How licensing works in North Dakota
North Dakota issues an instruction permit from age 14. Teens who pass the road test before 16 get a restricted license, which becomes unrestricted at 16.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Instruction permit (ages 14–15) | 14 | Hold 12 months or until 16, but at least six months. 50 practice hours plus driver education |
| Instruction permit (ages 16–17) | 16 | Hold six months or until 18 |
| Restricted license | 15, after the road test | Family-owned vehicles only. Adult 18+ needed from the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., except work, school or religious trips |
| Unrestricted license | 16 | Phone ban continues until 18 |
Your supervisor
A permit holder must drive with a licensed driver who is at least 18, has at least three years of driving experience and sits beside you. Breaking the permit conditions adds two points to your record.
Training under 16
If you are under 16, bring a driver education Certificate of Training to the road test. The course has 30 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours. On top of that, you need 50 hours of supervised practice in different conditions, signed off by a parent or guardian.
The North Dakota knowledge test
To get an instruction permit, you pass a vision screening and a knowledge test. The test is offered in 14 languages: English, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Russian, Vietnamese, Turkish, Swahili, Nepali, Serbo-Croatian, French, Pashto, Dari and Chinese. Audio and American Sign Language testing are available at the larger offices.
What to bring
- Proof of legal presence, current name and date of birth
- Two documents showing your North Dakota home address
- Proof of your Social Security number
- A parent or guardian to sponsor you if you are under 18
Documents must be originals or certified copies. Photocopies are not accepted. Arrive at least an hour before closing, or before noon at offices that close for lunch.
Children, pets (except service animals), backpacks, purses, paper, pens, pencils, phones and other electronics are not allowed in the testing area.
Rules specific to North Dakota
Speed limits
| Where | Limit unless posted |
|---|---|
| Rural interstates | 80 mph |
| Paved divided multilane highways | 70 mph |
| Rural paved two-lane highways (where posted) | 65 mph |
| Gravel, dirt and loose-surface roads; unposted paved county and township roads | 55 mph |
| Business and residential districts | 25 mph |
| Near schools at recess, arrival and dismissal; blind railroad crossings or intersections | 20 mph |
Phones, belts and children
Drivers under 18 may not use phones or other electronic devices while driving, except for emergencies. Texting is illegal for all drivers. All occupants in all seats must wear seat belts. Children under 8 ride in a child restraint unless they are at least 57 inches tall.
School buses and move over
When a school bus flashes red lights, traffic from both directions must stop. Wait until the bus moves, the driver signals or the lights stop. Flashing yellow lights mean the bus is about to stop. On interstates and multilane highways outside cities, move to a lane away from a stopped emergency, police, maintenance or stranded vehicle. If you cannot, slow down.
On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions stops for a school bus with red lights flashing.
- School bus with red lights flashing
- Car behind the bus: stop
- Oncoming car: stop
Lights
Use headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead. Dim high beams at least 500 feet before meeting a vehicle and within 300 feet when following one.
Winter and wildlife
- Carry a winter survival kit: warm clothes, boots, a shovel and energy food.
- If you are stuck in a storm, stay with your vehicle. Run the engine and heater only briefly, with a window slightly open.
- Never drive on a road closed for winter weather or flooding.
- Studded snow tires are allowed October 15 to April 15.
- Slow down where deer signs are posted, especially at dawn and dusk, and do not swerve for an animal.
- Dial 511 for road and weather conditions and 911 for emergencies.
Test tips
- Learn the speed table. Speed limit questions are easy points if you know the numbers.
- Remember the key ages: 14, 15, 16, 18.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- Read every option before you answer.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers North Dakota's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.