Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Nebraska

The State of Nebraska offers a number of benefits and privileges to those Americans who have either served in a branch of the armed forces in the past or are currently serving in the military.

Exemption from licensing and registration taxes and fees

To qualify for the Nebraska vehicle tax exemption, active duty military personnel who do not have a legal residence in Nebraska may be eligible for license plates as non-resident military personnel. The designation is obtained by doing the following:

• Statement of current leave and income

• Legal proof of ownership issued in their name, or certified photocopies of the following documents:

  • Assigned Foreign Certificate of Ownership
  • Nebraska Title Deed
  • Manufacturer's declaration of origin
  • Importer's Certificate
  • License registration certificates

Upon receipt of evidence found to be satisfactory, military personnel are exempted from paying transport tax; which is also true for the wife of military personnel.

Exemption from military driver's license

If you are on active duty and stationed outside of Nebraska, you and your family will be subject to special driver license rules that are a benefit to your military status. As long as you remain on active duty, any driver's license issued on or after August 27, 1971 is valid for 60 days after you are discharged or you return to Nebraska, whichever is later.

If you are eligible for this military exemption, you can request Form 07-08 from the Nebraska DMV, which is a small card attached to your driver's license. The form can be obtained by sending a signed and dated request along with a legible copy of your Nebraska driver's license along with a copy of your current military orders to:

Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

Department of registration of drivers and vehicles

Attention: military release

PO Box 94789

Lincoln, NE 65809-4789

Veteran driver's license badge

Starting at 7, to qualify as a veteran on your license, you must first register with the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs registry here or by contacting the VA at 1-2014-402. There is no additional charge for adding Veteran status during license renewal. Questions regarding this request should be directed to: Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs, 471 Centennial Mall South, Lincoln, NE 2450. A replacement fee may apply if you request this designation before the standard driver license renewal period expires.

Disabled American Veterans License Plate

Anyone who has been honorably discharged or discharged and is recognized as a U.S. military veteran and classified as 100% disabled can receive a Disabled American Veterans License Plate. A certificate of ownership must be issued in their name for the vehicle in question, and the applicant's name must appear on the registration. Once processed, the applicant will be notified as soon as their plate is available for collection at the county treasury office. It is important to note that disabled American Veterans license plates do not allow registered owners to legally park in disabled spaces in Nebraska. Instead, a separate application for a disabled license plate is required, which can be found here.

Military badges

Nebraska offers a variety of military license plates. Eligibility for each of these plaques requires meeting certain criteria, including proof of current or past military service (honorable discharge), and proof of enrollment on the Nebraska Veterans Register through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Available military plate designs:

• United States Army
• US Air Force
• Coast guard
• US Marine Corps
• US National Guard
• Navy
• American disabled veteran
• Former prisoner of war
• Pearl Harbor Survivor
• Purple Heart

There is no limit to the number of owned vehicles that these military license plates can receive; however, there is a $40 fee for military badge plates or a $5 fee for military badge number plates, both costs must be renewed annually at vehicle registration.

Vehicle Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Disabled American Veterans license plate approval does not automatically entitle you to a vehicle tax exemption; an exemption that is available for one vehicle owned by a blind or disabled U.S. military veteran used for primary transportation. Disability is defined as amputation or loss of mobility of one or more limbs, blindness, or severe visual impairment. To learn more about qualifications, veterans should contact their local county treasurer.

Active or veteran service members who wish to learn more about laws and benefits for veterans and military drivers in Nebraska can visit the State Automobile Department website here.