A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Nebraska to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Nebraska CDL fees start at $55 for a 5-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Nebraska CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA background check and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Important for anhydrous ammonia transport in Nebraska's agriculture sector — one of the most common HazMat cargos in the state.
Required for liquid or gas bulk tank operations. Commonly needed for anhydrous ammonia fertilizer tankers, fuel haulers, and ethanol transport from Nebraska's many ethanol plants.
Required for buses carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required in Nebraska.
Required for pulling double or triple trailers. Class A CDL required. Nebraska's flat I-80 corridor is one of the most active double-trailer routes in the US.
Combination of H and N endorsements; TSA background check applies. Essential for anhydrous ammonia tanker operators — Nebraska uses more anhydrous ammonia fertilizer per year than almost any other state.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Nebraska →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. The MEC is valid for up to 24 months (shorter for drivers with certain conditions). Submit the MEC copy to Nebraska DMV and self-certify as 'non-excepted interstate'.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Nebraska DMV driver licensing location with proof of identity, Nebraska residency, and Social Security Number. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL original fee is $55.
Nebraska CDLs are valid for 5 years — one of the longer renewal cycles in the Midwest, which reduces the frequency and cost of renewals. Your DOT Medical Certificate is separate and most interstate drivers must renew it every 24 months or as required by your examiner.
Yes. Nebraska allows 8-axle combination vehicles to operate at up to 96,000 lbs gross vehicle weight on designated state routes — significantly above the standard 80,000 lb federal limit. This benefits grain, livestock, and sugar beet haulers. Check NDOT for approved routes before operating over 80,000 lbs.
Anhydrous ammonia is both a bulk tank cargo and a hazardous material, so drivers need both the N (Tank Vehicle) and H (Hazardous Materials) endorsements — or the combined X endorsement. The H endorsement requires a TSA background check and fingerprinting. This is the most common endorsement combination for Nebraska agricultural drivers.
Omaha is a major logistics hub with intermodal drayage to Union Pacific terminals, LTL operations at multiple freight terminals, and distribution center work for national retailers. The I-80 corridor from Omaha to North Platte hosts dozens of truckstop-adjacent carrier terminals. OTR, regional, and local positions are all available in strong numbers.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in Nebraska on TruckRadar.
Nebraska CDL fees are moderate at $55. The 5-year renewal cycle is one of the longer intervals in the Midwest. Fees subject to change — verify current amounts at dmv.nebraska.gov. Skills test fees vary by location. DOT Medical Certificate must be renewed separately per FMCSA requirements.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Nebraska NE Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026