North Dakota Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your North Dakota learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official NDDOT pages and linked to the source.
North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota DOT — Apply for a Learner's PermitChecked 2026-08-12Official source
North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
Last verified 2026-07-14 · Source: North Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License Requirements ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The North Dakota licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what NDDOT itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where NDDOT publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Minimum permit ageNDDOT does not publish a verified minimum ageNorth DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
2Documents
NDDOT lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- One original or certified proof-of-identity, date-of-birth, and lawful-presence document
- Proof of North Dakota residence address
- Legal name-change document if your current name differs from your identity document
- Parent or guardian signature if under 18
The knowledge test and the permit itself are handled in the same visit.
North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
3Required education
Required driver educationWe have not verified a driver-education requirement on NDDOT's own pagesNorth DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
4Application
Permit fee$15North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota DOT — Apply for a Learner's PermitChecked 2026-08-12Official source
NDDOT lists the non-commercial permit or license fee at $15.00, with the written test charged separately at $5.00
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retakeNDDOT does not publish a verified retake waitNorth DakotaNDDOTND official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Question count and threshold were supported by the cited agency source.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validityNDDOT does not publish a verified validity periodNorth DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
Restrictions North Dakota puts on a new driver:
- Restricted license age: North Dakota residents can obtain a restricted license at age 15, but the general minimum driving age is 16
- Minor signature: A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor under age 18 to be issued a permit or license
- Residency window: Any person who has lived in North Dakota for 90 consecutive days is deemed a resident for driver-licensing purposes
North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1650 hoursNorth DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
Web search: 50 supervised hours required for 14-15 year olds, across varied conditions (night, gravel/dirt roads, winter, urban/rural). That is a graduated-licensing rule, and this state cuts it off at 16 rather than 18 — an applicant who is already 16 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit holdNDDOT does not publish a single verified holding periodNorth DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
9Full licence
Unrestricted driving age15North DakotaNDDOTNorth Dakota Department of Transportation — Driver License RequirementsChecked 2026-07-14Official source
North Dakota residents can obtain a restricted license at age 15; the general minimum driving age is 16
How to get your permit in North Dakota
- Make an appointment and visit an ND Driver License Site in person
- Bring one approved identity and lawful-presence document, proof of North Dakota residence, and any legal name-change documents
- If you are under 18, bring a parent or legal guardian to sign for the permit or license
- Pay the written test fee and non-commercial permit fee, then complete the required testing at the licensing site
- Follow any restricted-license conditions if you are qualifying through North Dakota's age-15 restricted path
Frequently asked questions
How much does a North Dakota permit cost?
The North Dakota permit fee is $15. NDDOT lists the non-commercial permit or license fee at $15.00, with the written test charged separately at $5.00.
How many practice driving hours does North Dakota require?
North Dakota requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 16. That is a graduated-licensing rule, and this state cuts it off at 16 rather than 18 — an applicant who is already 16 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the North Dakota permit test?
Right here — take a free North Dakota practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
