Young Drivers that complete Drivers Training are one and one/half times less likely to be involved in crashes causing death or injury.
The Nebraska Safety Center Offers Driver Education year-around. The Nebraska Safety Center provides four phases of instruction to students learning to drive. The first phase is the classroom. The second and third phases include a driving range and simulation facility and are house at the Ron and Carol Cope Nebraska Safety Center for Safety Education and Research in Kearney (Driving Range). Simulation develops perception, judgment, exposure to a variety of road surfaces, driver impairment and reaction skills. Students practice vehicle operation and specific maneuvers during the multiple vehicle driving range phase. The fourth phase is on-street instruction in actual traffic situations. High schools in Nebraska can contract with the Nebraska Safety Center for the full four phase program or for partial programs. An adult driver education class is also available.
For more information about our Driver Education Program contact DeAnn Keith at (308) 865-8256 or keithdc@unk.edu
Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) - Individual may apply and take the tests 60 days prior to
their 16th birthday. However, the POP cannot be issued until the individual turns 16, has held an LPE,
LPD or SCP for at least six months and has not accumulated three or more points on their driving record
during the six month period immediately preceding the POP application date. The POP expires on the
applicant's 18th birthday. The POP allows an individual to operate a motor vehicle unsupervised in
Nebraska from 6 a.m. - 12 midnight. Individuals may drive unsupervised between 12 midnight and 6 a.m.
if they are driving to or from home to work or a school activity. Individuals may drive anytime if they
are accompanied by a parent, guardian or licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. During the first
six months of the POP, the holder can only operate a motor vehicle with no more than one passenger who
is not an immediate family member and who is under nineteen years of age.
We encourage all students to have a school permit or a learners permit before enrolling in a Drivers Education Course.
School Learner’s Permit (LPE) – An LPE is issued for the purpose of allowing a
student to legally practice driving for a School Permit. Individuals applying for an LPE
must be eligible for a School Permit and meet all School Permit criteria. Individuals must
be at least 14, but younger than 16 years to apply for an LPE. The LPE is valid for three
months and may be renewed. LPE holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at
least 21 years old. Applicant must pass the vision and written tests prior to the LPE being
issued.
School Permit (SCP) – An SCP can be issued if such person lives a distance of one and
one-half miles or more from the school he or she attends and either resides outside a city of
5,000 or more or attends a school outside a city of 5,000 or more. A person holding an SCP may
operate a motor vehicle: 1) unsupervised to and from where he or she attends school and between
schools of enrollment over the most direct and accessible route by the nearest highway from his
or her place of residence to transport such person or any family member who resides with such
person to attend duly scheduled courses of instructions and extracurricular or school-related
activities at the school he or she attends; or 2) any time when accompanied by a licensed driver
who is at least 21 years old.
Learner's Permits (LPD) - Individual may apply and take the written test 60 days prior to their
15th birthday. However, the LPD cannot be issued until the individual turns 15. LPD holders must be
accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The applicant must pass the vision and
written tests prior to the LPD being issued. The written test will be waived for any person who has been
issued an LPE, SCP or previous LPD that is valid or has been expired for no more than one year. The LPD
is valid for one year and may be renewed.