Treasurer

Department of Motor Vehicles FAQ

RENEWALS: REGISTERING BY MAIL

If you need to renew, do it by MAIL!! Your registration will be processed the day we receive it and mailed back the next day. Just mail your renewal notice that we sent to you along with your check and a copy of your insurance card. We will mail your new registration, insurance card and plates or stickers back to you.

You can also renew at the Department of Motor Vehicles office at the courthouse. Our office hours are: Monday – Friday 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

You will save time by visiting our office during the periods that we are not as busy. We are the busiest on the first day and last day of the month. Also, Mondays and Fridays are usually busier than the middle of the week.

I bought a new vehicle. What do I do now?

You need to title and register your new vehicle. You have 30 days from the date of sale to register your vehicle.

1. Getting the Title

You will need:

• The Manufacturers Certificate of Origin (The MCO). Your dealer will complete this and give it to you. The odometer statement completed on the MCO.
• You will need to complete an “Application for title”. This should also be provided by your dealer, but applications can be obtained at the Department of Motor Vehicles Office of the County Treasurer.
• The title costs $10.00. If a lien is to be notated on the title, there is an additional $7.00 charge, and we will need a copy of the Security Agreement provided by the financial institution (this form must include the Purchasers name and signature, the lenders name and a description of the vehicle including the year, make and VIN).

2. Registering Your Vehicle

You will need:

• The original title or a copy of the title. If you borrowed the money for the vehicle, your lender will probably hold the original title.
• The Nebraska Sales Tax Form 6. Sales tax must be paid within 30 days from the date of sale to avoid penalty and interest. Your dealer must provide this for you. From an out of state dealer, you will need a purchase contract on their letterhead.
• If you traded in a vehicle, bring your old registration so we can give credit for fees you paid on it, and plates, if not transferring them to the new vehicle.
• Proof of Insurance card showing the vehicle is currently insured

I bought a used vehicle. What do I do now?

You need to Title and Register your vehicle. You have 30 days from the date of sale to register your vehicle.

GETTING THE TITLE

You will need:

• Title from the previous owner. Previous owner needs to sign the title over to you in the “assignment” area of the title document. On a Nebraska title, every person who appears on the title as an owner must sign off the title as seller and one person must print their name. Remember also to include the date of sale. 
• As the purchaser, you will need to complete the purchasers portion of the assignment. If the vehicle less than 20 years old, we will also require an Odometer reading on the title. Your signature is required to acknowledge the odometer. Vehicles older than 20 years are exempt from the odometer statement. 
• Complete the application for a new Nebraska Title. If you are purchasing a vehicle with a Nebraska or out of state title, you can obtain a title application from the Department of Motor Vehicles of the Treasurer’s Office or online at dmv.nebraska.gov. 
• The title costs $10.00. If a lien is to be notated on the title, there is an additional $7.00 charge, and we will need a copy of the Security Agreement provided by the financial institution (this form must include the Purchasers name and signature, the lenders name and a description of the vehicle including the year, make and VIN).

** PLEASE NOTE: A vehicle purchased from another state will need to be inspected at the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. This will cost $10.00 cash at the Sheriff’s Office. You will be issued an inspection certificate needed to obtain a Nebraska title. ALSO, there are still 9 states requiring a notarized sellers’ signature. If you have a question concerning this matter, please call the office at (308) 534-4350.

REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE

You will need:

• The original title or a copy of the title. If you borrowed the money for the vehicle, your lender will probably hold the original title.
•  The Nebraska State Sales Tax Form 6 OR a Bill of Sale if purchased privately or from a non-Nebraska dealer. The bill of sale must include the Sellers name, the Purchaser’s name, a description of the vehicle including Make, Model, Year and VIN, the purchase amount, the date of sale and signature of the seller.
• If you traded in a vehicle, you will need the old registration so you can receive credit for fees paid on the trade-in, and the plates, if not transferring them to the new vehicle.
• Proof of Insurance card showing the vehicle is currently insured.

What Vehicles are Required to be Titled?

All motor vehicles and trailers in Nebraska must be titled in Nebraska with the following exceptions:

• Utility Trailers having a gross weight of 9,000 pounds or less
• Trailers used exclusively by farmers or ranchers to haul their own products
• Road Construction equipment not used for the transportation of persons or property
• Self-propelled equipment, Off road vehicles, Golf carts, Garden Tractors, Go Carts, Ridding Lawn Mowers, Snowmobiles, Mini-bikes, Mopeds with pedals, Farm Tractors, All-terrain vehicles, Converter Gears and Tow Dollies

Who is required to Title a Vehicle?

All owners of vehicles requiring a title must secure a Nebraska title except for a Licensed Dealer, or a division of the Federal Government

When is an Owner Required to Title a Vehicle?

Owners must title the vehicle in Nebraska before the vehicle can be registered or ownership transferred

What Will I Need to Title a Vehicle?

If you purchased a new vehicle, you will need:

• A properly assigned Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (the Dealer will give you this).
• A completed and signed Application for Title available from the Department of Motor Vehicles Office of the County Treasurer. (Note: All owners must sign the application).
• A completed Odometer Statement signed by both buyer and seller. This is on the existing MCO; we no longer accept attachments for this

If you purchased a used vehicle, you will need:

• A properly assigned title from the previous owner.
• A completed and signed Application for Title. (Note: All current owners must sign.)
• A completed Odometer Statement must be signed by the buyer (vehicles 1- years or older are exempt); we no longer accept attachments for this.

** If there is a lien (loan) on the vehicle you will need a completed security agreement supplied by the lien holder.

** If the vehicle is titled in another state you need a Sheriff’s Inspection. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s inspection station is located at 302 North Jeffers, North Platte, NE. You will need the out-of-state Title and the vehicle to be inspected. The inspector will compare the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on your vehicle with the Title and issue you an inspection certificate needed to obtain a Nebraska Title. The fee is $10.00 cash.

Where Can I Title My Vehicle?

You may title a vehicle at the Treasurer’s Office in the county where the vehicle is “garaged”, or if you are a nonresident you may title the vehicle in the county where you purchased the vehicle. Military nonresidents should be issued the title where they are stationed. They must have a letter from their Commanding Officer stating they are stationed here and what their address of record is. The Department of Motor Vehicle Office of the Lincoln Treasurer is located at 301 N Jeffers Street, North Platte, NE.

How Can I Replace a Lost Title?

The application must be completed and signed, in the presence of a notary, by all of the listed owners. For titles held by husband and wife, applications may be accepted with only one signature. The fee is $14.00.

** If the State records show a lien on the title, the lien holder (lending institution) must apply for the duplicate. If the lien holder no longer maintains interest in the vehicle they should provide the owner with a written, dated and signed release of the lien on their form or letter head. This release must identify the vehicle by year, make and VIN, and owner’s name and address. This document must be presented at the time of application.

Registering Your Vehicle

What Vehicles Are Required to be Registered?

Any vehicle “garaged” and/or operated in Nebraska must be registered with the following exceptions:

• Road Construction equipment not used for the transportation of persons or property
• Self-Propelled equipment, Off-road vehicles, Golf Carts, Garden Tractors, Go-carts, Riding Lawn Mowers, Mini-bikes, Mopeds with pedals, All-terrain vehicles, Converter Gears and Tow dollies
• Farm Tractors and other implement of husbandry used primarily for tilling soil and harvesting crops
• Vehicles which run on rails or tracks

When is a Vehicle Required to be Registered?

A vehicle must be registered before it is operated in Nebraska. For recently purchased vehicles, a 30 day grace period is allowed.

Where Can I Register a Vehicle?

A vehicle may be registered at the Department of Motor Vehicles Office of the County Treasurer in the county in which the vehicle is “garaged.” The location of the Lincoln County Treasurer’s Office is: 301 North Jeffers, North Platte, NE 69101

I Sold My Car or I Moved Out of Nebraska, How About a Refund?

You are entitled to a Refund on the unused portion of your registration if:

• You sold your vehicle and did not replace it. (If you replaced your vehicle, you should have gotten credit on the new registration).  To apply for a refund, within 60 days of the date of sale, you will need to return the plates and registration to the Department of Motor Vehicles Office of the County Treasurer.
• If you moved out of Nebraska, within 60 days of registering your vehicle you’ll need to mail the Nebraska plates, the Nebraska registration and a COPY of your new registration to:

Lincoln County Treasurer
301 N Jeffers St
North Platte, NE 69101-3997

You should receive a refund check in 7 to 10 days.