Nebraska Driver's Manual (Class O): study guide

Key rules by chapter

A few of the rules from each chapter that come up in our practice questions:

1. Nebraska License to Drive

• Any new resident with a valid license from another state must obtain a Nebraska license within 30 days.
• Under GDL rules, using any interactive wireless communication device while driving carries a $200 fine for a first offense, plus points.
• A POP holder is limited to one passenger younger than 19 who isn't an immediate family member for the first 6 months.

2. Important Driver Information

• It is unlawful for a driver under 21 to drive with a BAC of .02% or higher; the .08% limit applies to all drivers and .04% to commercial drivers.
• It is unlawful to drive a commercial motor vehicle with a BAC of .04% or higher.
• The administrative sanction for refusal is one year of license revocation; criminal penalties match those for a DUI with BAC .15 or over.

3. Signs, Signals and Markings

• A flashing red light at a railroad crossing requires a complete stop even if no train is visible.
• Turning on a red arrow is prohibited in Nebraska.
• Left on red after stopping is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless prohibited.

4. Rules of the Road

• Move into a lane at least one lane away from the stopped vehicle; if you can't, reduce speed and keep a safe speed while passing.
• Up to $100 for a first offense; up to $500 and/or up to 7 days in jail for later offenses.
• Drivers in minor, no-injury crashes on interstates or freeways should drive drivable vehicles to the nearest shoulder.

5. Special Driving Conditions

• Minimum speed on the interstate is 40 mph.
• The solid white line on the left separates same-direction lanes. Once the broken white line begins, adjust speed, signal and merge into a safe gap.
• Signal and move into the proper lane a mile or more before the exit, then slow down in the deceleration lane.

6. Sharing the Road With Other Users

• About one-third of motorcycle crashes involve another vehicle, and nearly 40 percent of those were caused by the other vehicle turning left in front of the motorcyclist.
• Allow three or four seconds behind a motorcycle so the rider can maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Bicyclists ride as far right as practical, but may use the lane when it's too narrow to share safely.

7. If You're Involved in a Crash

• Send the report to the Department of Transportation within ten days if someone is injured or killed or damage reaches $1,500, unless an officer investigated.
• A report is required if anyone is injured or killed, or apparent damage to any one person's property equals or exceeds $1,500.
• Failing to report is a Class II or III misdemeanor and may result in license revocation.

How to study the handbook

Read one chapter, then take a practice test. Every answer explanation names the handbook section it comes from, so when you get one wrong, go back to that section. Pay most attention to exact numbers and to the rules specific to Nebraska, which are where most people lose points.