I'm a new resident in North Dakota: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from North Dakota. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in North Dakota

Each rule comes from the North Dakota driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Class D/M vehicles: drive on another state's license for 60 days after becoming a resident (resident: 90 consecutive days).

  What the manual says

  • The manual allows a new resident to operate a Class D or M vehicle on another state’s operator’s license for 60 days after becoming a resident.
  • The manual deems such a person a resident for driver licensing after 90 consecutive days in the state.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 2

• Liability insurance

  No one may drive without a valid liability insurance policy in effect; all vehicles must have liability insurance.

  What the manual says

  • No person may drive a motor vehicle in North Dakota without a valid policy of liability insurance in effect.
  • All vehicles must have liability insurance, and owners shall not permit a vehicle to be driven without a liability policy.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 27, 8

• Change of address

  Notify the Driver License Division within 10 days, with documentary evidence of the change.

  What the manual says

  • If you change your name or address, you must notify the Driver License Division within 10 days.
  • You must provide documentary evidence of the change.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 8

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  At 15: no driving between later of sunset/9 p.m. and 5 a.m.; exceptions include trips to/from work, school, religious activities.

  What the manual says

  • Night driving at age 15

    With a restricted Class D license at 15, you may not drive between the later of sunset or 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Driving directly to or from work, an official school activity or a religious activity is allowed. The manual and the NDDOT website also allow night driving with someone in the vehicle, but they describe who that may be in different ways, so check with the NDDOT.

  • The only exceptions are driving directly to or from work, an official school activity or a religious activity.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 6

  Source: [1] [2]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: a test showing .02% alcohol in the blood means legally under the influence.

  What the manual says

  • For a driver under 21, a test showing .02% alcohol in the blood means being legally under the influence.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 36

• Refusing a chemical test

  Drivers consent to a blood, breath, urine or saliva test; refusing means license revocation for 180 days to three years.

  What the manual says

  • The implied consent covers a chemical test of your blood, breath, urine, or saliva.
  • Refusing the test means your license will be revoked for 180 days to three years.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 36

• Seat belts

  All occupants must wear seat belts in all seating positions.

  What the manual says

  • The manual states that North Dakota’s seat belt law requires all occupants to wear seat belts in all seating positions.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 34

• Child safety seats

  Under 8: car/booster seat (seat belt if 57+ inches tall); ages 8-17: seat belt or child restraint.

  What the manual says

  • The law requires children under eight to be properly secured in a child restraint, which is a car seat or booster seat.
  • The manual says a seat belt may be substituted for children who are at least 57 inches tall.
  • The law requires children ages eight through seventeen to be properly secured in a seat belt or child restraint.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 34

• Phone use while driving

  Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers; instruction-permit holders under 18 may not use electronic communication devices.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says it is not legal to text while driving and the penalty is a $100 fine.
  • The manual defines texting as composing, reading, or sending an electronic message while driving.
  • The ban includes a device to talk, compose, read or send electronic messages.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 30, 6

• School buses

  Traffic both ways stops for a stopped school bus flashing red until it moves, the driver signals, or flashing ends.

  What the manual says

  • When a school bus is stopped and flashing its red lights, drivers approaching from both directions must stop because children are being loaded or unloaded.
  • Drivers cannot proceed until the bus begins moving, the bus driver signals to let vehicles pass, or the red lights are no longer flashing.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 20

• Move Over law

  Emergency, police or NDDOT maintenance vehicle parked with lights flashing on Interstate/multilane highway: move to the opposite lane, proceed cautiously.

  What the manual says

  • You should move over to the opposite lane and proceed with due caution.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 20

• Headlights

  Sunset to sunrise, when needed for safe driving, and when weather limits visibility to under 1,000 feet.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says to use your headlights from sunset to sunrise, and at any other time necessary for safe driving.
  • Use your headlights during inclement weather when visibility is less than 1,000 feet due to rain, snow, sleet, hail, smoke, or fog.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 24

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after stopping when the intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles, unless a sign prohibits it.

  What the manual says

  • You may turn right on red after stopping when the intersection is clear of both pedestrians and vehicles, unless a sign prohibits it.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 15

• Speed limits

  25 mph business/residential; 20 mph past schools at recess/opening/closing; 80 mph rural Interstate (unless posted).

  What the manual says

  • The maximum speed is 25 miles per hour in a business or residential district, unless otherwise posted.
  • The maximum speed is 20 miles per hour when passing a school during recess or while children are going to or leaving school at opening or closing hours.
  • The maximum speed is 80 miles per hour on rural Interstate highways, unless otherwise posted.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 20

• Points and suspension

  12 points: 7-day suspension; 13 or more: 7 days for each point over 11.

  What the manual says

  • When the record reveals a total of 12 or more points, the driver is informed that the authorities intend to suspend the license.
  • At an accumulated total of 12 points, the period of suspension is 7 days.
  • For 13 and above points, the period of suspension is 7 days for each point over 11.

  Source: North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027), page 40

Official steps for moving to North Dakota

• Using your old license

  Anyone other than a nonresident student, a tourist or a nonresident member of the Armed Forces who has lived in North Dakota for 90 consecutive days is a resident for driver licensing. You may use your non-commercial license from another state for a period of 60 days after you become a resident of North Dakota.

  Source: [3]

• Transferring your license

  To transfer an out-of-state license, schedule an appointment at a North Dakota driver license site, because an appointment is needed for all driver license services. Bring proof of identification and proof of residency; the Documents to bring section and the NDDOT’s transfer page have the lists. You must have the current license in hand, and it cannot be suspended, cancelled, revoked, or expired for more than one year. Proof of North Dakota resident address is required.

  Source: [1] [3]

• Visitors

  Non-residents who are at least 16 and have a valid license from their home state or country may drive in North Dakota. A person under 16 may not drive in North Dakota, even with a license from another state.

  Source: [1] [4]

• Military members

  A North Dakota licensed driver who is a member of the Armed Forces and is stationed out of state may continue to use the noncommercial North Dakota driver license until 30 days after separation without renewing. The license must be accompanied by military identification and must not be suspended, revoked or canceled. North Dakota also honors military extensions from other states if your state has one and you meet all of its requirements.

  Source: [4] [5]

Sources

1. North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Class D (2025-2027, Revised 2025) (dot.nd.gov) — North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division
2. How to Apply for a Learner’s Permit (dot.nd.gov) — North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division
3. Requirements for Transferring License (dot.nd.gov) — North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division
4. Driver License Requirements (dot.nd.gov) — North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division
5. Active Duty Military (dot.nd.gov) — North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Driver License Division