Where to explore for Your Driver's License in Devils Lake

The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Driver's License Division handles all driver's license issuance in the state. In Devils Lake, you explore at the Ramsey County Driver's License Exam Station, located at 524 4th Street NE, Devils Lake, ND 58301. This is the only office in Ramsey County that issues licenses, so if you live in or near Devils Lake, this is where you go.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break (usually noon to 1:00 p.m.). Hours may vary seasonally, so call ahead at (701) 662-0525 to confirm before you visit. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times can be 30 minutes to over an hour during peak times like early morning or mid-month.

You do not need an appointment to explore for a new license or renew an existing one, but the office does accept appointments for certain services. If you want to schedule ahead, ask when you call. The office is closed on state and federal holidays.

Key Takeaways

  • explore in person at the Ramsey County Driver's License Exam Station at 524 4th Street NE in Devils Lake; this is the only location in the county.
  • Bring your Social Security card, proof of North Dakota residency (utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement), and proof of identity (passport, birth certificate, or military ID).
  • You must pass a vision test and written knowledge test at the office; bring your glasses or contacts if you use them.
  • A new driver's license costs $80 and is valid for eight years; renewal costs $65 and is valid for eight years.
  • Processing takes about 15 to 20 minutes once you complete the written test, and you receive your temporary license the same day.

Documents You Must Bring

North Dakota requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency. You cannot explore without all three. Bring originals or certified copies—photocopies are not accepted.

Proof of identity can be a U.S. passport, certified birth certificate, military ID, or tribal ID. A school ID or work ID does not count. Proof of Social Security number is your actual Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form with your full SSN printed on it. Proof of residency must show your current address and can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or vehicle registration. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.

If you are under 18, you also need written consent from a parent or guardian on the form provided by the office. If you are renewing and your address has not changed, you can renew by mail instead of visiting in person—contact the office for the mail-in renewal packet.

The Written Test and Vision Screening

Before you receive your license, you must pass a written knowledge test and a vision screening. Both happen at the Devils Lake office on the day you explore. The vision test checks whether you can see 20/40 or better in each eye; if you wear glasses or contacts, bring them. If you fail the vision test, you cannot proceed that day and must see an eye doctor first.

The written test covers North Dakota traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You answer 25 multiple-choice questions and must score at least 80 percent to pass. The test is available in English and several other languages; ask the staff when you arrive. You are allowed one attempt per visit. If you fail, you can return and take it again, but you must wait at least one day.

The office provides study materials online at the NDDOT website (dot.nd.gov). You can also pick up a printed study guide at the Devils Lake office. Most people spend 2 to 4 hours studying before taking the test.

Fees and License Validity

A new driver's license in North Dakota costs $80 and is valid for eight years from the date of issue. If you are renewing an existing license, the cost is $65 and the new license is also valid for eight years. Payment is by cash, check, or card at the Devils Lake office.

Your license expires on your birthday in the year listed on the card. For example, if you turn 30 on March 15, 2032, your license expires on March 15, 2032. You can renew up to one year before the expiration date. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must explore for a new license rather than renew—this means retaking the written test and vision screening.

If you need a replacement license because yours was lost, stolen, or damaged, the cost is $20. Bring a police report if your license was stolen.

What Happens After You Pass

Once you pass the written test and vision screening, the staff will take your photograph and issue you a temporary paper license on the spot. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive legally while your permanent card is being produced. You can drive anywhere in the United States with this temporary license.

Your permanent plastic license card arrives by mail within 7 to 14 business days. The address on file at the office is where it will be sent, so make sure your address is correct before you leave. If you do not receive it within three weeks, call the Devils Lake office to check the status.

Do not throw away your temporary license until the permanent card arrives. If the permanent card is damaged or lost in the mail, you will need the temporary as proof that you have a valid license.

Special Situations: Minors and Graduated Licenses

If you are under 18, North Dakota issues a graduated driver's license (GDL) instead of a standard license. A GDL has restrictions that ease over time. At age 14, you can get a learner's permit, which requires a parent or guardian to be in the vehicle. At age 16, you can get a Level 1 GDL, which restricts driving between midnight and 5:00 a.m. and limits passengers under 18. At age 17, you can get a Level 2 GDL, which has fewer restrictions. At age 18, you can convert to a standard license.

To get a learner's permit, you must pass the written test and vision screening, but you do not take a driving test. Your parent or guardian must sign a consent form at the office. A learner's permit costs $20 and is valid for one year.

To move from a learner's permit to a Level 1 GDL, you must hold the permit for at least six months, pass a driving test at the Devils Lake office, and have your parent or guardian sign again. The driving test takes about 20 minutes and covers basic vehicle control, parking, and road awareness. The cost is $20.

Renewing Your License by Mail

If your license is not expired and your address has not changed, you can renew by mail instead of visiting the Devils Lake office. Request a mail-in renewal packet by calling (701) 662-0525 or visiting the NDDOT website. The packet includes a form, instructions, and a prepaid return envelope.

Complete the form, include a check or money order for $65, and mail it back. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address on file. You can continue to drive with your current license until the new one arrives.

Mail-in renewal is not available if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need to update your address, or if you want to change your name. In those cases, you must visit the Devils Lake office in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take the written test online or at home?

No. The written test must be taken in person at the Ramsey County Driver's License Exam Station in Devils Lake. You cannot take it online, by mail, or at any other location. The office administers the test to may support it is completed fairly and securely.

What if I fail the written test?

You can take the test again, but you must wait at least one day before your next attempt. There is no limit to how many times you can retake it. Each attempt costs $5. Most people pass on the second or third try after studying the NDDOT study guide more carefully.

Do I need to schedule a driving test appointment?

Yes. Driving tests for Level 1 GDL and commercial licenses must be scheduled in advance. Call the Devils Lake office at (701) 662-0525 to book a time. Wait times for driving tests can be several weeks, especially in spring and summer, so schedule as early as possible.

What if I move out of Devils Lake after I get my license?

Your North Dakota license remains valid no matter where you move, as long as you stay in North Dakota. If you move to another state, you must get a license from that state within a set timeframe (usually 30 to 60 days). If you move within North Dakota but change your address, you can update it by mail or in person at any NDDOT office.

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can renew it by mail or in person. If it expired more than two years ago, you must explore for a new license, which means retaking the written test and vision screening. There is no grace period for expired licenses in North Dakota.