Driver's Training in North Dakota

North Dakota Driver's Training

If you're a young driver, you must complete both driver's training with a driving instructor AND supervised behind-the-wheel practice before you can apply for a driver's license in North Dakota.

To begin your licensing requirements, you will need to first obtain a learner's permit from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).

Your behind-the-wheel practice will help prepare you for your driving test and give you the tools to pass your DOT driving test and become a safe and responsible driver when you get your first, unrestricted driver's license.

On this page you'll find information about your behind-the-wheel requirements and the next steps in the teen licensing process of the North Dakota DOT.

Behind-the-Wheel Requirements in North Dakota

If you are younger than 16 years old, you'll need to complete the following behind-the-wheel requirements:

  • Behind-the-wheel driver's training (as part of your North Dakota Driver's Ed program).
  • At least 50 hours of supervised driving practice.

You can begin your driver's licensing and behind-the-wheel requirements by enrolling in driver's education and then applying for a learner's permit when you are at least 14 years old.

For more information about enrolling in driver's training/education and obtaining your learner's permit, please visit our pages on those topics:

North Dakota Driver's Training Course

Driver's training with a driving instructor is a component of North Dakota driver's education, which is offered by professional driving schools and high schools.

Your course will include both classroom sessions and at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training with your driving instructor.

Generally, you'll need to complete the classroom component before participating in behind-the-wheel training. This will allow you to put the valuable safe driving lessons you've learned in the classroom to use in the car with your driver's training instructor.

Once you complete both sections of the program, you should receive a driver's education completion certificate.

Supervised Driving Practice in ND

While you hold your learner's permit, you'll be permitted to drive ONLY with a licensed adult who is at least 18 years old and has held a driver's license for at least 3 years.

In order to advance from your learner's permit to your provisional driver's license, you'll need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice.

Your supervised driving practice will allow you to build upon the driving skills you'll have developed and learned during driver's training. Once you complete your required hours, you'll likely be more prepared for your North Dakota DMV driving test.

Contact the ND DMV for information about verifying your driving practice hours.

Getting Your Provisional Driver's License

You'll be eligible to take your DMV driving test and apply for your provisional driver's license after you:

  • Turn 15 years old.
  • Have held your learner's permit for at least 1 year.
  • Have completed driver's training/Driver's Ed.
  • Have completed your supervised driving practice.

For more information about the documents, forms, and fees you'll need to submit to the NDDOT for your first driver's license, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in North Dakota page.

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