Suspended license in North Dakota: points, other causes, and how to reinstate

How the points system works

Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.

North Dakota enters points on the driving record for traffic convictions and admissions under N.D.C.C. § 39-06.1-10. When a driver accumulates 12 or more points, driving privileges are suspended for 7 days for each point over 11; drivers under 18 have the license or permit canceled at 6 or more points.

Points period stated by the agency: There is no fixed window: the point total is reduced by 1 point for every 3 months without a new point violation, counted from the date the last points were entered, and points are not reduced while a points suspension or cancellation is being served. After a points suspension is completed, N.D.C.C. § 39-06.1-12 reduces the total to eleven points. A limited driving record omits violations and convictions more than three years old.

“For drivers under the age of 18, driving license or privileges will be canceled upon an accumulation of 6 or more points.”

“With or without a defensive driving course, 1 point is reduced for every 3 months a driver has not had any new point violations applied to their record during that time.”

Check points or the driving record: apps.nd.gov

Traffic school and point reduction

An approved defensive driving course reduces the point total by 3, once every 12 months; N.D.C.C. § 39-06.1-13 caps the reduction at nine points in any three-year period and applies it after any suspension or cancellation if the record already shows 12 or more points (6 for a minor). Separately, under § 39-06.1-10.1 a person may elect with the court to attend an approved course in lieu of points for a violation carrying 5 or fewer points, once in 12 months, which forfeits the point-reduction option. NDDOT lists the approved online courses and directs certificates to DRS@ND.GOV.

“Drivers are eligible to take a defensive driving course to reduce their total points by 3, once every 12 months. A defensive driving course can also be taken "in lieu of points" being entered on your driving record for some violations with 5 or fewer points.”

Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one

These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.

Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension

Reinstatement fee: $50. $50 for points, failure to appear or post bond, failure to pay a fine, insurance, child support and driving under suspension; $25 for medical, vision and testing suspensions; $100 for alcohol-related suspensions and driving under revocation. The fee must be paid in full.

“According to state law, the Driver’s License Division may not release any suspended driving privileges without first collecting a processing charge called a reinstatement fee. The amount for a reinstatement fee will vary depending on the nature of your suspension.”

1. Check outstanding reinstatement requirements online

   The Driver License Pay Reinstatement Fee/Outstanding Requirements System lists what remains to be done.

   “You can view your outstanding reinstatement requirements online. Once all requirements have been met and required time has been served you are eligible to be reinstated.”

2. Serve the suspension period and meet all requirements

   The order of suspension explains how long the suspension lasts, why it was imposed, and the reinstatement requirements.

   “If your privileges are suspended, you will get driving privileges back after the period of suspension time has been completed and all reinstatement requirements have been met.”

3. Pay the reinstatement fee by mail, phone or online

   Mail a check or money order to the Driver License Division, pay by phone with a debit or credit card, or pay online in full.

   “You are required to pay the full amount using either a credit or debit card. You will need your name, driver identification number and credit/debit card information. You must pay the full amount of either $50 or $100.”

4. After a revocation, retake the written and road tests

   A revocation, unlike a suspension, requires completing the period, meeting the requirements, and testing again.

   “If your driving privileges are revoked, you must complete the revocation period, meet all the reinstatement requirements, and take the written and road tests again before having valid driving privileges restored.”

Official page: dot.nd.gov

After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in North Dakota.

Driving during a non-DUI suspension

Available in some cases · Temporary Restricted License (TRL / Work Permit). A TRL may be issued to a person 18 or older whose privileges are suspended or revoked for certain offenses, for work, education or essential life maintenance; by law a portion of the suspension must be served with no restricted privileges, and the timeframe varies by the reason for the suspension. Under N.D.C.C. § 39-06.1-11, for a points suspension the director may for good cause issue a TRL after seven days of the suspension have passed. A TRL is not granted to anyone under 18 or for commercial motor vehicles.

“A TRL is a restricted license issued to persons whose driving privileges have been suspended or revoked for certain offenses. A TRL authorizes the operation of a non-commercial motor vehicle for work purposes, educational purposes, or the need to perform essential life maintenance needs.”

For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in North Dakota.