PermitPal
North Dakota Permit Practice Test
20 real questions from our handbook-verified North Dakota bank · Updated July 12, 2026
The official North Dakota knowledge test has 25 questions — you can miss 5 and still pass (80%). That 80% bar ties North Dakota with 35 other states at #7 strictest of the 50 states. North Dakota offers the real exam in Spanish — practica en español aquí.
The real North Dakota exam format — this practice test scores you against the same 80% bar.
Answer each question to see the explanation. Your score is tallied against the real passing bar at the end.
1. Under North Dakota’s implied consent law, by driving you have already consented to:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A chemical test of your blood, breath, urine, or saliva for alcohol or drugs
By receiving a license to drive in North Dakota, you have given your consent to a chemical test of your blood, breath, urine, or saliva to determine alcohol and/or drug content.
2. What kind of vehicle does a North Dakota Class D license prepare you to drive?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: Ordinary noncommercial passenger vehicles under 26,001 pounds — but not a motorcycle
North Dakota has five classes of operator’s licenses. The Class D license covers single vehicles less than 26,001 pounds GVWR (and lets them tow trailers not over 10,000 pounds). A motorcycle requires a separate Class M license.
3. When you park facing downhill, which way should you turn your front wheels?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: Toward the curb
When parking downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb. If the car rolls, the front tires catch against the curb instead of drifting into traffic.
4. You must report a crash when the combined property damage is:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: $4,000 or more, or when there is personal injury or death
You must report a crash that results in combined damage of $4,000 or more, or that results in personal injury or death.
5. Two vehicles reach an unsigned intersection at about the same time. Who must yield?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: The vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right
When two vehicles approach an unsigned intersection at approximately the same time, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
6. On snow or ice, how much following distance should you keep behind other vehicles?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: At least double your normal following distance
Slow down on snow and ice. Snow tires or chains help, but you should still double your following distance behind other vehicles because it takes much longer to stop.
7. A large tractor-trailer’s blind spots (the "No-Zone") extend:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: Up to 20 feet in front, along both sides, and up to 200 feet behind
Trucks have serious blind spots into which a car can disappear — up to 20 feet in front of the cab, on both sides (especially alongside the cab), and up to 200 feet to the rear.
8. What are the three basic kinds of signs used on North Dakota streets and highways?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: Regulatory signs, warning signs, and guide signs
We use three basic kinds of signs: regulatory signs (which control and regulate traffic), warning signs (which warn of hazards ahead), and guide signs (which give directions and information).
9. What is North Dakota’s maximum speed limit on rural Interstate highways, unless otherwise posted?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: 80 miles per hour
The maximum speed limit is 80 miles per hour on rural Interstate highways, unless otherwise posted.
10. How long before a turn must you signal continuously?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: During the last 100 feet before the turn
All signals of intention to turn must be given continuously during the last 100 feet before the turn.
11. You are considered legally under the influence in North Dakota at a blood alcohol concentration of:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: .08% (.02% if under age 21)
If a chemical test shows .08% or greater alcohol in your blood — or .02% if you are under 21 — you are considered legally under the influence.
12. What is the minimum age to apply for a North Dakota instruction permit?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: 14 years old
All permit applicants must be at least 14 years of age. Applicants under 18 must also have a parent or legal guardian sign approval and sponsorship on the application.
13. When you park facing uphill next to a curb, which way should you turn your front wheels?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: Away from the curb
When parking uphill with a curb, turn your wheels away from the curb. If the car rolls back, the tires roll back into the curb and stop.
14. If a reportable crash happens inside a city, you must immediately report it to:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: The local police
Report a reportable crash immediately to the local police if you are in a city, or to the Highway Patrol or County Sheriff’s Office if you are outside city limits.
15. At a four-way stop, who has the right to go first?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: The vehicle that stops first goes first
At a four-way stop, the vehicle that stops first goes first. If one vehicle goes out of turn, yield to it so that you do not cause a crash.
16. When you are behind a snowplow that is working, you should:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: Stay well back — the plow may stop and back up, and it throws sanding material
Stay well back from snowplows. Sometimes they have to stop and back up, drivers can’t see directly behind them, and plows throw sanding material. Don’t crowd the plow.
17. A good rule of thumb for staying visible to a truck driver is:
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: If you can’t see the truck driver in the side mirror, they can’t see you
An excellent rule of thumb: "If you can’t see the truck driver in his or her side mirror, he or she can’t see you." Stay out of the no-zone so the trucker can take evasive action if needed.
18. Which sign is the only eight-sided (octagon) sign?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: The Stop sign
The Stop sign is the only eight-sided sign. It tells you that you must come to a complete stop before the stop line or crosswalk area.
19. What is the maximum speed limit on paved, divided multi-lane highways, unless otherwise posted?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: 70 miles per hour
The maximum speed limit is 70 miles per hour on paved and divided multi-lane highways, unless otherwise posted.
20. When approaching an intersection to make a right turn, where should you position your vehicle?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: As far to the right as possible, making the turn close to the right curb
When approaching an intersection to make a right turn, stay as far to the right as possible and make the turn close to the right curb.
📱 These 20 questions are a warm-up. PermitPal for iPhone and iPad drills the full handbook-verified North Dakota bank of 236 questions with spaced repetition, and runs mock exams in the real 25-question format — plus motorcycle and CDL tracks. Free to start, $29.99 once.
North Dakota test facts
How many questions are on the North Dakota permit test?
25 questions. You need 20 correct (80%) — you can miss 5. Full details in the passing-score calculator.
What happens if I fail?
You can retake it the next day. A retake fee applies ($5).
Can I take the North Dakota test in Spanish?
Yes — North Dakota offers the knowledge test in Spanish. Try the Spanish practice test. See which states test in Spanish.
What age can I get my permit in North Dakota?
The minimum learner's permit age is 14. You'll need 50 supervised practice hours before the license stage. Full ladder in the permit-age lookup.