How Much Do Nebraska License Plates Cost?

If you buy a used car from a private seller in Nebraska, you’ll need to get a new license plate when you go to register the vehicle. A standard Nebraska passenger vehicle plate costs $8.20 on top of registration fees.
Nebraska also has a variety of specialty and personalized plates to choose from, which cost more. Additional taxes and fees apply to both new and renewal registrations.

Let’s get into the details of license plate costs in the great state of Nebraska.

The Cost of License Plates in Nebraska

Nebraska license plate costs range from $8.20 to $70, depending on which type of plate you choose.

Here are the options Nebraska offers for passenger vehicle plates:

Personalized plates
Specialty plates
Military plates
Disability plates

How Much are Standard License Plates in Nebraska?

Standard Nebraska license plates cost $8.20 in any of the following scenarios:

When you first register your vehicle
When buying a used car in Nebraska
When replacing damaged, lost or stolen plates

How Much are Personalized Plates in Nebraska?

Want to make a statement? Personalized plates, also referred to as message license plates, let you customize your ride with a unique letter and number combo. There's a $40 production fee plus the $8.20 standard plate cost. The NE county treasurer's office can walk you through getting a customized 7-character Nebraska plate.

When selecting the lettering for your custom Nebraska plate, there are some restrictions:

You are limited to 7 total characters and spaces
No special characters or punctuation can be used
Offensive or inappropriate words and phrases are prohibited

How Much are Nebraska Specialty Plates?

Show some team spirit or support a cause with specialty plates. Nebraska allows you to choose between conservation themes, military service plates, and awareness campaigns. A Nebraska specialty plate costs from $40 to $70, depending on the organization you choose.

Here are some of the available designs.

Breast Cancer Awareness
Mountain Lion Conservation
Amateur Radio Operator
Native American Cultural Awareness
Sammy's Superheroes
Down Syndrome Awareness
Good Life Outside
Donate Life
Prostate Cancer Awareness
Support the Arts
Wildlife Conservation (Sandhill Crane, Bighorn Sheep, Ornate Box Turtle)
Support Our Troops
Pets for Vets
Josh the Otter Water Safety
Nebraska History
Husker Spirit

For more information about specialty license plates, visit Nebraska’s official website.
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How Much are Nebraska Military License Plates?

Nebraska offers several military license plate designs to showcase service and support veterans programs.

A few key options include:

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) plates are available at no cost to verified DAV members.
Ex-Prisoner of War plates are issued free of charge to verified POWs.
Pearl Harbor Survivor plates are available at no cost to verified Pearl Harbor survivors.
Purple Heart plates are issued free of charge to verified Purple Heart recipients.
Honor Plates representing the Navy Seabees, Air National Guard, Air Force, and Navy are available for $5.
Gold Star Family plates are issued free of charge to eligible Gold Star family members.
Active military personnel and veteran Nebraska National Guard members can obtain plates starting at $5.

How Much are Nebraska Handicap License Plates?

Nebraska offers several types of disability license plates and placards to accommodate individuals with disabilities. These plates and placards provide designated parking access and other privileges to better serve disabled residents.

The main options include:

Permanent handicapped or disabled person plates are available to qualified disabled individuals at no cost. This is a permanent disability plate that does not expire.
Temporary handicapped or disabled person plates are available for temporary disabilities at no cost. These plates expire after 180 days.
Organization handicapped plates are available to organizations transporting disabled people. The cost is $10.
Handicapped or disabled person parking permits. Plastic placards are available at no cost for display in vehicles with disabled occupants. Can be moved between vehicles.

How Much are Commercial Vehicle License Plates in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, commercial vehicle plates are priced according to vehicle weight and type. Prices range from $31 for light trucks up to $2,430 for heavy trucks over 78,000 lbs.

How Much are Motorcycle License Plates in Nebraska?

In Nebraska, motorcycle license plates cost $16 annually.

How Much is a Trailer Plate In Nebraska?

Nebraska, trailer license plates fees depend on the weight of the trailer:

How Much are Motor Home (RV) Plates In Nebraska?

In Nebraska, motorhome license plates cost $40 annually.

Does Nebraska Require a Front License Plate?

Nebraska requires two license plates on your vehicle: one on the front and another on the rear. This two-plate requirement applies to most vehicle types, including passenger vehicles, trucks, vans, and motorcycles.

Across the US, some states require a rear license plate only, while other states require an additional front license plate.

What do I do With Old License Plates in Nebraska?

When you receive new Nebraska license plates, either during renewal or for a new vehicle registration, you will need to properly dispose of your old plates.

Here are your main options:

Return: Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offices and county treasurer's offices will take back your old plates when issuing new ones and properly dispose of them. This is the recommended option.
Recycle: you can remove any registration stickers and recycle the aluminum plates through your local recycling program, if available in your area.
Keep: some people opt to keep old license plates as souvenirs or decorations. Just be sure to invalidate any active registration stickers.
Transfer: in Nebraska, you can legally transfer license plates from one vehicle to another with proper paperwork through the DMV.

It’s always a good idea to deface your old license plate before returning or recycling it. This prevents someone else from illegally using it. Always remove registration stickers before disposing of your plate.

See our state-by-state guide to license plates to learn which states require removal from the vehicle and which states allow the plates to remain with the vehicle when it’s sold.

How to Apply for Nebraska License Plates?

Here are the steps for getting a new license plate from the NE county treasurer's office.

1. Gather documentation. You will need a certificate of title, proof of insurance, valid driver's license or ID, and vehicle information.
2. Visit your local county treasurer's office There are 93 county treasurer's offices in Nebraska that handle registrations.
3. Complete required forms. Fill out and submit the vehicle registration application.
4. Pay applicable fees. This includes the registration fee, title fee, if applicable, and license plate fees.
5. Get your plates and car registration. You will receive your plates and registration documents from the county office once they are approved.
6. Display plates. Attach your plates to the front and rear of the vehicle.

License Plate Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Nebraska license plates:

Nebraska requires a front plate as well as a rear plate, unlike some states which require a rear plate only.
Passenger license plates measure 6 by 12 inches and are rectangular—in Nebraska and across the US.
Motorcycle license plates are a bit smaller, measuring 4 by 7 inches.
The Nebraska license plate has up to six characters. (Across the US, license plate formats range from 6 to 8 characters.)

How to Transfer a Vehicle Title in Nebraska?

Transferring a vehicle title is the legal process of changing ownership of the vehicle. If you sell a car without transferring the title, then you may be liable for any accidents caused by the vehicle and its driver. Nebraska vehicle title transfers cost $10.

Here is what you’ll need for the NE title transfer process:

The original title signed and dated by both the buyer and seller
Application for certificate of title
Evidence of insurance card
The current odometer reading recorded on the original title
Payment for the title transfer fee: $10

Read our complete guide to a Nebraska tle transfer for more info on the subject.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Vehicle in Nebraska?

The standard registration fee for passenger vehicles in Nebraska is $15.

To complete the registration in Nebraska, you'll need to provide:

1. Proof of ownership
2. The application for vehicle registration (Form VP222)
3. Proof of insurance
4. Driver's license
5. Vehicle identification number (VIN)
6. Payment for the vehicle registration fee: $15

Anyone with Nebraska residency can register their vehicle at the county treasurer's office. Renewals must be completed annually before the registration expiration date.

Nebraska License Plate Replacement Fees

If your license plate is stolen, lost, or damaged, you will need to replace it through your county treasurer's office. The fee for a lost set of plates is $16.20.

If you have lost a plate, you must do the following:

Submit your registration
Vehicle identification number
Proof of insurance that shows the name of the insurance company, year, make, and model of the vehicle, and the expiration date of the insurance policy.
Picture identification

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Sell Your Car In Nebraska

Here’s how you can sell your car in Nebraska with a few simple steps:

1. Gather the required paperwork for selling a car in Nebraska
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Nebraska License Plates FAQ


What is the motor vehicle fee in Nebraska?

Motor vehicle tax (fee) in Nebraska is an annual tax levied on the value of a vehicle. They are paid at the county treasurer's office in the county in which the vehicle is registered. The tax amount is determined by the Nebraska Department of Revenue based on the vehicle's value.

Vehicle sales taxes, on the other hand, are levied when a vehicle is bought.

What is the role of Nebraska DMV offices?


Does Nebraska charge excise tax on vehicle purchases?


How much is Nebraska registration renewal?