North Dakota

Yes. While driving on your North Dakota instruction permit, you will ONLY be allowed to operate a vehicle while accompanied by a:

• Parent or legal guardian.
• Certified driving instructor.
• A fully-licensed passenger who has had a license for at least 3 years.

After passing the North Dakota road test, you'll be eligible to receive your license.

While driving on your permit, you'll be able to drive with:

• A parent or legal guardian.
• A licensed driving instructor.
• A fully-licensed passenger who's had their license at least 3 years.

You may not drive unless accompanied by one of the above.

Once you earn your North Dakota learner's permit, you will automatically be eligible to drive with your parents.

As long as you successfully pass the driving exams, sign the proper paperwork, and pay the fee, you'll be issued your license after applying.

You'll have to apply at a participating Department of Transportation office.

Most offices will process driver's license applications, but not all of them. Make sure to check online for the full list of licensing centers.

Appropriate documents depend on whether you're a:

• U.S. citizen.
• Immigrant/permanent resident.
• Non-immigrant.

Some common forms of ID include a:

• U.S. birth certificate or passport.
• Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.
• Valid alien registration card.

More information can be found through the North Dakota DOT.

To apply for a first-time license in North Dakota if you're 18 or older, you'll need to bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identification.
  • North Dakota address.
  • Social Security number.
• Valid registration and insurance cards for the vehicle you're testing in.

To apply for your license when you're under 18 in North Dakota, you'll need to bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identification.
  • North Dakota address.
  • Social Security number.
• Your valid ND instruction permit.
• The completion certificate for a state-approved Driver's Ed course.
• Valid registration and insurance cards for the vehicle you're testing in.

A parent or legal guardian must also be with you to sign paperwork on your behalf.

To apply for a North Dakota driver's license if you're under 18, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Practice on your permit for:
  • At least 12 months.

OR

• Until you turn 16.
• Log at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
• Pass a state-approved Driver's Ed course.
• Pay the driver's license fee.
• Have a parent or legal guardian sign paperwork on your behalf.

To get your driver's license in ND if you're 18 or older, you'll need to:

• Successfully pass a:
  • Vision exam.
  • Knowledge test.
  • Written exam.
• Show proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • North Dakota residency.
  • Social Security number.
• Pay the driver's license fee.

If you're under 18 years old, you'll have to practice on your permit for:

• At least 12 months.

OR

• Until you turn 16.

If you're 18 or older and applying for a first-time license, there is no required waiting period.

If your license has been suspended or revoked in North Dakota, it may be possible to apply for a Temporary Restricted License (TRL), which will allow you to drive in limited circumstances.

To qualify for an ND Temporary Restricted License (TRL), you must be at least 18 years old.

You will NOT be allowed to apply for a TRL:

• For a second alcohol-related offense within 5 years.
• To operate a commercial vehicle.
• If you've violated restrictions on previous TRLs.
• If you have 2 or more criminal convictions, resulting from separate incidents, and at least one of them happened within 1 year of applying.

As long as you pass the above requirements, you can start the process by filling out:

• A Temporary Restricted License application form.
• A Proof of Financial Responsibility form.

The DOT website has more information. You may also want to contact your lawyer before applying.

No. You'll only need to pass the written exam once to move on.

First, you'll meet with an examiner, who will make sure you have the proper documentation and your vehicle meets the state's safety standards.

Once the test begins, the examiner will give you instructions and judge you on your ability to perform certain tasks, including:

• Keeping in the proper lane.
• Using turn signals correctly.
• Parallel parking.
• Maintaining good driving posture.
• Obeying all traffic signs and laws.

You may also be asked to perform additional tasks.

You must arrive to your test with a fully-licensed passenger who's had their license for at least 3 years. If you're under 16, a parent or legal guardian must be with you.

It's also possible to waive the road test entirely by passing certain state-approved Driver's Ed courses.

If you're under 16, a parent or legal guardian must be with you. Otherwise, you must be accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who's had their license for at least 3 years.

The vehicle you take your North Dakota, ND road test must meet all state vehicle safety standards, including fully-functioning:

• Brakes.
• Headlights, including high- and low-beams.
• Brake lights and tail lights.
• Turn signals.
• Exhaust system and leak-free muffler.
• Doors.
• Horn.
• Side- and rear-view mirrors.
• Seatbelts.
• Windshield and windows.
• Windshield wipers.

The vehicle must also have valid and up-to-date:

• Registration.
• Insurance.

Take your road test at your closest participating Department of Transportation office.

Currently, permit and licensing fees in North Dakota include:

• Written test: $5.
• Road test: $5.
• Instruction permit: $15.
• Driver's license: $15.

Fees are subject to change, so it's best to check directly with the ND Department of Transportation for the most up-to-date information.

The North Dakota Driver's Manual is available online. You can also ask your local ND DOT office for a copy.

In North Dakota, you must be at least:

• 14 years old to apply for a permit.
• 16 years old to apply for a license.

Currently, permit and licensing fees in North Dakota include:

• Written test: $5.
• Road test: $5.
• Instruction permit: $15.
• Driver's license: $15.

Fees are subject to change, so it's best to check directly with the ND Department of Transportation for the most up-to-date information.

No. There is no requirement to pass a drug test before being issued your North Dakota driving permit.

No. The North Dakota, ND written exam is not open book, which is why it's especially important to study—or take a practice test beforehand.

Yes. Your parent or legal guardian will have to sign paperwork on your behalf at this appointment.

To apply for your learner's permit in North Dakota, you'll need to bring in proof of your:

• Identity.
• Social Security number.
• North Dakota residence.

You can apply for your North Dakota learner's permit once you turn 14 years old.

To earn your ND learner's permit, you'll have to pass the written knowledge exam.

After you turn 14 years old, you'll be able to schedule an appointment with your closest participating DOT office. At this appointment, you'll have to:

• Bring proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • North Dakota residence.
• Pass the:
  • Vision test.
  • Written driving test.
• Pay the written test fee.

Your parent or guardian will also have to be with you to sign paperwork on your behalf.

Once the paperwork is filed, tests passed, and fee paid, you'll be issued your learner's permit.

The North Dakota written driver's exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. General topics include:

• North Dakota traffic laws.
• Safe driving practices.
• Identifying traffic signs and signals by:
  • Shape.
  • Color.
  • Symbol.
• Identifying paving markings.

All questions will be sourced directly from the ND Driver's Manual, though you may also want to study with a free practice test.

No. You won't need to pass a Driver's Ed course to earn your instruction permit. However, you WILL need to pass one before you can get your North Dakota license.

Reading the North Dakota Driver's Manual is the best idea to learn the information.

You can also find a number of practice tests online.

Yes. You'll have to pass a vision test to earn your ND driver's license.

No. A physical exam is not required for a North Dakota driver's license.

You must arrive to the appointment with a parent or legal guardian.

You can contact the North Dakota, ND Department of Transportation by:

• Email.
• Phone.
• Regular mail.

Details can be found on the ND Department of Transportation's website.

You can apply for your learner's permit in North Dakota once you turn 14.

If you're under 18 and driving on your instruction permit, you will ONLY be allowed to drive while accompanied by:

• A parent or legal guardian.
• A licensed driving instructor.
• A fully-licensed passenger who's had their license at least 3 years.

If you're under 16 years old, you will only be allowed to operate a vehicle that is owned by a(n):

• Parent or legal guardian.
• Grandparent.
• Aunt.
• Uncle.
• Sibling.

If you're under 16 years old, you will also not be allowed to drive between either sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever comes later) and 5 a.m., UNLESS:

• Accompanied by one of the above approved passengers.
• You're driving to or home from:
  • School or a school event.
  • Work.
  • Church or a church event.

While driving on your instructional permit, you will ONLY be allowed to drive if accompanied by:

• A parent or legal guardian.
• A licensed driving instructor.
• A fully-licensed passenger who's had their license for at least 3 years.

If you're under 16 years old, you will only be allowed to operate a vehicle that is owned by a(n):

• Parent or legal guardian.
• Grandparent.
• Aunt.
• Uncle.
• Sibling.

If you're under 16 years old, you will also not be allowed to drive between either sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever comes later) and 5 a.m., UNLESS:

• Accompanied by one of the above approved passengers.
• You're driving to or home from:
  • School or a school event.
  • Work.
  • Church or a church event.

To earn your permit in North Dakota, you (and your parent or guardian) will need to fill out an official application, which will be given to you by the DOT.

To get your North Dakota driver's license, you'll have to pass:

• A vision exam.
• The written test.
• A driving skills test.

If you're under 18 and applying for a first-time license in North Dakota, you'll have to pass a state-approved Driver's Ed course after you get your permit, and before you can apply for your license.

Before you're eligible to apply for a North Dakota instruction permit, you must be at least 14 years old.

Yes. If you're applying for a North Dakota license renewal, you'll have to pass a vision test.

No. North Dakota does not allow mail-in license renewals.

Yes. North Dakota allows residents to renew their license online.

To renew your license in North Dakota, you'll need to bring in:

• Your current ND license.
• The appropriate fee.

If you're applying online, you'll also need to provide vision screening test results that are no more than 6 months old.

You can renew your North Dakota driver's license:

• In-person.
• Online.

The ND DOT's site has more information on these options.

You can renew your license up to 10 months before its official expiration date.

ND license renewals cost $15.

Fees are subject to change. You should check with the North Dakota DOT before renewing your license for the most up-to-date information.

No. When you take the test, it will only be you and the examiner in the car.

However, you'll have to arrive to the test a fully-licensed passenger who's had their license for at least 3 years.

The ND written knowledge exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. You will be able to get 5 questions wrong and still pass.

Studying with a free practice test may help ensure you get far more questions right than wrong!

You can take the North Dakota written test as many times as needed in order to pass.

However, if you fail, you'll have to wait at least 1 business day before you can take the test again. Save yourself the time and hassle by studying with a free practice test!

Yes, every question on the test is multiple choice.

At the same appointment you take your written test, you'll also have to bring:

• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
  • North Dakota residence.
• The appropriate fee.

A parent or legal guardian will also have to be present to sign paperwork on your behalf.

The North Dakota written driver's exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. Major topics include:

• North Dakota traffic laws.
• Safe driving practices.
• Identifying traffic signs and signals by:
  • Shape.
  • Color.
  • Symbol.
• Identifying paving markings.

All questions will be sourced directly from the ND Driver's Manual, though you may also want to study with a free practice test.

Yes. You can schedule your appointment online.

Some ND DOT locations may be open on Saturdays. You'll have to check online when scheduling an appointment.

Your written knowledge exam will be administered on the computer at the North Dakota Department of Transportation office.

If you have special needs or language preferences other than English, you can arrange alternate formats with the ND DOT.

Make sure the North Dakota, ND Department of Transportation is aware of any additional help you may need when scheduling your appointment.

You can schedule your driving exam online.

After you pass the permit test, you'll be issued your instruction permit. You must practice on this permit for at least 6 months before you can move on to your driver's license.

You can take the test in person at any participating DOT office.

If you failed your ND road test, you'll have the chance to reschedule and try again.

In the meantime—don't panic, practice!

If you failed your North Dakota driving skills test, you'll have to wait at least 1 business day before you can try again.

Yes. If you fail your written exam, you will have to wait at least 1 day before retesting.

Save yourself the time by taking a free practice test to help you pass the first time!

If you don't pass your written test in ND, you'll have to wait at least 1 business day before you can take another shot.

Practicing with a free practice test can help you pass on the first try!

If you have no intention of permanently relocating to North Dakota, there's no limit on how long you can drive on your out-of-state license. This includes anyone in the state for:

• School.
• Active military duty.
• Seasonal housing.

If you do plan on relocating to North Dakota permanently, you have 60 days after establishing residency to transfer your license.

Yes. You can drive in North Dakota on your out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16 years old.

No. North Dakota doesn't require new residents to take a driving test when transferring their license.

If you're moving to North Dakota, you have 60 days from establishing residency to transfer your out-of-state license.

The biggest mistake people make is taking the test for granted.

While it's not necessarily designed to be tricky, it can be difficult if you don't study the laws.

Make sure to give yourself enough time to study the ND Driver's Manual and take some free practice tests in order to give yourself the best chance possible for passing.

The North Dakota written exam consists of 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 of them correctly in order to pass.

There are 25 total questions on the ND permit exam, all of which are multiple choice.

North Dakota auto insurance minimum requirements include:

• Bodily injury: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident.
• Property damage: $25,000 per accident.
• Uninsured motorist: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident.
• Underinsured motorist: $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident.
• Basic personal injury protection: $150 per week with a $30,000 maximum.