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DMV outlines modernization plans, print-on-demand plates and earlier driver license rollout
Summary
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Director Rhonda Lamb told the Appropriations Committee the agency is accelerating a driver's license modernization project, seeking fee adjustments and pilot print-on-demand plates to cut waste and speed service.
Rhonda Lamb, Director of the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles, told the Legislature's Appropriations Committee the agency is accelerating several modernization projects and requested a small driver-record fee adjustment to support those changes.
Lamb said the department's driver's license modernization project, authorized in 2021, is "on track to finish by fall of 2026, nearly 6 years ahead of schedule," and that completing the project earlier will save an estimated $15 million to $20 million. She described benefits including faster transaction times, increased online renewals while maintaining Real ID compliance, consolidated call centers and statewide appointment scheduling.
Lamb also described a print-on-demand initiative for license plates and registrations supported by LB543. "Print on demand plates means we never print a plate until it's already ordered and paid for," she said, explaining the change would eliminate inventory waste created by the current six-year plate cycle. The bill contains a 30-day grace period to protect drivers from enforcement if plates are delayed in the mail, Lamb said.
The director told senators the motor carrier system modernization planned to launch in May 2025 will expand online services and stagger annual registrations to balance workloads and speed processing for commercial vehicles. She also noted a continued rollout of online title and registration improvements that expanded online renewal eligibility by about 350,000 vehicles.
Committee members asked operational questions. Senator Mikayla Kavanaugh praised the department and cited work on expedited licenses for displaced Ukrainians. Senator Sarah Doan asked whether driver's tests and central issuance would change; Lamb replied central issuance of physical cards will remain but that customers will soon be able to obtain driver records and pay reinstatement fees at local driver's license offices rather than traveling to Lincoln.
Lamb thanked the committee for prior appropriations and said the DMV serves "more than 75% of Nebraskans who directly interact with our services." She invited committee questions and noted the agency has requested a modest driver-record fee adjustment to support the modernization timeline.
Ending: The committee offered no formal action during the hearing; Lamb's testimony will be part of the committee's budget deliberations.
