vehicle, which is titled in your name, you can transfer your old license plates.

You are also permitted to register your vehicle in your spouse's name and to use the same set of license plates.

You cannot sell your license plates when you sell, donate, or auction your vehicles. Your plates remain your property.

Surrendering License Plates in Nebraska

If you sell your vehicle and no longer require your license plates, you must surrender them to the DMV in Nebraska. You can either surrender them in person or mail them to a local office.

It is possible to receive a refund if you surrender your license plate before the expiry date of your vehicle’s registration. You must apply to the DMV for a refund.

Lost or Stolen License Plates in Nebraska

If your license plate is lost or stolen, you can apply for replacements with the DMV. You must go to the office in person and provide:

Registration documentation
Proof of ID
Valid insurance
Application documents
Payment for replacement plates: $3.30

You should contact the police and file a report if your license plates were stolen. This may not be legally required, but it helps to prevent abuse or misuse of your plates.

Summary of License Plate Fees in Nebraska

The state of Nebraska requires you to pay for registration fees, vehicle taxes, and additional service fees. Here are a few of the fees you can expect when registering or renewing your vehicle:

New License Plates: $3.30 each
Inspection fee: $10
Title Application Fee: $10
- + Lien: $7
Registration fee: $15
County service fee: $1.50
State fee: $1.50
EMS fee: $0.50
DMV Cash Fund: $2.00
Plate Fee: $4.10 per plate for new, duplicate, or replacement plates
- Out-of-country delivery: $10
Duplicate Registration: $1

Look Up License Plate Numbers in Nebraska

If you want to register custom plate numbers, you can search for available letter and number combinations online. FindByPlate lets you search for available license plates in Nebraska and all other states across America.

All you have to do is submit the plate number, and you’ll discover if the plate number you want is available. You can also use FindByPlate to obtain background information on license plates already registered with a vehicle.

Car Ownership in Nebraska

Nebraska ranks 9 (tied with Kansas) in the US on the list of highest rate of car ownership. The top spots go to Idaho and Wyoming (tied).
94.90% of households in Nebraska have at least one vehicle. In the top-ranking states, Idaho and Wyoming, 96.20% of households have at least one vehicle. The District of Columbia has the lowest vehicle ownership rate at 64.30%.
Nebraska ranks 41 for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.14% of all registered vehicles in Nebraska are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii have the most electric vehicles (1.61% and 1.32% respectively).
Nebraska ranks 43 in the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are the most expensive and Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Nebraska is $1,538.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Nebraska is $374.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Nebraska have two license plates?

Yes, Nebraska has two license plates. You are required to mount a license plate on both the front and rear of your vehicle. However, motorcycles are issued one plate.

Does Nebraska do vehicle inspections?

Nebraska does vehicle inspections for all vehicles brought into Nebraska from out of state and certain other vehicles such as assembled vehicles and vehicles with a salvage certificate of title, among others. The inspections are done by the County Sheriff and the fee is $10.

How do I register my out-of-state vehicle in Nebraska?

You can register your out-of-state vehicle in Nebraska by presenting the following documents to the DMV:

Application for Certification of Title
Vehicle’s out-of-state title
Previous registration
Copy of Security Agreement (for vehicles with an open lien)
Sheriff’s Inspection Certification
Proof of vehicle insurance

Note: You are required to register your out-of-state vehicle within 30 days of establishing residence in Nebraska.

Why does Nebraska change license plates every 6 years?

Until 2004, Nebraska used to issue distinctive new license plates every 3 years. The exception was the bicentennial plates series that was issued between 1976 and 1983. Starting with the 2005 series, distinctive new plates are issued every 6 years in Nebraska due to budgetary constraints.

How do I apply for handicap plates in Nebraska?

To be eligible to receive handicap plates in Nebraska you need to have a certified medical condition that limits your mobility and prevents you from traveling unassisted for more than 200 feet without a wheelchair, walker, crutch, or prosthetic device. If you qualify, you can get handicap NE plates at no charge.

What documents do I need to register a new vehicle in Nebraska?

You will need proof of insurance (in original, photocopies are not accepted), proof of sales tax paid, and a signed leased agreement if it is a leased vehicle.

How much are personalized (vanity) plates in Nebraska?

The fee to have your chosen license plate number in Nebraska is $40. The characters you choose will be depicted on the standard NE license plate series that is currently being issued. You can order your plate online or by mail. It can take up to 5 weeks to be delivered to your County Treasurer DMV Office.

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