ND Permit practice Updated for 2026

North Dakota Permit Practice Test

Your North Dakota test at a glance

Car learner knowledge exam

Noncommercial Class D knowledge test

Questions
Not published by North Dakota Department of Transportation
Correct to pass
Not published by North Dakota Department of Transportation
Passing score
Not published by North Dakota Department of Transportation
Mistakes allowed
Not published by North Dakota Department of Transportation

Important test rules

  • Leaving the test area before completion or bringing prohibited items into it results in failure.
Sources & exam details
  • The reviewed current permit page and manual do not verify total questions, pass score, duration, or score-based early termination.
  • ASL and audio are available at the eight named offices in the manual; this does not establish availability at every site.

Independent practice. Read it alongside the North Dakota handbook and source guide.

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North Dakota Class D car practice

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Question 1 of 20
  1. 1. Which North Dakota license class covers ordinary personal-car driving rather than a motorcycle or a vehicle requiring a commercial license?
  2. 2. What is the minimum age to apply for an ordinary North Dakota Class D instruction permit?
  3. 3. A 19-year-old friend has a valid license but only one year of driving experience. Can that friend qualify as the supervising driver for an ordinary Class D permit holder?
  4. 4. In a car with both front and rear seats, who may share the front seat with a Class D instruction-permit driver?
  5. 5. A 17-year-old is applying for a North Dakota learner’s permit. What approval is required before issuance?
  6. 6. An applicant will still be under 16 when applying for a Class D license. What minimum instruction-permit period applies?
  7. 7. An applicant is 16 and will remain under 18 at licensing. What minimum instruction-permit period applies before a Class D license?
  8. 8. A 15-year-old seeks the restricted Class D license. What supervised-practice requirement must be met in addition to qualifying driver education?
  9. 9. Which course certificate can support a North Dakota Class D road-test waiver under the manual?
  10. 10. A resident has met the other restricted Class D qualifications but is only 14 years and 11 months old. When can that restricted license be issued?
  11. 11. A 15-year-old restricted Class D driver wants to use an unrelated friend’s car for an ordinary social trip. Does the restricted-license vehicle rule allow that?
  12. 12. For a restricted Class D holder with no qualifying exception, which nighttime interval is restricted?
  13. 13. A restricted Class D holder finishes work at 10 p.m. and drives directly home. What does the nighttime rule provide?
  14. 14. A restricted Class D holder drives a car whose manufacturer specifies a capacity of five occupants. May six people, including the driver, ride in it?
  15. 15. A 25-year-old holds a Class D instruction permit and wants to use a phone for a routine conversation while the car is moving. Does being an adult remove the permit’s device restriction?
  16. 16. A 17-year-old now has a Class D license rather than a learner’s permit. May the driver make a routine phone call while the car is moving?
  17. 17. After becoming a North Dakota resident, how long may a person use a valid noncommercial license from another state?
  18. 18. A 15-year-old visitor has a valid ordinary car license from another state. Does that alone authorize ordinary driving in North Dakota?
  19. 19. A North Dakota license expired last week, but the holder can still renew without retesting. May the holder drive before renewing?
  20. 20. A first-time applicant passes the North Dakota knowledge test online. Is that result alone the physical permit needed to begin driving practice?
Review all 20 questions with answers
  1. Which North Dakota license class covers ordinary personal-car driving rather than a motorcycle or a vehicle requiring a commercial license?

    Correct answer: Class D.

    The ordinary noncommercial category is Class D. Motorcycle and commercial categories have separate qualifications.

    Source: North Dakota Class D Noncommercial Driver License Manual, 2025–2027 cover / Revised 2025, printed page 8, physical PDF page 12: Classes of Licenses — Class D. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  2. What is the minimum age to apply for an ordinary North Dakota Class D instruction permit?

    Correct answer: 14.

    A resident may apply for the Class D instruction permit at 14. A permit authorizes supervised practice, not unrestricted solo driving.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-04(1), physical PDF page 4. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  3. A 19-year-old friend has a valid license but only one year of driving experience. Can that friend qualify as the supervising driver for an ordinary Class D permit holder?

    Correct answer: No; the supervisor must be at least 18 and have at least three years of driving experience.

    The supervisor needs the appropriate valid license, age 18 or older, at least three years of experience, and the seat beside the learner.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-04(3), physical PDF page 4. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  4. In a car with both front and rear seats, who may share the front seat with a Class D instruction-permit driver?

    Correct answer: The qualified supervising driver only.

    Apart from the permit holder, only the supervising driver may occupy the front seat. The statute has a separate arrangement for a vehicle having only a front seat.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-04(3), physical PDF page 4. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  5. A 17-year-old is applying for a North Dakota learner’s permit. What approval is required before issuance?

    Correct answer: A sponsor’s signature accepting approval and financial liability.

    NDDOT requires sponsorship for an applicant under 18; the parent/guardian and authorized-signature rules apply.

    Source: NDDOT, How to Apply for a Learner’s Permit — Apply for a Learner’s Permit, item 7. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  6. An applicant will still be under 16 when applying for a Class D license. What minimum instruction-permit period applies?

    Correct answer: Twelve months.

    For a license applicant who remains under 16, the statute requires at least 12 months holding an instruction permit. Other age bands have different rules.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-04(4), physical PDF page 4. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  7. An applicant is 16 and will remain under 18 at licensing. What minimum instruction-permit period applies before a Class D license?

    Correct answer: Six months.

    An applicant not yet 18 ordinarily needs six months on a permit; the 12-month requirement applies while under 16.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-04(4), physical PDF page 4. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  8. A 15-year-old seeks the restricted Class D license. What supervised-practice requirement must be met in addition to qualifying driver education?

    Correct answer: At least 50 hours in varied conditions, including night, rural, urban, unpaved-road and winter driving.

    The minimum is 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice covering the listed different environments. Formal education does not replace that practice.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-17(2)(d)–(e), physical PDF page 11. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  9. Which course certificate can support a North Dakota Class D road-test waiver under the manual?

    Correct answer: A qualifying certificate for at least 30 classroom hours and six behind-the-wheel hours in a program approved for waiver purposes.

    The waiver is tied to an approved program and the specified course certificate. Completing informal practice alone is not the same as qualifying for a waiver.

    Source: North Dakota Class D Noncommercial Driver License Manual, 2025–2027 cover / Revised 2025, printed page 4, physical PDF page 8: Road Test Waiver. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  10. A resident has met the other restricted Class D qualifications but is only 14 years and 11 months old. When can that restricted license be issued?

    Correct answer: At age 15 or later.

    The restricted Class D issuance provision begins at 15. Do not confuse the age-14 supervised instruction permit with a solo-driving license.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-17(2)(a), physical PDF page 11. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  11. A 15-year-old restricted Class D driver wants to use an unrelated friend’s car for an ordinary social trip. Does the restricted-license vehicle rule allow that?

    Correct answer: No; ordinary operation is limited to the specified relatives’ automobiles.

    The specified owners are a parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle. The statute separately permits another vehicle for the actual ability test.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-17(2), physical PDF page 11. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  12. For a restricted Class D holder with no qualifying exception, which nighttime interval is restricted?

    Correct answer: From the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.

    The start is whichever occurs later: sunset or 9 p.m. The restriction continues to 5 a.m., subject to specified accompaniment and direct-trip exceptions.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-17(4)(d), physical PDF page 11. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  13. A restricted Class D holder finishes work at 10 p.m. and drives directly home. What does the nighttime rule provide?

    Correct answer: A direct trip to or from work is a stated exception.

    Direct travel to or from work, an official school activity or a religious activity is excepted. An unrelated social detour is not the described direct trip.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-17(4)(d), physical PDF page 11. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  14. A restricted Class D holder drives a car whose manufacturer specifies a capacity of five occupants. May six people, including the driver, ride in it?

    Correct answer: No; do not exceed the manufacturer’s suggested passenger capacity.

    The restricted driver may not carry more people than the manufacturer’s suggested passenger capacity. A five-person design does not accommodate six occupants.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-17(4)(b), physical PDF page 11. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  15. A 25-year-old holds a Class D instruction permit and wants to use a phone for a routine conversation while the car is moving. Does being an adult remove the permit’s device restriction?

    Correct answer: No; the instruction-permit restriction also applies to adult permit holders.

    The permit rule prohibits using an electronic communication device to talk or exchange messages while moving, except for the stated emergency or safety purposes.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-06-04(5), physical PDF page 4. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  16. A 17-year-old now has a Class D license rather than a learner’s permit. May the driver make a routine phone call while the car is moving?

    Correct answer: No; the separate rule for licensed 16- and 17-year-olds still prohibits it.

    Licensed drivers at least 16 but under 18 remain subject to the device restriction. The statute provides limited emergency and safety exceptions.

    Source: North Dakota Century Code §39-08-24, physical PDF page 14. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  17. After becoming a North Dakota resident, how long may a person use a valid noncommercial license from another state?

    Correct answer: 60 days.

    The transfer page allows 60 days after becoming a resident for a noncommercial license. The separate commercial-license period is 30 days.

    Source: NDDOT, Requirements for Transferring License — Residency. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  18. A 15-year-old visitor has a valid ordinary car license from another state. Does that alone authorize ordinary driving in North Dakota?

    Correct answer: No; a nonresident must be at least 16.

    NDDOT distinguishes the resident restricted-license route from the general minimum age for nonresident drivers.

    Source: NDDOT, Driver License Requirements — Age Requirements. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  19. A North Dakota license expired last week, but the holder can still renew without retesting. May the holder drive before renewing?

    Correct answer: No; the no-retest renewal period is not permission to drive on an expired license.

    The agency explicitly states that the license expires at midnight on the listed date and driving is not authorized while it is expired.

    Source: NDDOT, Driver License FAQs — Driver License Renewal. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

  20. A first-time applicant passes the North Dakota knowledge test online. Is that result alone the physical permit needed to begin driving practice?

    Correct answer: No; the applicant must visit a Driver License office by appointment to obtain the permit.

    Passing the online test is one step. The manual expressly requires an office appointment to obtain the permit.

    Source: North Dakota Class D Noncommercial Driver License Manual, 2025–2027 cover / Revised 2025, printed page 3, physical PDF page 7: Permits — online knowledge-test completion. Current official source reviewed September 29, 2026. ↗

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Your North Dakota study guide

Read the study notes alongside the handbook, then check the licensing essentials below.

Before you apply

North Dakota licensing essentials

From North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). Check the requirements for your age and application.

Sources checked

What is the minimum age for a North Dakota instruction permit?

A North Dakota instruction-permit applicant must be at least 14. Applicants under 18 also need the required parental or guardian approval and sponsorship. The permit is for supervised driving; reaching 14 and passing the knowledge test do not authorize independent operation of a passenger car.

North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Revised 2025 (opens in a new tab)

How do I obtain my first North Dakota learner's permit?

Complete the application and required identity and address checks, pass the Rules of the Road knowledge test, and pass vision screening. The knowledge test may be taken at a licensing site or online. Passing online still requires an appointment at a Driver License office to obtain the permit.

How to Apply for a Learner's Permit (opens in a new tab)

Who may supervise a North Dakota instruction-permit driver?

Your supervisor must hold a valid license for the vehicle class, be at least 18, and have at least three years of driving experience. That person must sit beside you. These are instruction-permit conditions, so passing the knowledge test does not remove the requirement for a qualified accompanying driver.

North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Revised 2025 (opens in a new tab)

Check the agency for updates before you apply.

North Dakota permit test: frequently asked questions

How should I prepare for the North Dakota permit test?

Read a section of the North Dakota driver handbook, then try a short practice test. Review each explanation and revisit the rules behind your mistakes before you try again.

Are these North Dakota permit practice tests free?

Yes. The North Dakota practice tests are free and include answer explanations. No account is needed. Choose a test to begin.

How should I use the North Dakota handbook with these questions?

Read the explanation after each answer. If a rule is unclear, find it in the handbook and explain it in your own words. Try the question again after you understand the rule.

Where can I practice North Dakota road signs?

Open the North Dakota road-sign section to practice recognizing shapes, colors and meanings. The illustrated sign guide also compares signs that look similar. Study the action each sign requires, then check the North Dakota handbook for local rules that apply with it.

How can I review mistakes from my North Dakota practice tests?

Use My mistakes to revisit questions saved from your North Dakota car practice on this browser. Full test results also offer answer review and, when available, a retry of missed questions. Progress is stored on this device; it does not transfer automatically to another browser or phone.

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