Nebraska
Title Fee
$10.00
Sales Tax Rate
5.5%
Other Tax Rate
Who must title a vehicle in Nebraska?
All motor vehicles, trailers, motorboats, ATVs, and UTVs must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: ATVs/minibikes purchased before 2004, UTVs before 2011, low-speed vehicles before 2012 (unless registered for use), trailers ≤9,000 lbs. (including load), farm trailers, mopeds, snowmobiles, off-road vehicles, road/construction equipment, motorboats made before Nov 1972, government-owned boats.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), via any County Motor Vehicle Office.
Application for Certificate of Title; $10.00 fee + $7.00 per lien; $3.00 portal fee per title; over-the-counter service available.
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title.
Non-title states: Last registration + notarized bill of sale.
Government surplus: MCO, Certificate of Title, SF97-1, or court order.
Foreign vehicles: Foreign docs, CBP 7501, EPA 3520-8 or 3520-1, NHTSA HS-7, DOT/EPA stickers.
How are special titles or brands handled?
Bonded Title: If no proper docs, bond (1.5x value), record search, certified letters, photo, Sheriff’s Inspection, $50.00 fee. Valid 3 years.
Nontransferable Title: Issued to insurance companies for out-of-state total loss/theft; cannot be sold/transferred until regular title obtained.
Brands: Flood, Former Military Vehicle, Limousine, Manufacturer Buyback, Notice: Undisclosed Interest, Bond Number, Previous Taxi, Previously Salvaged, Reconstructed, Replica, Taxi, out-of-state brands, Salvage, Non-Transferable, Abandoned, Odometer brands.
Salvage: Required for late model vehicles (>75% damage; 7 model years old or less, value >$12,000 for vehicles, $2,500 for ATVs/UTVs/minibikes); insurer must apply within 30 days.
Previously Salvaged: Inspection required after repair, $10.00 fee; title branded "Previously Salvaged".
Junk: Surrender title, assign as "Junk", plates/tabs surrendered; cannot be reinstated.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Duplicate: Notarized application to County Treasurer, $14.00 fee.
Correction: Submit current title (unless electronic); no fee.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN inspection required for out-of-state, assembled, or previously salvaged vehicles; $10.00 fee.
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Only on security agreements; original signatures required elsewhere.
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Sales/Use Tax: 5.5% state + local option; paid at registration.Trade-in credit allowed for same-transaction trade-in.
Credit for taxes paid to another state.
Exemptions: New residents (with prior out-of-state registration), gifts/inheritance (if prior tax paid), nonresidents with 30-day plate, certain carriers, and more.
Other taxes/fees:
Motor Vehicle Tax: Based on MSRP, reduced by age fraction; paid at registration/renewal.
Motor Vehicle Fee: Based on age and MSRP; paid at registration/renewal.
Wheel Tax: Collected in some cities.
Property Tax: Motor vehicle tax in lieu of personal property tax.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Proof required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
Submit lien instrument + title/MCO + $7.00 per lien; lien is perfected at filing.
All titles with liens are stored electronically since Nov 2010; owner gets title receipt.
ELT (Electronic Lien & Title) program is optional; lenders must release liens electronically within 15 days of payment.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lien must be released within 15 days of payment; paper title must be sent to County Treasurer to note cancellation.
Assignment: Release and reissue in new lienholder’s name, $7.00 fee.
How does repossession work in Nebraska?
Lienholder must give 20 days’ right-to-cure notice unless voluntarily surrendered.
Must obtain Repossession Certificate of Title to transfer ownership; submit title (signed over or unreleased), Affidavit of Ownership by Repossession, application, copy of lien, and fee.
Repo plates available to licensed finance companies ($18.10/plate).
Subsequent lienholders must notify all prior lienholders by certified mail.
Out-of-state repossessors must follow home state law.
Other notes:
Storage/repair/artisan liens: 90 days possession, notify law enforcement, written notice to owner/lienholder, 30-day notice before sale.
Enforcement Agency:
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 94789, Lincoln, NE 68509
402.471.3918
Nebraska DMV
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
Nebraska State Patrol: 1600 Highway 2, Lincoln, NE 68502
Key Regulations:
Insurance required: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 minimum; proof required at registration and in vehicle.
No safety/emissions inspection required.
Two plates for most vehicles; one for motorcycles, trailers, buses, apportioned, minitrucks, autocycles, dealers, truck-tractors. Plates remain with owner.
Title records kept 5 years; registrations 3 years.