Guides

North Dakota traffic ticket and points guides

Plain answers on North Dakota tickets, points, the 3-point reduction and electing a course at court in lieu of points. From the Century Code, with sources.

Updated October 15, 2026

North Dakota's insurance premium reduction: how it works and who qualifies

North Dakota law makes every auto insurer offer a premium reduction for at least two years, three at 55+, to a driver who finishes a Highway Patrol-approved course. Who qualifies, what it skips, and how to claim it.

How to get North Dakota's insurance premium reduction, step by step Five steps from course to a lower bill: pick an approved course, finish it, download the certificate, send it to your insurer, and check the next bill for the separate line the law requires.
Fifty-five or older in North Dakota? Your insurance premium reduction lasts three years NDCC 26.1-25-04.1 gives a driver 55 or older who completes a Highway Patrol-approved course a three-year premium reduction instead of two. Same course, same certificate, one extra year, and the questions to ask your insurer.
How long North Dakota's insurance premium reduction lasts, and when to retake the course At least two years from completion, three if you were 55 or older. The reduction ends when the period does, so the gap most drivers leave is the year they forgot to retake the course.
Point reduction or insurance premium reduction: which North Dakota course do you need? North Dakota approves two different courses through two agencies. NDDOT's takes points off your record; the Highway Patrol's lowers your premium. The certificate from one does not do the other's job. Here is how to tell which you need.

Updated October 5, 2026

North Dakota speeding ticket: fine, points and your options

$3 per mph over ($5 where the limit is above 65), $20 minimum. Up to 10 over is 0 points. You have 14 days to pay, contest or elect a course.

How many points is a speeding ticket in North Dakota? North Dakota speeding points depend on how fast and where. Up to 10 over is 0 points in most zones. The full schedule, from the Century Code.
How much is a speeding ticket in North Dakota? North Dakota's speeding fee is $3 for each mph over the limit, or $5 where the limit is above 65, with a $20 minimum. School and work zones cost more.
North Dakota speed limits, and how they change your ticket North Dakota speed limits run from 20 near schools to 80 on the interstate. Above a 65 limit, a speeding ticket costs more and carries more points.
School zone and work zone speeding tickets in North Dakota Speeding in a North Dakota school zone starts at $40. In a work zone with workers present it starts at $150. How the fees are figured.
Exhibition driving and racing tickets in North Dakota Exhibition driving is a $50 fee and 3 points in North Dakota. Racing or drag racing is $100 and 10 points, two short of a suspension.

Updated October 5, 2026

North Dakota traffic ticket: what to do next

You have 14 days to pay, ask for a hearing or elect a course in lieu of points. Which court has your ticket, the points, and what ignoring it costs.

Defensive driving course in Fargo, ND: classroom, online, and how to elect it at court Take an NDDOT-approved course online or at NDSC Fargo. To keep a Fargo ticket's points off, give the clerk written notice when you post bond.
Defensive driving course in Bismarck, ND: classroom, online, and how to elect it at court The Bismarck judge can't reduce points. You can: elect an NDDOT-approved course in writing when you post bond at 514 E. Thayer, then finish in 30 days.
Defensive driving course in Minot, ND: classroom, online, and how to elect it at court Minot has no online ticket payment. Elect an NDDOT-approved course in writing with your bond by mail or in person, then finish within 30 days.
North Dakota's 30-day deadline for a course in lieu of points If you elect a course in lieu of points in North Dakota, NDDOT needs your certificate within 30 days. When the clock starts and how to beat it.
Which North Dakota tickets qualify for a course in lieu of points? In North Dakota, a violation worth 5 points or fewer can be kept off your record with a course. Which tickets qualify, and the three exclusions.
Should you just pay your North Dakota traffic ticket? Paying a North Dakota ticket admits the violation, and the points follow. What to tell the court when you post bond if you want them kept off.
Driving without insurance in North Dakota: points and fees A North Dakota no-insurance ticket is 6 points and $150. A second one within 18 months is 12 points, which suspends your license on its own.
Careless driving in North Dakota: points, fee and what to do Careless driving is 6 points in North Dakota. The statute sets a $100 fee while the fee schedule still lists $30. What the ticket means for you.
Reckless driving in North Dakota: a crime, and 8 points Reckless driving is a class B misdemeanor and 8 points in North Dakota. With an injury it is a class A misdemeanor and 12 points. What follows.
Stop sign and red light tickets in North Dakota: points and fees A stop sign ticket in North Dakota is 2 points and $40. A red light ticket is 2 points and $20, or $50 if a pedestrian was involved.
Passing a school bus in North Dakota: 6 points and $250 Passing a stopped school bus with its red lights flashing is 6 points and a $250 fee in North Dakota. The rule, the one exception, and what's next.
Texting while driving in North Dakota: $100 and no points Texting while driving is a $100 fee in North Dakota and carries no points. What the law bans, what it allows, and the stricter rule for teens.
Seat belt tickets in North Dakota: $20 and no points A North Dakota seat belt ticket is $20 with no points, and the driver is responsible for every occupant. A child restraint ticket is $25 and 1 point.
North Dakota's move over law: fee, points and what it requires North Dakota drivers must move over or slow down for stopped emergency and highway maintenance vehicles. The ticket is $50 and 2 points.
How to pay a North Dakota traffic ticket online Pay a North Dakota traffic ticket on the court system's public search site with Visa, Mastercard or Discover. The steps, and what to check first.
How to contest a North Dakota traffic ticket To contest a North Dakota ticket, request a hearing and post a bond equal to the fee within 14 days. What happens at the hearing and on appeal.
Fargo traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the Fargo Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
Bismarck traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the Bismarck Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
Grand Forks traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the Grand Forks Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
Minot traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the Minot Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
West Fargo traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the West Fargo Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
Mandan traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the Mandan Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
Williston traffic ticket: how to pay it, and how to keep the points off How to pay or contest a traffic ticket at the Williston Municipal Court, the 14-day deadline, and how a course keeps the points off your record.
In lieu of points: how to elect a course at a North Dakota court Tell the court you elect a driver training course when you post bond, and a ticket worth 5 points or fewer never adds points. The steps.

Updated October 5, 2026

North Dakota driver's license points: the point system and how to remove points

North Dakota suspends at 12 points. A course removes 3 once a year and time removes 1 every 3 months. The full point schedule and the rules.

Best North Dakota defensive driving course 2026: all 22 NDDOT courses compared All 22 NDDOT-approved defensive driving courses compared on price, hours and format. Every one takes off the same 3 points. Checked Oct 2026.
Is there a free defensive driving course in North Dakota? No NDDOT-approved defensive driving course is free to the public. The cheapest is $5. Here's what free offers really are, and when you need no course.
Online traffic school in North Dakota: what it's called and what it does North Dakota has no traffic school. An NDDOT-approved defensive driving course takes 3 points off or keeps up to 5 off. It never dismisses the ticket.
How long is the North Dakota defensive driving course? Ours is 4 hours online, split over as many days as you like. NDDOT sets no hours; most approved courses are 4. Only a court election has a deadline.
North Dakota driver's license reinstatement: fees, steps and timing North Dakota's reinstatement fee is $25, $50 or $100, depending on why you were suspended. How to check what you owe, pay online and get your license back.
How a North Dakota defensive driving course takes points off your record A North Dakota defensive driving course takes 3 points off your record, or keeps a small ticket off it. How each option works, with the deadlines.
Point reduction or in lieu of points: which one in North Dakota? North Dakota gives a defensive driving course two uses. When to take 3 points off, when to elect the course at court, and why you can't do both.
North Dakota traffic violations: points and fees for each Points and state fees for each North Dakota traffic violation under NDCC 39-06.1, and which tickets a course can keep off your record.
How long do points stay on your license in North Dakota? North Dakota takes 1 point off your record for every three months without new points. How the clock works, and how a course takes off 3 more.
North Dakota driving record: how to get a copy and check your points Get a limited North Dakota driving record online for $3, or the complete record by mail on form SFN 51386. What each shows, and how to read your points.
How to send your defensive driving certificate to NDDOT North Dakota doesn't get your course certificate from the provider. You send it. The email address, the mailing address and the 30-day rule.
How often can you take defensive driving for points in North Dakota? North Dakota gives a 3-point reduction once in any 12 months, up to 9 points in three years. The in-lieu election is also once every 12 months.
North Dakota license suspended for points: how long, and how to get it back North Dakota suspends a license at 12 points: 7 days, plus 7 for each point above 12. Reinstatement costs $50 and your total is reset to 11.
Under 18 in North Dakota: your license is canceled at 6 points A North Dakota driver under 18 loses the license at 6 points and starts over. What that means, and how a course helps before it happens.
Does a defensive driving course lower your insurance in North Dakota? North Dakota has two lists of approved courses: NDDOT's for points and the Highway Patrol's for insurance. Which of our two courses is on each, and what each does.
What's in the North Dakota defensive driving course? Our North Dakota defensive driving course is 4 hours, 8 modules and a 25-question final with unlimited retakes. What it covers and how long it takes.
North Dakota tickets that carry no points Some North Dakota tickets add no points: speeding up to 10 over, texting, seat belts and more. The list, and why you still can't ignore them.
Out-of-state tickets and North Dakota points North Dakota doesn't add points for most tickets its drivers get in other states. Visitors ticketed in North Dakota answer to their home state.
North Dakota work permit: the temporary restricted license A suspended North Dakota driver 18 or older can apply for a temporary restricted license for work, school and essential needs. How to apply.

Four hours. One flat price. Three points, or none at all.

Enroll now, finish tonight or over the weekend, and email your certificate to NDDOT. That is the whole process.

Start the Course — $24.99

4 hours, self-paced
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Certificate included
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Unlimited retakes
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Full refund before completion