Behind-the-Wheel & ELDT Training
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Find an ELDT providerNebraska CDL Prep
Nebraska CDL Permit Practice Tests & Study Guide
Everything you need to get your Nebraska commercial learner's permit — the steps, the DOT medical exam, training requirements, and realistic practice tests aligned with the Nebraska CDL manual.
How to Get a CDL Permit in Nebraska
In Nebraska, commercial learner's permits and CDLs are issued by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles. Use the facts and steps below for ages, hold times, and what to do next.
50Test questions
80%Passing score
14 daysCLP hold period
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Age, validity & retest
- Minimum age
- 18 intrastate / 21 interstate
- CLP validity
- 365 days
- Retest wait
- 1 day
Step-by-step process
Confirm you're eligible
Hold a valid base license and meet Nebraska age rules — 18 in-state, 21 for interstate or hazmat.
Pass the DOT medical exam
Get a DOT physical from a certified examiner and get your medical certificate on file with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.
Study the CDL manual
Read the official Nebraska CDL manual and practice until you're ready for the written exams.
Pass the written tests and get your CLP
Pass the required knowledge tests (80% to pass) at the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles and get your CLP.
Hold your CLP for 14 days
Practice with a qualified CDL holder for 14 days before you can take the skills test.
Complete ELDT if required
Finish Entry-Level Driver Training with an FMCSA-registered provider if you're a first-time Class A/B applicant.
Pass the skills test and get your CDL
Pass the pre-trip, basic controls, and road test to upgrade your CLP to a full CDL.
Choose Your CDL Class: A, B, or C
The class you need depends on the vehicle you plan to drive in Nebraska. Pick your class to see the tests and study material that apply to you.
CDL
Class A CDL
Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and large combination vehicles with a GCWR over 26,001 pounds.
CDL
Class B CDL
Straight trucks, dump trucks, box trucks, and large buses over 26,001 pounds GVWR.
CDL
Class C CDL
Passenger vehicles and hazmat loads that do not fit Class A or B but still require a CDL.
Health requirement
DOT Medical Card / DOT Physical
Before the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles issues your CDL, you must pass a DOT physical — a medical exam performed by a certified examiner that confirms you're fit to operate a commercial vehicle.
The examiner checks your vision, hearing, blood pressure, and general health, then issues a Medical Examiner's Certificate (often called a "DOT medical card"). You file this with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, and it must be renewed periodically to keep your CDL valid.
- Required for most CDL applicants before a permit or license is issued
- Performed by an examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry
- Results in a Medical Examiner's Certificate (DOT medical card)
- Must be kept current — typically renewed every 24 months or sooner
Behind-the-Wheel CDL Training & DOT Medical Examiners
Two federal requirements you'll handle outside the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles testing office.
Finding a DOT Medical Examiner
Your DOT physical must be done by an FMCSA-certified examiner. Use the National Registry to find one near you.
Find a certified medical examinerNebraska CDL Permit Study Plan
A simple order to study in so you're ready for every test section on your permit exam.
Start with the general knowledge test
Every Nebraska CDL applicant takes this test. Study it first, then take full-length practice tests until you consistently score above 80%.
Practice core testsAdd the tests for your class
Study Air Brakes if your vehicle has them, and Combination Vehicles if you're going for a Class A. Focus on one section at a time.
See class testsLayer in your endorsements
If your job needs hazmat, tanker, passenger, school bus, or doubles/triples, study those sections once your core tests feel solid.
Browse endorsements- Before test day
Review missed questions before test day
Retake practice tests, review every explanation for questions you miss, and only schedule your exam once you pass consistently.
Try a sample quiz
Core tests · Steps 01–02
CDL test sections to study
Add-ons · Step 03
Optional endorsements
Prepare with PrepCDL
Study smarter, practice faster, and walk into your CDL exam prepared.
1000+ Practice Questions
Practice with exam-style questions covering CDL rules, safety, inspections, endorsements, and real test topics.
State-Specific CDL Prep
Study material tailored to your state's CDL manual so you focus on the rules that matter for your test.
Realistic Exam Practice
Build confidence with practice tests, randomized questions, progress tracking, and detailed answer explanations.
Question 1 of 5
What is the most important reason for doing a vehicle inspection?
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from CDL applicants in Nebraska.
Do I need Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) in Nebraska?
Yes. Beginning February 7, 2022, Nebraska requires ELDT before skills testing for a new CDL, CDL upgrade, or adding P or S, and before the hazmat knowledge test for a first-time H endorsement. DMV verifies completion electronically in the Training Provider Registry when you schedule a skills appointment.
Do I need a DOT medical certificate for a CDL in Nebraska?
Yes if you self-certify as Category A (Interstate – Non-Excepted) or Category C (Intrastate – Non-Excepted). Your Medical Examiner's Certificate must be from a National Registry examiner and updated to the National Registry. Use the Nebraska CDL Self Certification Chart to choose category A–D.
What do I need to bring to apply for a CDL permit in Nebraska?
Bring proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful status, identity documents, Social Security number disclosure, and complete self-certification. Category A or C drivers also need a Medical Examiner's Certificate on the National Registry. An original CLP costs $15. See Nebraska's CDL documentation requirements page for the full checklist.
Do I need a background check for a hazmat endorsement in Nebraska?
Yes. Pass the hazmat knowledge test and complete a TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting. First-time hazmat applicants must finish hazmat ELDT before the knowledge test. Hazmat cannot be placed on a CLP — only Passenger (P), School Bus (S), and Tank (N) endorsements are allowed on Nebraska CLPs. CDLs with hazmat expire when the security threat assessment expires.
How long is a Nebraska CLP valid?
A Nebraska Commercial Learner's Permit is valid for 1 year and costs $15 ($10 plus a $5 security surcharge). You must hold it for at least 14 days before skills testing. If it expires before you finish all three skills segments, previously passed segments are wiped and you must retake the entire skills test.
Does Nebraska offer a Restricted CDL for farm work?
Yes. A Restricted CDL (RCDL) lets eligible Nebraska residents drive Class B or C vehicles for farm-related or farm-related service industries (custom harvesters, retail ag outlets, agri-chemical businesses, livestock feeders) within 150 miles of the employer or farm during the seasonal period shown on the license. Applicants must be at least 18 and meet driving-record requirements.
Who can get a non-domiciled CLP or CDL in Nebraska?
Nebraska may issue non-domiciled credentials to applicants domiciled in a foreign country (except Canada or Mexico), applicants from an FMCSA out-of-compliance state, or those with lawful status such as H-2A, H-2B, or E-2. Non-U.S. citizens must prove lawful status each time and are verified through SAVE. Contact the DMV at 402-471-3861 for details.
Can military members waive Nebraska CDL skills testing?
Yes. Eligible service members employed within the past 12 months operating a military CMV equivalent may apply for a skills test waiver. Email the completed form to [email protected] — DMV typically responds within three business days. Knowledge tests cannot be waived, and School Bus (S) and Passenger (P) endorsements cannot transfer under the waiver.
Does PrepCDL cover Nebraska?
Yes. PrepCDL includes state-specific study guides and practice questions aligned with the Nebraska CDL manual, plus prep for every class and endorsement.