Driving on a Suspended License in Nebraska

In Nebraska, your license can be suspended or revoked for various reasons. Suspensions and revocations might result from criminal convictions, violations of administrative rules, or certain traffic violations. But, regardless of the reason for the loss of driving privileges, driving during a suspension or revocation is a criminal offense.

Reasons for Suspension or Revocation

Depending on the situation, suspension or revocation can be mandatory or discretionary. For example, a judge has the option to suspend your license if you are convicted of motor vehicle violations under circumstances where you endangered another person or property of another. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-496 (2026).)

In other scenarios, revocation is mandatory. Examples of criminal convictions that lead to mandatory revocation include:

• vehicular manslaughter
• felonies where a vehicle is used
• failure to stop if you are involved in an accident in which another person was injured or killed
• driving under the influence (DUI), and
• three charges of reckless driving within 12 months.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-498 (2026).)

Your license can also be revoked for refusing to submit to an alcohol test in violation of the state's implied consent laws (even if you're not convicted of a DUI). (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-498.01 (2026).)

Your license may be administratively revoked by the state if you:

• are the driver in an accident in which someone was injured or killed, or which involved serious property damage
• are a habitually reckless or negligent driver
• habitually violate traffic laws
• are incompetent to drive a motor vehicle, or
• committed fraud when you applied for a license.

(Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-499 (2026).)

These are just some of the reasons you might lose driving privileges. Lots of other circumstances can lead to suspension or revocation of your license.

Reinstating Your License

The duration of your suspension or revocation depends on the circumstances. After your period of suspension or revocation expires, you typically need to pay a reinstatement fee and might be required to meet other conditions before you'll be allowed to lawfully drive again. The reinstatement fees are $50 after a suspension and $125 after a revocation. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 60-499.01, 60-4,100.01, 60-694.01 (2026).)

Criminal Charges for Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

Driving on a revoked or suspended license is generally a misdemeanor, but it can be a felony in some cases.

Misdemeanor Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

As noted above, most driving on suspended or revoked license cases are misdemeanors. Here are the classifications and possible penalties for different types of offenses:

• Standard first offense driving on a suspended license. Generally, driving while suspended is a class III misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500 and a maximum of three months in jail. The court also may revoke the driver's license for up to one year and may impose a period of probation. However, a driver who obtains a reinstated license before sentencing will be fined no more than $100.
• Failure to reinstate a revoked driver's license. Drivers whose license revocation period has ended but who haven’t reinstated their license can also be charged with a class III misdemeanor driving on a suspended license. The potential punishments are the same as above, including the ability to get a fine of no more than $100 by reinstating the driver’s license before sentencing.
• Standard first offense driving on a revoked license. Generally, a first violation of driving on a suspended or revoked license is a class II misdemeanor and carries a maximum of six months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and at least another year of revocation time.
• Standard second or third driving on a revoked license. Generally, a second or third driving-on-a-suspended-or-revoked violation is a class II misdemeanor and carries a maximum of six months in jail, up to $1,000 in fines, and at least another two years of revocation time.
• Standard fourth or subsequent driving on a revoked license. Generally, a fourth or subsequent violation of driving on a suspended or revoked license is a class I misdemeanor. A conviction carries up to a year in jail, a maximum $1,000 fine, and at least another two years of revocation time.

The court also may order probation for the misdemeanor offenses. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-106, 60-4,108 (2026).)

Felony Driving on a Suspended or Revoked License

Driving during suspensions or revocations related to certain offenses—like vehicular manslaughter—is a class IV felony. Driving on a license that was suspended for a DUI or refusing an alcohol test generally is a misdemeanor, but it also can be a class IV felony under some circumstances. A class IV felony driving on a suspended license carries up to 2 years in prison, up to 12 months of supervised probation, up to $10,000 in fines, and a 15-year license revocation. (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 28-105, 28-306, 60-6,197.06 (2026).)

Operating a vehicle during a DUI-related suspension is also considered a "public nuisance." The court can order impoundment of the vehicle for up to 30 days for a public nuisance. (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 60-4,110 (2026).)

Legal Help for Charges of Driving After Suspension or Revocation

You may face severe consequences if you are convicted of driving during suspension or revocation of your license. So, if you're arrested for one of these offenses, you should talk to an experienced attorney. A qualified lawyer can help you understand what you're up against and advise you on how best to handle your situation.