Although this online drivers education course is not officially approved in your state, it is a great learning tool for teens!
North Dakota Online Driver Education and Online Driver Ed Courses
DriverEdToGo.com is one of the leading online driver training courses in North Dakota. The program is delivered entirely online, so there are no classes to attend. You complete every lesson through our website, on the device of your choice, and the course covers everything you need to prepare for North Dakota licensing.
- Take the course anywhere, on desktop or mobile, at your own pace
- We process your certificate the same day you finish
- Satisfaction guaranteed: you only pay when you decide to keep going
- Completing an approved course can help you qualify for lower auto insurance premiums
- Audio narration makes the lessons easy to follow
- Customer and technical support available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Online Driver Education and Licensing in North Dakota
Driving is a valuable skill, and earning your license in North Dakota happens in clear, manageable steps. For drivers under 18, the state uses a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system so new drivers can build safe habits before earning full privileges. North Dakota's system has three real stages: the Instruction Permit, the Restricted License, and the full Unrestricted (Class D) License. Here is what each stage involves.
The North Dakota Instruction Permit
You can apply for a North Dakota instruction permit once you turn 14. To get it, you pass a vision screening and a written knowledge test on the rules of the road, and a parent or legal guardian must sign your application.
The instruction permit is valid for one year and can be renewed. While you hold it, you may drive only when a licensed driver who is at least 18 years old, has three or more years of driving experience, and is seated in the front passenger seat is supervising you. Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt. The permit fee is $15.
The North Dakota Restricted License
After you turn 15 and have held your instruction permit, you may apply for a restricted license (sometimes called a restricted minor's license). To qualify, you need to:
- Complete a state-approved driver education course
- Log at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including nighttime hours and a variety of conditions
- Pass the required testing
A nice North Dakota advantage: if you complete approved driver education, you can skip the road test.
Holding period: if you got your instruction permit at 14, you generally hold it about 12 months before moving up to the restricted license. If you started at 15, you hold it a minimum of six months or until you turn 16, whichever is longer.
Restrictions on the Restricted License
A restricted license lets you drive on your own, but a few rules still apply:
- You may drive only a vehicle owned by your family
- You may not drive between 9 p.m. (or sunset, whichever is later) and 5 a.m., except when driving to or from work, school, or a religious activity
- All occupants must wear seat belts, and you may not carry more passengers than the vehicle's seat-belt capacity allows
- Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone or other electronic communication device while driving
Keep your record clean. If a driver under 18 accumulates six points, or is found to have committed an alcohol- or drug-related driving offense, the license is canceled.
The North Dakota Unrestricted (Class D) License
At 16, your restricted license converts to a full, unrestricted Class D license, and the curfew and family-vehicle restrictions no longer apply. A 16-year-old who has held an instruction permit for at least six months can also test directly for the unrestricted license.
North Dakota Auto Insurance Requirements
Before you drive, North Dakota law requires you to carry liability insurance. The minimum coverage is:
- $25,000 bodily injury per person
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 property damage per accident
That is written as 25/50/25. North Dakota also requires uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage of at least 25/50. Driving without insurance carries a mandatory fine of $150 for a first offense and $300 for a later offense within three years, so always keep proof of insurance with you.
Drunk Driving and Cell Phone Laws in North Dakota
North Dakota uses the term DUI. It is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher (0.04 percent for commercial drivers). A first DUI is a Class B misdemeanor and generally carries a minimum $500 fine (at least $750 if your BAC was 0.16 percent or higher), a mandatory addiction evaluation, and a 91-day license suspension (180 days if your BAC was 0.18 percent or higher or you refused testing). North Dakota also enforces zero tolerance for drivers under 21: a BAC of 0.02 percent or higher can lead to penalties.
On the cell phone side, texting while driving is illegal for every driver in North Dakota and carries a $100 fine. Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any electronic communication device, including a cell phone in hands-free mode, while the vehicle is in motion. The safest choice at every age is to keep your phone down and stay sober behind the wheel.
By enrolling in a North Dakota online driver education program with DriverEdToGo, you build the knowledge and habits you need to move through each stage of the licensing process with confidence. For official forms and the latest requirements, visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation.