Explaining The Nebraska Driving Record Points System

Penalties for Accumulating Too Many Points

License Revocation and Reinstatement

Drivers who accumulate 12 or more points in a two-year period face automatic license revocation by the Nebraska DMV. The revocation period is six months for a first offense and up to three years for subsequent offenses within five years.

To reinstate a revoked license, the following steps are typically required:

1. Complete a Driver Improvement Course approved by the DMV.

2. Submit proof of financial responsibility, such as SR22 insurance.

3. Pay a reinstatement fee of $125.

4. Pass the necessary tests and apply for a new license.

Failing to address these requirements can delay or complicate the reinstatement process, further impacting a driver’s ability to operate a vehicle legally.

Duration of Points on Your Record

Under Nebraska law, points for traffic violations remain on a driver’s record for five years from the conviction date. This prolonged retention period allows authorities to monitor long-term driving behavior. Accumulating multiple violations over time can lead to compounded penalties, even if individual offenses seem minor.

What Violations Carry Points

Nebraska’s system charges points for a range of offenses. Two points cover offenses such as operating with an expired license or improper use of an occupant protection system (seatbelts). Four points are assigned for moving violations like reckless driving or speeding more than 35 mph over the posted speed limit. Six points hit hard when you’re convicted of third offense drunken driving, hit-and-run, or willful reckless driving. Twelve points—most often due to vehicular homicide or other major charges—almost always result in revocation.

Some violations might carry judicial consequences rather than point assignments—violating a city or village ordinance or driving on county roads without a valid operator’s license may fall into this category. However, if the court found you violated traffic law under Nebraska law, you’ll likely face violation points on your driver’s license.

Medical Impact and Traffic Violation Correlation

Traffic violations often lead to bodily injury or worse. According to the CDC, motor vehicle traffic deaths account for over 43,000 fatalities annually in the U.S.—about 12.9 deaths per 100,000 population—and are a leading cause of injury-related hospital visits.

Emergency departments across the country treated an estimated 3.8 million crash-related injury visits in 2019–2020—11.6 visits per 1,000 people, with particularly high rates among drivers 15–24 years. These alarming trends reinforce why Nebraska’s point system focuses sharply on eliminating dangerous driving behaviors.

Keeping Your Driving Privileges

If you receive traffic tickets, keep an eye on your driver’s history and consider enrolling in a driver improvement course before reaching “too many points.” The Nebraska DMV offers a two-point credit after a completed prior course if taken within two years, and partial credit is available even if you’re under the point threshold.

Maintaining financial responsibility (such as filing for SR22 insurance) and rendering aid after accidents are also critical to avoiding revocation. Make sure your alcohol content test is completed if requested and note that court findings, such as in trial court determinations, influence your license status.

Steps After Point Accumulation

1. Review your official driving record with the Nebraska DMV.

2. Enroll in an approved driver improvement course to gain a two-point credit.

3. Monitor your violation points and scheduled license checks.

4. Take legal action if a court or trial court finds you guilty in error.

Completing these steps before accruing six points can prevent your first serious suspension—and help avoid future license revocation.