North Dakota DMV Practice Test 2025

NDCC § 39-08-01 sets the adult per se DUI threshold at 0.08% BAC. Drivers under 21 face a zero-tolerance limit of 0.02%. CDL holders operating commercial vehicles face a 0.04% threshold under federal FMCSA standards. A BAC of 0.16% or more triggers aggravated DUI with enhanced criminal penalties. A BAC of 0.18% or more on a first offense triggers the longer 180-day administrative license suspension (below 0.18%, the first-offense suspension is 91 days).

North Dakota's implied consent law requires drivers to submit to chemical testing (breath, blood, or urine) when an officer has reasonable grounds to believe they are impaired. A first refusal triggers a 180-day administrative license suspension. A second refusal within 7 years results in a 365-day (1-year) suspension. Refusing does not prevent criminal DUI prosecution — police may obtain a warrant for a blood draw.

Under NDCC § 39-06-04, applicants as young as 14 may obtain a Class D instruction permit. Permit holders under 16 must hold the permit for at least 12 months and complete 50 supervised driving hours. Permit holders aged 16–17 must hold the permit for at least 6 months. The supervising driver must be at least 18 years old with 3+ years of licensed experience, seated directly beside the permit holder. Permit holders under 16 may only drive vehicles owned by a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, aunt, or uncle.

NDCC § 39-09-01 establishes: 80 mph on interstate highways; 70 mph on four-lane divided multilane highways; 65 mph on two-lane state highways; 55 mph on paved rural county and township roads; 25 mph in residential areas (default). School zones are posted at 20 mph when children are present. Always obey the posted limit — conditions may require driving slower than the posted maximum.

NDCC § 39-08-23 prohibits all drivers from composing, reading, or sending electronic messages on a wireless device while driving. Hands-free voice calls are permitted for adult drivers. NDCC § 39-08-24 imposes an additional restriction for drivers under 18: no wireless device use of any kind while driving — including hands-free calls — except to report a genuine emergency.

NDCC § 39-21-41.2 requires children under 8 years old to be secured in an approved child restraint device — a rear-facing car seat, forward-facing car seat, or booster seat as appropriate for the child's age, height, and weight — per the manufacturer's instructions. Exception: if the child is at least 57 inches (4'9") tall, a standard seat belt may be used.

Headlights are required during daylight when visibility is reduced to 1,000 feet or less due to fog, rain, snow, dust, or other conditions. Headlights are also required from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. High beams must be dimmed within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 300 feet of a vehicle you are following.

The North Dakota driver knowledge test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions. Applicants must correctly answer at least 20 questions (80%) to pass. The test covers traffic laws, road signs, GDL rules, DUI and implied consent, vehicle safety, right-of-way rules, and special driving conditions. The test is administered at North Dakota DOT driver license offices.

NDCC § 39-21-41.4 requires all occupants of a passenger vehicle equipped with seat belts to wear a properly adjusted and fastened belt. This applies to the driver and all passengers, regardless of seating position. Children under 8 must use an approved child restraint device unless they are at least 57 inches tall.

When a school bus activates its flashing red warning lights and extends its stop arm, all vehicles approaching from either direction must stop before reaching the bus and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and the stop arm is retracted. Failure to stop for a school bus is a serious violation and can result in significant fines and license points.