DMV Point System in North Dakota

After leaving North Dakota's Enchanted Highway, commuters won't soon forget the towering metal sculptures of flying geese, leaping deer, and giant farming families. Traffic tickets can also be hard to forget since they stay on your record as points long after you've paid the required fines.

We'll walk you through the North Dakota Department of Transportation's (NDDOT) point system, which is used to monitor the traffic tickets you receive.

Points & License Suspension in ND

If you're accustomed to driving yourself around, enough points on your record could completely change your daily routine.

The NDDOT will suspend your driver's license if you accumulate 12 points or more on your driving record. Specifically, your driving privileges will be suspended for 7 days for every 1 point you have over 11 points on your record.

FOR EXAMPLE: If you have 13 points on your record, your license will be suspended for 14 days; if you have 15 points on your record, the suspension period is 28 days.

If you're ticketed for a serious offense like DUI, your North Dakota license could be automatically suspended.

To learn about reinstating your driving privileges, head over to our license suspension guide.

Record Checks on Deck!

Knowing how many points are on your driving record ensures you'll be able to make the necessary preparations in case the NDDOT suspends your license.

Check your driving record TODAY, especially if you've received traffic tickets in the past.

North Dakota DOT Point Schedule

The more serious the traffic ticket, the more points it carries. Below, you'll find some examples of offenses and their corresponding point values. Check out the North Dakota Department of Transportation's full point schedule for all traffic violations and their respective points.

NOTE: Commercial drivers in North Dakota could face automatic license suspension AND higher point penalties for certain citations. See our suspended CDL guide for more details.

Tickets with Fewer Points

Here are a few examples of traffic tickets carrying relatively fewer points:

  • When the posted limit is:
    • Less than 70 MPH, speeding by:
      • 11 to 15 MPH: 1 point.
      • 16 to 20 MPH: 3 points.
    • 70 MPH or greater, speeding by:
      • 6 to 10 MPH: 1 point.
      • 11 to 15 MPH: 3 points.
  • Driving without license plates: 1 point.
  • Parking illegally: 1 point.
  • Riding a motorcycle without a helmet: 2 points.
  • Disobeying a police officer's orders: 2 points.
  • Driving on the wrong side of the road: 2 points.
  • Failure to yield right of way: 2 points.
  • Disregarding traffic signals/lights: 2 points.
  • Failure to stop at a railroad crossing: 3 points.
  • Driving without a license: 4 points.

Tickets with Higher Points

The NDDOT will add a greater amount points to your record if you're ticketed for violations including (but not limited to):

  • When the speed limit is:
    • Less than 70 MPH, speeding by:
      • 21 to 25 MPH: 5 points.
      • 26 to 35 MPH: 9 points.
      • 36 to 45 MPH: 12 points.
      • 46 MPH or more: 15 points.
    • 70 MPH or greater, speeding by:
      • 16 to 20 MPH: 5 points.
      • 21 to 25 MPH: 7 points.
      • 26 to 30 MPH: 10 points.
      • 31 to 35 MPH: 12 points.
      • 36 MPH or more: 15 points.
  • Failing to report an accident: 6 points.
  • Careless driving: 6 points.
  • Reckless driving: 8 points.
  • Street racing: 10 points.
  • Hit and run involving:
    • Property damage: 14 points.
    • Death OR injury: 18 points.
  • Evading the police: 24 points.

If you're convicted for traffic offenses with higher point values, you may have to plead your case in traffic court. Head over to our guide to fighting traffic tickets for tips on preparing for court.

DMV.ORG TIP: Tickets Point to Higher insurance Rates

DID YOU KNOW: Insurance companies check the number of points on your record when determining how much to charge you for coverage. Make sure you understand how traffic citations can affect your auto insurance rates, especially if you're looking for a new provider or policy.

Clear Your ND Driving Record

Having a clean driving record is the key to maintaining your driving privileges.

The North Dakota Department of Transportation will automatically remove 1 point from your record for every 3 months you go without accruing additional points.

You also have the option of completing a DOT-approved driver improvement course to EITHER:

  • Remove 3 points from your record.
    • Course can be taken for point reduction once every 12 months.
    OR
  • Prevent points from being added to your record for a violation you recently committed.
    • Violation must carry 5 points or fewer.
    • You can complete the course for point waiver once every 12 months.

You cannot take a driver improvement course for a combined point reduction AND waiver.

DMV.ORG BBB Business Review