North Dakota Restricted Class D License (Teen License)

After 6 months on a North Dakota instruction permit with the required supervised hours, a teen can apply for a restricted Class D license at age 14 years and 6 months. This is North Dakota's intermediate or "graduated" license. It allows solo daytime driving with limited night and passenger exceptions, and lays the groundwork for a full Class D license at 16.

Eligibility

To qualify for a restricted Class D license, the teen must:

• Be at least 14 years and 6 months old.
• Have held a North Dakota instruction permit for at least 6 months.
• Have completed at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
• Pass the road skills test administered by NDDOT.
• Have a parent or legal guardian sign the financial responsibility section of form SFN-2475.
• Have no moving violation conviction during the 6-month permit period (otherwise the wait can extend).

The road skills test

The restricted Class D road test runs roughly 15-20 minutes at any NDDOT Driver License office. The examiner evaluates pre-drive vehicle inspection, signaling, lane changes, right and left turns, parallel or angle parking, three-point turns, and stopping smoothly at controlled intersections. The teen must use their own vehicle (or a borrowed one) with valid registration and insurance and may not bring a passenger other than the parent during the test.

Daytime driving rules

The restricted Class D license is fundamentally a daytime credential with limited night exceptions. A holder may drive solo:

• Between 5 a.m. and sunset under most circumstances.
• For employment purposes, even at night, with documentation from the employer.
• To and from school events sponsored by an accredited school.
• To and from religious services and youth-organization meetings.
• For agricultural work between the family's residence and the family farm operation.

Any other nighttime driving requires a licensed adult age 18 or older in the front passenger seat. The agricultural exception is broader in North Dakota than in most states because of the role driving plays in family farming and ranching operations. Bakken-region families with oil-field employment can also document night-shift commute exceptions.

Passenger and device restrictions

A restricted Class D holder cannot use a wireless device while driving, including hands-free use. The state recommends limiting other passengers under 18 during the first months on the license. All occupants must wear a seat belt, and the driver is responsible for ensuring compliance for any passenger under 18.

Holding the restricted Class D for one year

A restricted Class D holder must hold the credential without a moving violation conviction for at least one year (or until age 16) before applying for a full Class D license. Even one moving violation conviction can reset the clock and add another six months at the discretion of NDDOT. This standard incentivizes teens to drive cleanly and gives parents a real benchmark to track during the GDL period.

What happens with a violation

North Dakota uses a traditional point system, and points accumulated during the restricted Class D period count against the holder's record like any other driver. Two convictions within the GDL period can lead to suspension; three or more can lead to revocation of the restricted license. Traffic tickets earned during the restricted period stay on the NDDOT driver record on the standard decay schedule.

Class D-Farm Permit alternative

Teens whose families operate farms or ranches can apply for a Class D-Farm Permit instead of (or in addition to) the standard restricted Class D. The Farm Permit allows broader daytime driving for agricultural work and is a recognition of the role driving plays in North Dakota family farming. The Farm Permit can be combined with the standard restricted Class D once the teen turns 14.5.

Graduating to a full Class D license

At age 16, a teen who has held a clean restricted Class D for at least one year can apply for a full Class D license at any NDDOT office with no additional road test required. The teen brings the SFN-2475, the parent's continuing financial responsibility section, and the standard fee. The new license is issued on a 4 or 6-year cycle at the holder's choice. Renewal reminders are sent based on the cycle selected.