Careless driving in North Dakota: points, fee and what to do
By Road Ready Safety · Last reviewed by Road Ready Safety, against the Century Code and NDDOT’s pages
Short answer
Careless driving is 6 points in North Dakota, which is halfway to a suspension and enough to cancel the license of a driver under 18. The careless driving statute sets the fee at $100, while the state fee schedule still lists $30, so go by the amount on your citation. A course can't keep these points off, but it can take 3 of them off afterward.
- Points
- 6
- Fee in NDCC 39-09-01
- $100
- Fee in NDCC 39-06.1-06
- $30
- In lieu of points
- Not available
- 3-point reduction
- Available
What counts as careless driving?
Driving faster than is "reasonable and prudent under the conditions." NDCC 39-09-01 calls this the basic rule. It requires a safe speed at intersections, railroad crossings, curves and hill crests, on narrow or winding roads, and when weather, traffic or pedestrians create a hazard.
You can be cited for it while driving under the posted limit. Ice, fog and blowing snow are the usual reasons.
How many points is it?
Six. That's in the point schedule at NDCC 39-06.1-10.
What is the fee?
The two parts of the code don't match. NDCC 39-09-01 says a person guilty of careless driving "must be assessed a fee of one hundred dollars." The fee schedule in NDCC 39-06.1-06 lists a violation of section 39-09-01 at thirty dollars. We read both on September 29, 2026.
Pay the amount printed on your citation. If it looks wrong, ask the clerk of the court named on it.
Can I elect a course to keep the points off?
No. The in-lieu election is for violations worth 5 points or fewer.
What can a course do?
Take 3 points off afterward. Let the points post, finish an approved defensive driving course, and email the certificate to drs@nd.gov. You go from 6 to 3. The other 3 clear in nine months if you get no new points.
When does careless driving become more serious?
When it injures certain people or damages certain equipment. It's an infraction, not a fee-only violation, if the careless driving:
- Injures the operator of snow removal equipment at work
- Injures a first responder, or someone in a stopped emergency vehicle with lights on, at the side of the road
- Injures a person helping someone stopped at the roadside with hazard lights on
- Causes more than $4,000 in damage to snow removal equipment or an emergency vehicle
What about a driver under 18?
Six points cancels a license for a driver under 18. One careless driving ticket does it. See under 18 and points.
How is this different from reckless driving?
Reckless driving is a crime. Careless driving is a noncriminal violation you can resolve by paying the fee. See reckless driving.
This guide is part of North Dakota traffic ticket: what to do next .If you need the points off, our NDDOT-approved point reduction course is 4 hours online for $24.99.
Wait it out, or take 3 off now?
Three points come off on their own after 9 clean months. A defensive driving course takes off the same 3 the day NDDOT gets your certificate. That matters if you’re close to 12: at 12 points North Dakota suspends your license for 7 days for every point over 11. You can use the course once every 12 months, for up to 9 points in 3 years.
This ticket is worth 6 points or more, so you can’t elect the course in lieu of its points. You can still take 3 points off your total.
The quick rule: 0 to 3 points with nothing pending, you can probably wait. 4 points or more, or a new ticket on the way, take the 3 off now. See the full math: is the course worth it for you?
Quick answers
How many points is careless driving in North Dakota?
Six points, under NDCC 39-06.1-10.
How much is a careless driving ticket in North Dakota?
NDCC 39-09-01 sets a fee of $100. The fee schedule in NDCC 39-06.1-06 lists $30 for the same section. Pay the amount on your citation.
Can I take defensive driving for a careless driving ticket in North Dakota?
Not to keep the points off, because the violation is worth more than 5 points. A course can take 3 points off your total afterward.
Sources
- North Dakota Century Code chapter 39-09: careless driving and speed limits
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-06: amount of statutory fees
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-10: point schedule and suspension
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-10.1: driver training course in lieu of points
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-13: reduction of point total
We read each source on September 29, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal advice. NDDOT applies any point reduction, and your court handles an election in lieu of points. See a mistake? Email info@roadreadysafety.com .
More North Dakota guides
- Is a defensive driving course worth it in North Dakota? Here's the math
- Reckless driving in North Dakota: a crime, and 8 points
- North Dakota traffic violations: points and fees for each
- Under 18 in North Dakota: your license is canceled at 6 points