Minimum Driving Age
- Instruction Permit: Available at 14 years old.
- Restricted License: Eligible at 15 years old, after completing driver education and holding an instruction permit for at least 6 months.
- Unrestricted License: Available at 16 years old, after meeting all prior requirements.
Learner’s Permit Rules
- Supervision: Must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 18 or older seated in the front passenger seat.
- Driving Hours: Must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
- Cell Phone Use: Prohibited for all drivers under 18, including hands-free devices.
- Curfew: Driving is not allowed between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless traveling to or from work or a school event.
License Types
- Instruction Permit: For practicing with a licensed adult.
- Restricted License: Intermediate license with some restrictions.
- Unrestricted License: Full license for drivers meeting all requirements.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Required for operating commercial vehicles.
- Motorcycle Endorsement: Needed to operate a motorcycle.
Required Documents for Driving
To apply for a permit or license in North Dakota, applicants must provide:
- Proof of Identity: Birth certificate, passport, or other approved documents.
- Proof of Social Security Number: SSN card or approved document.
- Proof of North Dakota Residency: Utility bill, lease agreement, or school transcript.
- Parental Consent: Required if under 18.
- School Enrollment Verification: Must be enrolled and in good standing.
Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws
- Seatbelts: Mandatory for all occupants.
- Child Restraints:
- Under age 8 and under 4’9″ tall: Must be in a properly used car seat or booster seat.
- Ages 8 through 17: Must be properly secured in a seat belt or child restraint, regardless of seating position.
- Driver Responsibility: The driver is responsible for ensuring that all occupants under 18 are properly restrained.
- Under age 8 and under 4’9″ tall: Must be in a properly used car seat or booster seat.
Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Rules
- Handheld Device Use: Prohibited for all drivers.
- Texting While Driving: Prohibited for all drivers; carries a $100 fine.
- Drivers Under 18: Prohibited from using any electronic communication devices, including cell phones, even in hands-free mode.
North Dakota Distracted Driving
DUI/DWI Laws
- Legal BAC Limit:
- 0.08% for drivers 21 and over.
- 0.02% for drivers under 21.
- 0.08% for drivers 21 and over.
- First Offense Penalties:
- BAC below 0.16%:
- Fine: $500.
- License Suspension: 91 days.
- Fine: $500.
- BAC 0.16% or higher:
- Fine: $750.
- Jail Time: 2 days.
- License Suspension: 180 days.
- Fine: $750.
- All Offenders:
- Addiction Evaluation: Mandatory.
- BAC below 0.16%:
Speed Limits
- Urban Areas: Typically 25–35 mph.
- Rural Highways: Up to 55 mph.
- Interstate Highways: Up to 75 mph; legislation to increase to 80 mph is pending.
- School Zones: Generally 20 mph during school hours.
Road Rage and Reckless Driving Laws
- Reckless Driving: Operating a vehicle with willful disregard for safety.
- Penalties:
- Standard Reckless Driving:
- Classification: Class B misdemeanor.
- Jail Time: Up to 30 days.
- Fine: Up to $1,500.
- Classification: Class B misdemeanor.
- Aggravated Reckless Driving (causing injury):
- Classification: Class A misdemeanor.
- Jail Time: Up to 1 year.
- Fine: Up to $3,000.
- Classification: Class A misdemeanor.
- Standard Reckless Driving:
Points System
North Dakota operates a demerit point system:
- 12 or more points: License suspension for 7 days per point over 11.
- Drivers Under 18: License canceled upon accumulating 6 or more points.
- Point Reduction: Eligible to reduce 3 points by completing a defensive driving course once every 12 months.
Insurance Requirements
- Liability Insurance: Required minimums:
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
- Property Damage: $25,000 per accident.
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Required.
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Required minimum of $30,000 per person.
Renewal Frequency and Testing
- License Renewal: Every 4 years.
- Vision Test: Required at every renewal.
- Written/Driving Test: May be required if there are medical concerns or after certain violations.
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