How Much Does a North Dakota Driver's License Cost? Permit, Test and Fees
How much does a North Dakota driver's license cost?
In North Dakota, the knowledge test costs $5 for each attempt, the Class D instruction permit costs $15, and the road test costs $5. A non-commercial Class D license costs $15, and a renewal also costs $15. If you pass each test on the first try, the test, permit, road test and license fees add up to $40. State law sets the online knowledge test at $10.
Where the North Dakota fee facts come from
The fee amounts come from North Dakota Century Code chapter 39-06 (mainly section 39-06-49) and from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) pages on the learner's permit and on driver license requirements. Other facts come from Century Code chapter 39-08, the NDDOT Noncommercial Driver License Manual (2025-2027) and the NDDOT pages on license transfers, drivers from other nations, the road test waiver, Mobile ID, driver license FAQs and driver record suspensions. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the North Dakota Department of Transportation (dot.nd.gov) before you drive.
North Dakota Class D fees, step by step
| Step | Fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test at a Driver License Site | $5 per attempt | One attempt a day |
| Online knowledge test | $10 | Set by state law |
| Class D instruction permit (learner's permit) | $15 | You must be at least 14 |
| Road test | $5 | No retest on the same day |
| Class D license (non-commercial) | $15 | Same fee as the permit |
What a first-try pass costs in North Dakota
Add the fees for the steps that you take. A first-try pass with the knowledge test at a Driver License Site costs $5 + $15 + $5 + $15 = $40 (test, permit, road test and license). With the online test, the total is $10 + $15 + $5 + $15 = $45.
Each failed attempt of the knowledge test at a site adds $5. For example, a pass on the second attempt at a site makes the total $45.
What you pay if you fail a North Dakota test
Online knowledge test fee and the office visit after it
State law sets a $10 fee to access the online written test. Before NDDOT issues the instruction permit, the law requires a parent or legal guardian to certify that they monitored the applicant during the online test. Check the price on the test site before you pay.
After you pass online, you must make an appointment and visit a Driver License office to get your permit. Our guide to the North Dakota online permit test gives the full steps.
What North Dakota teen drivers need besides the state fees
- Ages 14 and 15 must finish an acceptable formal driver's education course. Ask the course provider for its price.
- Under 16, you must bring a driver's education Certificate of Training to the road test.
- The Class D road test may be waived with a North Dakota Driving School Certificate of Course Completion for at least 30 hours of classroom training and six hours of behind-the-wheel training. NDDOT may still give a road test to students at random.
- Under 18, a sponsor signs for approval and financial liability before NDDOT issues your permit.
Other North Dakota license fees after you are licensed
| Service | Fee | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| License renewal | $15 | Renew up to 10 months early with no lost time |
| Duplicate license or permit | $8 | $3 if only for a name or address change |
| Mobile ID | $5 | Optional; paid once per renewal cycle |
| Transfer from another state or Canada | $15 | Non-commercial license |
| Commercial permit or license | $15 plus $3 | $3 for each endorsement |
| Duplicate with a proof-of-insurance notation | $50 | Required after a no-insurance violation; $50 more to remove the notation |
| Reinstatement after a suspension | $25, $50 or $100 | The amount depends on the cause |
Renewing or transferring a North Dakota license
A holder of a valid North Dakota license who renews gets a Class D license with no written or road test. You can renew up to one year after the expiration date with no retest, but you may not drive while the license is expired. After more than one year, you must take the written and road tests again.
If you move here, the transfer fee is $15. Your old license must not be suspended, canceled, revoked or expired for more than one year. Our guide to moving to North Dakota with a license lists the steps.
Which North Dakota reinstatement fee applies to you
- $25: for example, you did not file a medical or vision report, or you did not take or pass a required test.
- $50: for example, 12 or more points, no proof of insurance, an unpaid fine or child support, or driving under suspension. Our free question on the point total that leads to a suspension shows the 12-point rule.
- $100: for example, a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit, an implied consent or refusal case, or driving under revocation.
- You can pay by mail with a check or money order, or by phone with a debit or credit card. An online payment must be the full $50 or $100.
Key takeaways
- A first-try pass costs $40 in state fees: $5 knowledge test, $15 instruction permit, $5 road test and $15 Class D license.
- Each knowledge test attempt at a site costs $5, with one attempt a day. The online test costs $10 by state law.
- A renewal costs $15, a duplicate $8 ($3 for a name or address change only) and a mobile ID $5.
- Reinstatement after a suspension costs $25, $50 or $100, by cause.
- Next step: practice on the free North Dakota Class D practice test. It is in English only.
North Dakota license cost: common questions
How much does it cost to replace a lost North Dakota driver's license?
A duplicate license or permit costs $8 in North Dakota. Book an appointment first, because NDDOT needs one for all Driver License services. If your license expires within 10 months, you can renew it instead for $15. An early renewal does not lose the time left on your old license.
How much does it cost to change my name or address on a North Dakota license?
A new card for a name or address change only costs $3. For a name change with no renewal, you also have a new picture taken. Report an address change to the NDDOT Driver License Division. If you hold a commercial license, you must get a duplicate license after an address change.
How much does a North Dakota mobile ID cost?
A mobile ID costs $5 and is optional. You pay the fee one time for each renewal cycle of your physical license. The state does not refund the $5 after your mobile ID is added to a digital wallet. NDDOT says that you must still carry your physical license when you drive.
How much is a commercial driver's license in North Dakota?
A commercial permit or license costs $15, plus $3 for each endorsement. For example, a license with two endorsements costs $15 + $3 + $3 = $21. The same fee applies when you transfer a commercial license from another state. All commercial tests are in English, by federal regulation.
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