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North Dakota DOT Permit Practice Test 2026

Practice for the knowledge test you take at a North Dakota DOT driver license office for an instruction permit. The questions are written from the Class D Noncommercial Driver License Manual and cover North Dakota's own rules, plus shared US road rules and road signs.

Read before you practiseStart with the North Dakota Driver License Manual Study Guide: plain-language notes, diagrams and the numbers to remember.

  1. Question 1 of 25

    What is the minimum age for a North Dakota instruction permit?
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    Answer: C. 14

    North Dakota issues an instruction permit at 14. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to sponsor them.

  2. Question 2 of 25

    A North Dakota driver aged 14 or 15 gets an instruction permit. How long must they hold it?
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    Answer: B. 12 months or until age 16, whichever comes first, but at least six months

    Permit holders aged 14 and 15 keep the permit for 12 months or until 16, whichever comes first, but never less than six months.

  3. Question 3 of 25

    A North Dakota driver aged 16 or 17 gets an instruction permit. How long must they hold it?
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    Answer: B. Six months, or until age 18 if that comes first

    For ages 16 and 17, the holding period is six months or until 18, whichever comes first.

  4. Question 4 of 25

    Who may supervise a North Dakota instruction permit holder?
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    Answer: C. A licensed driver at least 18 with at least three years of driving experience, seated beside the permit holder

    The supervisor must be licensed, at least 18, have three years of driving experience and sit beside you.

  5. Question 5 of 25

    How much supervised practice must a North Dakota permit holder under 16 complete?
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    Answer: B. At least 50 hours in different conditions

    Permit holders under 16 need at least 50 hours of supervised practice, certified by a parent or guardian on road test day.

  6. Question 6 of 25

    What driver education must a North Dakota applicant under 16 complete?
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    Answer: A. 30 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours, in addition to 50 practice hours

    Applicants under 16 need a Certificate of Training. The 30 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours are on top of the 50 practice hours.

  7. Question 7 of 25

    What happens if a North Dakota driver breaks the conditions of an instruction permit?
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    Answer: D. Two points go on the driving record

    A violation of the permit conditions brings a two-point penalty on the driving record.

  8. Question 8 of 25

    Whose vehicles may a North Dakota restricted license holder under 16 drive?
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    Answer: B. Vehicles owned by a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle

    A restricted license limits driving to vehicles owned by close family: parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle.

  9. Question 9 of 25

    When may a North Dakota restricted license holder under 16 NOT drive alone (except to or from work, school or religious activities)?
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    Answer: B. From the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.

    Between the later of sunset or 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., the driver needs a parent, guardian or adult 18 or older in the car.

  10. Question 10 of 25

    At what age does a North Dakota restricted license become unrestricted?
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    Answer: A. 16

    The restricted license becomes unrestricted at age 16.

  11. Question 11 of 25

    May a North Dakota driver under 18 use a phone or other electronic device while driving?
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    Answer: B. No, except in an emergency or when someone's safety is in danger

    Drivers under 18 may not use electronic devices while driving, except to get emergency help, prevent a crime or protect someone's safety.

  12. Question 12 of 25

    Under North Dakota law, who must wear a seat belt?
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    Answer: C. All occupants, in all seating positions

    North Dakota's seat belt law requires all occupants to wear seat belts in every seating position.

  13. Question 13 of 25

    In North Dakota, which children must ride in a child restraint?
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    Answer: C. Children under 8, unless they are at least 57 inches tall

    Children under 8 must use a child restraint, though a seat belt may be used for a child at least 57 inches tall.

  14. Question 14 of 25

    A North Dakota school bus has its red lights flashing. Which drivers must stop?
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    Answer: A. Drivers approaching from both directions

    When the red lights flash, drivers from both directions must stop until the bus moves, the driver signals, or the lights stop.

  15. Question 15 of 25

    What do flashing yellow lights on a North Dakota school bus mean?
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    Answer: B. The red lights are about to come on, so prepare to stop

    Yellow caution lights warn that the bus is about to stop and turn on its red lights.

  16. Question 16 of 25

    On a North Dakota interstate outside city limits, you approach a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights. What should you do?
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    Answer: D. Move to the lane that is not next to it, or slow down if you cannot

    On interstates and multilane highways outside cities, move to the lane away from the stopped vehicle. If you cannot, slow down and pass with caution.

  17. Question 17 of 25

    Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit on North Dakota rural interstates?
    SPEEDLIMIT55
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    Answer: D. 80 mph

    The limit on rural interstates is 80 mph unless a sign shows otherwise.

  18. Question 18 of 25

    Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit on North Dakota gravel or dirt roads?
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    Answer: D. 55 mph

    Gravel, dirt and other loose-surface roads have a 55 mph limit, as do unposted paved two-lane county and township roads.

  19. Question 19 of 25

    Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit in North Dakota business and residential districts?
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    Answer: D. 25 mph

    The limit is 25 mph in business and residential districts unless otherwise posted.

  20. Question 20 of 25

    What is North Dakota's speed limit when passing a school during recess or arrival and dismissal times, unless posted otherwise?
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    Answer: D. 20 mph

    The limit is 20 mph near schools at these times, and also at railroad crossings or intersections where your view is blocked.

  21. Question 21 of 25

    Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit on North Dakota paved divided multilane highways?
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    Answer: C. 70 mph

    Paved divided multilane highways have a 70 mph limit unless otherwise posted.

  22. Question 22 of 25

    In North Dakota, you must use headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever you cannot see how far ahead?
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    Answer: A. 1,000 feet

    Turn on headlights from sunset to sunrise and whenever rain, snow, smoke or fog cuts visibility below 1,000 feet.

  23. Question 23 of 25

    When must you dim your high beams for oncoming traffic in North Dakota?
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    Answer: B. At least 500 feet before meeting the vehicle

    Dim high beams at least 500 feet before meeting traffic and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.

  24. Question 24 of 25

    You are stuck in a snowstorm in North Dakota. What does the manual advise?
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    Answer: C. Stay with your vehicle and run the engine and heater only briefly, with a window slightly open

    Stay with the vehicle. Run the engine and heater for short periods with a window cracked to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

  25. Question 25 of 25

    When are studded snow tires allowed in North Dakota?
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    Answer: D. October 15 to April 15

    Studded snow tires may be used from October 15 to April 15.

What to know before the test

  • You can get an instruction permit at 14. You must pass a vision screening and the knowledge test, and a parent or guardian must sponsor you if you are under 18.
  • The knowledge test is offered in 14 languages. Audio and American Sign Language testing are available at larger offices.
  • Phones, bags, paper, pens and other electronics are not allowed in the testing area. Bring original or certified documents, not photocopies.
  • Your supervisor must be a licensed driver 18 or older with three years of experience. Under 16, you need 50 practice hours plus driver education.
  • Drivers under 18 may not use phones or other electronic devices while driving, and texting is illegal for everyone.
  • The limit on rural interstates is 80 mph and on divided multilane highways 70 mph, unless posted otherwise.

Frequently asked questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in North Dakota?

14. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to sponsor them.

What languages is the North Dakota permit test in?

English, Arabic, Spanish, Somali, Russian, Vietnamese, Turkish, Swahili, Nepali, Serbo-Croatian, French, Pashto, Dari and Chinese. Audio and ASL testing are offered at larger offices.

How long do I have to hold my permit in North Dakota?

At 14 or 15: 12 months or until 16, but at least six months. At 16 or 17: six months or until 18.

What can I bring into the test room?

Very little. Phones, electronics, backpacks, purses, paper and pens are not allowed in the testing area.

What is a restricted license in North Dakota?

A license for drivers under 16. You may drive only family-owned vehicles and need an adult 18 or older from the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., except for work, school or religious trips.

Sources

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