Nebraska Vehicle Registration

A Nebraska vehicle registration is documentation the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses to link Cornhusker State residents to the vehicles they own or lease. You can register your vehicle in Nebraska either in person or by mail.

New residents must first have their vehicle inspected by a local sheriff’s office. Registration requires your vehicle’s title, proof of insurance, a receipt for sales and excise tax payment, and payment for your base registration fee.

All cars in Nebraska need to be registered. NE residents who have just purchased a vehicle or are moving to Nebraska must register their car with the state.

Registering a Vehicle in Nebraska

New to Nebraska?

NE residents have 30 days after establishing Nebraska residency to register their vehicle. If the vehicle is titled and registered in another state, new residents of Nebraska must:

Show proof of auto insurance.
Transfer any lien information to your County Treasurer’s office.
Get a vehicle inspection.
Register the vehicle in Nebraska.

The processes for these steps are outlined below.

Transferring Lien Information

NE residents must transfer their vehicle’s lien information to your County Treasurer’s office, if applicable. To do so, visit the County Treasurer’s office and request that they contact the lienholder to convert the title.

Title conversion can be done with an actual copy of the title or a copy of the electronic format of the title. Nebraska residents need to obtain a photocopy or electronic format title after the treasurer’s office has completed the conversion.

Getting a Vehicle Inspection

Vehicles registered out of state must get a visual inspection by the sheriff’s office before they can be registered in Nebraska. To have a vehicle inspected:

Visit an inspection station (the County Treasurer’s office will have information on hours and location for inspections).
Present the vehicle title or a copy of the title on file with the County Treasurer’s office.
Pay the $10 inspection fee.

Inspections are only good for 90 days, after which the vehicle must be re-inspected if they have yet not obtained your registration.

Registering an Out-of-State Vehicle

Once NE residents have completed the above steps, they can go to their County Treasurer’s office and:

Present the out-of-state title (or copy of the title on file with the treasurer’s office, if residents do not have the actual title).
Complete and submit an Application for Certificate of Title (Form RV-707) and pay the $10 application fee (if there is a lien on the vehicle, there is an additional $7 application fee).
Show the certificate of inspection.
Present proof of auto insurance.
Pay any applicable county tax fees.

Leased vehicles will also require a signed copy of the lease agreement during registration.

More About Registering a Vehicle in Nebraska

All vehicles must be registered with the County Treasurer within 30 days of receipt, either in person or by mail. Registration expiration dates are determined by the date the vehicle was purchased. Nebraska residents who own 2 vehicles or more can choose to register the vehicles on an annual basis with an expiration month of their choosing.

Register in Person

To register a Nebraska vehicle in person, residents of this state can visit the County Treasurer’s office and:

Present proof of car insurance (original documents only).
Show receipt of sales and excise tax payment.
Pay any applicable county tax fees if required.

Leased vehicles will also require a signed copy of the lease agreement during registration.

The county treasurer will issue the vehicle registration, new license plates, and stickers when the registration process is complete.

Register by Mail

NE residents need to gather the following documents to register their vehicle by mail:

Proof of car insurance.
Receipt of sales and excise tax payment.
Any applicable county tax fees

Send the documents to the local County Treasurer’s office. NE residents will receive their registration certificate, license plates, and stickers by mail.

Non-Resident Vehicle Registration

Non-residents can operate a properly registered out-of-state vehicle for up to 30 days in Nebraska. After 30 days, the vehicle must be registered according to the New to Nebraska section of this page.

Exemptions to this rule are:

Vehicles from North Carolina and Wyoming, due to reciprocity with those states.
Students attending school in the state full-time (at least 12 credit hours or a full-time graduate program).
Vehicle Registration Fees

Nebraska charges a motor vehicle tax and a motor vehicle fee that is based upon the value and weight of the vehicle being registered, so the charges will vary.

Registration fees for all passenger and leased vehicles are:

Vehicle registration fee: $15
License plate fee: $3.30
County general fund: $1.50
State recreation fund: $1.50
Department of Motor Vehicles cash fund: $2.00
Emergency Medical System operation fund: $.50

Trucks registered as farm trucks will be charged registration fees based upon the weight of the truck. There may be added fees depending on the individual’s county of residence.

Late Fees

Nebraska does not charge late fees. NE residents who do not have a current registration or license plate on their vehicle will be subject to tickets and fines from law enforcement.

Nebraska License Plates

License plates and stickers will be issued at the County Treasurer’s Office at the time of registration unless residents opt for a specialty or vanity license plate. Nebraska residents can also request a sample plate to be delivered to them, to inspect the design before they purchase a plate. The fee is $5 per plate for delivery within the U.S., and $10 per plate for delivery outside the country.

Car Insurance Requirements in Nebraska

All vehicles in Nebraska are required to have auto insurance. Residents of this state must submit an original document showing proof of coverage when registering their vehicle, which contains the following information:

The name of your insurance company.
The name(s) of the insured driver(s).
Insurance policy number.
The year, make, and model of the vehicle.
Coverage dates (beginning and expiration).

Motorcycle Registration in Nebraska

All motorcycles owned by Nebraska residents are required to be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles before operation on the road is allowed. On this page, readers will learn about motorcycle registration for new Nebraska residents AND for long-time Nebraskans who recently purchased a bike.

New Nebraska Residents

After establishing Nebraska residency, new residents will have 30 days to register their motorcycles.

BEFORE submitting a registration application to the DMV, NE residents need to have a VIN inspection performed on their bikes. Once the inspection is complete, residents of Nebraska will receive a certificate of inspection—don’t lose this!

NE residents can then complete the registration process by providing the following items in person OR by mail to their local county treasurer’s office:

The certificate of inspection.
The out-of-state motorcycle title and registration.

Residents of NE who are leasing a motorcycle will also need to provide a copy of the lease agreement.

Proof of:
- Nebraska motorcycle insurance.
- Paid NE sales/excise tax on the bike.
- Payment for the $15 base registration fee PLUS any other applicable fees or taxes.

NE Motorcycle Registration

After purchasing a new OR used motorcycle in Nebraska, NE residents must register it with the Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of the sale date. Nebraska residents can register their motorcycle by submitting the following in person OR by mail to their local county treasurer:

The Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (new bikes) OR the motorcycle’s title signed by the buyer AND seller (used bikes).
- Any open liens on the title must be released by the lienholder.

EITHER a:

Bill of Sale (REV 2014)

Sales/Use Tax and Tire Fee Statement (Form 6)—available from the county treasurer.

If applicable, a copy of the signed lease agreement.
Proof of NE motorcycle insurance.
The $15 base registration fee in addition to any other applicable fees or taxes.

The motorcycle registration will expire according to the purchase date. NE residents who own 2 vehicles or more can register their vehicles at the same time annually in any month they prefer.

Motorcycle Registration Fees & Taxes

NE residents may be required to pay the following fees and taxes when they register their motorcycle in Nebraska:

Registration: $15.
Plate fee: $3.30.
County General Fund: $1.50.
State Recreation Road Fund: $1.50.
Department of Motor Vehicles Cash Fund: $2.
Emergency Medical System Operation Fund: $0.50.
Motor vehicle fee and tax: Based on the value and weight of the motorcycle AND the NE county of residence.

Nebraska residents can contact the local county treasurer’s office for the specific amount.

Boat Registration in Nebraska

Boat registration and titles are issued by the county treasurer offices of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Keep reading this page to learn about titling and registering watercraft with the DMV as well as the qualifications needed to operate a boat on Nebraska state waters.

Boats Requiring NE Title & Registration

By law, all motorized boats in Nebraska built:

AFTER 1972 are required to have a valid hull identification number (HIN).
AFTER November 1, 1972 are required to be titled with the DMV, EXCEPT boats owned by an entity of the United States government OR Nebraska state government.

If the boat doesn’t have a valid HIN and is required to have one, NE residents need to apply for an assigned ID number. To learn about titling a vessel (and exceptions to the rule), continue reading below.

All boats propelled by a mechanical device that’s powered by a gas, diesel, or electric motor, must be registered with the NE Department of Motor Vehicles, with the following exemptions:

Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Vessels owned by any branch of government.
Motorboats registered in another state and kept in Nebraska no more than 60 days.
Motorboats competing in Nebraska-approved races or time trials, 48 hours prior to or after the competition.

Nebraska residents who aren’t sure whether their boat requires titling and registration can contact their local DMV office for clarification.

NE Boat Title & Registration Procedures

To title a vessel, provide the following items at the NE county treasurer’s office in the county where the boat will be located:

A completed Application for Certificate of Title (Form RV-707).
If applicable, a copy of the lien agreement.
The boat’s hull identification number (HIN).
The applicable boat titling fees.

To register a boat with the Nebraska DMV, NE residents need to bring the following items to the county treasurer’s office in the county where the vessel primarily resides:

A proof of ownership document for:

New boats: Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin.
Used boats: Properly assigned title OR bill of sale (if the boat does not require a title).
Documentation regarding Nebraska sales and use tax for:
New vessels: A Sales and Use Tax Statement for Motorboat Sales (Form 6MB), which the boat dealer will provide.
Used vessels: A bill of sale with the boat’s purchase price.
The necessary vessel registration fees.

Depending on the county where Nebraska residents are registering their boat, they may be required to provide additional registration documents.

NE Vessel Title & Registration Fees

The fees required to title and register watercraft with the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles are as follows:

Original/renewal boat registration (depends on the length of your boat):

Class 1 (less than 16 ft AND all canoes): $23.
Class 2 (16 ft to 25 ft): $46.
Class 3 (26 ft to 39 ft): $67.50.
Class 4 (40 ft or longer): $115.
Class 5 (demo permits for dealers or manufacturers): $46.
Motorized vessel additional fee: $5.
Registration issuing fee (in addition to original, renewal, and replacement registration fees): $4.
Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp (paid in addition to original/renewal registration fees): $15 per year.
Boat title: $10.
Lien recording fee: $7.

Replacement:

Vessel registration: $5.
Vessel title: $14.

Sales and use tax:

State: 5.5% of the sale price.
Local: Varies from county to county; call your county treasurer’s office for specifics.

Renew & Replace Boat Registrations & Titles

Boat registrations in Nebraska are valid for 3 years and expire December 31st of the 3rd year.

NE residents can renew their vessel’s registration with the NE Department of Motor Vehicles by providing information about the boat AND the necessary renewal fees:

Online using the DMV’s online services portal.
In person at your local county treasurer’s office.

Replace a Lost Registration or Title

If the Nebraska boat registration or title certificate is lost or damaged, NE residents can request a replacement by providing the items below at their county treasurer’s office:

Proof that your title/registration certificate has been lost or damaged.
For duplicate boat titles ONLY, a completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title (Form RV-707a).
The applicable title/registration replacement fee.

Nebraska Boater Safety Courses

Anyone born after December 31, 1985, who wishes to operate a motorboat OR personal watercraft in Nebraska must:

Be at least 14 years old.

AND

Have completed a state-approved NE boating safety course.

Nebraska residents can fulfill Nebraska’s boating safety education requirement:

By completing a classroom course with an approved education provider nearest to the resident.

Using a home-study booklet OR online study guide to prepare for the required boating exam (which residents of NE will need to pass for certification) at an approved testing location.

NOTE: Individuals who are visitors from out-of-state and have received safety course certification in their home state approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), they can use their out-of-state certification to operate a boat in Nebraska.

Accepted Forms of Payment

The Nebraska DMV accepts these forms of payment:

Cashier’s check
Money order
Debit card
Credit card
VISA
MasterCard

Nebraska residents who choose to mail a cashier’s check or money order need to make them payable to the “Department of Motor Vehicles.”