Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to attend traffic school if I get a speeding ticket?
Drivers in North Dakotahave the option to attend traffic school to reduce points on their driving record due to a speeding ticket. If a driver was issued a citation with five points or less, they qualify to take an approved defensive driving course in lieu of having any points added to their record.

Drivers are only allowed to participate in this driving course once every 12 months to reduce points on their driving record. For more information on driver training schools, contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation at 701-328-2725.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

How can I pay for my traffic or parking ticket?
If you receive a traffic citation in the state of North Dakota, you may pay a traffic ticket in one of two ways:
  • By mail
  • Online

You will be provided an envelope in which to mail your citation with either the payment or your request for a court hearing. To pay traffics ticket online, visit The North Dakota State Court website.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

How do I file a complaint when I believe someone has illegally accessed my DMV record?
Except for official purposes, a person must receive your consent before requesting a copy of your DMV driving record. Those who do not need your consent to accesses your driving record include, but are not limited to:
  • An employer of a CDL license holder
  • Prospective employer and employer for a job that involves noncommercial driving
  • Government agencies
  • Insurance companies

If you suspect that someone has illegally accessed your driving record, contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver s License Division at 701-328-2600.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

How do I get a copy of my driving record?
Drivers can get a copy of their North Dakota driving record online, by fax, or by mail. The online version is a limited driving record and will not contain information such as total points, violations, or convictions more than three years old.

To order a copy of your complete driving record, you must mail the Request for Driver Abstract form to:

Drivers License Division

608 E Boulevard Ave

Bismarck, ND 58505

Both the online driving record and the complete driver record are $3 each. Fees subject to change.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

How do I get a traffic ticket dismissed?
It is possible to get a traffic ticket dismissed in the state of North Dakota. If you plead guilty to the traffic ticket and it was for five points or less, you can get it dismissed by participating in a defensive driving course. Drivers can also get a traffic ticket dismissed by requesting a hearing and proving that they are not guilty of the traffic offense. For more information, contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation at 701-328-2725.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

How do I obtain a copy of someone else’s driving record?
To get a copy of someone else s driving record,follow these steps:
  1. Fill out a Request for Driver Abstract
  2. Get the signature of consent of the person who s driving record you are requesting

You can send in the request via mail or via fax. The cost of a driving record is $3. Fees subject to change.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

How do I reinstate my license if I refused to submit a breath/urine/blood test?
If you refuse to submit to a chemical test when pulled over for a suspected DUI by a law enforcement official, your driving privileges may be revoked.Following the issuance of a Report and Notice form from the law enforcement officer, your drivers license may be revoked for 25 days.

Your driver s license will be revoked for one year for your first offense of refusing a chemical test. To reinstate your revokeddriverslicense, you must:

  • Pay the $100 reinstatement fee.
  • File a SR-22 insurance form.
  • Retake the driving exam.

The SR-22 insurance filing must be kept on file with the North Dakota DOT for one year following the reinstatement of your driving privileges.

For more iformation: DUI/DWI Information for North Dakota

How do I remove points from my driver’s license?
You can remove points from your North Dakota driving record in three different ways, including:
  • Once you have reached 11 points, you will receive a one-point reduction for each three-month period that you go without getting any points.
  • By participating in a defensive driver-training course approved by the state for a three-point reduction.
  • If you complete a defensive driving course and you were issued a ticket worth five points or less, no points will be assessed to your record.

A defensive driving course must be approved by the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

How many points can I get on my driving record before my driver’s license is suspended?
The state of North Dakota has a points system which tracks the violations to your driving record. Once you accumulate over 11 points on your driving record, a seven-day suspension will be issued on your drivers license for each additional point accumulated. For example, your driver s license will be suspended for 14 days if you have 13 points on your driving record. Points will fall off your record once your reinstate your driving privileges and an allotted time period has passed.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

How many times can I attend a traffic school course to remove points from my driving record?
Drivers in North Dakota have the option to attend traffic school in order to reduce points on their driving record due to a speeding ticket. If you were issued a citation with five points or less, you qualify to take an approved defensive driving course in lieu of having any points added to your record.

Drivers are only allowed to participate in a driving course once every 12 months to reduce points on their driving record. For more information on driver training schools, contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation at 701-328-2725.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

If I lost my traffic or parking ticket, how can I find the information again?
If you lost your traffic ticket, you can still gain access to your citation information online. To find your citation information, visit the North Dakota State Court website. There, you may search for your citation using your first and last name. It takes about four days for your traffic ticket to show up on the website. Drivers may also contact the court clerk of the county in which they received the citation for additional information.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

If my driver’s license was confiscated at the time of my DUI/DWI arrest, how do I get it back?
If your driver s license was confiscated at the time of aDUI arrest, you will have to contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division at 701-328-4353 for more information on how to get back your driver s license.

North Dakota has strict penalties for drivers caught driving under the influence. You may face up to two days in jail and a $750 fine, if your blood alcohol content is 0.16 percent or more. Moreover, you ll be issued a 25-day driving permit that allows you to drive up until your suspension period begins.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for North Dakota

What are the different types of driving records?
The North Dakota Department of Transportation offers two kinds of driving records:
  • Limited driving record
  • Complete Driving record

The limited driving record is available online and does not contain information such as violations, convictions, and points on your driving record more than three years old. To order a complete driving record, you must do via mail or fax.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

What are the penalties of being convicted of driving under the influence?
If you are convicted of driving under the influence in the state of North Dakota, you could face the following penalties for your first offense:
  • Have a Class B misdemeanor on your record
  • $500 fine for BAC below 0.16 percent
  • $750 fine and two days in prison for BAC above 0.16 percent
  • Alcohol evaluation

Also, your driver s license will be suspended for 91 days if your BAC is below 0.18 percent and 180 days if your BAC is 0.18 percent and above.

For more Information: DUI/DWI Penalties in North Dakota

What happens if I don’t pay for my traffic ticket from another state?
The state of North Dakota receives and shares information regarding traffic violations and convictions with other states. Therefore, failure to pay an out-of-state traffic fine has the same consequences as failing to pay a traffic ticket in your home state. This implies a possible suspension on your ND drivers license and higher costs to reinstate your diving privileges.

For more information: Traffic Tickets and Violations in North Dakota

What happens if I get traffic ticket fines and I have a CDL?
If you get a traffic ticketin your personal vehicle and you have a commercial driver s license, you must report it to your employer within 30 days of issuance. You do not need to report parking tickets to your employer. Serious traffic violations on a CDL may result in you losing your CDL license for a period of up to 120 days. Serious traffic violations include speeding in excess of 15 miles per hour and driving while using a mobile electronic device.

For more information: Ticket Information for North Dakota

What information does a driving record contain?
A complete North Dakota driving record contains information including:
  • Points.
  • Traffic tickets and violations.
  • Convictions.
  • Status of driver s license (suspended, revoked).
  • Automobile accident information.

You may request a copy of your complete driving record via mail or fax. An online driving record is also available which does not contain points, violations, or convictions in the last three years.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

What is considered the legal alcohol limit?
What is the cost of a DUI?
The North Dakota Department of Transportation estimates thatDUI convictions could cost up to $10,000 in fines and fees. The set fees are as follows:
  • $500 fine for first offense with blood alcohol content below 0.16 percent
  • $100 driver s license reinstatement fee
  • $300 vehicle towing, impound, and mandatory alcohol evaluation
  • $2,500 for court and DUI attorney fees
  • $6,000 for high risk auto insurance premiums

Court costs, attorney fees, and auto insurance premium figures are estimates. These costs may greatly vary. Fees subject to change.

What is the cost of a traffic ticket?
The cost of traffic ticket is heavily dependent on many factors. Those factors include, the violation, the jurisdiction, and how many points it adds to your driving record. In North Dakota, each county determines their traffic fine amounts. You may contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation at 701-328-2725 for more information on the cost of traffic tickets in your area.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

What is the cost to get a driver record?
The North Dakota Department of Transportation offers three ways you can check your driving record:
  • Online
  • By mail
  • By fax

The cost of each driving record is $3. Fees subject to change. To pay via fax, send your credit card number, expiration and V-code information to 701-328-2435.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

What is the DUI penalty for a CDL driver?
Commercial driver s license holders will have their CDL license disqualified for one year if they are convicted of:
  • Driving while intoxicated (DWI).
  • Being under the influence of a controlled substance.
  • Refusing to submit to a chemical test.

The one-year disqualification is for an initial DUI conviction. A second subsequent conviction will lead to having your CDL permanently disqualified.

What is the DUI penalty for a minor?
Minors under the age of 18 can have their driver s license or learners permit cancelled if they are convicted of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any minor who is caught with a blood alcohol content above 0.02 percent will have their driving privileges taken away. Even possession of alcohol will lead to the revocation of your driving privileges.

Minors canregain driving privileges if they participate in a driver training course before they re-apply for a learners permit.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for North Dakota

What must I do to reinstate my driver’s license as a result of a DUI/DWI?
If your driving privileges are suspended due to a DUI/DWI conviction, you will need to pay a $100 dollar reinstatement fee to reinstate suspendeddrivers license. For your first offense, your license is suspended:
  • 91 days if blood alcohol content is 0.08 percent – 0.17 percent.
  • 180 days if BAC is 0.18 percent and above.

Subsequent DUI convictions result in additional fees and suspension length. Fees subject to change.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for North Dakota

Where can I find more information about an ignition interlock device?
An ignition interlock device (IID) is a device that works through a car ignition and measures the blood alcohol (BAC) content of the driver before they can start the car and it is used by the courts to help monitor compliance after a driver has been convicted of DWI.

You can find more information about an ignition interlock device from the North Dakota Courts. It is up to the courts to decide if an ignition interlock device will be required in a particular DUI case.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for North Dakota

Where can I find my traffic or parking ticket information online?
You can view your traffic citation information online at the North Dakota State Court website. There, you may provide either your first and last name or your citation number to search for your citation information. You may also pay for your traffic ticket online. Allow at least four days from the date of your citation to view your information online.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

Why doesn’t a recent traffic ticket I received appear on my driving record?
A recent traffic ticket may not appear on your driving record for a couple of reasons, including:
  • The ticket has not been processed yet because the ticket happened less than 10 days prior.
  • The ticket is less than a three-point violation.

Contact the North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver s License Division at 701-328-2600 for more information.

For more information: Your North Dakota Driving Record

Will I get any points on my record if I received a traffic ticket from another state?
Yes, if you receive a ticket outside of North Dakota, it will be treated as if received in your home state. This means that points will be added to your driving record if convicted of a moving violation in another state. However, you have two options: pay the fine or contest the ticket in court. Contact a traffic attorney to help you fight the out-of-state traffic citation if that is the step you wish to take. Otherwise, contact the court or the DMV of the state that issued your traffic ticket for information on how to pay traffic ticket.

For more information: North Dakota Motor Vehicle Division Point System

Will I have points against my driver’s license if I get a ticket?
Yes, points will be assessed to your North Dakota driving record if you receive a traffic ticket. Points are assessed based on the how many miles you were going over the speed limit. For example, one point will be assed for clocking 11-15 miles over the speed limit. If your traffic ticket says that you were traveling 36-45 miles over the speed limit, then you will have 12 points added to your record. At 11 or more points, your driver s license will be suspended for a period of seven days.

For more information How to Pay a Traffic Ticket in North Dakota

Will I have to take an alcohol awareness class to reinstate my driver’s license?
The North Dakota Department of Transportation has approved a Minor Driver s License Recertification course for minors under the age of 18 to take in order to reinstate a ND learners permit. Minors reinstating a learner s permit must pass the course as well as retest for a driving permit. The minor may also choose to wait to go for their permit at the age of 18 in lieu of having to complete the driver training course.

For more information: DUI/DWI Information for North Dakota