North Dakota DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the North Dakota driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the North Dakota-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official North Dakota driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real North Dakota test has 25 questions and you need 20 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes North Dakota-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

North Dakota Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	25 questions, must score 20/25 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	14
Minimum License Age	15
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 75 mph \| Residential: 25 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DUI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Points range from 1 to 15. 12 points in 12 months triggers a suspension hearing.

Rules Specific to North Dakota

North Dakota allows learner's permits at age 14 and restricted licenses at 15
North Dakota requires headlights from sunset to sunrise and during adverse weather conditions
Restricted license holders under 16 may not drive between 9 PM and 5 AM

Sample North Dakota Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to North Dakota. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

For drivers under age 21, what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level or higher can trigger an underage alcohol-driving violation?
- A. 0.02% BAC
- B. 0.05% BAC
- C. 0.08% BAC
- D. 0.10% BAC
Answer: 0.02% BAC. Underage drivers are held to a stricter, near-zero alcohol standard than adult drivers.
On some rural interstate highways, what is the highest posted speed limit you may see?
- A. 65 mph
- B. 70 mph
- C. 75 mph
- D. 80 mph
Answer: 80 mph. Always obey the posted limit on that roadway segment and adjust for weather and traffic.
Child passenger safety: a child must generally be in an approved child restraint/booster (not just a seat belt) until at least what age (unless the child is tall enough for the belt to fit properly)?
- A. Until at least age 6
- B. Until at least age 7
- C. Until at least age 8
- D. Until at least age 10
Answer: Until at least age 8. Use the correct seat for the child’s age/size so the seat belt fits across the shoulder and hips.
When parking, you must not stop or park within what distance of a fire hydrant?
- A. Within 5 feet
- B. Within 10 feet
- C. Within 15 feet
- D. Within 20 feet
Answer: Within 10 feet. Leave space for firefighters to access the hydrant quickly in an emergency.
If you violate the Move Over law on a two-lane road, what is the minimum fine listed by the state highway patrol?
- A. $20 minimum fine
- B. $35 minimum fine
- C. $50 minimum fine
- D. $100 minimum fine
Answer: $50 minimum fine. Move over when possible or slow down for stopped emergency/maintenance vehicles to protect roadside workers.
How long must a 14- or 15-year-old in North Dakota hold an instruction permit?
- A. 3 months
- B. 12 months or until 16, but at least 6 months
- C. 18 months
- D. Until 18
Answer: 12 months or until 16, but at least 6 months. Permit holders aged 14 or 15 must hold it for 12 months or until 16, whichever comes first, but at least six months.
How much supervised practice driving must a North Dakota driver under 16 complete?
- A. 20 hours
- B. 30 hours
- C. 40 hours
- D. 50 hours
Answer: 50 hours. Drivers under 16 must complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice in varied conditions.
What driver education does North Dakota require for the Certificate of Training?
- A. 10 hours classroom only
- B. 30 hours classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel (DPI), or 6 hours behind the wheel at a commercial school
- C. 50 hours classroom
- D. No training
Answer: 30 hours classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel (DPI), or 6 hours behind the wheel at a commercial school. Complete 30 classroom hours and 6 behind-the-wheel hours through DPI, or 6 behind-the-wheel hours through a commercial school.
Where must school buses and hazmat vehicles stop at North Dakota railroad crossings?
- A. At the tracks
- B. Within 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the tracks
- C. 100 feet away
- D. They don't need to stop
Answer: Within 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the tracks. These vehicles must stop within 50 feet and not less than 15 feet from the tracks. Don't pass them while they're stopped.
When a North Dakota school bus is stopped with red lights flashing, who must stop?
- A. Only drivers behind it
- B. Drivers approaching from both directions
- C. Only drivers in the same lane
- D. No one on a highway
Answer: Drivers approaching from both directions. Drivers approaching from both directions must stop while children are loaded or unloaded.
On a North Dakota multilane highway, what must you do for a stranded vehicle with hazard lights on?
- A. Nothing
- B. Move to a lane not adjacent to it if safe, otherwise proceed with caution
- C. Stop behind it
- D. Honk
Answer: Move to a lane not adjacent to it if safe, otherwise proceed with caution. Yield and move to the lane not adjacent to a stranded vehicle with flashing hazards; if you can't, proceed with caution.
What happens when a North Dakota driving record reaches 12 or more points?
- A. Nothing
- B. Authorities move to suspend the license
- C. A $50 fine
- D. Automatic revocation for life
Answer: Authorities move to suspend the license. At 12 or more points, the driver is notified that authorities intend to suspend the license.
How long is a North Dakota license revoked for refusing a chemical or preliminary breath test?
- A. 30 days
- B. 90 days
- C. 180 days to three years
- D. Lifetime
Answer: 180 days to three years. Refusal revokes your license for 180 days to three years.
After an alcohol suspension in North Dakota, how soon can a temporary restricted license be issued if you're in the 24/7 Sobriety Program?
- A. After 7 days
- B. After 14 days
- C. After 30 days
- D. After 90 days
Answer: After 14 days. A temporary restricted license can be issued after 30 days of suspension, or 14 days if you're in the 24/7 Sobriety Program.
How much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist in North Dakota?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. Half a lane
Answer: At least 3 feet. Leave a minimum of three feet between your vehicle and the bicycle.
When must a North Dakota crash be reported immediately?
- A. Any crash
- B. When combined damage is $4,000 or more, or someone is injured or killed
- C. Only if someone dies
- D. When damage exceeds $10,000
Answer: When combined damage is $4,000 or more, or someone is injured or killed. Report immediately if combined damage is $4,000 or more, or if anyone is injured or killed.
What is the fine for littering on a North Dakota highway?
- A. $50
- B. $100
- C. $250
- D. $500
Answer: $500. Throwing litter on any public highway can bring a $500 fine.
What following-distance method does the North Dakota manual teach?
- A. Two-second rule
- B. Three-second rule
- C. Five-second rule
- D. One car length per 10 mph
Answer: Three-second rule. Use the three-second rule to measure a safe cushion behind the vehicle ahead.

North Dakota Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the North Dakota permit test?

The North Dakota knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 20 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in North Dakota?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in North Dakota is 14. The minimum age for a driver's license is 15.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in North Dakota?

North Dakota calls impaired driving DUI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the North Dakota driver point system work?

Points range from 1 to 15. 12 points in 12 months triggers a suspension hearing.

What are the default speed limits in North Dakota?

Typical limits in North Dakota are up to 75 mph on highways, 25 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official North Dakota government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual on September 26, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current North Dakota driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any North Dakota government agency.