The driver’s license office in Minot, ND sits at 2001 17th St. SE and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. It handles licensing only. Vehicle registration and titling are done at a separate North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) motor vehicle office inside the Arrowhead Shopping Center, so make sure you’re heading to the right building for what you need.
Book an Appointment Before You Go
The Minot office serves a large regional population, and walk-in waits can be long. NDDOT runs an online scheduler for driver license appointments, and using it is strongly encouraged.1North Dakota Department of Transportation. Driver License/Motor Vehicle Scheduler Check the portal for current availability before you plan your visit, arrive a few minutes early, and have every document in hand. Showing up short a paper means rescheduling and starting over.
Documents You Need to Bring
North Dakota wants proof from three categories: identity and legal presence, your Social Security number, and your North Dakota residence address.
For identity and legal presence, bring one of the following: a state-certified U.S. birth certificate, a valid unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, or, for non-citizens, an unexpired Employment Authorization Card or foreign passport with I-94.2North Dakota Department of Transportation. REAL ID Information
For your Social Security number, bring one document showing your full name together with the number. A Social Security card works, and so does a W-2, an SSA-1099, or a pay stub that shows both your name and SSN.2North Dakota Department of Transportation. REAL ID Information
For your North Dakota address, acceptable documents include a current utility bill, a mortgage or lease agreement, a vehicle insurance policy, a bank statement, or a property tax statement. Each one has to show your name and a physical street address. P.O. boxes don’t count, and photocopies aren’t accepted.3North Dakota Department of Transportation. Requirements for Transferring License How many residence documents you bring depends on your REAL ID choice, which is explained below.
REAL ID or Standard: One Choice, Different Paperwork
Federal REAL ID enforcement took effect in May 2025. A REAL ID-compliant license (or a passport) is now required to board domestic flights and enter federal facilities. North Dakota lets you opt in or opt out when you apply.4North Dakota Department of Transportation. North Dakota Real ID Checklist
Opt in and you’ll bring two residence documents and receive a license with the REAL ID star in the corner. Opt out and you’ll bring just one residence document, but the license won’t work as federal ID at airports or government buildings. People who already carry a passport sometimes choose the standard license for that reason.
Moving to Minot From Another State
If you’ve moved to Minot from out of state, you have 60 days after establishing North Dakota residency to transfer your license. Bring the same identity, SSN, and residence documents, plus your current out-of-state license. When you surrender the old license, NDDOT notifies the issuing state.5North Dakota Legislative Assembly. North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-06 – Operators Licenses
Depending on your driving record and the state you’re transferring from, you may need the knowledge test, the road test, or both. Drivers coming in with a valid, unexpired license and a clean record can often skip the road test, but the North Dakota knowledge exam is commonly required. Ask when you book your appointment so you know what to prepare for.
Minot Air Force Base: What Military Families Should Know
Active-duty members stationed at Minot AFB can legally drive in North Dakota on a valid license from any state. You’re not required to get a North Dakota license as long as your home-state license stays current.6Grand Forks Air Force Base. Vehicle Registration and Licensing Requirements in North Dakota
That exemption doesn’t automatically cover spouses and dependents. Family members who establish North Dakota residency fall under the standard 60-day transfer rule, so if you’re settling in for a multi-year assignment it’s worth handling the transfer early rather than letting a home-state license expire mid-tour.
Teens and Drivers Under 18
The minimum age for a full North Dakota license is 16. A resident can get a restricted license at 15, and instruction permits are available younger under specific conditions. A parent or legal guardian must sign the application for any driver under 18.7North Dakota Department of Transportation. Driver License Requirements
Restricted licenses limit the teen to driving a vehicle belonging to a parent or guardian, and nighttime driving is prohibited between sunset or 9:00 p.m., whichever comes later, and 5:00 a.m. One rule that catches out-of-state families off guard: a teen under 16 cannot drive in North Dakota even with a valid license from another state.
Tests, Vision Check, and Fees
First-time applicants, and some transfers, take a written knowledge exam and a behind-the-wheel road test. Each test costs $5.7North Dakota Department of Transportation. Driver License Requirements The knowledge exam covers traffic signs, right-of-way rules, and North Dakota-specific laws. It can be taken on a computer at the office, and NDDOT also offers an online version through knowtodrive.com, linked from the department’s site.8North Dakota Department of Transportation. Driver Study the noncommercial driver license manual, available as a free download from NDDOT, before you sit for it.
For the road test, bring a vehicle with current registration and insurance. The examiner will verify basic equipment works: headlights, brake lights, turn signals, horn, mirrors, wipers, and brakes. No passengers or pets in the car during the test except service animals. A moving violation during the test is an automatic failure, and you can retake after at least one day for another $5.
Every applicant gets a vision screening at the counter. If the screener flags a concern, you’ll be referred for a professional Certificate of Vision Examination, which must be completed within six months of your application.9North Dakota Department of Transportation. Certificate of Vision Examination
A standard noncommercial license costs $15, whether new or renewed. Commercial licenses are $15 plus $3 per endorsement. A duplicate for a lost, stolen, or damaged license is $8.10North Dakota Department of Transportation. Driver License Renewal11North Dakota Department of Transportation. Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged License Once you pass and your file is processed, you’ll leave with a temporary paper permit. The permanent plastic card ships by USPS to the address on file, typically within about 10 business days.12North Dakota Department of Transportation. Drivers License Online Services – Renewal
Renewing Your License
A standard North Dakota license is valid for four years and expires at midnight on your birthday. You can renew up to 10 months before expiration, and NDDOT’s online renewal portal will tell you whether you qualify to renew without visiting the office.10North Dakota Department of Transportation. Driver License Renewal
If your license has been expired for less than a year, you can renew without retesting. Let it lapse beyond a year and you’ll have to pass both the knowledge test and the road test again. Set a calendar reminder.