Where to Go for Your License in Grand Forks

The Grand Forks Driver's License Station is located at 3101 South Washington Street, Grand Forks, ND 58201. This is the only full-service office in Grand Forks County where you can take your written test, road test, and receive your license on the same day if you pass both exams. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays.

You do not need an appointment for most transactions, but the office processes customers on a first-come, first-served basis. Wait times vary by day and time of day; mornings typically have shorter lines than afternoons. If you are renewing an expired license or replacing a lost one, you can also handle those transactions by mail or through the North Dakota Department of Transportation website, though in-person service is faster.

The office accepts cash, check, and card payments. Bring your Social Security number and at least one form of identification when you arrive, even if you already have a license you are renewing.

Key Takeaways

  • The Grand Forks Driver's License Station is at 3101 South Washington Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no appointment needed.
  • You must pass both a written test and a road test to receive your first license; both can be completed in one visit if you pass.
  • Bring proof of identity, proof of residency, your Social Security number, and payment for the license fee, which varies by license type and age.
  • North Dakota requires vision screening at the license station, so bring your current glasses or contacts if you use them while driving.
  • If you hold a valid license from another state, you may be able to transfer it without retaking the written test, but you will still take a road test.

Documents You Need to Bring

North Dakota requires specific documents before the license station will issue you a license. You must bring proof of identity, which can be a passport, military ID, or a previous North Dakota driver's license. If you do not have one of these, a combination of documents such as a birth certificate plus a school ID or employee ID may work, but call the station first to confirm.

You also need proof of residency in Grand Forks. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or property tax statement dated within the last 60 days. A bank statement or insurance bill also works. The document must show your current address in Grand Forks.

Bring your Social Security card or a document that displays your Social Security number. If you are under 18, you must also bring a signed parental consent form, which you can obtain from the license station or read from the North Dakota Department of Transportation website.

If you are transferring a license from another state, bring that license with you. If you are renewing and your license is still valid, bring it as well. Bring your current glasses or contacts if you wear them while driving, because the station will perform a vision test.

Written Test and Road Test Requirements

The written test covers North Dakota traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. The test has 25 questions, and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass. You can retake the test the same day if you fail, but you will pay the test fee again. The test is offered in English and several other languages; ask the staff when you arrive if you need an interpreter.

If you hold a valid driver's license from another state, you may be waived from the written test, but this is not automatic. The station staff will determine whether your out-of-state license qualifies you for a waiver based on North Dakota reciprocity rules. Even with a waiver, you must still pass the road test.

The road test takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You will drive with an examiner who will evaluate your ability to control the vehicle, follow traffic laws, and respond to hazards. The examiner will ask you to perform specific maneuvers such as parallel parking, three-point turns, and backing up. You must pass the road test to receive your license. If you fail, you can retake it, but you will need to schedule another appointment and pay the test fee again.

Bring the vehicle you plan to use for the test. The vehicle must be registered, insured, and in safe working condition. The examiner will check the brakes, lights, wipers, and horn before the test begins.

License Fees and Types

North Dakota charges different fees depending on your age and the type of license you are obtaining. A Class D license (standard passenger vehicle license) for someone 21 or older costs $80 for an eight-year renewal period. If you are under 21, the fee is $60 for a four-year period. These fees cover both the written and road tests.

A Class M license (motorcycle) costs $40 for an eight-year period if you are 21 or older, or $30 for a four-year period if you are under 21. You must pass a separate motorcycle written test and road test to obtain this license.

A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) costs more and requires additional testing and documentation. Fees vary based on the class and endorsements you need. Contact the Grand Forks station directly for current CDL pricing.

If you are renewing a license that has expired within the last two years, you may be able to renew by mail for a lower fee. If your license expired more than two years ago, you will need to retake the written and road tests in person.

Special Rules for Drivers Under 18

North Dakota issues a Learner's Permit to drivers under 18 before they can take the road test. You must hold the permit for at least 30 days and complete a driver education course before you are allowed to test for a full license. The permit costs $20 and is valid for one year.

With a learner's permit, you must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and seated in the front passenger seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m., and you cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free.

Once you have held the permit for 30 days and completed driver education, you can schedule a road test at the Grand Forks station. Bring your learner's permit, proof of driver education completion, and the supervising driver with you to the test. The supervising driver does not need to be present during the test itself, but they must be present when you arrive.

Renewing or Replacing Your License

If your North Dakota license is still valid and not expired, you can renew it by mail without visiting the station. The North Dakota Department of Transportation will send you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires. Follow the instructions on the notice to renew by mail. The fee is lower for mail renewal than for in-person renewal.

If your license has expired, you must renew in person at the Grand Forks station. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment. If your license expired more than two years ago, you will need to retake the written and road tests.

If your license is lost or stolen, report it to the Grand Forks Police Department and obtain a police report number. Bring the report number to the license station along with your proof of identity and residency. The replacement fee is $20. You do not need to retake the tests if you are straightforward replacing a lost or stolen license.

Transferring a License from Another State

If you have a valid driver's license from another state and you are now a resident of North Dakota, you can transfer your license to a North Dakota license. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of North Dakota residency, your Social Security number, and payment to the Grand Forks station.

You will not need to retake the written test if your out-of-state license is valid and you meet North Dakota's requirements. However, you will still need to pass a road test. Some states have reciprocity agreements with North Dakota that may waive the road test as well, but this is rare. Ask the staff at the station whether your state qualifies.

The fee for transferring a license is the same as the fee for a new license of the same type. The process usually takes one visit if you pass the road test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take my road test in a vehicle that is not registered to me?

Yes. The vehicle must be registered and insured, but it does not have to be registered in your name. Many people use a family member's vehicle for the road test. The vehicle must be in safe working condition, and the examiner will check the brakes, lights, wipers, and horn before the test begins.

What happens if I fail the road test?

You can retake the road test, but you will need to schedule another appointment and pay the test fee again. There is no waiting period between attempts, so you can schedule your next test as soon as the station has an opening. Many people retake the test within a few days.

Do I need to take a vision test even if I wear glasses?

Yes. The station will perform a vision screening as part of the license process. Bring your current glasses or contacts if you wear them while driving. If you fail the vision test, you may be required to see an eye doctor and bring a vision report to the station before your license is issued.

Can I renew my license online?

You cannot complete the entire renewal process online, but you can check your license status and find renewal information on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website. If your license is still valid and not expired, you can renew by mail using the form sent to you by the state. Mail renewal is faster than visiting the station in person.

What if I moved to Grand Forks from another North Dakota city?

You do not need a new license if you are moving within North Dakota. Your current license remains valid. However, you should update your address with the Department of Transportation. You can do this by mail or in person at the Grand Forks station. Bring proof of your new address and your current license.