Points, texting and other penalties

Key points

1. At 12 or more points, you will be told the state intends to suspend your license.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “When the record reveals a total of 12 or more points, the driver will be informed that the authorities intend to suspend his or her license.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 40

2. 12 points means a 7 day suspension; 13 and above means 7 days for each point over 11.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “Accumulated Point Total Period of Suspension 12 7 days 13 and above 7 days for each point over 11”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 40

3. You lose 1 point for every three months with no new points, and 3 points for an approved driver improvement course.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “ONE POINT-for every three-month period during which the driver has not had any points recorded against his/her record. 2. THREE POINTS-if the driver completes an approved driver improvement course”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 40

4. Driving in violation of instruction permit conditions is a 2 point penalty.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “It is a two-point penalty on your driving record for driving in violation of the conditions of an instruction permit.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 4

5. It is illegal for anyone to text while driving, including composing, reading or sending messages.

   Source: Handbook p. 30

   “It is not legal for anyone to text (composing, reading, or sending an electronic message) while driving”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 30

6. Entering a road officially closed for hazardous conditions carries a $250 fine.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “It is not legal to enter a road that is officially closed due to hazardous conditions. The penalty for doing this is a $250 fine.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 27

7. Littering on a public highway can bring a $500 fine.

   Source: Handbook p. 27

   “If you throw or deposit any litter on any public highway, you are subject to a $500 fine.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 27

8. Studded snow tires may be used from October 15 to April 15.

   Source: Handbook p. 28

   “Studded snow tires may be used from October 15 to April 15.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 28

9. A child restraint violation costs $25 and 1 point against the driver.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “The penalty for violation is $25 and one point against the license of the driver.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 34

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. At what point total does North Dakota move to suspend a driver's license?

   1. 12 or more points
   2. 6 points
   3. 20 points
   4. Any points at all
   Show answer

   12 or more points. Points are added to the driver's record normally within 10 days of a conviction, and when the record reveals a total of 12 or more points the driver is informed that the authorities intend to suspend the license, with the right to an administrative hearing. Points drop by one for every three month period without new points, and by three for completing an approved driver improvement course.

2. 2. During which dates may studded snow tires be used legally in North Dakota?

   1. September 1 through May 1
   2. November 1 through March 31
   3. October 15 through April 15
   4. December 1 through February 28
   Show answer

   October 15 through April 15. North Dakota permits studded snow tires from October 15 through April 15. The other date ranges shift the start or end of the authorized season and therefore do not reproduce the rule. This is a calendar question, so retain both boundary dates instead of reducing the answer to a vague winter period. The quick cue is mid October through mid April, with the fifteenth marking each side of the allowed window.

3. 3. What fine applies for entering a North Dakota road officially closed because of hazardous winter conditions or flooding?

   1. $100
   2. $1,000
   3. $500
   4. $250
   Show answer

   $250. Entering a road that has been officially closed for hazardous winter conditions or flooding results in a $250 fine. The larger $500 amount is associated with littering on a public highway, while the other choices are not the specified closed road penalty. Treat the closure notice as the key condition: the rule addresses entering the restricted roadway, not merely driving slowly on an open route during bad weather.

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.