North Dakota driver license and ID card: first license, renewal, replacement and REAL ID

How to get a first North Dakota driver license or teen permit, transfer an out-of-state license, renew or replace your card, and what a REAL ID or state ID card requires, based on NDDOT's own pages.

Guide · North Dakota · REAL ID · Driver licenses · Renewals · ID cards · updated October 29, 2026

North Dakota driver licenses, permits and non-driver ID cards are issued by the Driver License Division of the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) at its driver license sites. Every in-person service needs an appointment. This guide covers your first license (including teen permits), moving to North Dakota with another state's license, renewing, replacing a lost card, REAL ID and ID cards. For booking and the general document list, see the North Dakota DMV visit guide.

Your first North Dakota license

NDDOT says the minimum driving age is 16, but a North Dakota resident can get a restricted license at 15. A parent or legal guardian must sign for anyone under 18 to get a permit or license.

Everyone starts with a learner's permit. You need to:

1. Prove your identity and address (see "Documents" below).
2. Complete an application with your physical North Dakota address and your Social Security number.
3. Pass the Rules of the Road knowledge test. You can take it at a driver license site or online. NDDOT's online study guide covers the material.
4. Pass a vision screening.

Applicants under 18 also need a sponsor's signature, accepting financial liability, before the permit is issued. NDDOT lists the costs as $5 per knowledge test attempt (one attempt per day), $15 for the permit and $5 for the road test.

Steps by age

• Ages 14 and 15. You must hold the permit for at least one year, complete an approved driver's education course and log 50 hours of practice driving in varied conditions. Then you pass a road test. On the permit you must have a supervising driver in the front seat and may not use an electronic communication device. You may drive only vehicles owned by certain family members, unless you are in a dual-control vehicle with a licensed driver trainer. On the restricted Class D license that follows, you may not drive between sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever is later) and 5 a.m. The exceptions are a licensed driver in the front seat or driving directly to or from work, a school activity or a religious activity.
• Ages 16 and 17. Hold the permit for at least six months, then pass a road test. You must drive with a supervising driver and may not use an electronic communication device.
• 18 and older. Pass a road test. Drive with a supervising driver while on the permit.

Road tests are given by appointment at eight sites; see the visit guide.

Moving to North Dakota

NDDOT says you are a resident for driver licensing once you have lived in the state for 90 consecutive days. Nonresident students, tourists and nonresident members of the Armed Forces are excluded. After you become a resident, you may keep using a non-commercial license from another state for 60 days, or a commercial license for 30 days.

To transfer, book an appointment at a driver license site and bring:

• Your most current driver license. It cannot be suspended, cancelled, revoked or expired for more than one year.
• Proof of identity and, if needed, proof of a name change
• Proof of North Dakota residence address. You need two documents for a REAL ID, or one if you choose not to get a REAL ID.
• Proof of your Social Security number. NDDOT says a document is needed only for a REAL ID.

The fee is $15 for a non-commercial or commercial license, plus $3 for each commercial endorsement. Questions go to 855-633-6835.

Renewing your license

There are two ways to renew:

• Online, if NDDOT's online renewal system says you are eligible. NDDOT notes that online renewal has some limitations.
• In person at a driver license site, by appointment. Bring your current license, the fee and any corrective lenses you wear for the vision screening. Filling in the online pre-application first speeds up the visit.

You can renew up to 10 months before your license expires without losing any time on it. Your license expires at midnight on your birthday or on the printed expiration date, and you may not drive while it is expired. You can renew without retesting for up to one year after expiration. After that, you must pass both the knowledge and road tests again. A non-commercial renewal costs $15.

NDDOT mails renewal notices as a courtesy, but they are not forwarded if you moved without updating your address. You do not need the notice to renew.

Out of state: call NDDOT to request a renewal packet. You can return it by mail, fax or email, and the fee is $15. NDDOT says you cannot renew by mail a second time in a row, unless you are an active-duty military member or a military spouse.

Replacing a lost license

If you know your license information, you can request a duplicate online. You must still be a North Dakota resident, and your driving privileges cannot be suspended, revoked or cancelled. If your address has changed, you need proof of the new address. You can also get a duplicate at a driver license site by appointment, bringing an identification document from NDDOT's list. A duplicate costs $8, or $3 if you are only changing your name or address. If you are temporarily out of state, email NDDOT to see whether a duplicate can be mailed to you.

Your first REAL ID cannot be ordered online; it needs a site visit.

REAL ID

A North Dakota license or ID is REAL ID-compliant if it has a gold star in the top right corner. REAL ID is opt-in: you can choose not to get one, for example if you plan to fly with a passport. To get one, book an in-person appointment at a driver license site and bring a document from each of four categories:

1. Proof of identity, such as a certified U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport or passport card, or a valid permanent resident card
2. Proof of name change, if your name differs from that document
3. Proof of Social Security number showing your full number: a Social Security card, a W-2, a 1099 form or a pay stub
4. Two proofs of North Dakota residence address

Use NDDOT's printable REAL ID checklist, which is also available in Spanish. Once you have a REAL ID, you do not need to bring the documents again unless your name, address or gender has changed. To check your current card, see How can I tell if my license is REAL ID compliant? and REAL ID explained.

Non-driver ID cards

You can get a North Dakota ID card at any age. You do not have to meet the requirements for a driver license, but you must be a North Dakota resident. You apply at a driver license site with the same identity, name change, residence and Social Security information as for a license. NDDOT lists the fees as:

• $8 if you are under 18
• No fee at 18 or older
• $8 to replace a lost, stolen or destroyed card

For vehicle paperwork, see the North Dakota vehicle registration and title guide. For offices, see the North Dakota DMV office list.