Driving Without Insurance in Nebraska

If You Are Actually Insured

If you’re cited for driving without proof of insurance but have an active policy, you can have your citation dismissed. Here’s what you’ll need to do within 10 days of the citation:

1. Submit a copy of the citation you were issued using this form: https://dmv.nebraska.gov/sites/dmv.nebraska.gov/files/doc/fr/forms/letterverif.pdf.
2. Ask your insurance company to send a letter verifying your car insurance coverage to the Nebraska DMV.

The letter must be on your insurance company or agency’s letterhead and signed by an authorized representative of the company with their title included. The form requires information such as:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Current mailing address
• Insurance policy number
• Policyholder
• Date of citation to make sure you were covered during that time

What to Do If You Don’t Have Car Insurance

If you didn’t have car insurance at the time of your violation, you’ll need to follow these steps:

1. Buy an insurance policy.
2. Submit proof of financial responsibility by filing an SR-22 with the DMV.
3. Pay a $50 reinstatement fee via:

• Cashier’s check or money order made payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles
• Online at https://www.nebraska.gov/dmv/reinstatements/client.cgi
• Mail, with the following information:
  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • License or Social Security number
  • Current mailing address²

If you’re convicted of driving uninsured, the state will suspend your license automatically, as you will have committed a Class II misdemeanor. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will also revoke your registration and suspend your license plate until you show proof of insurance. You will even face up to six months in jail, a fine of $1,000, or both.³

To appeal your fine, you can plead not guilty and appear in court. You must file the petition within 30 days of the conviction and pay a $5 fee. After the proceedings, the court will send you a copy of the official record with the final decision.⁴ However, if the judge declares you’re guilty, you’ll have to face the penalties regardless.

It’s possible to find an auto insurance company that will cover you after a lapse in coverage. However, it will be more difficult, as insurers will consider you to be higher risk compared to someone with continuous coverage. If you have trouble getting a policy, you can look for an insurance provider that caters to high risk drivers.

Minimum Auto Insurance Coverage

The minimum car insurance coverage that Nebraska requires is:

• $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, $50,000 per accident
• $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
• $25,000 in underinsured motorist coverage and uninsured motorist coverage per person, $50,000 per accident⁵

Vehicle Registration

You need proof of insurance before you can register a vehicle in the state of Nebraska. A new registration costs $15, and you can obtain them either in person at a DMV location or through the mail. Along with an original document proving you have insurance, you’ll also need proof that you’ve paid the sale or excise tax, as well as a copy of a signed lease agreement, if applicable. Find the nearest DMV at https://dmv.nebraska.gov/locations/county-treasurers.

You can renew your registration either through the mail, in person, or online at https://www.nebraska.gov/dmv/vtr/start.cgi. For renewals, you’ll need original proof of insurance again as well as the vehicle’s original registration document.

While Nebraska has a lower rate of uninsured motorists compared to the rest of the country, it still takes uninsured driving seriously. Those convicted of driving without insurance face a misdemeanor on their record, fines, and license suspension.

Make sure to carry proof of insurance any time you drive. We recommend purchasing full coverage, not only to avoid penalties, but also to protect yourself financially if you cause an accident or have other damages. However, a minimum liability policy is still much better than carrying no insurance at all.