The North Dakota permit test is the Rules of the Road knowledge test from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), and you can take it in person or online at home through KnowTo Drive. NDDOT does not publish how many questions are on the test or the passing score. Practice sites commonly say 25 questions and 80%, so study the whole North Dakota driver license manual rather than counting on a number.
North Dakota permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), dot.nd.gov |
| Minimum age | 14 |
| Test | Rules of the Road knowledge test from the North Dakota driver license manual |
| Questions and pass mark | Not published by NDDOT. Third-party sites say 25 questions and 80%, which is unofficial |
| Where | Online at nd.knowtodrive.com, or in person at a Driver License Site by appointment |
| Online option | Yes, through KnowTo Drive ($10 per attempt) |
| Fees | In person: $5 per knowledge test attempt. Permit: $15 |
| Languages | 14, including English, Spanish, Arabic, French, Somali and Vietnamese |
| Retake | In person: one attempt per day. Online: after 24 hours |
How many questions is the North Dakota permit test?
NDDOT's How to Apply for a Learner's Permit page and its driver license manual do not give a question count or a passing score. Third-party practice sites say the North Dakota permit test has 25 questions and that you need 80%, which would mean 20 correct, or no more than 5 wrong. That figure is unofficial, so treat it as a guide only.
The safe plan is to aim for every question on your practice tests. If you can score near 100% on a range of topics, the exact count stops mattering.
What's on the North Dakota permit test
The test comes from the North Dakota driver license manual, sometimes called the Rules of the Road book. NDDOT also has an online study guide. Expect questions on:
- Road signs, signals and pavement markings.
- Right of way, turning, passing and speed.
- Parking rules: do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
- Headlights: dim them at least 500 feet before meeting traffic and within 300 feet when following another vehicle.
- Following distance: use at least a three-second gap, and four seconds or more in bad conditions.
- Phones: drivers under 18 and anyone on an instruction permit may not use an electronic communication device while driving.
What makes North Dakota different: the online test
North Dakota lets you take the knowledge test online at nd.knowtodrive.com. According to the KnowTo Drive FAQ, any North Dakota resident who is at least 14 can test, and anyone under 18 needs a parent or guardian who is a North Dakota resident aged 18 or older to register with them. Each attempt costs $10, and you need a computer with a clean, working webcam and good lighting. You must be alone in the room during the test.
How to study for the North Dakota permit test
- Read the North Dakota driver license manual, one section per sitting.
- Learn road signs by shape and color before you learn the wording.
- Make a one-page sheet of every number: distances, ages and holding periods.
- Take North Dakota permit test practice quizzes and write down every question you miss.
- Review only your weak topics the day before, then get a good night's sleep.
What to bring and how to book
NDDOT Driver License Sites work by appointment only, with no walk-ins. You can book online at dot.nd.gov or call 1-855-633-6835. If you are taking the knowledge test in person, schedule it at least one hour before the office closes, or one hour before noon at offices that close for lunch.
- Proof of identity and proof of address from NDDOT's ID Checklist.
- Your Social Security number. NDDOT verifies it but does not use it as your license number.
- Your physical North Dakota address.
- A sponsor's signature if you are under 18.
- $5 for the knowledge test if you test in person, and $15 for the permit.
Can you take the North Dakota permit test online?
Yes. North Dakota is one of the few states where you can take the permit knowledge test at home, through KnowTo Drive at nd.knowtodrive.com. The online test costs $10 per attempt, and teens need a parent or guardian to register with them. Passing online does not give you a permit by itself: you still book an appointment at a Driver License Site to get it.
What happens if you fail
In person, NDDOT allows one knowledge test attempt per day at $5 each. Online, the KnowTo Drive FAQ says you can retake the test after 24 hours, and after five failed attempts you must wait a year. Use the time between tries to study the exact topics you missed.
After you pass
- Ages 14 and 15: hold the permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever comes first, finish driver education and log 50 hours of practice driving.
- Ages 16 and 17: hold the permit for six months or until age 18, whichever comes first.
- Drive only with a supervising driver. At 14 and 15, the supervisor sits in the front seat.
North Dakota permit test FAQ
How many questions is the North Dakota permit test?
NDDOT does not publish the number. Practice sites say 25 questions with 80% to pass, which is unofficial.
Can you take the North Dakota permit test online?
Yes, through KnowTo Drive at nd.knowtodrive.com, for $10 per attempt. You still visit a Driver License Site to get the permit.
How much does the North Dakota permit cost?
NDDOT lists $5 per in-person knowledge test attempt and $15 for the permit.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes. NDDOT Driver License Sites are appointment only, and you can book at dot.nd.gov or by phone.
