North Dakota driving lesson · Your License & Permits
Residency, exemptions & who can't be licensed
A 3-minute lesson from the North Dakota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
New to North Dakota? You count as a resident for licensing after 90 days here, and then you have a short window to switch licenses. A few groups are exempt, and some people can't be licensed at all.
Resident (for driver licensing)
Anyone who has lived in North Dakota for 90 consecutive days, other than a nonresident student, a tourist, or a nonresident member of the Armed Forces.
All North Dakota residents, except those exempt, must have a valid ND license or permit to drive. It is valid only if you sign it, and you must have it with you every time you drive.
Exception: someone with that history may be licensed after no seizures for at least six consecutive months, if willing to take the required medical examination.
You move to Fargo from Minnesota with a valid Class D license. Once you're a resident, you may keep driving on it for 60 days. After that, you must pass the tests for a North Dakota license.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
You may operate a Class D or M vehicle on an out-of-state license for up to 60 days after becoming a North Dakota resident.
True
False
Answer: True
New residents may drive on an out-of-state Class D or M license for 60 days before a North Dakota license is required.
After how many consecutive days living in North Dakota are you considered a resident for driver licensing?
30 days
60 days
180 days
90 days
Answer: 90 days
Anyone other than a nonresident student, tourist, or nonresident Armed Forces member who has lived here 90 consecutive days is a resident for licensing.