North Dakota uses a points system to track driving violations on your record

North Dakota's Department of Transportation assigns points to your driving record when you are convicted of certain traffic violations. Points accumulate over time, and reaching a threshold triggers license suspension or revocation. The number of points varies by violation — a speeding ticket might add two points, while reckless driving adds ten. Points stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction, then drop off automatically.

The state does not publish a single master list of every violation and its point value, but the most common violations and their point assignments are documented in North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-06.1. You can request a copy of your driving record from the ND DMV to see exactly what points are currently on your license.

Key Takeaways

  • Points range from two to ten depending on the violation, and they remain on your record for three years before expiring.
  • Accumulating 12 or more points within a 12-month period triggers a mandatory license suspension.
  • You can request a certified copy of your driving record from the ND DMV to see your current point total and violation history.
  • Some violations, such as DUI or driving with a suspended license, result in automatic license suspension regardless of points.

Common violations and their point values

Speeding violations carry two to four points depending on how far over the limit you were traveling. Speeding 1–10 mph over the limit is two points; 11–20 mph over is three points; 21 mph or more over is four points. Careless driving, failure to yield, and improper lane changes are each two points. Reckless driving is ten points and is treated as a criminal offense, not a civil traffic violation.

Driving under the influence (DUI) or driving while impaired (DWI) does not add points in the traditional sense — instead, it triggers automatic license suspension or revocation under separate rules. The same applies to driving with a suspended or revoked license, which carries its own mandatory suspension period. Fleeing or eluding a police officer is ten points and also results in automatic suspension.

Hit-and-run, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without a valid license are each six points. Failure to stop for a school bus is four points. Improper passing is three points. If you are unsure whether a specific violation you received carries points, the citation itself should list the point value, or you can contact the ND DMV directly.

How suspension works when you reach 12 points

If you accumulate 12 or more points within a 12-month period, the ND DMV will suspend your license for a minimum of 30 days. The suspension is mandatory — there is no waiver or appeal process to avoid it once you hit 12 points. The DMV will mail you a notice of suspension, and your license becomes invalid on the date specified in that notice.

After the 30-day suspension period ends, you can request reinstatement by paying a reinstatement fee (currently $20) and submitting a reinstatement request to the ND DMV. You do not have to retake the written or driving test unless your license has been suspended for other reasons, such as a DUI conviction. However, if you accumulate 12 or more points again within 12 months of reinstatement, you face a second suspension of 60 days.

A third suspension within 12 months of the second suspension results in a 12-month revocation, which is more serious than suspension. During revocation, you cannot drive at all, and you must reapply for a license after the revocation period ends, which includes retaking both the written and driving tests.

How to check your current point total

The fastest way to find out how many points are on your license is to request a certified copy of your driving record from the ND DMV. You can do this in person at any ND DMV office, by mail, or online through the ND DMV website. The online option is the quickest — you can order and receive a copy within minutes if you use the when ready digital version.

To order online, visit the ND DMV website and select "Driver Record Inquiry." You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The fee for a certified driving record is $5 for the when ready digital version or $8 for a mailed copy. An uncertified record (for your own information) costs $3 online.

If you prefer to order by mail, send a written request with your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason for the request to the ND DMV. Include a check or money order for the appropriate fee. Mail requests typically take 5 to 10 business days to process. You can also visit an ND DMV office in person and receive your record the same day.

Points that expire and how the three-year window works

Points expire three years from the date of your conviction, not from the date you received the ticket. This is an important distinction — if you were ticketed on January 15 but not convicted until March 20, the three-year clock starts on March 20. Once three years have passed from the conviction date, those points automatically drop off your record and no longer count toward the 12-point suspension threshold.

The three-year window applies to most traffic violations. However, some violations carry longer lookback periods or do not expire at all. A DUI or DWI conviction, for example, remains on your record for ten years for insurance and employment purposes, though the point-based suspension rules still follow the three-year window. If you are unsure whether a specific violation on your record has expired, your driving record will show the conviction date, and you can calculate from there.

Points do not disappear if you pay a fine or complete traffic school — they only disappear when the three-year period ends. North Dakota does not offer a point reduction program or traffic school option to remove points early, unlike some other states.

What happens if you receive a violation while already suspended

Driving with a suspended license is itself a violation and carries six points. If you are caught driving while suspended, you will face both the original suspension and additional criminal or civil penalties depending on the reason for the suspension. A second or subsequent offense of driving with a suspended license can result in jail time and higher fines.

If you accumulate points that trigger a suspension while you are already suspended, the new suspension period does not begin until the current suspension ends. Instead, the suspensions stack — meaning you serve them consecutively. For example, if you are in the middle of a 30-day suspension and receive a new violation that would trigger another 30-day suspension, you will serve 60 days total once the first suspension ends.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get points removed from my record before three years?

No. North Dakota does not offer traffic school, defensive driving courses, or other programs to remove or reduce points early. Points automatically expire three years from the conviction date. Some states allow this, but North Dakota does not.

Does a parking ticket add points to my license?

No. Parking violations are civil infractions and do not add points to your driving record. Only moving violations — traffic offenses committed while driving — add points. Parking tickets may result in fines, but they do not affect your license status.

What is the difference between suspension and revocation?

Suspension is temporary — your license is invalid for a set period (30, 60, or 90 days), after which you can request reinstatement by paying a fee. Revocation is permanent removal of your license for a longer period, typically 12 months or more, and you must reapply and retake tests to get a new license.

If I move to another state, do my North Dakota points follow me?

Yes. Most states participate in the Driver License Compact, which shares conviction and point information between states. When you explore for a license in a new state, that state will see your North Dakota driving record, including points and suspensions.

How do I know if a violation I received will add points?

The citation you receive should list the point value. If it does not, contact the ND DMV or the court that issued the citation. You can also request your driving record to see what points have been added after conviction.