LINCOLN- Today, at his daily coronavirus briefing, Governor Pete Ricketts announced an executive order waiving the requirement for older Nebraskans to renew their driver’s licenses in-person. Normally, Nebraskans age 72 or older must appear in-person to renew a license. However, the coronavirus has made it advisable to practice social distancing to encourage health and safety.
As a result of the Governor’s executive order, Class O and motorcycle licenses set to expire from March 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020—for Nebraskans 72 or older—will be extended for one year from the date of expiration printed on the license.
Rhonda Lahm, Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), joined Gov. Ricketts for this afternoon’s press briefing. She talked about the Governor’s executive order and other steps the DMV has taken to serve Nebraskans while promoting physical distancing.
Gov. Ricketts: DMV
- The DMV department made an extra effort to engage with third-party driving schools to ensure those residents who needed a CDL license were able to get one.
- This partnership has helped over 700 new commercial (CDL) drivers obtain their licenses since March 1st.
- To aid the continued pandemic response and to help protect vulnerable Nebraskans, Rickett’s signed Executive Order 20-25. It will extend driver licenses for Nebraskans who are 72 years of age and older for one year.
Gov. Ricketts said, “This will help ensure that many of our seniors do not wait in the DMV for service while we are trying to protect them and slow the spread of the virus.”
Director Lahm: DMV
- This executive order will extend the expiration date of all driver licenses, for drivers aged 72 and older, whose license expires between March 1 and December 31, 2020 for one year from the date of expiration.
- DMV services have continued to be available in all counties where the DMV has been able to provide service. However, due to the closure of county offices and other buildings, many DMV locations have been temporarily closed.
- In March, the Governor’s executive order extended the expiration date for all driver’s licenses and state IDs until 30 days after the emergency declaration is lifted.
- This was great news for our customers who no longer had to rush to renew their licenses. However, when we suspended drive tests, we had more than a few disappointed teenagers.
- Drive tests will begin again tomorrow (Wednesday, May 27th).
- Services will be available in all counties where courthouses are open to walk-in public traffic.
- The DMV will continue to operate its standard practice for drive tests in the Omaha Metro South office in Bellevue.
- To set up a driver’s test, customers can call that office to schedule an appointment.
- Details can be found on the DMV website at dmv.nebraska.gov.
The DMV is reassigning teammates, hiring temporary staff, and extending their operating hours in facilities where they are permitted to do so in order to increase service capacity. They anticipate being able to administer more than double their standard capacity of skills tests in the Omaha Metro area. They will ramp up further capacity as more temporary teammates come on board. Teammates will be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment to help safeguard the health and safety of customers and examiners.
Given the confined quarters of the vehicle, and consistent with recommendations from CDC and OSHA, the DMV will require customers to wear a face-covering while participating in a driving test.
They are asking anyone who is unwell to please stay home. They will be happy to reschedule your drive test for a different day.
