North Dakota driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual and, where the manual is silent, the North Dakota Century Code: Chapter 39-01: Definitions and General Provisions, Chapter 39-04: Motor Vehicle Registration, Chapter 39-05: Title Registration, Chapter 39-06: Operators' Licenses, Chapter 39-06.1: Disposition of Traffic Offenses, Chapter 39-07: General Regulations Governing Traffic, Chapter 39-08: Regulations Governing Operators, Chapter 39-09: Speed Restrictions, Chapter 39-10: General Rules of the Road, Chapter 39-10.1: Bicycles, Chapter 39-10.2: Motorcycles, Chapter 39-12: Size, Width, and Height Restrictions, Chapter 39-13: Traffic Signs, Chapter 39-16: Financial Responsibility of Owners and Operators, Chapter 39-16.1: Proof of Financial Responsibility for the Future, Chapter 39-20: Chemical Test for Intoxication, Implied Consent, Chapter 39-21: Equipment of Vehicles, Chapter 39-27: Motorcycle Equipment, Chapter 39-29.1: Low-Speed Vehicles, Chapter 39-29.2: Unconventional Vehicles, Chapter 5-01, Section 5-01-08: Individuals under twenty-one prohibited from using alcoholic beverages, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 8 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
In North Dakota, you may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. Firefighters need the hydrant at once, and a car parked beside it can cost them minutes.
Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
You may not park on or within 10 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. A parked car by a crosswalk hides people stepping off the curb from drivers turning in.
On or within 10 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
You may not park within 15 feet of a flashing beacon, a stop sign, or a traffic control signal placed on the side of the roadway. A car parked next to a stop sign or signal blocks other drivers from seeing it.
Within 15 feet of a flashing beacon, a stop sign, or a traffic control signal placed on the side of the roadway.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a fire station driveway must you park?
10. Within twenty feet [6.10 meters] of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five feet [22.86 meters] of said entrance when properly signposted.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-10-49(10)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
When parallel parking in North Dakota, your wheels should be parallel to the right-hand curb and within 1 foot of it. A car parked far from the curb sticks into the lane and can be hit by passing traffic.
When parallel parking your vehicle, your wheels should be parallel to the right-hand curb and within one foot of the right-hand curb.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
When a school bus is stopped and flashing its red lights, drivers approaching from both directions must stop, because children are being loaded or unloaded. Children getting on or off may cross in front of the bus, where drivers going either way could hit them.
When a school bus is stopped and flashing its red lights, drivers approaching from both directions must stop.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?
If an emergency vehicle, law enforcement vehicle or NDDOT maintenance vehicle is parked on the Interstate or a multi-lane highway with its emergency or work lights flashing, move over to the opposite lane and proceed with due caution. People step out of these vehicles into the lane beside them, and a full lane of space keeps passing traffic from hitting them.
move over to the opposite lane and proceed with due caution.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
The driver of a vehicle other than one on official business may not follow closer than five hundred feet [152.4 meters] behind an emergency vehicle displaying the appropriate light for that vehicle in an emergency. A driver of a vehicle other than one on official business may not stop the vehicle within two hundred feet [60.96 meters] of any emergency vehicle stopped in answer to a 911 emergency.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-10-57
As of 8 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
In North Dakota, use your headlights from sunset to sunrise, and at any other time necessary for safe driving. After sunset other drivers cannot see you, and you cannot see the road, without your lights on.
Use your headlights from sunset to sunrise, and at any other time necessary for safe driving.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
In North Dakota, dim your headlights at least 500 feet before meeting traffic. High beams shine far ahead and can blind an oncoming driver well before you pass each other.
Dim your headlights at least 500 feet before meeting traffic and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
North Dakota's seat belt law requires all occupants to wear seat belts in all seating positions. A rider unbelted in the back seat is thrown forward in a crash and can kill the person in front of them.
North Dakota’s seat belt law requires all occupants to wear seat belts in all seating positions.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
North Dakota's child passenger safety law requires children under 8 years of age to be properly secured in a child restraint (car seat or booster seat). An adult belt does not fit a small child, and in a crash it can slide up onto the neck or belly.
Children under eight years of age must be properly secured in a child restraint (car seat or booster seat).
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
In North Dakota, a driver age 21 or older is legally under the influence with an alcohol concentration of .08% or greater. At this level reaction time, vision and judgment are clearly impaired for almost everyone.
If a chemical test reveals that you have eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or greater of alcohol in your blood, or .02% if under the age of 21, you are considered legally to be under the influence of alcohol.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A driver under age 21 is considered legally under the influence of alcohol at .02% or greater. Young drivers are new to both driving and drinking, so the law allows close to zero alcohol.
If a chemical test reveals that you have eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or greater of alcohol in your blood, or .02% if under the age of 21, you are considered legally to be under the influence of alcohol.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
If you refuse to take a chemical test, your license will be revoked for 180 days to 3 years. Refusing is punished as hard as failing, so refusing the test cannot be used to dodge a DUI.
If you refuse to take the test, your license will be revoked for 180 days to three years.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
In North Dakota, anyone driving on an instruction permit, of any age, and licensed drivers under 18 may not use electronic communication devices while driving, including to talk. A phone call or message pulls a new driver's eyes and mind off the road at the moment they have the least experience to spare.
Anyone, regardless of age who is operating a vehicle with an instruction permit and licensed drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using electronic communication devices while driving.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
In North Dakota, it is not legal for anyone to text while driving, that is, to compose, read or send an electronic message. Eyes on a phone for a few seconds means driving blind for the length of a football field.
It is not legal for anyone to text (composing, reading, or sending an electronic message) while driving or fail to maintain control of a motor vehicle due to activity that is not necessary to the operation of the vehicle and actually impairs, or would reasonably be expected to impair, the ability of the individual to safely operate the vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
In North Dakota, a signal of intention to turn must be given continuously during the last 100 feet before the turn. Drivers behind you need time to see the signal and slow down, and a signal flicked on at the corner gives them none.
All turn signals of intention to turn must be given continuously during the last 100 feet before the turn.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
In North Dakota you may turn right on a red light after stopping, when the intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles, unless a sign prohibits it. The full stop gives you time to see people in the crosswalk who have the walk signal while you have the red.
Note: You may turn right on a red light after stopping when the intersection is clear of both pedestrians and vehicles, unless there is a sign prohibiting a right turn on a red light.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
In North Dakota you may turn left on a red light from a one-way street onto a one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it. Turning from one one-way street onto another crosses no oncoming lane, so after a stop it can be done safely.
street onto a one-way street, unless there is a sign prohibiting this.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
You may not make a U-turn near the crest of a hill or on any curve where the driver cannot see 500 feet or more. A U-turn leaves your car broadside across the road, and a driver coming over a hill has no time to stop for it.
You may not make a U-turn near the crest of a hill or any curve where the driver cannot see 500 feet or more.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?
In North Dakota, the maximum speed in a business or residential district is 25 mph, unless otherwise posted. Town streets have people, driveways and parked cars close to the lane, and anything can come out in front of you.
25 miles per hour in a business or residential district, unless otherwise posted.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the speed limit on a highway outside town when no sign is posted?
In North Dakota, the maximum speed on a paved two-lane county or township highway with no posted limit is 55 mph. County roads are narrow, with farm traffic and driveways, and a lower speed gives you room to react.
55 miles per hour on gravel, dirt, or loose surface roads unless otherwise posted, and on paved two-lane county and township highways if there is no speed limit posted.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
1. The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions: a. When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn; or b. Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-10-12(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?
You cannot legally have an open container in your vehicle; any open containers must be placed in the trunk. Out of reach in the trunk, the drink cannot be opened and passed around while the car moves.
Any open containers must be placed in the trunk of the vehicle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
To get a North Dakota instruction permit, you must be at least 14 years old. Fourteen is when the state lets a young driver begin learning, always with an experienced adult beside them.
All applicants must be at least 14 years of age.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
In North Dakota, a 14- or 15-year-old must hold the instruction permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever comes first, before the road test or a waiver. Months of supervised practice in every season build the judgment that one test drive cannot show.
Individuals who are 14 or 15 years old must hold the instruction permit for 12 months or to the age of 16, whichever comes first, but no less than six months, prior to completing the road test or waiving the road test for an operator’s license.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?
The supervising driver for a North Dakota permit holder must have at least 3 years of driving experience. Someone who only just learned to drive is still learning to spot danger and cannot reliably coach another beginner.
a person with a valid license for the class of vehicle being driven, who is at least 18 years of age and has had at least three years of driving experience, must ride in the seat beside you.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
A 15-year-old with a restricted license may not drive without a parent, legal guardian or someone at least 18 between the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. Night driving is when new drivers crash most, with darkness, fatigue and other impaired drivers all at once.
At age 15, when in possession of a restricted Class D operator’s license, the individual is not allowed to operate a vehicle without his or her parent, legal guardian, or an individual at least 18 years of age between the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?
In North Dakota, throwing or depositing litter on any public highway can bring a $500 fine. Trash on the road can hit other cars, clog ditches and hurt wildlife, and someone has to pay to pick it up.
If you throw or deposit any litter on any public highway, you are subject to a $500 fine.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for a first drunk-driving conviction?
A first DUI conviction carries a $500 fine. Even one conviction costs money on top of the lost license, so the cheapest choice is not to drive.
First conviction—$500 fine.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
With an AC of .08 or more (.02 under 21), your license is suspended for 91 days on a first offense in 7 years. Losing your license for three months makes even a first offense a serious cost.
91 days, first offense in seven years
As of 14 Sep 2026
At what blood alcohol level do drunk-driving penalties increase?
A first conviction with an AC of .16% or greater carries at least a $750 fine and 2 days imprisonment, which may be converted to community service. A very high AC is far more dangerous, so even a first conviction brings jail time.
First conviction if the AC is .16% or greater —at least $750 fine and two days imprisonment.
As of 14 Sep 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
A second conviction within 7 years carries a $1,000 fine, 10 days in jail and at least 12 months in the 24/7 Sobriety Program as a mandatory condition of probation. A second conviction shows a pattern, so the law adds jail and daily sobriety checks.
Second conviction within seven years —$1,000 fine and 10 days in jail and at least 12 months in the 24/7 Sobriety Program as a mandatory condition of probation.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many points on your license lead to a suspension?
In North Dakota, a driver whose record reaches 12 points has the license suspended for 7 days. Starting with a short suspension warns the driver while there is still time to change how they drive.
If it is found to be true that the driver in question has 12 or more points, the license will be suspended according to the following table:
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the fine for texting while driving?
In North Dakota, the penalty for texting while driving is a $100 fine. A fine gives drivers a reason to put the phone away before it causes a crash.
The penalty is a $100 fine.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
1. No person under the age of eighteen years may operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless a safety helmet meeting United States department of transportation standards is being worn on the head of the operator and rider, except when participating in a lawful parade. If the operator of a motorcycle is required to wear a safety helmet, any passenger must also wear a safety helmet regardless of the age of the passenger.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-10.2-06(1)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
4. An individual may not operate a motor vehicle with any object, material, or tinting displayed, affixed, or applied on the front windshield or any window unless the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least seventy percent or the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least thirty-five percent. This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-21-39(4)
As of 8 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
A driver passing a bicyclist must leave a minimum of 3 feet of passing space between the vehicle and the bicycle. A bike can wobble or swerve around a crack, and a mirror passing inches away can knock the rider down.
The individual operating the motor vehicle is required to leave a minimum of three feet of passing space between the vehicle and bicycle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
2. Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing must be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn in an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-10-08(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?
b. Must insure the person named therein and any other person, as insured, using such motor vehicle or motor vehicles with the express or implied permission of such named insured, against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of such motor vehicles within the United States of America or the Dominion of Canada, subject to limits exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each such motor vehicle, as follows: twenty-five thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and subject to said limit for one person, fifty thousand dollars because of bodily injury to or death of two or more persons in any one accident, and twenty-five thousand dollars because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.
North Dakota law, N.D.C.C. § 39-16.1-11(2)
As of 8 Oct 2026
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