Teen Driver Ed FAQ
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Teen Driver Education. If you have a question that you need help with, please contact us at safenebraska.org or call us at 402.898.7371.
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Does driver education reduce crashes?
Yes. A University of Nebraska–Lincoln study that tracked more than 150,000 teen drivers over eight years found that teens who did not complete driver education were 24% more likely to be involved in a fatal or injury crash and 75% more likely to get a traffic ticket..
What should my teen do before enrolling?
Before registering, your teen should:
- Obtain a valid Nebraska Learner’s Permit (LPD)
- Register for an NSCN Teen Driver Education course
- Practice driving with a licensed adult before, during, and after the course
Why choose driver education instead of the 50-hour driving log?
Completing a DMV-approved driver education course provides several advantages:
- Learn the rules of the road and build safe driving skills in a controlled setting.
- Receive instruction from a State Certified Driving Instructor. A parent or relative may not be aware of all the recent defensive driving strategies that an approved program teaches.
- Qualify for potential auto insurance discounts.
- Complete the DMV-approved road test with your NSCN instructor (if eligible).
- Avoid tracking 50 hours of supervised driving, which takes several weeks, possibly months, to complete.
How old does my teen need to be to take driver education?
Teens between 15 years old to 17.5 years old who have obtained their Learner’s Permit should enroll in Teen Driver Education. Teens who turn 18 before meeting DMV eligibility requirements may need to complete Adult Driver Education instead. If you’re unsure if your teen will qualify for our Teen Driver Education course, please contact us.
Can my teen take the DMV driving test through NSCN?
Yes! After the class and driving has been completed, NSCN will input the completion information into their database within 2 business days and then upload in the DMV database. Your teen will receive a congratulations email and instructions on how to obtain the POP online, as well as a link to print Certificate of Completion.
Students who take the Adult Driver Education course will have to take the driving test at their local DMV.
How long does the online course take?
The online course takes approximately 30 hours to complete. Students may complete up to 6 hours per day and must finish the course within 30 days of registration or before their last scheduled driving lesson, whichever comes first.
Students must complete at least 6 hours of online coursework before their first behind-the-wheel lesson.
Where do behind-the-wheel lessons begin?
Unless other arrangements have been made, students meet their instructor at the Omaha facility of the National Safety Council – Nebraska Chapter: 3111 Oak View Drive, Omaha, NE 68144.
What happens after my teen completes the course?
After your teen completes the classroom or online instruction, behind-the-wheel training, and road test, NSCN submits the completion information to the Nebraska DMV. You’ll receive an email with instructions for obtaining the Provisional Operator’s Permit (POP) and a link to download the Certificate of Completion, which may qualify for insurance discounts.
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What are the refund and reschedule policies?
- NSCN may issue a full refund up to 2 weeks prior to the start date of class. No refunds will be given once class has started – both in person and online. Once your online code has been redeemed on AAA’s page, a refund option will not be available.
- Cancellations within 2 weeks of start date are subject to a 25% cancellation fee.
- Once you have started your class/behind the wheel, a reschedule fee of $60.00 will apply to each reschedule.
- There are additional fees for missed classroom sessions, additional drive sessions, and/or re-test of driving test. Contact us for pricing and to schedule.
What should my teen do before enrolling?
Before registering, your teen should:
- Obtain a valid Nebraska Learner’s Permit (LPD)
- Register for an NSCN Teen Driver Education course
- Practice driving with a licensed adult before, during, and after the course
What are the requirements for a Nebraska Learner's Permit (LPD)?
To obtain a Learner’s Permit, students must:
- Be at least 15 years of age
- Provide proof of age/identity (certified birth certificate and proof of social security number)
- Pass a written test at the Department of Motor Vehicles
- Proof of principal residence (two documents needed, acceptable documents can be found here)
How does my teen earn a Provisional Operator's Permit (POP)?
To qualify for a POP, students must:
- Successfully complete an approved driver education course or complete the required 50-hour supervised driving log with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old (must include at least 10 hours of motor vehicle operation between sunset and sunrise)
- Hold a Learner’s Permit, School Learner’s Permit, or School Permit for at least six months
- Have fewer than three points on their driving record during the previous six months
What restrictions apply to a Provisional Operator's Permit?
POP holders may:
- Drive without supervision between 6:00 a.m. and midnight
- Carry only one passenger under age 19 who is not an immediate family member (only applies during the first six months after obtaining the POP)
- Not use a handheld wireless communication device while driving. This includes, but is not limited to: a mobile or cellular phone, a text messaging device, a personal digital assistant that sends or receives messages, an audio-video player that sends or receives messages, or a laptop computer. Go here for more information on the dangers of distracted driving.
Who can get a school permit?
- Applicants must be at least 14 years and two months old, but younger than 16 years and three months to be issued a School Permit (SCP)
- If you live a distance of one and one-half miles or more from the school he or she attends and either resided outside a city of 5,000 or more or attends a school outside a city of 5,000 or more
How can parents help teens become safer drivers?
Parents have a major influence on safe driving habits. We recommend:
- Talking through your driving decisions while you’re behind the wheel.
- Helping your teen recognize road signs, pavement markings, and potential hazards.
- Practicing left turns, intersections, lane changes, parking, and other everyday driving situations.
- Giving your teen plenty of supervised practice driving time before, during, and after driver education.
The more experience teens gain with a licensed adult, the more prepared they’ll be to drive independently.
There are also free resources parents can access from the National Safety Council that parents can use to reinforce safe driving habits. We also encourage parents to download NSCN’s free guide to go through with their teen.