Get to Know the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles

Statement

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

For many Nebraskans, two of the most important functions of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) involve maintaining driver records and vehicle records in Nebraska. The department is responsible for issuing licenses and maintaining records for all drivers, in addition to commercial truck drivers and individuals seeking a state ID card.

DMV officials handling license and ID programs are also responsible for certifying Nebraska's driver training and commercial driver training programs. They ensure Nebraska's driver license and ID cards meet federal guidelines. Last year, the DMV began issuing a new digital card that is more secure, which will allow drivers to renew their identification cards online in the near future.

DMV must also ensure new drivers have the knowledge and skills to be responsible drivers. The department has become more efficient in administering driver exams using a combination of 13 permanent testing stations located in Omaha, Papillion, Lincoln, Kearney, Hastings, Grand Island, North Platte, and Gering, and mobile examiners who rotate through the rest of Nebraska's counties.

The DMV's mobile staff use 53 units equipped with everything needed to administer an electronic driver's exam, log driver information, take photos and print temporary licenses. Mobile staff work primarily from county courthouses and visit each county at least once a month.

Registering and maintaining records on cars, trucks and other vehicles, and collecting taxes and fees is another key responsibility of the DMV. That process has been made faster and easier as Nebraskans can now use the DMV website to calculate sales taxes and fees prior to buying a new vehicle, ordering specialty plates, and renewing license plates online.

New drivers can practice for the driver exam using practice tests online and can even access newly developed iPhone and iPad applications for the Nebraska driver's test. In 2008, Nebraska was the first state to give users the option of reinstating a suspended license online. Prior to launching this new online service, most citizens had to travel 40 to 350 miles to the Lincoln DMV offices to reinstate their license.

With more than 55,000 reinstatements processed each year, the online option is far more convenient which is why the online license reinstatement service won the Center for Digital Government's award for online applications between citizens and government.

Director Beverly Neth has aggressively pursued the switch to digital services as a way to offer greater flexibility and faster service to Nebraskans, while enhancing efficiency, security and allowing for greater coordination with other state agencies.

One example is the work of the DMV Fraud Unit which includes crime and fraud analysts and sworn officers who work with the Nebraska State Patrol, FBI and immigration enforcement officials, and local law enforcement. Since the digital driver license system was put in place last July, 24 felony arrest warrants have been issued and 520 investigations of fraud and identity theft have been launched.

The DMV also works with the courts and law enforcement agencies to suspend and revoke licenses, add traffic violation data to driver records, and regulate the motor carrier industry in Nebraska. The department has collaborated with the Department of Revenue to collect back taxes on license plate fees.

The DMV is a great example of how the innovative use of technology and collaboration can provide better services to citizens. The next time you do business with the DMV visit www.dmv.ne.gov to view the range of services available online to assist you.

Dave Heineman

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