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100+ Free ND Permit Test Practice Questions

Pass your North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Knowledge Test exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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What should a driver do when approaching a roundabout?

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B
C
D
to track
2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ND Permit Test Exam

25

Multiple-Choice Questions

NDDOT

80% (20/25)

Passing Score

NDDOT

$5

Written Test Fee

NDDOT 2026

Age 14

Minimum Permit Age

NDDOT

The North Dakota knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions and requires 20 correct answers (80%) to pass. The written test fee is $5, separate from the $15 noncommercial license or permit fee. All questions come from the NDDOT Noncommercial Driver License Manual. Residents may apply for an instruction permit at age 14 and a full unrestricted license at age 16. Applicants are generally limited to one knowledge-test attempt per day.

Sample ND Permit Test Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ND Permit Test exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What does a red octagonal traffic sign require a driver to do?
A.Slow down and proceed if the way is clear
B.Come to a complete stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection
C.Yield only to vehicles approaching from the left
D.Stop only if other vehicles are present
Explanation: A red octagon is always a STOP sign. The driver must come to a complete stop before the stop line, crosswalk, or the edge of the intersection, then proceed only when it is safe. There is no exception for an empty intersection.
2A triangular sign pointing downward at an intersection means a driver must do what?
A.Stop completely before entering
B.Yield the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians already in or approaching the intersection
C.Increase speed to merge quickly
D.Make a mandatory right turn
Explanation: A downward-pointing triangle is a YIELD sign. The driver must slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right-of-way to traffic and pedestrians already in or close to the intersection before proceeding.
3What color and shape are most warning signs that alert drivers to road conditions ahead?
A.Red and octagonal
B.Yellow and diamond-shaped
C.Green and rectangular
D.Blue and round
Explanation: Warning signs are typically yellow with black symbols or letters and have a diamond shape. They alert drivers to hazards or changes ahead, such as curves, intersections, or slippery surfaces, so the driver can adjust speed and position.
4A yellow pentagon-shaped sign on the roadway warns of what?
A.A no-passing zone
B.A school zone or school crossing ahead
C.A railroad crossing
D.A construction work area
Explanation: A five-sided (pentagon) yellow or fluorescent yellow-green sign marks a school zone or school crossing. Drivers should slow down, watch for children, and be prepared to stop for pedestrians in the crosswalk.
5What does an orange sign in a roadway typically indicate?
A.A scenic route
B.A construction, maintenance, or work zone
C.A hospital nearby
D.A recreational area
Explanation: Orange signs indicate construction, maintenance, or work zones. Drivers should reduce speed, watch for workers and equipment, and be ready for changed lane patterns. Fines for traffic violations are often increased in work zones.
6A round sign with a black X and the letters RR warns a driver of what?
A.A road repair zone
B.A railroad crossing ahead
C.A rest area ahead
D.A right-turn-only lane
Explanation: A round yellow sign with a large black X and the letters RR is the advance warning for a railroad crossing. Drivers should slow down, look and listen for trains, and be prepared to stop at the tracks.
7What does a steady red traffic signal mean?
A.Stop, then go when the intersection looks clear
B.Come to a complete stop and remain stopped until the light turns green
C.Slow down and proceed with caution
D.Stop only if pedestrians are crossing
Explanation: A steady red light means stop completely behind the stop line or crosswalk and remain stopped until the signal turns green. A right turn on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it and the way is clear.
8A flashing red traffic signal at an intersection should be treated the same as which sign?
A.A yield sign
B.A stop sign
C.A speed limit sign
D.A do-not-enter sign
Explanation: A flashing red light means the same as a stop sign. Drivers must come to a complete stop, then proceed when it is safe and after yielding to any traffic or pedestrians with the right-of-way.
9What should a driver do when approaching a steady yellow traffic light?
A.Speed up to clear the intersection before red
B.Prepare to stop because the light is about to turn red
C.Stop immediately under all conditions
D.Treat it as a flashing yellow and proceed with caution
Explanation: A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. A driver should prepare to stop safely. If you are already so close that stopping cannot be done safely, proceed through the intersection with caution.
10What do solid yellow lines down the center of a two-way road indicate?
A.Passing is allowed in both directions
B.Passing is not allowed; the lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions
C.The road is one-way
D.A bicycle lane is present
Explanation: Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. A solid yellow line on your side of the centerline means passing is not permitted because of limited sight distance or other hazards.

About the ND Permit Test Exam

The North Dakota knowledge test is the written exam required to obtain an instruction permit or noncommercial driver license from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). It has 25 multiple-choice questions drawn from the Noncommercial Driver License Manual, and applicants must answer at least 20 correctly (80%) to pass. The $5 written test fee is separate from the $15 license or permit fee. North Dakota residents may apply for an instruction permit at age 14.

Questions

25 scored questions

Time Limit

No published time limit

Passing Score

80% (20 out of 25 questions correct)

Exam Fee

$5 written knowledge test fee (North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT))

ND Permit Test Exam Content Outline

Section 1

Traffic Signs, Signals, and Markings

Sign shapes and colors, regulatory and warning signs, traffic signals, and yellow and white pavement markings

Section 2

Right-of-Way and Intersections

Yielding rules, four-way stops, roundabouts, turns, railroad crossings, and uncontrolled intersections

Section 3

Speed Limits and Lane Use

North Dakota speed limits for interstates, highways and gravel roads, passing, merging, and parking

Section 4

Sharing the Road

Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, large-truck No-Zones, school buses, emergency vehicles, and the Move Over law

Section 5

Adverse and Winter Driving Conditions

Driving on snow and ice, black ice, blizzards, fog, hydroplaning, skid control, and winter emergencies

Section 6

Alcohol, Drugs, and Safe Driving

North Dakota BAC limits, implied consent, distracted and fatigued driving, seat belts, and crash procedures

Section 7

Licensing and Graduated Driver Licensing

Permit and license ages, GDL holding periods and curfews, supervised driving hours, fees, and ID requirements

How to Pass the ND Permit Test Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 80% (20 out of 25 questions correct)
  • Exam length: 25 questions
  • Time limit: No published time limit
  • Exam fee: $5 written knowledge test fee

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ND Permit Test Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the official NDDOT Noncommercial Driver License Manual fully — every test question comes directly from it
2Memorize North Dakota's specific speed limits: 80 mph interstates, 70 mph four-lane divided, 65 mph two-lane, and 55 mph gravel roads
3Learn the ND BAC rules cold — 0.08% for drivers 21 and over, 0.02% zero tolerance for under 21, and implied consent for chemical testing
4Focus on winter driving: black ice, blizzards, skid control, and what to do if stranded in a storm are common North Dakota test topics
5Take timed practice tests and aim for 90% or higher before your visit, since the real exam requires 20 of 25 correct (80%) to pass

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the North Dakota knowledge test?

The North Dakota noncommercial driver license knowledge test has 25 multiple-choice questions. All questions are drawn from the NDDOT Noncommercial Driver License Manual and cover road signs, traffic laws, right-of-way, safe driving, and North Dakota-specific rules.

What is the passing score for the North Dakota permit test?

You must answer at least 20 of the 25 questions correctly to pass, which is an 80% pass mark. That means you can miss no more than 5 questions. If you do not pass, you generally may retake the knowledge test, with one attempt allowed per day.

How much does the North Dakota knowledge test cost?

The written knowledge test costs $5 per attempt. This is separate from the $15 fee for a noncommercial driver license or instruction permit and the $5 road test fee. Fees are set by the North Dakota Department of Transportation.

At what age can I get a learner's permit in North Dakota?

North Dakota residents may apply for an instruction permit at age 14 after passing a vision screening and the knowledge test. A driver who gets a permit at 14 must hold it at least 12 months, and a full unrestricted license is available at age 16.

What are North Dakota's speed limits?

Interstate highways I-94 and I-29 are posted at 80 mph outside city limits. Paved four-lane divided highways are 70 mph, posted two-lane highways are commonly 65 mph, and gravel or loose-surface roads are limited to 55 mph, unless signs post a different speed.

What is the BAC limit for drivers in North Dakota?

A driver age 21 or older is legally intoxicated at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or higher. Under North Dakota's zero-tolerance law, a driver under 21 is intoxicated at 0.02% or higher. By driving in the state, you give implied consent to chemical testing.

What study material should I use for the North Dakota permit test?

Study the official NDDOT Noncommercial Driver License Manual, available free on the North Dakota Department of Transportation website. Every knowledge-test question comes from this manual, so combine reading it with free practice tests to find and fix knowledge gaps.