How to Get a Driver’s License in North Dakota

Getting a driver’s license is a fairly simple process, but it may be different throughout each state. What is the age you can get one at? What are you required to bring? What is the test like? In North Dakota, here is some information on how the process of getting your license works.

To get your driver’s license in North Dakota, you must be 16 years of age, and you cannot drive in that state even if you have a license from another state if you are under 16. However, North Dakota lets 15 year olds get their restricted license. For anyone under the age of 18 to get their permit or license, you must have your parent or legal guardian sign permission for it.

North Dakota Drivers License Requirements

When coming to the North Dakota DMV and beginning the process for getting your driver’s license, you will need to provide a form with your date of birth, legal presence and proof of your name. These forms of identification will need to be original, and not copies. You will also need your social security number to put on an application for either your permit or your license, and it will be checked out. You may not use out of state IDs, licenses or permits as proof of your name and the other requirements. However, the forms of identification that CAN be used include:

A birth certificate (it must be in the U.S. and certified by the state it was issued in)
A passport (the U.S. issued and must not be expired)
North Dakota permit or ID card
Adoption papers with your legal name (must be court orders and from the U.S., and the court seal must be on the form)
Military ID
A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (it must be a certificate, or have an FS240 Seal, and have been issued by the U.S. Government)
A valid foreign passport
And various unexpired immigration documents

North Dakota Drivers License Cost

When you are coming in to get your driver’s license, it will cost roughly around $25. You must pay a $5 fee for taking the written test, and a $5 fee for the road test. Your driver’s license itself will cost $15, and if it is a commercial license, you will have to pay an extra $3 for endorsement.

Written test $5

Road test $5

Duplicate license $8 or $3 for name or address change only

Non-commercial permit or license $15

Commercial permit or license $15 plus $3 per endorsement

Non-driver photo ID card $8

The written knowledge test must be passed before you can take the road test, so you can study up for it by reading the North Dakota State Driver’s Guide. You can take a practice test online as well. The written test has 50 multiple choice questions, and you will need to get at least 80% correct before you are able to pass. You can take it as many times as you want but will need to pay a $5 fee each time you take the written test. You can take an online practice test as many times as you want for free.

When you are ready to take the road test for your driver’s license, you must provide your permit, which you will have had to have for a minimum of 6 months. If you are younger than 16 and going for your restricted license, you must show proof that you graduated from a driver’s ed class. If you are a minor, you must be driving in either car that your parent or legal guardian owns, or the DMV will provide a dual-controlled car for you to drive in. No other car will be allowed in the test. The car will also be examined beforehand to make sure that it is acceptable for being tested in.

You will be accompanied by a worker when you take the road test, and they will watch your obedience to road signs and the ability to handle intersections during the test, among other things. You may be required to parallel park in the road test, and so you will want to practice that a lot beforehand so that you are ready.

Once all the tests are completed and passed, it is time to bring all of your identification documents up to the counter and they will process your information, get your signature, take your picture and issue you your license. If you are a minor, you are watched in particular on the road and your license can be suspended if you get up to six points for mistakes in driving. So practice well, and drive carefully. Good luck!

Take Free Practice Test Now

North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 1 (Signs)
North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 2 (Signs)
North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 3 (Rules)
North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 4 (Rules)
North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 5 (Rules)
North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 6 (Rules)
North Dakota DMV Practice Test – Quiz 7 (Rules)