Instruction permits and licenses for minors

Key points

1. All permit applicants must be at least 14, and applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian to sponsor them.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “All applicants must be at least 14 years of age. Applicants under 18 years of age must have parent or legal guardian approval and sponsorship.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 3

2. Your supervising driver must be at least 18, hold a valid license and have at least 3 years of driving experience.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “a person with a valid license for the class of vehicle being driven, who is at least 18 years of age and has had at least three years of driving experience, must ride in the seat beside you.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 3

3. At 14 or 15, hold the permit 12 months or until 16, whichever comes first, but at least 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “Individuals who are 14 or 15 years old must hold the instruction permit for 12 months or to the age of 16, whichever comes first, but no less than six months”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 3

4. At 16 or 17, hold the permit 6 months or until 18, whichever comes first.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “Individuals who are 16 or 17 must hold the instruction permit for six months or to the age of 18, whichever comes first”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 3

5. Drivers under 16 must complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice in variable conditions.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “Individuals under 16 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving in variable conditions.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 3

6. Driver education for the waiver or certificate means 30 hours of classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “a minimum of 30 hours of classroom driver training and a minimum of six hours of actual behind the wheel driver training”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 4

7. A 15 year old's restricted license covers only a parent's, guardian's, grandparent's, sibling's, aunt's or uncle's vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “Upon successful completion of the road test, a 15 year old will be issued a restricted Class D operator’s license. While in possession of a restricted Class D operator’s license, the driver is restricted to operating his or her parent’s, guardian’s, grandparent’s, sibling’s, aunt’s or uncle’s vehicles.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 6

8. At 15, you need a parent, guardian or someone 18 or older with you from the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “At age 15, when in possession of a restricted Class D operator’s license, the individual is not allowed to operate a vehicle without his or her parent, legal guardian, or an individual at least 18 years of age between the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 6

9. At 16 the restricted license becomes unrestricted.

   Source: Handbook p. 6

   “At age 16 the restricted Class D Operator’s License transitions to an unrestricted license.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 6

10. Permit holders and licensed drivers under 18 may not use electronic communication devices while driving.

    Source: Handbook p. 6

    “Anyone, regardless of age who is operating a vehicle with an instruction permit and licensed drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using electronic communication devices while driving.”
    North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 6

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. How long must a 16 or 17 year old hold an instruction permit before completing the road test or waiving it?

   1. Twelve months in every case
   2. Three months regardless of age
   3. Six months or until age 18, whichever comes first
   4. Until age 21
   Show answer

   Six months or until age 18, whichever comes first. An applicant who is 16 or 17 must hold the instruction permit for six months or until turning 18, whichever comes first, before completing or waiving the road test. Three months is too short, while twelve months ignores the separate rule for this age group. The age 21 choice has no connection to the permit period. Pair the six month period with the age 18 endpoint when remembering the requirement.

2. 2. How many hours of supervised practice driving must an applicant under 16 complete?

   1. A minimum of 20 hours on city streets only
   2. A minimum of 50 hours in variable conditions
   3. A minimum of 30 hours in daylight only
   4. A minimum of 75 hours on an Interstate
   Show answer

   A minimum of 50 hours in variable conditions. Applicants under 16 must complete at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving in variable conditions. The manual says this is in addition to formal driver education, so classroom or behind the wheel course hours do not erase the separate practice requirement. The smaller totals and the Interstate only option add restrictions or figures not stated. Keep a supervised log that reflects changing conditions rather than one repeated setting.

3. 3. During what hours must a 15 year old with a restricted Class D license have a supervising adult present?

   1. From 10:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. on weekends only
   2. From 6:00 p.m. until midnight every day
   3. From the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.
   4. From sunset until sunrise with no stated exceptions
   Show answer

   From the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.. A 15 year old with a restricted Class D license may not operate without a parent, legal guardian, or adult at least 18 during the period beginning at the later of sunset or 9:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 a.m. Direct travel to work, an official school activity, or a religious activity is the stated exception. The other time windows change the start or end point. Remember later of sunset or 9:00 p.m., then 5:00 a.m.

Source: the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Your Operator's License. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.