North Dakota’s Traffic Violation Point System

North Dakota records all traffic violations to identify dangerous drivers. Like many other states, North Dakota uses a point system to keep traffic of violations and penalize drivers who get lots of tickets. This article covers the state's point system and the penalties you'll face for accumulating too many points.

How Does North Dakota's Traffic Violation Point System Work?

The Department of Transportation (DOT) assigns a point value to traffic violations based on the severity. Drivers who accumulate a certain number of points face license suspension or cancelation.

However, points don't stay on your record forever, and there are ways to reduce the number of points on your record (see below).

Suspensions and Consequences of Accumulating Traffic Violation Points in North Dakota

The DOT is authorized to suspend the license of any driver who accumulates at least 12 points. Generally, the driver's license will be suspended for seven days for each point above 11. This suspension runs back-to-back with any other pending suspensions.

A minor driver will face license penalties after accumulating only six points. At six points, a minor's license will be canceled, as if the driver was never licensed. The driver will have to reapply and retest for the appropriate permit.

Getting a Hardship License Following a Point Suspension in North Dakota

A suspended driver can apply for a temporary license after serving at least seven days of the suspension period. If granted, the DOT can require the holder to complete a driver training course and can restrict the license to use only for work, school, or other specific activities.

How Long Do Traffic Ticket Points Stay on Your Record in North Dakota?

Points do not expire but one point is removed for every three months without a traffic ticket. The point total is also reduced to 11 after the driver completes a point-related suspension.

Reducing and Avoiding Traffic Violation Points in North Dakota

Voluntary completion of a driver training course will remove three points from the driver's record. This reduction can be used only once every 12 months and does not affect pending suspensions.

A driver convicted of a traffic violation can elect to complete a driver training course to prevent the assessment of points. However, this only works for offenses that carry five points or less.

Points Values for Traffic Violations in North Dakota

North Dakota assigns the following point values for each traffic violation listed below.

Violation	Points Assessed
License plate violation	1
Permitting unauthorized person to drive	2
Impeding traffic on highway	2
Unlawful parking	1
Equipment violation	2
Careless driving	6
Violating license restriction	4 (3 points for eyeglasses restriction)
Racing	10
Exhibition driving	3
Failure to yield right-of-way	2
Traffic control device violation	2
Wrong side of road	2
Failure to dim lights	1
Failure to stop at railroad crossing	3
Passing violation	2
Unlawful passing of school bus	6
Operating without a license	4
Speeding 6 to 10 miles per hour over limit	0
Speeding 11 to 15 miles per hour over limit	1
Speeding 16 to 20 miles per hour over limit	3
Speeding 21 to 25 miles per hour over limit	5
Speeding 26 to 35 miles per hour over limit	9
Speeding 36 to 45 miles per hour over limit	12
Speeding 46 or more miles per hour over limit	15
Open alcohol container violation	2
Child restraint violation	1
Driving without insurance	6 (12 if prior violation in last year)
Accident without insurance	14
Reckless driving	8
Aggravated reckless driving	12
Leaving the scene of property damage accident	14
Leaving the scene of injury accident	18
Flee and elude police officer	24
Instruction permit restriction violation	2

On highways where the speed limit is 65 miles per hour, the following point schedule applies.

Violation	Points Assessed
Speeding 1 to 5 miles per hour over limit	0
Speeding 6 to 10 miles per hour over limit	1
Speeding 11 to 15 miles per hour over limit	3
Speeding 16 to 20 miles per hour over limit	5
Speeding 21 to 25 miles per hour over limit	7
Speeding 26 to 30 miles per hour over limit	10
Speeding 31 to 35 miles per hour over limit	12
Speeding 36 or more miles per hour over limit	15