What to Bring to the North Dakota DMV for Your Permit Test
Don't get sent home. Here's the complete checklist — documents, fees, forms, and what to leave at home.
Before You Go
- →Call ahead to check if you need an appointment or if it's first-come, first-served
- →Have your parent or guardian read the North Dakota Driver's Handbook with you
- →Make sure your parent has their own valid ID and proof of residency ready
- →Arrive at least 15 minutes early to fill out paperwork
- →Double-check that all documents are originals, not copies
- →Get a good night's sleep before the test
- →Bring a snack for after the test, but not before
Required Documents
Proof of Identity (Primary Document)
- ✓U.S. Passport or Passport Card
- ✓Certified U.S. Birth Certificate
- ✓Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
- ✓Consular Report of Birth Abroad
- ✓Certificate of Naturalization or Citizenship
Bring the original document only; photocopies are not accepted. If your name has changed, bring the legal document proving the change (like a marriage certificate).
Proof of Social Security Number
- ✓Social Security Card
- ✓W-2 Form with full SSN
- ✓Pay stub with full SSN
- ✓SSA-1099 Form
- ✓Non-SSA-1099 Form
North Dakota requires proof of your SSN. If you don't have a card, you must bring a letter from the Social Security Administration stating you have been assigned a number.
Proof of North Dakota Residency
Bring 2 of these:
- ✓Utility bill (electric, water, gas) issued within 60 days
- ✓Bank statement issued within 60 days
- ✓Parent's lease or mortgage statement
- ✓School enrollment record or report card
- ✓North Dakota vehicle registration or title
For a standard license, one document is usually enough, but for REAL ID compliance, you typically need two different documents showing your ND address. Since you are a teen, your parent's documents often work if you live with them.
Parental / Guardian Consent (applicants under 18)
- ✓Parent or legal guardian must sign the application in person at the office
- ✓Parent must provide their own valid ID
- ✓If parents are divorced, the custodial parent usually signs
- ✓Legal guardians must bring court documents proving guardianship
- ✓Foster parents must bring agency documentation
Both parents do not need to be there, but the parent with legal custody must appear in person to sign. If a parent cannot make it, the form must be notarized, but appearing in person is the easiest way.
Fees & Payment
$15
This $15 fee covers the learner's permit application and the written knowledge test. If you fail the test, there is a small fee to retake it.
Accepted payment:
Forms
Application for Driver's License or Non-Driver ID Card
Available at: Available at any ND DOT office or downloadable from the ND DOT website
Do not sign the form until you are standing in front of the DMV clerk; they need to watch you sign it.
What NOT to Bring
- ✗Your cell phone (you may need to turn it off or put it away during the test)
- ✗Large bags or backpacks (storage is limited)
- ✗Friends or siblings who aren't applying (they can't wait inside)
- ✗Pets (service animals only)
- ✗Food or drinks (no eating in the testing area)
- ✗Your own pen (they will provide one)
- ✗Photocopies of documents (they must be originals)
At the Office
- →The written test is computer-based and multiple-choice
- →You must score 80% to pass; if you fail, you can usually retake it the same day for a fee
- →Once you pass, you get an interim paper permit immediately
- →The official plastic card will be mailed to your home address within a few weeks
- →Listen carefully to the clerk's instructions on how long your permit is valid
Official North Dakota Department of Transportation info: www.dot.nd.gov
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