The ND licensing action explained
After a DUI arrest in North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Transportation (dot.nd.gov) opens its own case against your driving privilege. It is administrative, it moves faster than the criminal case, and it is decided regardless of what the court later does with the charge.
The request for an administrative hearing is due within 10 days of arrest. Miss it and the suspension usually takes effect automatically.
Hearing requests, suspension notices, reinstatement fees and interlock paperwork.
Deadlines, forms and how the hearing is conducted.
How the ND agency runs the licence case
- NDDOT handles administrative suspensions for alcohol offenses separately from the criminal case.
- A hearing to contest the suspension may be requested through NDDOT.
- After the suspension period, the licence stays suspended until the reinstatement fee is paid under N.D.C.C. §§ 39-06-35 and 39-06-49.
- Outstanding requirements and fees can be checked through NDDOT's online reinstatement system.
- Hearing and appeal procedure is set out in N.D. Admin. Code Article 37-03.1.
North Dakota licence facts
North Dakota DUI law at a glance
Sourced from the North Dakota code and state agency sites. Verify current text before relying on it.
- Offense name
- DUI (North Dakota)
- Controlling statute
- N.D. Cent. Code § 39-08-01
- Implied consent
- N.D. Cent. Code § 39-20-01
- Per se BAC limit
- 0.08 (0.04 CDL, 0.02 or lower under 21)
- Licence hearing deadline
- 10 days after arrest
- Prior-offense lookback
- 7 years
- First-offense fine
- at least $500
- Licence suspension
- 91 days
- Ignition interlock
- Not automatic on a first offense
- Trial court
- the District Court
- High-risk filing
- SR-22 for 3 years
A first offense carries a minimum fine and a 91-day suspension.
Getting the licence back
- Serve the full suspension or hard-suspension period the agency sets.
- Complete any ordered assessment, education or treatment programme.
- Install an ignition interlock device if the court or agency orders one.
- North Dakota requires a SR-22 certificate of financial responsibility for 3 years before a licence is reinstated after a DUI conviction.
- Pay the reinstatement fee and any licence-issuance fee in full.
Fees and processing times change; confirm the current amounts on dot.nd.gov before you travel to an office.
North Dakota ZIP codes covered
These North Dakota ZIP-code pages carry the local court, filing and licensing detail for the area, and each one links back to this resource page.
Counties and cities using these North Dakota resources
Counties
Other North Dakota official resources
Frequently asked questions
- How long do I have to challenge a North Dakota licence suspension?
- The administrative hearing request is due within 10 days of arrest. Confirm the current deadline and filing method with the ND licensing agency at dot.nd.gov before relying on it.
- How long is a first-offense suspension in North Dakota?
- A first DUI offense generally carries a 91 days suspension in North Dakota. Reinstatement conditions, fees and any interlock requirement are set by the licensing agency.