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How to Apply for a New Drivers License in North Dakota
A drivers license in North Dakota is available to all residents of the state who have a legal presence in the US. Though minors can get a North Dakota DMV license, there are additional requirements placed on them. These requirements include the need to take a drivers ed course and get a permit.
Below you will learn all that you need to know about getting a DMV drivers license in North Dakota. You will learn about the fees you will need to pay, the tests you will need to take and more. By the end of the article, you should understand how to get your driving privileges.
How to Apply for a Drivers License in North Dakota as an Adult (18 or Older)
If you are an adult living in North Dakota, you will not need to get a permit before getting your license. You will be able to get a new drivers license in North Dakota if you are a legal resident of the state who has a right to be in the US.
All adults are above the age requirement for getting a license in the state. Though you can renew your drivers license online in North Dakota, you will need to go to the office in-person in order to get your initial license. That said, you are able to book an appointment online.
When deciding where to get a drivers license in North Dakota, keep in mind that the different DMV offices in North Dakota have different hours. They open anywhere between 7:30 a.m. and 10:20 a.m., and they close anywhere between 2:35 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
The North Dakota drivers license application is not available online, meaning you will have to go to the office and fill it out in-person. This application requires you to submit personal information about yourself, such as your name and Social Security Number.
What else do you need to get your license in North Dakota? The state’s IDs are Real ID compliant, which means that they can be used for the purposes of federal identification. For most people, this comes up when boarding domestic flights. When you apply for a drivers license in North Dakota, the DMV requires four documents from you, in order to make the license REAL ID compliant. These documents will need to prove:
- Your right to be in the US.
- Your Social Security Number.
- Your address.
A valid United States passport or birth certificate is most commonly used to prove your right to be in the US, but a Permanent Resident card or Employment Authorization card will also be accepted.
To prove your Social Security Number, you can use an SSN card, W-2, pay stub or 1099 form. Check your document to make sure it shows both your name and SSN.
To prove your residency, you will need to provide the DMV with two documents. One of these should involve your property, specifically. This can include a utility or landline bill, a property tax form or a document that proves you are paying to live at your address. You can choose a second document involving your property, but you can also use a document that states your address but is not issued for the purposes of your property. This means you can submit bank correspondence, a pay stub or a previously issued license.
The four documents you choose to bring cannot be expired. You will also be required to take a knowledge test and a skills test. Walk-ins are accepted for knowledge tests, while skills tests require an appointment. To prepare for your knowledge test, you can take an online practice test.
Getting a North Dakota Drivers License as a New Resident
North Dakota drivers license requirements are similar for residents and non-residents. You will still be required to submit an application and provide four documents proving your identity and address. However, you may be able to waive the knowledge and skills test if you have a valid license. Your ability to waive these tests is at the discretion of the DMV.
The DMV does not consider you a resident of the state until you have been there for 90 days. Once you are a resident, you have another 60 days before you are required to get a North Dakota license. This means you must complete your application no less than 150 days after you arrive.
How to Apply for a Drivers License in North Dakota as a Teen (Younger Than 18)
The process of getting a license in North Dakota is similar for minors and adults, but there are a few key differences. Drivers license eligibility in North Dakota means that you need to be at least 16 years of age to get a drivers license with full privileges.
That said, you can get a restricted license at 15 years of age, as well as a learner’s permit if you are 14 years of age. Applicants between 14 and 15 years of age will need to complete a drivers education course in order to get their permit. In any case, minors must be residents of North Dakota who are legally allowed to be in the US.
The most important drivers license services in North Dakota offered to minors are the drivers education courses. If you are less than 16 years old, you will need to take a driving course before you are allowed to get your permit. These courses are not provided by the state government, but only the state-approved courses administered by private businesses may be used to fulfill the requirement. As well, some schools are certified to let you take their course instead of taking a driving test.
Steps to Get a New Drivers License in North Dakota as a Teen
Drivers license information in North Dakota is similar for teens and adults, meaning the process of scheduling an appointment online, filling out an application and submitting the four documents required to verify your identity are the same. For this information, consult the section above titled, “Applying for a New Drivers License in North Dakota as an Adult.”
The biggest difference between the driving license application processes for adults and minors is the permit that minors are required to get. If you are less than 18 years old, you will need to have a permit before you can get a license. Motorists between 14 and 15 years of age need to have the permit for a year, while drivers who between 16 and 17 years of age need to have it for six months.
To get the permit, the minor needs to complete a knowledge test and a vision test. As well, they will need an adult to give their consent to the application.
Once a minor who is at least 16 years old has completed a DMV drivers license test and operated a vehicle with their permit for the required length of time, they will be able to get a license.
North Dakota Drivers License Costs
Drivers licence cost in North Dakota is the same no matter your age. To get your license or permit, you will need to pay:
- $15 for the license or permit.
- $5 for the knowledge test.
- $5 for the skills test.
Sources
- Drivers License Requirements from DOT.ND.gov
- Drivers License Forms from DOT.ND.gov
- Drivers License Frequently Asked Questions from DOT.ND.gov