ND Learner's Permit 2026: Who Rides With You, Holding Times

Who can sit beside you

The supervising driver must be at least 18, hold a valid license for the kind of vehicle you're driving, and have at least three years of driving experience. They sit in the seat next to you. Nobody else may sit in the front unless the vehicle has only a front seat.

How long do you hold an ND learner's permit?

Age at permit	Holding period before the road test	Also required
14 or 15	12 months or until you turn 16, whichever comes first, but at least 6 months	Driver education and 50 supervised hours
16 or 17	6 months or until you turn 18, whichever comes first	The road test, unless it's waived
18 or older	No minimum given	The road test

The table follows the manual. NDDOT's permit page gives the 14 and 15 rule as at least one year (six months for permits issued before January 1, 2012). If you got your permit at 15 and turn 16 before a full year is up, ask a driver license site which rule applies before you book the road test.

Extra rules at 14 and 15

You may drive only a vehicle that belongs to your parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, aunt or uncle. A car with dual controls and a licensed driver trainer in it is the exception.
You can use a different car for the road test itself.
You need at least 50 hours of supervised driving, on top of driver education. The hours must include rural roads, city streets, gravel or dirt roads, night driving and winter driving. The manual's last page is a log for them.

North Dakota permit rules at every age

No phone or other electronic communication device while you drive, for anyone on a permit. The only exceptions are getting emergency help, stopping a crime or when someone's life or safety is in danger.
Carry your permit and sign it. It isn't valid unsigned.
Breaking a permit's conditions puts 2 points on your record.
Under 18, six or more points cancels the permit, and so can an alcohol- or drug-related offense. You'd then start over as if you'd never had one.
The parent or guardian who signed can withdraw consent at any time, and the permit is cancelled.

North Dakota's point system →

Getting the permit

Pass the knowledge test at a driver license site or online, then pick up the permit at a site by appointment. The ND permit test page has the fees, and the REAL ID page lists the documents.

The ND permit test →Documents to bring →

Sources: NDDOT and 2 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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