Class D road test
The Class D road test is a drive with an NDDOT driver license examiner in your own vehicle, taken by appointment after the vehicle passes an equipment inspection. To pass you must follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, signal properly, parallel park, show good driving posture and obey all traffic signs and laws. NDDOT does not publish the test length or a points-based score sheet.
Checked October 4, 2026 against official North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division sources. Tap a numbered chip to read the exact wording.
You need a valid North Dakota instruction permit. Applicants aged 14 or 15 must hold the permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever comes first (at least six months); applicants aged 16 or 17 must hold it for six months or until 18. Applicants under 16 must log 50 hours of supervised practice, bring a driver education Certificate of Training, and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“Individuals who are 14 or 15 years old must hold the instruction permit for 12 months or to the age of 16, whichever comes first, but no less than six months, prior to completing the road test or waiving the road test for an operator's license.”“Individuals who are 16 or 17 must hold the instruction permit for six months or to the age of 18, whichever comes first, prior to completing the road test or waiving the road test for an operator's license.”“Individuals under 16 must complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving in variable conditions. Your parent/legal guardian must then accompany you to the test site on the day of your road test and sign that you have completed this requirement.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
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The examiner checks your car before you drive. If it fails, you usually can’t take the test that day.
Pass or fail. NDDOT lists what you must do to pass but publishes no point values or error limit. By statute the test is an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“In order to pass, you must: follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, give the proper signals, parallel park your vehicle, demonstrate good driving posture, and obey all traffic signs and traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 2ndlegis.gov“The examination must include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
We found no official list of automatic failures for North Dakota. Treat any dangerous action, a crash, or breaking a traffic law as likely to fail the test.
Steps and scoring come from North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division’s own materials, in their words where possible. Where a state publishes no steps, we say so rather than guess.
Required to pass. Wheels should end parallel to the right-hand curb and within one foot of it.
The examiner inspects the vehicle before the test; the test is not given if required equipment is missing or the vehicle is unsafe.
Not officially described by DOT.
Cooperate with the examiner and follow instructions at all times. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“The applicant must at all times cooperate with the examiners by following their instructions.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Keep in the proper lane. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“In order to pass, you must: follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, give the proper signals, parallel park your vehicle, demonstrate good driving posture, and obey all traffic signs and traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Give the proper signals. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“In order to pass, you must: follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, give the proper signals, parallel park your vehicle, demonstrate good driving posture, and obey all traffic signs and traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Demonstrate good driving posture. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“In order to pass, you must: follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, give the proper signals, parallel park your vehicle, demonstrate good driving posture, and obey all traffic signs and traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Obey all traffic signs and traffic laws. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“In order to pass, you must: follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, give the proper signals, parallel park your vehicle, demonstrate good driving posture, and obey all traffic signs and traffic laws.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
You cannot retake the road test on the same day. The statutory fee for actual ability (road) testing is $5. No attempt limit is published. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“If you fail any of the tests, you will not be allowed to retake the examination the same day.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 2ndlegis.gov“Actual ability testing for an application for an operator's license is five dollars.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Didn’t pass? What to do next, including the North Dakota permit (knowledge) test retake rules.
The Class D road test can be waived with a North Dakota Driving School Certificate of Course Completion or a Department of Public Instruction Student Completion Certificate (30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind-the-wheel training at a school approved for waivers). NDDOT may randomly road test students from approved schools. Students whose school issues only a Certificate of Training must still test with an examiner. Official source 1dot.nd.gov“The Class D road test may be waived by presenting a North Dakota Driving School Certificate of Course Completion certifying you have completed a minimum of 30 hours of classroom driver training and a minimum of six hours of actual behind the wheel driver training”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 3dot.nd.gov“NDDOT may randomly road test students who complete the training at an approved driving school. If discrepancies or concerns are found, the driving school's approval to have the road test waived will be rescinded.”“the "Certificate of Training" (for students who do not complete the 30 hours of classroom training and must be tested by a North Dakota Driver License Examiner)”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
The Class D road test is a drive with an NDDOT driver license examiner in your own vehicle, taken by appointment after the vehicle passes an equipment inspection. To pass you must follow instructions, keep in the proper lane, signal properly, parallel park, show good driving posture and obey all traffic signs and laws. NDDOT does not publish the test length or a points-based score sheet. Maneuvers covered by official sources: Parallel parking, Vehicle equipment inspection.
Pass or fail. NDDOT lists what you must do to pass but publishes no point values or error limit. By statute the test is an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control of a motor vehicle.
Valid North Dakota operator's permit; Driver education Certificate of Training (applicants under 16); A parent or legal guardian (applicants under 16); Current registration for the test vehicle; Current proof of insurance for the test vehicle; and Your own vehicle.
Currently registered and insured; Working brakes (stopping and parking); Headlights with high and low beams; Brake lights and taillights; Turn signals; Leak-free exhaust system with a muffler; Doors that open from inside and outside; Horn audible for 200 feet; Mirrors showing the road 200 feet behind; Seat belts; Intact windshield and windows without vision-blocking cracks; Windshield wipers; No self-parking feature in use (deactivate it or use another vehicle); and No pets (except service animals), passengers or electronic devices in the vehicle.
You need a valid North Dakota instruction permit. Applicants aged 14 or 15 must hold the permit for 12 months or until age 16, whichever comes first (at least six months); applicants aged 16 or 17 must hold it for six months or until 18. Applicants under 16 must log 50 hours of supervised practice, bring a driver education Certificate of Training, and be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
You cannot retake the road test on the same day. The statutory fee for actual ability (road) testing is $5. No attempt limit is published.
The Class D road test can be waived with a North Dakota Driving School Certificate of Course Completion or a Department of Public Instruction Student Completion Certificate (30 hours of classroom and six hours of behind-the-wheel training at a school approved for waivers). NDDOT may randomly road test students from approved schools. Students whose school issues only a Certificate of Training must still test with an examiner.
NDDOT publishes no Class D examiner score sheet, list of automatic failures, point values or test length; the manual's pass criteria and the parallel-parking section are the only official description of the test content. Parallel parking is the only maneuver named as required. The standard maneuvers other than parallel parking (turnabouts, backing) are not mentioned for the Class D test. The Standard Behind the Wheel Curriculum PDF linked in search results no longer resolves on dot.nd.gov. Road tests are scheduled online through the Drivers License Road Test Scheduler (apps.nd.gov) or at 1-855-633-6835.
Every fact above links to one of these official pages. Checked October 4, 2026.
This guide summarizes official North Dakota sources for study. It is not the test itself, and only a DOT examiner (or a tester the state licenses) can pass or fail you. Rules change; confirm with North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division before test day.