Driving Laws in North Dakota for Seniors and Older Drivers

Learn about driving regulations and special initiatives aimed at keeping both older drivers and North Dakota’s highways safe.

While the North Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) enforces a plethora of laws and regulations that apply to drivers of all ages and stages, the state imposes certain unique requirements and limits on senior drivers.

The North Dakota state guidelines are discussed in further detail below, but at least one of them focuses on recognizing and dealing with elderly drivers who may have become hazardous behind the wheel. North Dakota, in particular, mandates drivers aged 78 and over to renew their licenses every four years.

North Dakota License Renewal Procedures for Senior Citizens

All drivers may check their license status online. Special regulations apply to drivers 78 and older seeking to renew their licenses.

Drivers must renew in person every four years if they are 78 or older, and every six years if they are 77 or younger.

Renewal requires a vision exam. Drivers may have a free test conducted by DOT staff, or they can have an exam done by an independent qualified physician or optometrist, who must produce and complete a Certificate of Vision and perform the exam within six months of the renewal request.

Written examination: Not usually necessary for renewal.

A road test is not usually necessary at the time of renewal.

License Restrictions That Might Exist

After conducting a driving test and discussing potential limits with the motorist, the DOT may impose restrictions or conditions on his or her driver’s license.

The most prevalent limitation for senior drivers is the need for corrective lenses or glasses.

Other frequent regulations that the DOT may place on elderly drivers in North Dakota include:

Vehicles with adapted equipment that operate within a specified geographic region and provide certain functions, such as traveling to and from work.

How to Request a North Dakota Unsafe Driver Investigation

North Dakota, unlike other states, has no set forms or processes for reporting drivers who may have become hazardous behind the wheel. If you have particular concerns about a certain driver, contact the local DOT office.

How to Restore a Driver’s License

The procedures for regaining a suspended or revoked license in North Dakota vary depending on the circumstances. Contact one of the DOT offices located around the state for information in an individual scenario.

How to Obtain Disabled Driver Parking Placards or License Plates

Drivers with restricted mobility may be awarded disabled parking placards and license plates provided a competent medical practitioner recognizes the condition.

Placards and license plates are available for people who:

are severely limited due to lung illness, utilize portable oxygen
have a serious heart disease or are severely restricted in their ability to walk owing to an arthritic, neurological, or orthopedic ailment.

To get a temporary or permanent parking permit, follow these steps:

Fill out and sign the Mobility-Impaired Parking Permit Application.
Complete the application with the assistance of a competent physician.
Send the original application to the address specified on the form.

See “Mobility Impaired Parking Placards” for further information.

To receive a license plate for a permanent disability, a motorist must first obtain a Mobility-Impaired Parking Permit, as described above, and then fill out an Application for Certification of Title and Registration of a Vehicle.
Learn More About North Dakota Senior Driving Regulations

North Dakota drivers may find a plethora of information on the DOT website, including license and car registration requirements.

The “Noncommercial Driver’s License Manual,” which provides detailed details of local traffic laws and driving safety suggestions, is particularly interesting.