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North Dakota driver's license

Get your first license in North Dakota after moving to the US.

The short answer

Getting a first North Dakota operator's license starts with an application that costs fifteen dollars.1 Before the license, you practice on a learner permit with a supervising driver in the seat beside you.2 That driver must hold a valid license for the class of vehicle you are driving.2 They must also be at least 18 years old and have at least three years of driving experience.2 Only the supervising driver may sit in the front seat with you.3

How it goes

  1. 1
    You arriveYou have moved to North Dakota and you want to drive here.
  2. 2
    Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
  3. 3
    The written testYou take the written test.
  4. 4
    Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
  5. 5
    Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

What it costs

Applying for a first license to drive1$15

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

You will be issued a temporary operator's license or nondriver photo identification card if you hold a valid unexpired nonimmigrant visa or status, a pending asylum application, a pending or approved TPS application, approved deferred action, or a pending application for adjustment of status.4

  • A non-US citizen with temporary lawful status is issued a temporary operator's license or nondriver photo identification card.5

Practising with your permit

Who can sit with you while you practise

No one other than the supervising driver and you may be in the front seat, unless the vehicle has only a front seat; then the supervising driver must sit next to you.6

  • The supervising driver must hold a Class A, B, C, or D license valid for the vehicle, be at least 18 years old, have at least three years of driving experience, and occupy the seat beside the permit holder.7

  • Only the supervising driver and the permit holder may be in the front seat, unless the vehicle has only a front seat, in which case the supervising driver must be seated next to the permit holder.3

  • The person riding in the seat beside you must have a valid license for the class of vehicle you are driving, be at least 18 years old, and have at least three years of driving experience.2

Where to go

Booking an appointment

Appointments are scheduled online at https://nqa3.nemoqappointment.com/Booking/Booking/Index/5KIDD4bc.8

Office locations

You can find every driver license site at dot.nd.gov/driver/driver-license-sites.9

Other states

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D

F

G

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Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

  1. 1

    “e. An application for an operator's license is fifteen dollars.”

    ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c06.pdf

    Checked August 2, 2026

  2. 2

    “a person with a valid license for the class of vehicle being driven, who is at least 18 years of age and has had at least three years of driving experience, must ride in the seat beside you.”

    dot.nd.gov/…/noncommercial-manual.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  3. 3

    “An individual other than the supervising driver and the permit holder may not be in the front seat unless the vehicle has only a front seat, in which case, the supervising driver must be seated next to the permit holder.”

    dot.nd.gov/…/noncommercial-manual.pdf

    Checked July 26, 2026

  4. 4

    “An individual who has a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant visa or nonimmigrant visa status for entry into the United States, a pending application for asylum in the United States, a pending or approved application for temporary protected status in the United States, approved deferred action status, or a pending application for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence or conditional permanent residence status in the United States will be issued a temporary operator's license or nondriver photo identification card.”

    ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c06.pdf

    Checked August 2, 2026

  5. 5

    “will be issued a temporary operator's license or nondriver photo identification card.”

    ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c06.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  6. 6

    “An individual other than the supervising driver and the permitholder may not be in the front seat unless the vehicle has only a front seat, in which case, the supervising driver must be seated next to the permitholder.”

    ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c06.pdf

    Checked August 1, 2026

  7. 7

    “The permittee must be accompanied by an individual with a class A, B, C, or D license in a vehicle allowed to be operated with a class D license, who is at least eighteen years of age, who has had at least three years of driving experience, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.”

    ndlegis.gov/cencode/t39c06.pdf

    Checked August 3, 2026

  8. 8

    “href="https://nqa3.nemoqappointment.com/Booking/Booking/Index/5KIDD4bc"”

    dot.nd.gov/driver/driver-license

    Checked July 26, 2026

  9. 9

    “https://www.dot.nd.gov/driver/driver-license-sites”

    dot.nd.gov/driver/driver-license-sites

    Checked July 26, 2026

Applying for a driver's license in North Dakota?

Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.

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