Reference only — confirm with the DMV
How North Dakota phases teens into driving
North Dakota lets a teen begin with a supervised learner's permit at 14 — one of the earliest learner's-permit ages in the country — and requires 50 hours of supervised practice — close to the ~50-hour national norm before the restricted intermediate license, which starts at 16. During that intermediate stage, North Dakota imposes a nighttime driving restriction (may only drive a parent/guardian's car; no driving from the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.) and no passenger restriction during the intermediate stage.
Those two intermediate-stage limits — night driving and teen passengers — target the exact conditions that cause the most teen crashes, which is why states with stronger versions see measurably fewer. For a North Dakota family, staying inside them isn't just about compliance: a clean record through the intermediate stage is also the surest way to keep the (already steep) cost of adding a teen driver from climbing further.
North Dakota GDL requirements at a glance
Learner's permit — minimum age
14
Mandatory permit holding period
Under 16: 12 months; 16: 6 months or until 18
Supervised practice required
Under 16: 50 hours; 16+: none
Intermediate license — minimum age
16
Nighttime driving restriction
May only drive a parent/guardian's car; no driving from the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.
Passenger restriction
None
Cutting the cost of insuring a North Dakota teen
Adding a teen is one of the biggest premium jumps a household faces. Beyond staying inside North Dakota's GDL rules, the reliable levers are:
- •Ask about the good-student discount (usually a B average or better) and a driver-training discount for completing driver education.
- •Keep the teen on a household multi-car policy rather than a standalone one, and put them on the lower-value car.
- •Consider a telematics/usage-based program if your teen drives safely — several reward low-mileage, low-risk driving.
- •Compare several insurers for your exact North Dakota address — teen surcharges vary widely by carrier.
Teen Driver Laws in North Dakota — FAQ
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in North Dakota?
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In North Dakota, a teen can apply for a learner's permit at 14. The permit must generally be held for under 16: 12 months; 16: 6 months or until 18 before moving to the intermediate (restricted) license, and the teen must complete Under 16: 50 hours; 16+: none of supervised practice. Confirm the current requirement with the North Dakota DMV.
What are the intermediate-license restrictions for teen drivers in North Dakota?
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During North Dakota's intermediate stage, driving is restricted during the hours of may only drive a parent/guardian's car; no driving from the later of sunset or 9 p.m. until 5 a.m., and the passenger rule is: None. These restrictions typically lift when the teen earns a full license; confirm the specifics and end dates with the North Dakota DMV.
Does following North Dakota's GDL rules affect car insurance?
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Indirectly. GDL restrictions exist because teen drivers have the highest crash rates, and crashes and tickets are what raise premiums. A North Dakota teen who violates a restriction (driving after curfew or with too many passengers) risks a ticket and a licensing penalty, and completing supervised practice and, where offered, driver education can qualify for a good-student or driver-training discount.
Related guides and tools
Sarah Mitchell
Editorial Lead, Property & Casualty
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed July 2026
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