Alcohol, Drugs & the Graduated License
Impaired driving is a crime in Nebraska, and new drivers earn privileges in stages, including a rural-focused School Permit. Knowing these limits protects your license and everyone on the road.
Adult BAC limit
A driver 21 or older is legally impaired at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent. You can still be charged at a lower level if alcohol or drugs affect your driving.
Zero tolerance for under 21
Drivers under 21 face a lower limit of 0.02 percent BAC. Any measurable alcohol can lead to a charge and loss of driving privileges for a young driver.
Graduated licensing and the School Permit
Nebraska offers a School Permit (SCP) that lets eligible students who live outside a city drive to and from school as young as about 14, a step many states do not have. A standard Learner's Permit (LPD) follows at about 15, and a Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) at about 16, each with its own restrictions.