Our Guide to Trucking in Nebraska

Category: Product Support

If trucking rules across the United States are generally comparable from state to state, there are many differences in the details that you need to be aware of. If you’re driving in or through Nebraska, you want to be sure you’re following all of the rules to stay safe and avoid costly fines and time-consuming inspections and seizures.

Here at NMC Truck Centers, we have put together a list of what you need to know as a truck driver in Nebraska. This list is accurate at the time of writing, but check back frequently, since rules can change.

Useful Information for Nebraska Truck Drivers
All drivers in Nevada will want to be aware of these trucking rules and regulations:

License Info
You must obtain a Nebraska Commercial Driver’s License in the following situations:

• You are driving a towed vehicle with a GVWR or GVW of more than 10,000 lbs.
• The combined GVWR or GVW of tow + towed vehicles is more than 26,000 lbs.
• The GVWR or GVW of the power unit itself is more than 26,000 lbs.
• The vehicle is designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver).
• The vehicle is designed to carry a hazardous materials placard.

Depending on the number of these conditions met, you are required by state law to possess a Class A, Class B, or Class C license. Use the following table to determine which of the license Classes suits your loads and the nature of the load and power unit you will be driving

Age Limitations
You must be 18 of years of age or older to obtain a Class A, B or C license for Intrastate operation of an applicable vehicle within the state of Nebraska.

You must be 21 years of age or older to obtain a Class A, B or C license for Interstate operation of an applicable vehicle across state lines.

Size and Weight Restrictions
There are limits on the length of vehicle and load you can operate in Nebraska without obtaining a CDL:

• Single vehicle including load = 40’
• Semitrailer excluding truck = 53’
• Other single trailer/load excluding truck = 53’
• Semitrailer and trailer including load and connecting devices = 65’
• Any other combination of single or multiple loads = 65’

Width is generally restricted to 8’6” on the Interstate system, while height is limited to 14’6”

Exceptions to length, height and width restrictions exist for certain vehicles and in certain situations and are often related to moving oversized agricultural, mining or industrial equipment. In most cases, there are restrictions on the types of roads to be used, travel speeds, hours of exemption (usually daylight hours) and distance from location of operation.

Check the Nebraska State Patrol guide for detailed information on truck/load size and weight restrictions.

Permits
The State of Nebraska has put in place a permit system to allow exceptions in special cases, including overweight, oversize, slow-moving, garbage/refuse, etc. You can obtain a permit online at the Nebraska Department of Roads website for the following classes of transport:

• Single-trip: Includes single-trip permits for over-dimensional, overweight, over-dimensional and overweight, self-propelled equipment and two-axle flotation loads.
• Manufactured home: New/dealer or used manufactured home transportation.
• Continuous trips: Covers repeated transport of statewide envelope vehicles, statewide empty semitrailers, local over-dimensional, local overweight, local over-dimensional and overweight, local self-propelled, interstate self-propelled and flotation loads.
• Other: Permits for conditional interstate use, buildings/slow moving large objects, garbage/refuse trucks, seasonally harvested products and annual implement of husbandry (limited to dealer use on the I-80).

Safety Regulations
Like all states, Nebraska has a strict set of regulations governing trucking and transportation within and across state lines that are dictated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR). These include:

• Drug and alcohol testing
• Possessing a CDL
• Safety fitness procedures
• Rules of practice
• Financial responsibility
• Qualifications of drivers
• Driving of commercial motor vehicles
• Parts and accessories
• Hours of service
• Inspection, repair and maintenance
• Transportation of hazardous materials

Detailed information on these parts can be found at the FMCSA website and should be consulted often. It is your responsibility to ensure that all drivers are aware of and comply with all Federal and State safety regulations when operating a truck.

Speed Rules
Drivers operating a truck with or without load must obey all posted speed limitations. Speed limits can vary from road to road, so always pay close attention to posted speed limitations, including construction slow down areas and reduced speeds through corners and on ramps.

Handy Online Resources
Bookmark this guide and check back often to see about any changes. You can also check out these useful webpages if you have any questions about rules, guidelines and permits for driving a truck in Nebraska:

• The Nebraska State Patrol Nebraska Truck Information Guide
• The Nebraska Trucking Association website
• The Nebraska CDL Practice Test Prep Program site
• The Nebraska Department of Roads webpage

Being aware of trucking rules and regulations in Nebraska not only makes trucking safer for everyone, but can also help you avoid costly fines and the risk of having your trucks taken off the road. If you have any questions or are looking for additional information, feel free to contact our NMC Truck Centers team.

We would be happy to point you in the right direction and help you find the answers you need so that you’re in compliance with the law and sure to arrive safely and on-time to your next destination in Nebraska or beyond.