North Dakota permit test

Test requirements, handbook sources, and practice for North Dakota.

Test and permit facts

Read the scope and exceptions alongside each fact. Requirements still awaiting review are omitted; their absence does not mean the agency has no rule.

Fact	North Dakota	Source
Agency	North Dakota Department of Transportation	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 2
Test name	Rules of the Road knowledge test	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Online testing	Take the knowledge test online or at a North Dakota Driver License Site. After an online pass, make an office appointment to obtain the permit.	Official source 1Checked October 27, 2026 Official source 2Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 7
Minimum permit age	14	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 7
Driver’s education	For applicants ages 14–15 progressing to a license, formal driver education is required. The road-test training certificate can follow the public-instruction route (30 classroom hours and six driving hours) or six driving hours at an NDDOT-approved commercial school. This is a licensing-stage requirement; it is not a prerequisite for the initial knowledge test.	Official source 1Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 10 Official source 2Checked October 27, 2026
Retest rules	Only one knowledge-test attempt is allowed per day.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Language availability and conditions	The 14-language list is for the non-commercial knowledge test. Automated American Sign Language and audio testing are offered at eight offices: Fargo, Jamestown, Bismarck, Dickinson, Williston, Minot, Devils Lake and Grand Forks.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Test languages	Arabic, Chinese, Dari, English, French, Nepali, Pashto, Russian, Serb Croatian, Spanish, Somali, Swahili, Turkish, Vietnamese	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026
Handbook	North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 1
Handbook edition	2025–2027	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 1
Documents to bring	Identity evidence showing your current name, birth date and legal presence; use an original or certified copy, not a photocopy or hospital certificate., If your name differs, bring a certified marriage certificate, adoption document or court order supporting the legal change., One document showing your name and full Social Security number: Social Security card, W-2, SSA 1099, non-SSA 1099 or pay stub., Provide two current address proofs with a physical North Dakota address; a post office box does not qualify. Documents normally identify the applicant. The ID checklist linked by the learner-permit page allows a parent to supply residency documents for their child younger than 18. Accepted examples include utility bills, lease or mortgage documents, insurance and financial statements., Under 18: obtain an approved sponsor’s signature; a legal guardian supplies guardianship papers.	Official source 1Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 8 Official source 2Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 9 Official source 3Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 5 Official source 4Checked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 1 Official source 5Checked October 27, 2026
Agency offices and appointments	Use the NDDOT Driver License Sites directory for current locations and hours. Office business requires an appointment; walk-ins are unavailable. Book online or call 1-855-633-6835. For knowledge testing, schedule at least one hour before closing and at least one hour before the noon break at offices that close for lunch.	Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026

Official sources differ: Requirements for applicants under 18

For license progression, physical handbook page 7 allows age-based endpoints to the holding period, and pages 7–8 allow approved road-test waivers. The learner-permit webpage instead says at least one year for ages 14–15, six months for ages 16–17, and a state road test. Both positions remain unresolved; sponsorship and first-permit requirements are separate stages.

Before permit issuance, applicants under 18 need parental or guardian approval and sponsorship; guardians provide guardianship papers. A notarized temporary signer may act for an absent parent or guardian, who keeps financial responsibility; if none is living, another adult may swear responsibility. For progression to a license, the handbook requires ages 14–15 to hold the permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever occurs first, with a six-month minimum; ages 16–17 hold it six months or until 18, whichever occurs first. Under-16 applicants also need 50 supervised driving hours in varied conditions and driver education. Approved training can qualify for a road-test waiver. The agency web page states different holding periods and describes a mandatory state road test; see the unresolved conflict.
Official source 1Checked October 27, 2026PDF page 7
Before permit issuance, applicants under 18 need parental or guardian approval and sponsorship; guardians provide guardianship papers. A notarized temporary signer may act for an absent parent or guardian, who keeps financial responsibility; if none is living, another adult may swear responsibility. For progression to a license, the handbook requires ages 14–15 to hold the permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever occurs first, with a six-month minimum; ages 16–17 hold it six months or until 18, whichever occurs first. Under-16 applicants also need 50 supervised driving hours in varied conditions and driver education. Approved training can qualify for a road-test waiver. The agency web page states different holding periods and describes a mandatory state road test; see the unresolved conflict.
Official source 2Checked October 27, 2026PDF page 8
Before permit issuance, applicants under 18 need parental or guardian approval and sponsorship; guardians provide guardianship papers. A notarized temporary signer may act for an absent parent or guardian, who keeps financial responsibility; if none is living, another adult may swear responsibility. For progression to a license, the handbook requires ages 14–15 to hold the permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever occurs first, with a six-month minimum; ages 16–17 hold it six months or until 18, whichever occurs first. Under-16 applicants also need 50 supervised driving hours in varied conditions and driver education. Approved training can qualify for a road-test waiver. The agency web page states different holding periods and describes a mandatory state road test; see the unresolved conflict.
Official source 3Checked October 27, 2026PDF page 10
Ages 14–15: at least one year, or six months for a permit received before January 1, 2012; the page says a state road test is required.
Official source 4Checked October 27, 2026
Ages 16–17: at least six months; the page says a state road test is required.
Official source 5Checked October 27, 2026

Confirm the applicable rule with the agency before relying on either statement.

Start with the handbook

North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual

Official sourceChecked October 27, 2026 · PDF page 1

Study the federal road-sign catalog.

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