Having your North Dakota driver’s license suspended or revoked is a stressful, disruptive experience. The process to get it back can feel confusing, and the most important thing to know is this: the steps to reinstate your license depend entirely on why it was taken away.
The process for an unpaid ticket is completely different from a DUI.
You cannot simply “pay a fee” and get your license back. You must complete a specific checklist of “compliance items” first. This guide will walk you through the exact steps for your specific situation, starting with the one question you must answer first.
Your First Step: Find Out Why You Are Suspended
Before you can fix the problem, you must get your official “to-do list” from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). You have two ways to do this:
- Check Your Mail (The Reinstatement Letter):When you are suspended, the NDDOT will mail a “Notice of Suspension/Revocation” to your address on file. This letter is your most important document. It will tell you:
- Why you were suspended (e.g., “Failure to Pay Fine,” “Points,” “DUI”).
- The start and end dates of your suspension.
- A checklist of all requirements you must meet (e.g., “Pay $100 Fee,” “File SR-22”).
- Order Your Official Driving Record:If you lost your letter, your next step is to order your driving record. This will show all your active suspensions and requirements. You can do this online for a $3 fee on the NDDOT website.
Your entire goal is to complete every item on that reinstatement checklist.
Suspension vs. Revocation: Why It Matters
You must know if your license was suspended or revoked. They are not the same, and the reinstatement process is different.
- Suspension: Your license is temporarily on hold (e.g., for unpaid tickets or points). You do not have to re-test. You just clear your compliance items, pay your fee, and your privilege is restored.
- Revocation: Your license is cancelled (e.g., for a DUI). You must re-apply as a new driver. This means you must retake the vision, written (permit), and road (driving) tests again.
How to Reinstate Your License (Based on Your Suspension)
Here are the correct steps for the most common suspensions. Find your reason and follow the checklist.
Situation 1: Suspension for Unpaid Tickets (Failure to Appear/Pay)
This is the most common and easiest to fix.
- Contact the Court: You must first contact the local court in the county where you received the ticket. (This is notthe NDDOT).
- Pay All Court Fines: Pay the original fine plus any new late fees.
- Get Court Clearance: The court will give you a “Certificate of Completion” or electronically notify the NDDOT that you have paid.
- Pay the NDDOT Fee: Once the NDDOT has the clearance, you must pay the separate $50 reinstatement fee to the NDDOT.
Situation 2: Suspension for Too Many Points (Habitual Violator)
If you get 12 or more points on your record, you will be suspended.
- Serve Your Suspension Period: This is a definite period (e.g., 7 days for 12 points). You must wait for this time to end. Your reinstatement letter will tell you the exact dates.
- Complete a Course (If Ordered): If this is your second point suspension, you may be ordered to complete a “Driver Training Course.” You must submit the completion certificate.
- Pay the NDDOT Fee: Once your suspension period is over, you must pay the $100 reinstatement fee to the NDDOT.
Situation 3: Revocation for a DUI / Alcohol Offense
This is a revocation and has the most steps.
- Serve Your Revocation Period: You must wait for the mandatory time to pass (e.g., 91 days, 1 year).
- Get an SR-22: You must contact an insurance company and purchase SR-22 insurance. This is a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility” that your insurer files with the NDDOT.1 It is non-negotiable and must be kept for 1 year.
- Complete an Evaluation: You must get a Chemical Dependency Evaluation from a state-approved program. If the evaluation recommends treatment, you must complete that as well.
- Pay All Fees: Pay your $100 reinstatement fee (and any other fees) to the NDDOT.
- Re-take All Tests: Once all other items are cleared, you must go to a driver’s license office (by appointment) to retake the vision, written, and road tests to be issued a new license.
Situation 4: Suspension for No Insurance
If you were caught driving without liability insurance.
- Get an SR-22: You must contact an insurance provider and have them file an SR-22 certificate with the NDDOT.2
- Pay the NDDOT Fee: You must pay the $100 reinstatement fee.
- Maintain the SR-22: You must keep the SR-22 on file for 1 year.
The Final Step: How to Pay Your Fees & Submit Documents
Once you have completed all your compliance items (paid court fines, filed SR-22, etc.), you must pay your final reinstatement fee(s) to the NDDOT. You have two options.
Method 1: By Mail (Recommended)
This is the most common method. You do not need an appointment.
- Gather Your Packet: Collect all your required documents (e.g., your reinstatement letter, course completion certificates) and a check or money order for your fees.
- Mail Your Packet: Send everything to the NDDOT Driver’s License Division:Driver’s License DivisionNorth Dakota Department of Transportation608 E. Boulevard Ave.Bismarck, ND 58505-0700
Method 2: In-Person (Appointment Required)
This is mandatory if you were revoked (like for a DUI) because you must re-take your tests.
- Book Your Appointment: You must schedule your appointment online. We have a full guide on how to schedule an NDDOT appointment for this.
- Select the Service: When booking, choose “Driver’s License,” and then select the service “Reinstatement.”
- Visit the Office: Bring all your documents (SR-22, evaluation, etc.) and your payment to your scheduled appointment to pay your fees and take your tests.
FAQs
An SR-22 is not insurance. It is a certificate that your insurance company files with the state to prove you have insurance. It is a “Certificate of Financial Responsibility.” If you are required to have one and you let your insurance lapse, the company will notify the NDDOT, and your license will be suspended all over again.
This is a very common problem. You must clear your ND suspension, or your new state will not issue you a license (due to the National Driver Register).
1. Call the NDDOT (701-328-2600) to get your exact compliance checklist.
2. You can complete most requirements by mail.
3. You can get an SR-22 from an insurer in your new state (they must have an “inter-state” filing system).
4. You can mail your reinstatement packet and fee to the NDDOT.
5. If you were revoked and must re-test, you will have to make arrangements to travel back to North Dakota to take the tests.
This is a specific requirement for all DUI/DWI offenses in North Dakota. You must be evaluated by a licensed addiction counselor. The “Report of Completion” (State Form 28-01-23) is the official form the counselor sends to the NDDOT to prove you completed the evaluation and any recommended treatment.
$50 Fee: For “Failure to Appear” or “Failure to Pay” a ticket.
$100 Fee: For all other suspensions or revocations (Points, DUI, No Insurance, etc.).
You must also pay any separate court fines or testing fees.
Conclusion
To reinstate your North Dakota driver’s license, you must be patient and methodical. Your first step is to get your official reinstatement letter or order your driving record to get your personal compliance checklist.
From there, simply follow the steps for your specific violation. Whether it’s paying a court fine, filing an SR-22, or completing an alcohol evaluation, you must clear every item. Once all items are complete, you can pay your final reinstatement fee (typically $50 or $100) by mail or by booking an in-person appointment.
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