Free Nebraska License Plate Lookup – Vehicle Report in Seconds

Buying a used car in Nebraska? Use our 100% FREE Nebraska License Plate Lookup to reveal the vehicle’s complete history in seconds. Just enter the plate number to access a full report — covering title status, accidents, odometer rollbacks, recalls, liens, theft checks, and more.

Why Choose VinCheck.info for Nebraska Plate Searches?

✅ Completely Free – no fees, subscriptions, or credit card needed
✅ Trusted Data Sources – backed by NMVTIS and leading industry partners
✅ Instant Reports – mobile-friendly, no app or software to install
✅ Private & Secure – no registration required, search anonymously

Why Run a Nebraska License Plate Lookup?

Nebraska drivers rely heavily on personal vehicles, with long stretches of open roads connecting rural communities, small towns, and cities like Omaha and Lincoln. With nearly 2 million registered vehicles in the state, used cars are everywhere — but not all are problem-free.

Vehicle registration and titling are handled by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which keeps official records tied to license plates. A free lookup gives you access to critical background data — helping you verify a car’s condition, ownership history, and legal standing before you make a purchase.

Play it smart. Run a Nebraska license plate search today and protect yourself from buying a vehicle with costly surprises.

Why Use a Free Nebraska License Plate Lookup?

Looking to buy or sell a used car in Nebraska? A 100% free license plate lookup from VinCheck.info gives you instant access to essential vehicle information, so you can make informed, secure decisions. Just enter a Nebraska plate number to reveal:

• Vehicle Details – Discover the year, make, model, trim level, and body style.
• Title Status – Check for branded titles like salvage, flood, rebuilt, or junk—whether issued in Nebraska or another state.
• Accident History – Find out about reported collisions, airbag deployments, and structural damage.
• Mileage Records – Spot odometer tampering or unusual mileage patterns.
• Vehicle Valuation – Get a fair market estimate based on the car’s past and current condition.
• Lien & Loan Info – See if there are any outstanding liens or a history of repossession.
• Usage History – Learn whether the vehicle was privately owned, leased, used as a fleet vehicle, or rented.
• Recall Notices – Find manufacturer recalls that haven’t been repaired.
• Theft Check – Verify if the vehicle has ever been stolen or recovered.
• Sale & Title Transfers – Track changes in sales transactions, including cross-state moves.

Whether you’re browsing used cars in Omaha, Lincoln, Bellevue, or Grand Island, a free Nebraska license plate lookup can help protect your purchase — with no fees, no subscriptions, and no registration required.

Nebraska Plate Serial Formats:
Douglas, Lancaster and Sarpy Counties
ABC 123
All other counties (county-coded)
3-A1234
3-AB123
10-A123
10-AB12

Sample Vehicle History Report

Nebraska License Plates

Plate Formats & Types

Nebraska offers a wide variety of license plate options besides the standard version, including:

Specialty Plates:

• Message (Personalized)
• Organizational
• Husker Spirit
• Mountain Lion Conservation
• Breast Cancer Awareness
• NE 150 Sesquicentennial
• Special Interest
• Amateur Radio
• And more…

Military Plates:

• Disabled American Veteran
• Ex-Prisoner of War
• Purple Heart
• Pearl Harbor Survivor
• Military Honor
• Gold Star

Restricted Use Plates:

• Boat Dealer Trailer
• Handicapped
• Historical
• Non-Resident 30-Day
• Transporter

Plate Format

Nebraska license plates typically follow formats such as:

• Standard plates: County-code prefix followed by numbers (e.g., “2-ABCDE” or “1-12345”)
• Personalized plates: Up to 7 characters depending on plate type

One or Two Plate State?

Nebraska is a two-plate state (front and rear) for most vehicles. However, certain vehicles such as passenger cars not manufactured to be equipped with a front license plate bracket may be eligible for a single plate (rear only) if the owner requests it and the DMV approves.

Driving Without Plates

In Nebraska, a newly purchased vehicle may be operated for up to 30 days without permanent license plates, provided it displays a valid 30-day in-transit tag issued by the dealership or the DMV. This allows time for registration and plate issuance.

Nebraska Repossession Plates

Repossession plates are special-use plates issued by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) after approval from the Motor Vehicle Industry Licensing Board.

Purpose

Repossession plates are used only for moving vehicles or trailers involved in repossession, demonstration, or disposal.

Plate Details

• Placement: Rear of the vehicle only
• Expiration: Valid for a calendar year; all repossession plates expire in December of the year issued
• New Plate Issuance Cycle: Every 6 years; the most recent cycle began January 2023

Fees

• First-time issuance: $18.10 per plate (includes plate, registration, and December expiration sticker)l
• Renewal during new plate year: $18.10 (includes new plate and sticker)

Renewal in other years: $14.00 (includes updated registration and expiration sticker)

New Vehicle Registration (First-Time)

All motor vehicles and trailers used on Nebraska highways must be registered unless they qualify as exempt.

Key Requirements:

• Vehicles must be registered in the county where they are primarily housed (vehicle’s situs).
• Newly purchased vehicles must be registered within 30 days of purchase, and applicable sales tax must be paid.

Documents Needed for First-Time Registration:

• Proof of Financial Responsibility (Insurance): Must be an original document (no photocopies).
• Proof of Sales or Excise Tax Payment.
• Lease Agreement Copy (if leased vehicle).
• Nebraska Title: Required prior to registration unless the vehicle is exempt or the owner is a non-resident.

How to Register:

• In person at your County Treasurer’s office, or
• By mail.

Refer to the Motor Vehicle Tax Estimator or contact your County Treasurer for fee estimates and payment methods.

Non-Resident Vehicle Registration

General Rule:

• Non-residents with vehicles properly registered in their home state may operate in Nebraska for 30 days without registering or paying fees.

After 30 Days in Nebraska:

• Vehicle must be registered as a resident vehicle, unless the state has reciprocity with Nebraska.

States with Reciprocity Agreements:

• North Carolina
• Wyoming
  (Vehicles from these states may use their home plates in Nebraska until they expire.)

Students:

• Full-time students (12+ credit hours or graduate full-time) from out-of-state do not need to register their vehicle in Nebraska.
• Must carry a Student ID when operating the vehicle, in case of law enforcement request.

Vehicle Purchased by Non-Resident in Nebraska:

• For transport options to another state, refer to Non-Resident 30-Day License Plates.

Registration Renewal

Motor vehicle registrations in Nebraska can be renewed:

• Online at Online Registration Renewal,
• By mail, or
• In person at the County Treasurer’s office.

Documents Needed for Renewal (Mail/In Person):

• Expiring registration document or renewal notice.
• Original Proof of Insurance (not a photocopy).

If renewing online, insurance verification is done through the Insurance Database.

Other Information:

• Vehicles are registered on a monthly, staggered basis based on the month of purchase.
• Owners of multiple vehicles can choose to register them:
  • On a calendar-year basis (January–December), or
  • On a same-month annual basis of their choosing.

After Registration:

• You’ll receive:
  • Registration Certificate
  • License Plates
  • Validation Tabs
• These items are mailed if registering or renewing by mail or online.

Carrying Documents:

• Registration certificate and proof of insurance must be kept in the vehicle at all times.
• Display of the certificate on the dashboard is not required.

Special Considerations:

• Commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs or farm vehicles over 16 tons must review and sign the Truck Safety Registration Declaration.
• For apportioned vehicles (over 26,000 lbs, crossing state lines), contact Motor Carrier Services.
• For motorboats, contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
• For snowmobiles, refer to Snowmobile Registration procedures.

Vehicles Exempt From Registration

Some vehicles are not required to be registered in Nebraska. These include:

Off-Road or Non-Standard Vehicles:

• ATVs, UTVs
• Electric scooters, electric personal assistive devices
• Golf carts and golf car vehicles
• Go-carts, minibikes, mopeds
• Riding lawn mowers
• Garden tractors

Agricultural and Utility Vehicles:

• Farm tractors
• Self-propelled sprayers or applicators for agri-use
• Agricultural implements (tillers, feeders, floaters)
• Hay spreaders and hay grinders (with power units)
• Permanently mounted welders, pole diggers, tow dollies
• Portable scales, convertor gears

Oversized Cabin Trailers:

• Exceeding 102 inches wide, 40 feet long, or 13.5 feet tall
• Includes Park Model homes
  (Exception: appurtenance extensions ≤6 inches beyond body)

Construction Equipment (Not for Transport Use):

• Ditch diggers, asphalt spreaders
• Bucket loaders, leveling graders
• Earth movers, power shovels
• Crawler tractors

Rail and Track Vehicles:

• Any vehicle that runs on rails or tracks

Boats:

• For boats exempt from registration, contact the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Nebraska Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title

A Certificate of Title is required for all vehicles operated on public roads in Nebraska, unless they fall under the category of Vehicles Exempt From Titling. This title serves as proof of vehicle ownership and only one title can exist per vehicle at any given time.

Where and When to Get a Title

• Titles are issued at the county level, but any county can process the title.
• You must obtain a title within 30 days of purchase.
• For office locations, visit the Motor Vehicle Offices.

How to Apply

To obtain a title, submit:

• A completed Application for Certificate of Title, signed by all parties named on the title.
  • Exception: If the title is held jointly by a married couple, one may sign as an agent for the other.
• A $10.00 fee, payable to the County Treasurer. Contact your County Treasurer for acceptable payment methods.
• Proof of ownership, which must be either:
  • A Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), or
  • A properly assigned Certificate of Title.

If you purchased a vehicle but were not provided with proper ownership documents, you may qualify for a Bonded Certificate of Title.

Tax Requirements

• Sales tax for mobile homes and cabin trailers must be paid before a title is issued.
• For all other vehicles, sales tax can be paid within 30 days of purchase.

Special Cases

• Apportioned vehicles (over 26,000 pounds and crossing state lines) must be titled through Motor Carrier Services, not at the county level.

Additional Information

• For lien-related title processes, refer to the Liens section.
• For questions, contact:
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Phone: (402) 471-3918

Frequently Asked Questions