ND Driving Instructor cheat sheet

North Dakota requires driver training schools to be licensed by the state (ND DOT/Driver License Division); operating without a license is a violation subject to civil penalty and cease-and-desist action.

An instructor license is issued per person, not per school; instructors must be at least 18 (commonly 21 for behind-the-wheel), hold a valid ND license, and pass a background check.

Schools must maintain student records - enrollment agreement, attendance, behind-the-wheel hours, and completion certificates - and retain them for the period set by state rule; records are subject to state inspection.

Vehicles used for instruction must be registered, insured, inspected for safety, and equipped with dual controls (brake, and commonly accelerator/mirror) for behind-the-wheel training.

Proof of liability insurance with minimum coverage set by state rule must be on file; lapses in coverage can suspend the school's license.

Advertising and enrollment materials must not guarantee a license or passing score; misrepresentation is grounds for license discipline.

Instructor continuing education and periodic re-licensure are required; lapsed credentials bar instruction until reinstated.

Tuition, refund, and cancellation terms must be disclosed in writing before enrollment; disputes are handled through the licensing authority's complaint process.

A school must notify the licensing authority of changes in ownership, location, or instructor roster within the timeframe set by rule.

ND right-of-way: at an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle on the right has the right of way; a vehicle turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or right.

Following distance rule: use the three-second rule at minimum; add one second for each adverse condition (rain, ice, darkness, heavy load).

ND speed limits: 25 mph in residential/business districts unless posted, 55 mph on two-lane rural highways unless posted, and up to 80 mph on designated interstate segments.

Move Over law: on a multi-lane road, move one lane away from stopped emergency/roadside vehicles; if unable, slow to a safe speed below the posted limit.

Seat belt use is required for front-seat occupants and all occupants under 18; children under 8 (or under 57 inches) must use an approved child restraint.

Implied consent: a driver lawfully arrested for DUI is deemed to consent to chemical testing; refusal triggers license suspension and can be used at trial.

ND DUI thresholds: 0.08% BAC for drivers 21+, 0.02% for drivers under 21 (zero-tolerance), and 0.04% for commercial vehicle operators.

Railroad crossings: stop within 15–50 feet of the nearest rail when a signal, gate, or train is present; never pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading.

Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced (rain, snow, fog); use low beams when within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or following within 200 feet.

Use the GDE (Goals for Driver Education) matrix: teach vehicle control, mastery of traffic situations, trip planning, and self-awareness/risk factors as separate but linked levels.

Apply the four-step instructional model: explain, demonstrate, guided practice, then independent practice with feedback - never skip guided practice before evaluation.

Space practice across sessions (distributed practice) rather than massing hours; short, frequent lessons produce better retention than one long block.

Use commentary driving: the student verbalizes hazards, decisions, and planned actions to build scanning and situational awareness.

Give specific, behavioral feedback tied to observable actions ("you checked the mirror 3 seconds before braking") rather than trait labels.

Introduce hazard perception training with video or static scenes before on-road exposure; novice crash risk is tied to poor hazard detection, not just car control.

Use a graduated risk ladder: parking lot → low-traffic residential → arterial → highway → night/adverse weather, advancing only after mastery criteria are met.

Assess with a rubric covering observation, speed management, lane position, signaling, and gap selection; log scores to track progress objectively.

Address parent/guardian coaching: provide a supervised-practice log and coach parents to reinforce the same techniques the instructor teaches.

ND graduated licensing: an instruction permit is available at age 14 (with restrictions), an intermediate/restricted license at 16, and a full license at 18 (or 17 with driver education completion, per current rule).

Permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 18 (commonly 21) in the front seat; night driving and passenger limits apply to intermediate licensees.

Behind-the-wheel hours: ND requires a minimum number of supervised practice hours (commonly 50, with 10 at night) before advancing; verify current count with the licensing authority.

Driver education completion (classroom plus behind-the-wheel) is required for applicants under 18; the school issues the completion certificate the licensing office accepts.

Risk management: screen students for medical/vision/medication issues, require a valid permit before behind-the-wheel, and keep a signed parental consent on file.

Novice crash risk is highest in the first 6–12 months of solo driving; night driving and teen passengers are the strongest independent risk multipliers.

Use a pre-trip vehicle check (tires, lights, brakes, mirrors, fluids) and document it; mechanical failure during instruction is both a safety and liability issue.

Incident protocol: stop, render aid, call 911 if needed, exchange information, photograph the scene, notify the school and insurer, and file the state crash report when required.

Maintain a student-driver insurance rider and a written emergency plan; instructors should carry the school's contact and incident forms in the vehicle.

North Dakota requires driver training schools to be licensed by the state (ND DOT/Driver License Division); operating without a license is a violation subject to civil penalty and cease-and-desist action.

An instructor license is issued per person, not per school; instructors must be at least 18 (commonly 21 for behind-the-wheel), hold a valid ND license, and pass a background check.

Schools must maintain student records - enrollment agreement, attendance, behind-the-wheel hours, and completion certificates - and retain them for the period set by state rule; records are subject to state inspection.

Vehicles used for instruction must be registered, insured, inspected for safety, and equipped with dual controls (brake, and commonly accelerator/mirror) for behind-the-wheel training.

Proof of liability insurance with minimum coverage set by state rule must be on file; lapses in coverage can suspend the school's license.

Advertising and enrollment materials must not guarantee a license or passing score; misrepresentation is grounds for license discipline.

Instructor continuing education and periodic re-licensure are required; lapsed credentials bar instruction until reinstated.

Tuition, refund, and cancellation terms must be disclosed in writing before enrollment; disputes are handled through the licensing authority's complaint process.

A school must notify the licensing authority of changes in ownership, location, or instructor roster within the timeframe set by rule.

ND right-of-way: at an uncontrolled intersection, the vehicle on the right has the right of way; a vehicle turning left yields to oncoming traffic going straight or right.

Following distance rule: use the three-second rule at minimum; add one second for each adverse condition (rain, ice, darkness, heavy load).

ND speed limits: 25 mph in residential/business districts unless posted, 55 mph on two-lane rural highways unless posted, and up to 80 mph on designated interstate segments.

Move Over law: on a multi-lane road, move one lane away from stopped emergency/roadside vehicles; if unable, slow to a safe speed below the posted limit.

Seat belt use is required for front-seat occupants and all occupants under 18; children under 8 (or under 57 inches) must use an approved child restraint.

Implied consent: a driver lawfully arrested for DUI is deemed to consent to chemical testing; refusal triggers license suspension and can be used at trial.

ND DUI thresholds: 0.08% BAC for drivers 21+, 0.02% for drivers under 21 (zero-tolerance), and 0.04% for commercial vehicle operators.

Railroad crossings: stop within 15–50 feet of the nearest rail when a signal, gate, or train is present; never pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading.

Headlights are required from sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is reduced (rain, snow, fog); use low beams when within 500 feet of oncoming traffic or following within 200 feet.

Use the GDE (Goals for Driver Education) matrix: teach vehicle control, mastery of traffic situations, trip planning, and self-awareness/risk factors as separate but linked levels.

Apply the four-step instructional model: explain, demonstrate, guided practice, then independent practice with feedback - never skip guided practice before evaluation.

Space practice across sessions (distributed practice) rather than massing hours; short, frequent lessons produce better retention than one long block.

Use commentary driving: the student verbalizes hazards, decisions, and planned actions to build scanning and situational awareness.

Give specific, behavioral feedback tied to observable actions ("you checked the mirror 3 seconds before braking") rather than trait labels.

Introduce hazard perception training with video or static scenes before on-road exposure; novice crash risk is tied to poor hazard detection, not just car control.

Use a graduated risk ladder: parking lot → low-traffic residential → arterial → highway → night/adverse weather, advancing only after mastery criteria are met.

Assess with a rubric covering observation, speed management, lane position, signaling, and gap selection; log scores to track progress objectively.

Address parent/guardian coaching: provide a supervised-practice log and coach parents to reinforce the same techniques the instructor teaches.

ND graduated licensing: an instruction permit is available at age 14 (with restrictions), an intermediate/restricted license at 16, and a full license at 18 (or 17 with driver education completion, per current rule).

Permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 18 (commonly 21) in the front seat; night driving and passenger limits apply to intermediate licensees.

Behind-the-wheel hours: ND requires a minimum number of supervised practice hours (commonly 50, with 10 at night) before advancing; verify current count with the licensing authority.

Driver education completion (classroom plus behind-the-wheel) is required for applicants under 18; the school issues the completion certificate the licensing office accepts.

Risk management: screen students for medical/vision/medication issues, require a valid permit before behind-the-wheel, and keep a signed parental consent on file.

Novice crash risk is highest in the first 6–12 months of solo driving; night driving and teen passengers are the strongest independent risk multipliers.

Use a pre-trip vehicle check (tires, lights, brakes, mirrors, fluids) and document it; mechanical failure during instruction is both a safety and liability issue.

Incident protocol: stop, render aid, call 911 if needed, exchange information, photograph the scene, notify the school and insurer, and file the state crash report when required.

Maintain a student-driver insurance rider and a written emergency plan; instructors should carry the school's contact and incident forms in the vehicle.