North Dakota has special provisions for young drivers regarding driver’s license points. If an adult driver has twelve (12) or more points assessed against their record, the result is a driver’s license suspension of seven (7) days for each point over eleven (11). For a driver under the age of 18, the point limit decreases to five (5). Any points above five carries significant driver’s license consequences for the minor.
According to North Dakota Century Code 39-06-01.1, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) shall cancel the driver’s license of a minor who has committed acts resulting in an accumulated point total in EXCESS of five (5) points or has committed an alcohol or drug related offense while operating a motor vehicle. If the minor’s license is cancelled, it is deemed the minor to have never had a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle and may not issue a driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle other than an instruction permit or a restricted instruction permit after the completion of any period of suspension or revocation.
After the issuance of an instruction permit or restricted instruction permit, NDDOT may not issue a driver’s license to the minor until the minor has successfully completed the requirements of North Dakota Century Code 39-06-17. These requirements include the successful completion of an approved classroom or online driver's education course and behind-the-wheel instruction. The minor must also accumulate a minimum of fifty hours of supervised, behind-the-wheel driving experience in various driving conditions and situations.
In essence, a minor who commits violations which add up to 6 or more points or have any alcohol or drug related offenses while operating a motor vehicle will lose their license. They will be unable to get their license back until they retake and pass the written test, go through driver’s education again, hold their permit for the required time as stated in North Dakota Century Code 39-06-04(4) and retake and pass the driving test.
Minors and their parents / guardians should be cautious regarding point accumulation and / or drug and alcohol violations. For a complete listing of the traffic offense point schedule, visit the North Dakota Department of Transportation website: https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/driverslicense/dlpoints.htm.
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