In North Dakota, teen drivers have additional restrictions placed on them and rules they must follow compared to adult drivers. This is because the state recognizes that teenagers are the most likely to be involved in car accidents, including fatal ones.
Teen Driver Crash Statistics
According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car crashes were the leading cause of unintentional death in a recent year for individuals aged 15 to 24. Additionally, while drivers aged 20 and under make up only 5.1 percent of licensed drivers in the country, they are involved in 12.6 percent of all crashes. And other than drivers 80 and older, young drivers are involved in more fatal crashes than older drivers per mile driven.
Restrictions for Driving With a Permit
Teens can obtain an instruction permit as young as 14 in North Dakota. However, this permit comes with significant restrictions on how they can drive. For example, teens with instruction permits must drive with someone 18 or older who has at least three years of driving experience and a valid license in the passenger seat.
Additionally, drivers under 16 must have their permit for at least 12 months or until they turn 16 before they are eligible to take the test for a restricted license.
Restricted License Requirements
Teenage drivers under 16 who complete the conditions of their instruction permit and pass the license exam will receive a restricted license.
Drivers with restricted licenses are also prohibited from driving between sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever is later) and 5 a.m. The only exceptions to this restriction are for attending school, work, and religious activities.
Laws Applying to All Teen Drivers in North Dakota
Although teenage drivers can receive an unrestricted license if they are 16 or older, there are still several key rules they must follow that don’t apply in the same way to adult drivers.
First, drivers under 21 cannot operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.02 or greater. This differs from the limit of 0.08 for drivers 21 and older. An underage driver who has a BAC of 0.02 or greater can have their license canceled. If this happens when they are under 18, they will have to start over with an instruction permit.
Second, while texting and driving is illegal for all drivers in the state, drivers under 18 are prohibited from using a cell phone or any other electronic device entirely while driving. This includes talking on the phone unless it is an emergency situation.
Finally, the state requires all front-seat occupants to wear seatbelts. However, rear-seat occupants under 18 must also wear seatbelts. While there is no requirement for those 18 or older to wear seatbelts in the back of a vehicle, it is always recommended to prevent serious or fatal injuries.
Contact Our North Dakota Car Accident Lawyers
If you were involved in a car accident with a teen driver, or if your teenager was injured in an accident, contact Maring Williams Law Office for a free consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate North Dakota car accident attorneys. The hometown lawyers from our law firm are available to speak with you about your case at a time and place of your convenience. We’ll explain your options for seeking the compensation you need and will answer any questions you have about your case.
