Nebraska License Plate Lookup

Planning to buy a car in Nebraska? The state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) manages all vehicle titling and registration processes, as well as the issuance of license plates. Any vehicle that has not yet been titled and registered must do so within 30 days of purchase. As of 2024, Nebraska has approximately 2.4 million registered vehicles. With our free lookup service at VinFreeCheck, you can easily conduct a license plate search for Nebraska-registered cars. Simply enter the license plate number in the search box, select Nebraska as the registration state, and view the results.

Speed Buster

Nebraska has one of the highest speed limits in the United States. On certain rural interstate highways, the speed limit can reach up to 75 mph. This high-speed limit is designed to facilitate efficient travel across the state’s vast, open landscapes.

Locating Your Nebraska License Plate Number

Like most states, Nebraska requires two plates to be mounted: one on the front, and one on the rear (with some exceptions, such as motorcycles only requiring one). You can also find the plate number on the vehicle’s registration certificate issued by the state DMV, or on other documents such as the vehicle’s motor insurance.

How Do I Obtain a License Plate in Nebraska?

Once you complete a vehicle’s titling and registration processes, you can proceed to apply for a license plate. For titling, you’re required to bring the following to the county treasurer’s office:

• A completed Application for Certificate of Title, signed by all relevant parties (for married couples, either person can sign for both)
• Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO)
• The out-of-state title, if you’re moving to Nebraska from another state
• Proof of Financial Responsibility (Insurance)
• Proof that sales or excise tax has been paid
• Payment of all relevant fees

First time registrations can be done in person or via mail. Once everything is in order, you’ll receive your registration certificate, license plates and validation tabs.

Non-residents who bought a car in Nebraska may be issued a temporary 30-day plate so that they can operate the vehicle and return to their home state. This only applies to non-residents who’re not staying in Nebraska and are only buying a car in the state. However, the DMV makes no clear stipulations on how a resident can operate their car in the state if they’ve not received their plates.

Renewals can be performed through the DMV’s online service. Additional information can be obtained by contacting them through the relevant channels.

License Plates Available in Nebraska

Standard plate: These are the default plates drivers are typically issued. 2023 will introduce a new plate design. Standard plates use the following format: ABC 123.

Message plate: These are basically personalized plates, allowing you to have up to seven characters to create a custom message for your license plate number. Only alphanumeric characters are allowed, and no vulgar or offensive messages can be used. You can check the availability of your desired message here.

Lancaster, Douglas, and Sarpy county are eligible to apply for county message plates if they want to “retain their regular county issued plate in place of the alpha/numeric plates.”

Disability plate: These are issued to persons “medically certified as permanently handicapped or disabled.” There are also temporary and permanent handicapped parking permits available.

Military plate: These are available for currently, or formerly, serving members of the US military. Special plates are also available for medal recipients or participation in prior military campaigns.

Specialty plate: These plates exist for people who want to identify with or show support to certain organizations, groups, interests, and charities. Plate designs include:

• Prostate Cancer Awareness
• Down Syndrome Awareness
• Amateur Radio
• Native American
• Wildlife Conservation
• Support Our Troops
• Corn Growers Association
• Collegiate plates