North Dakota points: the 12-point suspension and the 3-point reduction
By Road Ready Safety · Checked against North Dakota law on
Short answer
North Dakota suspends your license at 12 points, for 7 days plus 7 more for each point above 12. Points come off two ways: 1 for every three months without new points, and 3 when you send NDDOT a certificate from an approved defensive driving course, once every 12 months.
- Suspension
- 12 points
- Length
- 7 days for each point over 11
- Course
- 3 points off, once every 12 months
- Time
- 1 point off every 3 months
- Under 18
- Canceled at 6 points
How does North Dakota's point system work?
Each violation has a point value set in NDCC 39-06.1-10. When the court reports an admission or conviction, NDDOT enters the points on your record. At 12, your license is suspended.
What are the common point values?
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 11 to 15 over, limit 65 or less | 1 |
| Failing to yield, running a signal or sign | 2 |
| Speeding 16 to 20 over, limit 65 or less | 3 |
| Speeding 21 to 25 over, limit 65 or less | 5 |
| Careless driving | 6 |
| Driving without insurance | 6 |
| Reckless driving | 8 |
Points by violation has the full list.
What happens at 12 points?
| Point total | Suspension |
|---|---|
| 12 | 7 days |
| 13 | 14 days |
| 14 | 21 days |
| Each point after | 7 more days |
After you serve it and pay the $50 reinstatement fee, your total is set to 11.
How does the 3-point reduction work?
Finish an approved course and mail or email the certificate to NDDOT. Your total drops by 3.
- Once in any 12-month period
- No more than 9 points in any three years
- Only from points you had before you finished the course
- If you're at 12 or more when NDDOT gets the certificate, it's applied after the suspension
How do points come off with time?
One point for every three months without new points, counted from the date your last points were entered.
What is the best time to take the course?
Between 3 and 11 points. Below 3, part of the reduction goes unused. At 12 or more, it can't stop the suspension.
| You have | After the course | What that buys you |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | 2 | Room for two more small tickets |
| 9 | 6 | A 5-point ticket no longer suspends you |
| 11 | 8 | You're no longer one point from a suspension |
What if I have a new ticket?
If it's worth 5 points or fewer and you haven't posted bond, elect the course at court. The points are never added.
What should I do today?
- Check your points for $3.
- Take the course.
- Email the certificate to drs@nd.gov.
Quick answers
How many points suspends a license in North Dakota?
Twelve. The suspension is 7 days at 12 points and 7 more days for each point above 12.
How many points does a defensive driving course remove in North Dakota?
Three, once every 12 months, up to 9 points in any three-year period, and only from points that were on the record before the course was completed.
How do points come off a North Dakota license?
One point is removed for every three months without new points. A defensive driving course removes 3 more.
Sources
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-10: point schedule and suspension
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-12: point total after a suspension
- North Dakota Century Code 39-06.1-13: reduction of point total
- NDDOT: Driver License Points Reduction and Points Schedule
- NDDOT: Driver Record Services and Suspensions
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
- North Dakota driver license points by violation
- North Dakota license suspended for points: how long, and how to get it back
- How long do points stay on your license in North Dakota?
- How to check the points on your North Dakota driving record