North Dakota Driver's License

Instruction Permit

In North Dakota, obtaining a driver's license begins with an instruction permit. The instruction permit is designed to give new drivers practical driving experience in a controlled and safe environment. It serves as a stepping stone before advancing to a restricted or full driver's license.

The instruction permit is available to individuals starting at the age of 14. To get the permit, the individual must fulfill the following requirements:

• Pass the written knowledge test, which assesses their understanding of traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices.
• Pass the vision test, which checks their visual acuity for safe driving.
• Submit the following documentary requirements:
• Proof of identity (see this checklist for what documents are acceptable)
• Proof of North Dakota residency (applicants must provide two documents from this list)
• Social Security number
• Proof of name change (only if the current name is different from the name of the proof of identity)
• Applicants younger than 16 must complete a driver's education course from approved training schools.
• Individuals younger than 18 must obtain the signature of their sponsor or parents for approval and proof of financial liability.
• Complete the Application for North Dakota Driver License, Permit, or Identification form.

Applicants can take their written knowledge test online for convenience. They can study the Online Study Guide for potential topics. The vision test is usually taken at any North Dakota Driver License Site. The written test costs $5, while the vision test is free.

With the instruction permit, new drivers can practice driving under the supervision of a licensed adult at least 18 years old and with a minimum of three years of driving experience.

The instruction permit is valid for one year and can be renewed. The cost of the permit is $15.

For more information on obtaining an instruction or learner's permit, check the "How to Apply for a Learner's Permit" page on the NDDOT website.

Restricted Minor's License (Intermediate License)

If the applicant is 15 to 16, they can apply for a restricted minor's license. The individual must have successfully kept their instruction permit for at least 12 months without any driving violation before applying.

To successfully get the license, the applicant must pass a road test. This test assesses the individual's practical skills in operating a vehicle safely while following traffic laws. The applicant must provide a currently registered vehicle that is fully functional during the test.

Applicants can schedule a road test online through the Drivers License Road Test Scheduler. They must also pay the $5 testing fee.

Non-Commercial Class D License

The Class D driver's license is the standard license for operating regular passenger vehicles in North Dakota. This license is available to individuals who are at least 16 years old.

However, the process can begin as early as 14 years old with an instruction permit. At age 15, individuals can upgrade to a restricted license before finally becoming eligible for a full Class D license at age 16. If the individual is over 16, they don't have to secure a restricted minor's license. Their instruction permit will suffice.

For detailed instructions on obtaining a driver's license in North Dakota, please refer to the "How to Obtain a Driver's License in North Dakota?" section of this guide.

Commercial Driver's Licenses

Individuals who wish to operate a vehicle for commercial purposes in North Dakota must obtain the appropriate commercial driver's license (CDL). These licenses are categorized as Class A, B, and C based on the size and weight of the commercial vehicle.

Individuals are encouraged to visit the "Commercial" page on the official NDDOT website for more details.

Motorcycle Licenses

North Dakota also has motorcycle licenses (Class M), usually meant for driving two or three-wheeled motorcycles. Like the Class D license, individuals must first get an instruction permit at 14. There are different restrictions for ages 14-15, 16-17, and those 18 and above.

For more information on the Class M licenses, check the "Motorcycle License" page on the NDDOT website.

Basic Requirements

Individuals must meet the following requirements to qualify for a Class D license in North Dakota:

• Must be at least 16 years old
• Must have obtained a restricted license (if at least 16 years old)
• Must have obtained an instruction permit (if over 16 years old)
• Must not have any driving violations since holding a restricted license

If the individual has changed their address since they applied for their instruction permit, they must report it to the DLD. They can use the Drivers License Address/Email Change System tool.

Road Test

Note that if the individual is over 16 and holds an instruction permit, they must take and pass the road test. Only after passing the road test and paying the $15 license fee will the individual receive their driver's license.

However, the individual can waive the road test by presenting any of the following:

• Certificate of Course Completion from a North Dakota Driving School
• Student Completion Certificate from the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction

To get the certificate, the individual must complete the following:

• At least 30 hours of classroom driver training
• At least 6 hours of actual driving for waiver purposes

The NDDOT director must approve the actual driving.

Application

The individual can pre-apply for the driver's license (as well as the instruction permit) through North Dakota's Pre-Application System. They can also apply at any North Dakota Driver License Site.

License Renewal

North Dakota sends automatic notifications to license holders by mail to remind them of their impending license expiration. Individuals must always update their registered addresses at the NDDOT, so they receive the notification.

Individuals must renew their North Dakota driver's license before expiry. They don't need to retake knowledge and road tests during renewal within one year after the license expires. After one year without renewal, the individual must retake the two tests.

Note that the license expires at midnight on the individual's birthday or the date indicated in the license. Driving after midnight of the date of expiry is illegal.

However, individuals don't have to wait until the expiry date to renew. They can renew their license as early as ten months before expiration.

In North Dakota, there are three ways to renew a driver's license: online, in person, and by mail. However, mail renewal is only applicable to active-duty military members.

Online Renewal

Individuals can renew their driver's licenses online through the Drivers License Renewal System. Note that the individual can't renew online if they meet the following conditions:

• They are 70 years old or older.
• They have changed the information indicated in their current license apart from the address.
• Their last renewal was done online (online renewal is only possible for every other renewal).

The processing may take up to ten business days.

In-Person Renewal

Individuals can also opt to renew in person by visiting a North Dakota Driver License Site. Note: Individuals with a REAL ID driver's license must renew it in person.

The individual can pre-apply through the Pre-Application System to make the renewal more convenient. They can also schedule an appointment through the online scheduler at the NDDOT website.

To book an appointment, individuals can follow these steps:

• Click on the "Book an Appointment" option.
• Agree to the terms and conditions, and then select the number of people attending the appointment. Click "Next" to proceed.
• On the calendar, click to search for available dates and times. Note that appointments for the same day may not be available.
• From the green time slots, choose the specific time.
• The individual must enter their name and select the type of appointment required.
• The individual must provide their contact information. They will then receive an email confirmation.
• The individual must bring the confirmation number to their appointment.

The driver's license examiner will conduct a vision test if the individual wears corrective lenses or glasses during renewal.

Renewal by Mail

Note that only the following individuals can renew by mail:

North Dakota Resident Who is Out of State

North Dakota residents currently out of state can call the NDDOT line, 701-328-2500, to request a renewal. The representative will collect the following information:

• North Dakota driver's license or social security number
• Individual's name and date of birth
• Reason for the request
• Current out-of-state mailing address

The individual will receive the renewal packet with all the required forms by mail, which they must complete. After completion, the individual can mail the packet to the following address:

They can also fax the forms to (701) 328-0308 or email them to dl@nd.gov. Note that if the individual decides to fax the forms, they must call with their credit card information ready to pay the $15 renewal fee. If there is no issue, such as suspension, revocation, or cancellation, the DLD will process the renewal.

Note that North Dakota residents out of state can only renew by mail once. Their second renewal must be online (if eligible) or in person.

Active-Duty Military Stationed Out of State

North Dakota offers an "extended term of license" for active-duty military members, as stated in the North Dakota Century Code, Title 39, Chapter 39-06-19.1. Under this provision, active-duty military members with an expired license can still operate a motor vehicle, provided they remain absent from North Dakota.

The extended term of the license remains valid until 30 days after their separation from military service as long as it has not been suspended, revoked, or canceled and comes with military identification.

Upon returning to North Dakota, the military member must renew their license within 30 days. They must provide the following:

• North Dakota driver's license
• Military ID Card
• Proof of duty station (e.g., discharge orders, leave papers, PCS orders, leave and earnings statement)

Note that the extended term of the license is only valid when the physical license is in immediate possession. The extension becomes null and void if the license is misplaced or lost. The license extension is also null and void if the individual's driving privileges have been suspended, revoked, or canceled.

For more information, individuals can check the "Active Duty Military" page on the NDDOT website.

License Replacement or Duplicate

Individuals must request a replacement for lost, stolen, or damaged licenses. They can get replacements either online or in person. To get a duplicate or replacement, the individual must still be a North Dakota resident, and their license has not been suspended, revoked, or canceled.

Online Request

Individuals can use the Substitute License/ID Card System and pay the $8 fee for online requests. Note that the processing may take ten days. If the individual needs to change their address, they must submit proof of their current address.

In Person Request

Individuals can go to any North Dakota Driver License Site for in-person requests. They must submit proof of their current resident address for any address change. They must also provide proof of identity for the duplicate request at the location. For convenience, they can schedule an appointment at the NNDOT website.

Mail Request

If the individual loses their driver's license in another state, they can request a replacement through email to dl@nd.gov. They must provide the following information to check if they are eligible to get their replacement license by mail:

• License number
• Current out-of-state address

If they are eligible, they must pay the $8 fee. They will then receive their replacement license by mail to the out-of-state address they mentioned in their email.