North Dakota DMV Practice Test 2026

1. False
2. True

Correct answer: False. In North Dakota, a general statewide ban on holding a phone to talk while driving is: False. Hands-free rules can still differ from texting rules.

1. The vehicle on the right is always going faster
2. The vehicle on the right always has a shorter distance to travel
3. It matches the direction traffic moves around a roundabout
4. It gives everyone a simple, predictable way to decide who goes first

Correct answer: It gives everyone a simple, predictable way to decide who goes first. This fixed rule gives every driver a clear, easy way to decide who goes first, without needing to guess or negotiate in the moment.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, PDF p.55, All Way Stop / right-of-way

1. Calling for emergency assistance
2. Checking a sports score
3. Adjusting a music app
4. Taking a photo of the scenery

Correct answer: Calling for emergency assistance. The law allows an exception for obtaining emergency assistance, preventing an imminent crime, or when life or safety is believed to be in danger.

Source: North Dakota Driver Handbook, p.10, Minors Driver License

1. It stays exactly the same at any speed at all.
2. It becomes shorter, since highways have longer lanes.
3. It only changes noticeably if it happens to be raining.
4. It becomes much longer, growing faster than speed.

Correct answer: It becomes much longer, growing faster than speed.. Stopping distance grows faster than speed itself, so at highway speed your total stopping distance is noticeably longer than it would be at a slower in-town speed.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Ch7 Braking Distance p.68 (doubling speed = 4x)

1. Nothing; a red X only matters when traffic is stopped
2. A red X always means that lane is closed to traffic
3. A red X only applies to large commercial trucks
4. A red X is just a decoration on some older highways

Correct answer: A red X always means that lane is closed to traffic. A red X means the lane is closed to all traffic; a driver must move out of it regardless of how traffic in that lane currently looks.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, PDF p.60, Red X: never drive in a lane under the red X

1. A two-second cushion
2. A one-second cushion
3. A three-second cushion
4. A ten-second cushion

Correct answer: A three-second cushion. North Dakota's manual teaches the three-second rule as the standard cushion for following another vehicle.

Source: North Dakota Driver Handbook, p.22, Following and Stopping Distances

1. Pass the stopped car since no one seems to be crossing
2. Stop too, since a pedestrian may be hidden from view
3. Honk to let the driver know they can proceed
4. Drive around using the shoulder to get past

Correct answer: Stop too, since a pedestrian may be hidden from view. If a vehicle ahead of you is stopped at a crosswalk, there may be a pedestrian crossing that you cannot see from your position. Never pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Traffic Controls section, pedestrian safety graphic, p.91 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. As a four-way stop, with all directions stopping
2. As a green light for whichever road is busier
3. Proceed without stopping if no other cars are visible
4. Only stop if you see a police officer directing traffic

Correct answer: As a four-way stop, with all directions stopping. When traffic signals are completely out, treat the intersection like an all-way stop: every driver must come to a complete stop and follow normal right-of-way rules.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.42, Traffic Signal Light Not Working (Blackout): proceed as if controlled by STOP signs in all directions

1. Only when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping
2. Only during daytime hours
3. Left turns on red are never allowed under any circumstances
4. Only if the intersection has no traffic signal

Correct answer: Only when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping. A left turn on red is a narrow exception in North Dakota: it only applies where both the street you're on and the street you're entering are one-way, and only after a full stop and yielding right-of-way.

1. Stop until the vehicle is towed away
2. Pass at normal speed since no lane is open
3. Proceed with caution and reduce speed
4. Reverse and take an exit

Correct answer: Proceed with caution and reduce speed. When changing lanes is not possible, drivers should proceed carefully and slow down rather than keeping normal speed.

Source: North Dakota Driver Handbook, p.32, Sharing the Road with Trucks

1. Because printing in color alone is considered too expensive
2. Because every car's GPS system requires specific shapes
3. There is no real reason at all; it is simply tradition
4. So drivers can identify the sign type quickly, even at a distance

Correct answer: So drivers can identify the sign type quickly, even at a distance. Recognizing a sign by its shape lets drivers identify the type of message before they are close enough to read the words, which helps at night, in fog, or from far away.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, PDF p.54, Traffic Sign Colors and shapes

1. The tracks are about to be removed
2. The tracks cross the road at a sharp angle, not at a right angle
3. Two completely separate railroad lines happen to cross at this exact point
4. The crossing is only used during winter

Correct answer: The tracks cross the road at a sharp angle, not at a right angle. This sign warns that the railroad tracks cross the roadway at an angle (skewed) rather than straight across, which drivers should keep in mind when looking for trains.

Source: MUTCD 2009 Sec. 8B.25

1. 8:00 p.m.
2. 10:00 p.m.
3. 11:00 p.m.
4. 9:00 p.m.

Correct answer: 9:00 p.m.. North Dakota's GDL nighttime restriction begins at 9:00 p.m. for a newly licensed teen driver.

1. It has no effect if your tires are new
2. It reduces the tires' grip on the road, so braking takes longer
3. It only matters at speeds under 10 mph
4. It shortens braking distance by cooling the brakes

Correct answer: It reduces the tires' grip on the road, so braking takes longer. Less friction between tires and a wet or icy road means it takes longer for braking to slow the vehicle down.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, Ch7 Braking Distance p.68 (wet road increases stopping distance)

1. Flash your own high beams repeatedly and stare directly at their headlights
2. Look toward the right edge of the road or lane markings, and slow down if needed
3. Close your eyes briefly
4. Speed up to pass the glare quickly

Correct answer: Look toward the right edge of the road or lane markings, and slow down if needed. Looking directly at oncoming high beams temporarily ruins your night vision. Instead, look toward the right edge of the roadway or the lane markings to keep your bearings, and slow down if you need more time to react.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Driving Hazards-Driving in Darkness, p.99 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. Maintain full highway speed all the way until you reach the stop sign or the traffic light
2. Speed up as much as possible to clear the exit ramp quickly before other traffic arrives
3. Speed does not matter at all on an exit ramp as long as you signal beforehand
4. Reduce your speed on the ramp, since ramps often have a lower limit than the highway

Correct answer: Reduce your speed on the ramp, since ramps often have a lower limit than the highway. Exit ramps often have a lower posted speed limit than the highway. Slow down on the ramp itself so you are at a safe speed by the time you reach surface streets.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch9 Leaving the Highway, p.54

1. At least 3 feet from the bicyclist
2. As close as possible to save time
3. 6 inches is generally considered enough
4. There is no minimum; just avoid contact

Correct answer: At least 3 feet from the bicyclist. Many states require drivers to leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicyclist, slowing down and changing lanes when possible.

Source: California Driver Handbook, Vehicle Positioning-Following Distances / Passing, p.78 and p.90 (2020 handbook PDF)

1. It only exists to generate more traffic tickets
2. Driving too slowly can interfere with traffic flow and be dangerous too
3. It applies only to trucks and buses, never to cars
4. It guarantees a driver will never get a speeding ticket

Correct answer: Driving too slowly can interfere with traffic flow and be dangerous too. A minimum speed limit exists because driving well below the flow of highway traffic can be just as dangerous as driving too fast, since it can cause other vehicles to brake suddenly or make unsafe passing moves.

Source: New York Driver Handbook, Highway Driving, p.47

1. 45 mph
2. 35 mph
3. 55 mph
4. 25 mph

Correct answer: 25 mph. With no sign posted, North Dakota's default residential speed limit of 25 mph applies.

1. 70 mph
2. 80 mph
3. 65 mph
4. 75 mph

Correct answer: 80 mph. North Dakota allows rural Interstate speeds up to 80 mph unless posted lower.

Source: North Dakota Driver Handbook, p.20, Rules of the Road

1. Because they are optional decorations with no legal status
2. Because only regulatory signs are printed by the government
3. Because guide signs are never checked by law enforcement
4. Because they provide information rather than a command or prohibition

Correct answer: Because they provide information rather than a command or prohibition. Guide signs simply give helpful information to drivers; unlike regulatory signs, they do not create a legal command or prohibition that can be enforced.

Source: Florida Driver Handbook, PDF p.54, Green: guide or directional information

1. Start out slowly and test the brakes gently once moving
2. Accelerate hard from a stop to feel how the wheels spin
3. Wait until reaching highway speed, then brake hard
4. There is no way to know until a skid actually happens

Correct answer: Start out slowly and test the brakes gently once moving. Traction on snow or ice can vary block by block. Starting out slowly and gently testing the brakes once the vehicle is moving helps a driver judge how much grip is available before conditions demand a real stop.

Source: Texas Driver Handbook, Ch9 Winter Driving-Table 23: Get a Feel for the Road, p.55

1. 35 mph
2. 15 mph
3. 30 mph
4. 20 mph

Correct answer: 20 mph. In North Dakota, when the school zone's warning lights are flashing, the speed limit drops to 20 mph to protect children near the school.

1. 8 seconds
2. 5 seconds
3. 6 seconds
4. 3 seconds

Correct answer: 3 seconds. In North Dakota, the handbook recommends counting at least 3 seconds between when the vehicle ahead passes a fixed point and when you reach the same point.

1. Speed up quickly in order to clear the intersection
2. It warns that red is coming, so stop if you safely can
3. You must stop immediately no matter what
4. It has the same meaning as a green light

Correct answer: It warns that red is coming, so stop if you safely can. A steady yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red; if you can stop safely you should, otherwise you may carefully finish crossing the intersection.

Source: California Driver Handbook, PDF p.41-42, Solid Yellow means CAUTION