North Dakota Traffic Tickets

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A North Dakota traffic citation can be paid, contested in district court, or - in some cases - resolved through a deferred disposition. The North Dakota court system manages traffic court at the district court level in each judicial district. Tickets are issued under N.D.C.C. Title 39 by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, county sheriff's offices, and city police, and each carries both a fine and consequences for your driver record through the point system.

Reading the citation

Your North Dakota traffic citation lists:

The statute violated and a brief description.
The location, date, and time of the alleged violation.
The court of jurisdiction (typically the district court of the county where the citation was issued).
The deadline by which you must respond, pay, or appear.
Whether the violation requires a court appearance or can be resolved by mail / online payment.

Most non-criminal moving violations - speeding under a certain threshold, lane violations, equipment infractions - can be paid online or by mail without a court appearance. Higher-speed citations, accident-related citations, and DUI charges require an appearance.

Paying the ticket

Paying a North Dakota traffic ticket is an admission of guilt. The conviction is reported to NDDOT and added to your driver record with the appropriate points. You can pay:

Online through the North Dakota Courts payment portal using a card.
By mail to the listed district court with a check or money order.
In person at the district court counter.

Pay before the deadline to avoid a default judgment, additional fees, and a possible failure-to-appear suspension of your North Dakota driver license.

Contesting the ticket

To contest a citation, plead "not guilty" by the deadline shown on the citation. The court schedules a district court hearing typically within 30-60 days. At the hearing:

The state presents the citing officer's testimony and any radar / lidar / dashcam evidence.
You can cross-examine the officer, present your own evidence, and call witnesses.
The judge or magistrate decides guilt or innocence.
If found guilty, the court sets the fine and any conditions.
You may appeal the decision to the North Dakota Supreme Court within the appellate timeline.

Deferred disposition

For first-time non-DUI moving violations, many North Dakota district courts offer a deferred disposition - the driver pays a fee, completes a defensive driving course or other condition, and the court holds the case in abeyance. After successful completion, the citation is dismissed and never appears as a conviction on the NDDOT record. Eligibility varies by court; ask the court clerk or the prosecutor at first appearance.

Common North Dakota traffic violations

Speeding - 1-10 mph over: $5-$20; 11-15 mph: $30; 16-20 mph: $40-$50; 21+ mph: progressive scale up to $200+, depending on speed and location.
Reckless driving - misdemeanor with up to $1,500 fine and possible jail time. Carries 8 points. See ND point system.
Following too closely - civil infraction with a base fine. 2 points.
Failure to yield - civil infraction. 2 points.
Stop sign or signal violation - civil infraction with a base fine plus court costs. 2 points.
Improper lane change - civil infraction. 2 points.
Driving without insurance - $150 fine and possible suspension. See North Dakota car insurance.
Seat belt violation - secondary enforcement; modest fine.

Failure to appear

If you ignore a North Dakota traffic citation, the court can issue a default judgment and report a failure-to-appear notice to NDDOT. NDDOT will then suspend the driver license until the citation is resolved. The suspension carries a $50 reinstatement fee. Any driving while the suspension is in effect is a separate misdemeanor.

Out-of-state drivers

North Dakota tickets follow drivers home through the Driver License Compact. A non-resident who fails to respond to a North Dakota citation can have their home state license suspended or have a hold placed on their renewal. Most North Dakota district courts accept payment from out-of-state drivers online or by mail. Bakken-region oil-field workers should track citations carefully because failure to resolve a North Dakota ticket can affect CDL renewal in their home state.

Camera tickets

North Dakota does not authorize statewide automated speed or red-light cameras for moving violations. A few municipalities have piloted school-zone speed cameras with limited authority, but most North Dakota traffic enforcement is officer-issued. If you receive an automated camera notice, confirm whether it is an official citation requiring a response or a private parking notice.