North Dakota Permit Test Practice 2026
You’re here for the North Dakota permit test. The exam is 25 questions, 80% to pass, drawn from the North Dakota driver handbook. Below: 6 free sample questions and an 8-rule cheat sheet for North Dakota. Unlimited practice in DMV Ready.
What’s on the North Dakota permit test?
North Dakota gives you 25 multiple-choice questions and asks for 80% right (about 20). The questions come straight out of the North Dakota driver handbook: traffic laws, signs, signaling rules, right of way at intersections, and the North Dakota-specific provisions you don’t see in other states. North Dakota’s DOT runs the test; rural-highway and winter-driving questions are common.
Most questions are factual: what a sign means, who has the right of way at an uncontrolled intersection, what the speed limit is in a school zone. A small share are scenario-style and ask you to pick the safest action.
Here’s the thing: North Dakota-specific rules show up on the test, and a generic practice app won’t have them. If you’re testing in North Dakota, practice North Dakota questions. The format and content track the real exam.
Sample questions (free, no signup)
Here are 6 practice questions in the North Dakota format. Tap each to reveal the answer and the explanation. Want unlimited? Get the app.
Question 1: A non-resident visiting North Dakota who is 15 years old and has a valid driver’s license from their home state wants to drive. Are they allowed to drive in North Dakota?
- Yes, if they have their home state license
- No, they must be at least 16 years of age
- Yes, but only with a parent present
Correct answer: No, they must be at least 16 years of age
Why: Non-residents must be at least 16 years of age to drive in North Dakota, even if they have a valid license from their home state or country. The exemption states: ‘A non-resident must be at least 16 years of age to drive in North Dakota.’
💡 Memory tip: Out-of-state license? North Dakota: no driving until 16.
Question 2: What are the nighttime driving restrictions for a 15-year-old with a restricted Class D operator’s license in North Dakota?
- Cannot drive between the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a parent, legal guardian, or someone at least 18 years old, except for work, school, or religious activities
- No nighttime restrictions if they have completed driver education
- Cannot drive after 10:00 p.m. under any circumstances
Correct answer: Cannot drive between the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a parent, legal guardian, or someone at least 18 years old, except for work, school, or religious activities
Why: In North Dakota, a 15-year-old with a restricted Class D operator’s license may not drive between the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or someone at least 18 years old, except when driving directly to or from work, school, or religious activities.
💡 Memory tip: Later wins: sunset or 9 PM until 5 AM; parent/guardian or 18+; except work/school/religious.
Question 3: In North Dakota, when must you use your headlights during inclement weather?
- When visibility is less than 500 feet
- When visibility is less than 1,500 feet
- When visibility is less than 1,000 feet
Correct answer: When visibility is less than 1,000 feet
Why: According to the ND driver’s manual, you must use your headlights during inclement weather when visibility is less than 1,000 feet due to rain, snow, sleet, hail, smoke, or fog. This specific distance requirement is important for safety.
💡 Memory tip: Rain, snow, fog: under 1,000 feet. About 3 fields. Lights on.
Question 4: What must you do if you permanently lose the use of a hand, arm, foot, leg, or eye in North Dakota?
- Report it to the Driver License Division
- No reporting is required if you can still drive
- Only report it when renewing your license
Correct answer: Report it to the Driver License Division
Why: If you permanently lose the use of a hand, arm, foot, leg, or eye, you must report it to the Driver License Division at the North Dakota Department of Transportation.
💡 Memory tip: Permanently lose use of limb or eye? Report to Driver License Division.
Question 5: When approaching a Stop sign in North Dakota, where should you stop if there is no stop line or crosswalk?
- In the middle of the intersection
- As near as possible before the intersection where you can safely see traffic approaching from all directions
- At least 10 feet before the intersection
Correct answer: As near as possible before the intersection where you can safely see traffic approaching from all directions
Why: At a Stop sign, ‘If there is no stop line or crosswalk, stop as near as possible before the intersection where you can safely see traffic approaching from all directions.’ This ensures both compliance with the stop requirement and safe visibility.
💡 Memory tip: No line, no crosswalk? Stop short. See all directions before the intersection.
Question 6: What must a vehicle do when emerging from a driveway in a residential district in North Dakota?
- Honk to alert pedestrians
- Come to a complete stop before crossing the sidewalk area
- Slow down and proceed with caution
Correct answer: Come to a complete stop before crossing the sidewalk area
Why: According to the ND manual, vehicles emerging from a driveway, alley, private road, or building within a business or residential district must come to a complete stop immediately prior to crossing a sidewalk area. If there is no sidewalk, vehicles must stop before entering the roadway.
💡 Memory tip: Complete stop at the sidewalk; no rolling out!
North Dakota-specific rules to know
Eight rules from the North Dakota driver handbook that show up on the test more than people expect. Save the page or screenshot it.
- Driving rule - Individuals under 16 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving in various conditions before taking the road test.
- Alcohol & DUI - According to the ND Driver’s Manual, recreational area signs are rectangular with white symbols on a brown background.
- Roundabouts - According to the ND manual, roundabouts are designed to accommodate all vehicle types, including truck and trailer combinations.
- Driving rule - Between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, a vehicle parked on a public highway must display at least one white or amber lamp in front and a red light on the rear, both…
- Roundabouts - The ND manual clearly states that a roundabout is a circular intersection where vehicles travel around a center island in a counter-clockwise direction.
- Railroad crossings - North Dakota law establishes a maximum speed limit of 20 miles per hour when approaching any railway crossing when your view of the track is obstructed, unless otherwise posted.
- Teen / provisional drivers - Farm vehicles may tow ‘a trailer, semi-trailer, or farm trailer except double or triple trailers, or if under 18 years of age, a truck-tractor.’ This means drivers under 18 operating under the…
- Driving rule - The driver of a truck or bus, when traveling upon a downgrade, may not coast with the clutch disengaged.
How to schedule your North Dakota permit test
You can typically schedule your North Dakota permit test online through the official North Dakota DMV / motor-vehicle agency website. Bring proof of identity, residency, and (if under 18) the required parent/guardian documentation. Fees vary by jurisdiction - check your local DMV office for current pricing. Some states require completion of driver’s education before testing.
This page references rules from the North Dakota Driver’s Handbook. We are not affiliated with the North Dakota DMV.
Studying in a neighboring state?
Each state’s exam is different. If you’re studying for a different state, here are nearby ones: Montana permit test practice, South Dakota permit test practice, Minnesota permit test practice.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the North Dakota permit test?
The North Dakota DMV permit test has 25 questions. You need to answer at least 80% correctly to pass.
What is the passing score for the North Dakota permit test?
You need 80% to pass - that’s roughly 20 out of 25 questions correct.
How old do I have to be to take the North Dakota permit test?
The minimum age in North Dakota is 14. Check your local DMV office for any additional requirements like a parent’s signature or driver’s education enrollment.
Can I retake the North Dakota permit test if I fail?
Yes. Most North Dakota DMV offices let you retake the test, often after a short waiting period. Some locations charge a small re-test fee. Check your local DMV office for the exact rules.
Is the DMV Ready app good for North Dakota?
It’s built around state-specific content. For North Dakota, that means 25-question practice exams at 80% pass mark, with questions drawn from the North Dakota driver handbook.
Practice unlimited North Dakota questions in DMV Ready
North Dakota format, locked: 25 questions per exam, 80% pass mark. Free version covers daily practice; Premium unlocks unlimited.
Take your real DMV knowledge test from home.
North Dakota partners with KnowToDrive for state-approved online proctored knowledge testing - skip the in-person written exam. (Road test, vision screening, and license issuance still in person.) Learn more at KnowToDrive.com →
Practice in another state
Each state writes its own permit test - same general rules, different specific questions. Pick yours: