How North Dakota Suspends Your License
North Dakota suspends your driver's license when you fail to pay traffic fines, miss court dates, rack up too many points in a short time, or don't carry the insurance the state requires. The state also suspends licenses for serious violations like DUI, reckless driving, or driving with a suspended license. Once suspended, you cannot legally drive—not for work, not to get groceries, not to drive to the DMV itself.
The suspension stays in place until you fix the underlying problem and pay a reinstatement fee. That fee is $20 in North Dakota, but you also have to resolve whatever caused the suspension in the first place. If you were suspended for unpaid fines, you pay those. If you were suspended for no insurance, you get insurance and file an SR22 form. If you were suspended for too many points, you wait out the suspension period.
North Dakota does not automatically tell you when your license is suspended. You find out when you get pulled over, or when you check your status online through the North Dakota Department of Transportation website, or when you try to renew and the system flags it. Many people drive for weeks without knowing.
Key Takeaways
- North Dakota suspends licenses for unpaid fines, missed court dates, accumulating points too quickly, driving without insurance, or serious violations like DUI.
- You cannot legally drive during a suspension, and driving anyway adds new charges and extends the suspension period.
- To get your license back, you must fix the cause of the suspension, pay a $20 reinstatement fee, and sometimes file an SR22 form with your insurance company.
- You can check your suspension status for free on the North Dakota DOT website or by calling the Driver License Division.
- If you cannot afford to fix the problem right away, you may be able to set up a payment plan for fines or get a temporary work permit in some cases.
Suspension for Unpaid Traffic Fines
When you get a traffic ticket in North Dakota and do not pay the fine by the due date, the court reports you to the Department of Transportation. The state then suspends your license. This is one of the most common reasons for suspension and also one of the easiest to fix—you just pay what you owe.
The amount you owe includes the original fine plus court costs. If you received the ticket in a city court, you pay that city. If you received it in district court, you pay the district court. You can usually pay online, by mail, or in person. Once the court confirms payment, they notify the DOT, and your suspension is lifted after you pay the $20 reinstatement fee.
If you cannot pay the full amount at once, contact the court that issued the ticket and ask about a payment plan. Many courts will work with you on installments. Some will also reduce the fine if you take a defensive driving course. Do not ignore the ticket—ignoring it only adds a failure-to-appear charge and makes the suspension longer.
Suspension for Accumulating Too Many Points
North Dakota uses a point system. Minor violations like speeding add points to your record. If you accumulate 12 or more points within 12 months, your license is suspended for 30 days. If you get 18 or more points within 24 months, the suspension is 60 days. The points stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation.
You cannot shorten a points-based suspension by paying a fee or taking a course. You have to wait out the suspension period. However, you can reduce points by taking a North Dakota defensive driving course—it removes up to three points from your record, but only once every 12 months. You can take the course online through approved providers.
After the suspension period ends, you still have to pay the $20 reinstatement fee before you can drive again. Check your point total on the North Dakota DOT website to see how close you are to suspension.
Suspension for Driving Without Insurance
North Dakota requires every driver to carry liability insurance. If you are caught driving without it, the state suspends your license when ready. This suspension does not lift until you get insurance and file an SR22 form with your insurance company.
An SR22 is a certificate that proves to the state you have insurance. Your insurance company files it electronically with the DOT at no extra charge—it is part of your policy. You do not file it yourself. Once the DOT receives the SR22, your suspension is lifted, and you pay the $20 reinstatement fee.
If you were suspended for no insurance, expect to pay higher premiums when you buy a policy. Insurance companies charge more for drivers with a suspension on their record. The SR22 requirement typically stays in place for three years, meaning if your policy lapses during that time, the state is automatically notified and your license is suspended again.
Suspension for DUI and Serious Violations
A DUI conviction in North Dakota triggers an automatic license suspension. A first DUI suspension lasts 90 days if you refused a breath test, or 30 days if you took the test and failed. A second DUI within 10 years brings a one-year suspension. These suspensions are separate from any criminal penalties you face.
Other serious violations that lead to suspension include reckless driving, driving with a suspended license, and hit-and-run. The suspension period depends on the violation and whether it is your first offense or a repeat. A conviction for driving with a suspended license adds another suspension on top of the one you already had.
To reinstate your license after a DUI suspension, you must complete a substance abuse evaluation and any treatment the evaluator recommends. You also need an SR22 form and the $20 reinstatement fee. Some people are ordered to install an ignition interlock device on their vehicle, which prevents the car from starting if alcohol is detected on your breath.
How to Check Your Suspension Status
You can check whether your North Dakota license is suspended for free on the Department of Transportation website. Go to the Driver License Division page, enter your driver's license number and date of birth, and the system will show your status. You can also call the Driver License Division at 701-328-2725 during business hours.
If your license is suspended, the website or phone line will tell you the reason and what you need to do to fix it. Write down the reason and any case numbers or court information listed. You will need this when you contact the court, your insurance company, or the DOT.
Do not wait for a letter in the mail. The state does not always send notice before suspending your license. Checking online is the fastest way to find out your status and start fixing the problem.
Steps to Reinstate Your License
The steps to reinstate depend on why your license was suspended. For unpaid fines, pay the court. For points, wait out the suspension period. For no insurance, get an SR22. For DUI, complete an evaluation and get an SR22. In all cases, you then pay the $20 reinstatement fee to the Department of Transportation.
You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the DOT website, by mail, or in person at a Driver License office. Once you pay and the DOT processes your request, your license is reinstated. This usually takes a few business days if you pay online, longer if you mail a check.
If you need to drive before your suspension is lifted, you may be able to get a temporary work permit in limited cases—for example, if you were suspended for unpaid fines and you need to drive to work while you arrange payment. Contact the Driver License Division to ask whether a work permit is available for your situation.
Driving on a Suspended License in North Dakota
Driving while your license is suspended is a crime in North Dakota. A first offense is a misdemeanor that can result in a fine up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within five years brings a fine up to $2,000 and up to 60 days in jail. A third or later offense is a felony.
If you are pulled over while suspended, you will be arrested, your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face criminal charges on top of the original suspension. Your license suspension will be extended. Your insurance rates will go up even more. It is not worth the risk.
If you need to drive during a suspension, ask the Driver License Division about a work permit or a limited license. These are not always available, but they exist for situations where you have no other way to get to work or medical appointments. The division can tell you whether you may have access to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a work permit while my license is suspended?
North Dakota does not have a formal work permit program, but you can request a limited license for essential driving like work or medical appointments. Contact the Driver License Division to ask whether your situation qualifies. Approval is not may provide and depends on the reason for your suspension.
How long does it take to reinstate my license after I pay the fee?
If you pay online, reinstatement usually takes one to three business days. If you mail a check, allow five to seven business days. Once the DOT processes your payment and confirms that the underlying problem is fixed, your license is reinstated when ready in the system.
Will my insurance rates go up after a suspension?
Yes. A suspension for no insurance or DUI will significantly raise your rates. You will likely need an SR22, which is filed by high-risk drivers. Rates typically stay elevated for three to five years, depending on your insurance company and the reason for the suspension.
What happens if I move out of North Dakota while suspended?
Your North Dakota suspension follows you. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, most states will see the suspension and deny your process until you clear it in North Dakota. You will need to resolve the suspension before you can drive legally in any state.
Can I appeal a suspension if I think it was a mistake?
Yes. If you believe your suspension was issued in error, contact the Driver License Division in writing with documentation of why. For example, if you paid a fine but the court did not report it to the DOT, bring proof of payment. The division will investigate and lift the suspension if you are correct.