How to Get Your North Dakota Driver License

What you need to know about North Dakota driver licenses

North Dakota issues three types of driver licenses: a Class D for regular passenger vehicles, a Class M for motorcycles, and a Commercial Driver License (CDL) for trucks and buses. Most new drivers start with a Class D. The state uses a graduated licensing system, which means you begin with a learner's permit, move to a restricted license, and then earn your full license — each step has its own rules about who can ride with you and when you can drive.

North Dakota does not have a separate "provisional" license stage like some states. Instead, you progress from permit to restricted to full, and the restrictions are tied to your age and how long you have held each license. If you are under 18, the rules are stricter than they are for adults.

Key Takeaways

North Dakota requires you to hold a learner's permit for at least 6 months before you can take the road test for a restricted license.
You must pass a written test, a vision screening, and a road test to move from one license stage to the next.
Drivers under 18 face curfew restrictions and limits on passengers until they reach 18 or hold a full license for 12 months.
You can take your learner's permit test at any North Dakota Driver License Examination Station, and the written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices.
A Class D license costs $40 and is valid for 8 years; renewal is done in person or by mail.

Getting your learner's permit in North Dakota

To get a learner's permit, you must be at least 14 years old. You will need to bring proof of identity (a birth certificate, passport, or tribal ID), proof of North Dakota residency (a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security number. You do not need to bring a parent or guardian to the examination station, but if you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process.

At the examination station, you will take a written test covering 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 will also have your vision screened. Once you pass, you receive your learner's permit on the spot. The permit is valid for one year and costs $10.

With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old is sitting next to you in the front seat. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. You must follow all traffic laws and cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free.

Moving from learner's permit to restricted license

You must hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months before you can take the road test. If you are under 18, you must also have been crash-free and ticket-free during that 6-month period. Once you meet these requirements, you can schedule a road test at any North Dakota Driver License Examination Station.

The road test lasts about 30 minutes and covers basic driving skills: starting the vehicle, turning, stopping, parking, and following traffic laws. You must bring your learner's permit, proof of vehicle insurance, and the vehicle you will be driving. A test examiner will sit in the passenger seat and score your performance. If you pass, you receive a restricted license on the spot.

A restricted license allows you to drive without a supervising adult, but if you are under 18, you still face curfew and passenger limits. You cannot drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on school nights (Sunday through Thursday) or between midnight and 5 a.m. on weekends. You can have no more than one passenger under 18 in the vehicle unless a parent or guardian is present. These restrictions lift when you turn 18 or have held a restricted license for 12 months, whichever comes first.

Upgrading to a full Class D license

If you are under 18 and have held a restricted license for 12 months without a crash or ticket, you can upgrade to a full license. If you are 18 or older when you receive your restricted license, you already have a full license — the restricted stage does not explore to adults.

To upgrade from restricted to full, you do not need to take another test. You straightforward visit a North Dakota Driver License Examination Station with your restricted license and pay a $10 upgrade fee. Your new full license will be issued when ready. A full Class D license is valid for 8 years.

Documents you need to bring

For your first learner's permit, bring one document proving your identity (birth certificate, U.S. passport, tribal ID, or military ID), one document proving North Dakota residency (utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and address), and your Social Security number or a document showing it. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process in person or provide a notarized signature.

For your road test, bring your learner's permit, proof of vehicle insurance (a current insurance card or policy document), and the vehicle you will be driving. The vehicle must be in safe working condition — the examiner will check the brakes, lights, horn, windshield wipers, and mirrors before the test begins.

For license renewal, you can renew in person at any examination station or by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked. By mail, send your current license, a completed renewal form (available on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website), and payment. Renewal by mail takes about two weeks.

Costs and how long licenses last

A learner's permit costs $10 and is valid for one year. A restricted license costs $40 and is valid for 8 years. A full Class D license also costs $40 and is valid for 8 years. If you upgrade from restricted to full before your 8-year term ends, you pay $10 for the upgrade, and your new expiration date is 8 years from the date you received your restricted license.

If your license expires, you can renew it in person or by mail. Renewal in person costs $40 and takes a few minutes. Renewal by mail also costs $40 and takes about two weeks. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you may need to retake the written test and road test.

Special rules for drivers under 18

North Dakota's graduated licensing system is designed to give younger drivers time to build experience under safer conditions. Until you turn 18 or have held a restricted license for 12 months, you face curfew restrictions (no driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. on school nights, or between midnight and 5 a.m. on weekends) and passenger limits (no more than one passenger under 18 unless a parent or guardian is present).

You also cannot use a cell phone while driving, even for hands-free calls, until you turn 18. If you are caught violating these rules, you may face fines, license suspension, or both. A violation does not reset your 12-month countdown, but it can delay your upgrade if you have not yet met the crash-free and ticket-free requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a learner's permit at 14 in North Dakota?

Yes. North Dakota allows learner's permits starting at age 14. You must pass the written test and vision screening, and if you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign your process. With a permit, you can only drive when a licensed adult at least 18 years old is in the front seat.

How long do I have to wait between getting my permit and taking the road test?

You must hold your learner's permit for at least 6 months before you can take the road test. If you are under 18, you must also be crash-free and ticket-free during that 6-month period. Once you meet these requirements, you can schedule your road test at any North Dakota Driver License Examination Station.

What happens if I fail the road test?

If you fail the road test, you can retake it. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you will pay the road test fee each time you take it. Most examination stations allow you to schedule another test when ready after a failure. You can continue driving with your learner's permit while you prepare to retake the test.

Do I need to renew my license in person, or can I do it by mail?

You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended or revoked. Send your current license, a completed renewal form (available on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website), and payment to the address on the form. Renewal by mail takes about two weeks and costs $40, the same as in-person renewal.

What are the passenger restrictions for drivers under 18?

If you are under 18 with a restricted license, you can have no more than one passenger under 18 in the vehicle unless a parent or guardian is present. This restriction lifts when you turn 18 or have held a restricted license for 12 months, whichever comes first. The curfew restriction (no driving 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. on school nights) also lifts at that time.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.