20 questions from the North Dakota driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What is the maximum piston or rotor displacement allowed for a vehicle to be classified as a motorized bicycle?
Answer: 49.98 cc. The definition provided in the handbook specifies a maximum displacement of exactly 49.98 cc.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 42: “Maximum piston or rotor displacement of 49.98 cc. (3.05 cubic inches) enabling a speed not to exceed 30 miles per hour on a level surface.”
2. How should a driver respond to gestures made by another aggressive driver?
Answer: Ignore gestures and refuse to return them. The guidelines instruct drivers to ignore gestures from aggressive drivers and not engage by returning them.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 47: “Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.”
3. When approaching a roundabout, in which direction do vehicles travel around the center island?
Answer: Counter-clockwise. The handbook specifies that traffic flow within a roundabout is counter-clockwise around the central island.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 27: “A roundabout is a circular intersection where vehicles travel around a center island in a counter-clockwise direction.”
4. What action is required when approaching a passive railroad crossing?
Answer: Recognize the crossing, search for any train using the tracks and decide if there is sufficient clear space to cross safely. Passive crossings lack active traffic control devices, so the driver must actively assess the situation for trains and clear space before crossing.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 22: “Passive crossings have a yellow circular advance warning signs, pavement markings and crossbuck to assist you in recognizing a crossing.”
5. Where is the rectangular "Do Not Pass" sign typically placed?
Answer: On the right side of the road. The handbook specifies that the rectangular version of the Do Not Pass sign is located on the right side, whereas the pennant-shaped version is on the left.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 14: “The rectangular “Do Not Pass” sign is placed on the right side of the road while the pennant-shaped sign is found on the left-hand side.”
6. What action is required when approaching an emergency vehicle parked on the Interstate system or a multilane highway with flashing lights?
Answer: Move over to the opposite lane and proceed with due caution. Drivers are instructed to move to the opposite lane and proceed cautiously when encountering parked emergency vehicles on these specific road types.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 24: “If an emergency vehicle, law enforcement vehicle, or North Dakota Department of Transportation maintenance vehicle is parked on the Interstate system or a multilane highway with its emergency or work lights flashing, move over to the opposite lane and proceed with due caution.”
7. How should a lap belt be positioned on the body?
Answer: Snug and low across the hips. The handbook instructs that lap belts must be snug and low across the hips, excluding placement across the abdomen.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 38: “Lap belts should lie snug and low across the hips, not across the abdomen.”
8. When traveling faster than 25 miles per hour while towing a trailer, what equipment is required if the coupling breaks?
Answer: Safety chains or brakes capable of holding the trailer. The handbook mandates safety chains or brakes capable of holding the trailer if the coupling breaks when traveling over 25 mph.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 30: “When traveling faster than 25 miles per hour, you need safety chains or brakes capable of holding the trailer if the coupling breaks.”
9. When entering a freeway from an entrance ramp, who has the right of way unless signs indicate otherwise?
Answer: Vehicles already on the main roadway. The rule states that entering vehicles must yield to traffic already established on the main highway.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 28: “Unless posted signs indicate otherwise, any vehicle entering a freeway from an entrance ramp must yield the right of way to vehicles on the main roadway.”
10. How far before making a turn must you signal continuously?
Answer: 100 feet. The handbook states that drivers are required to maintain their signal for the final 100 feet leading up to the turn.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 26: “You must also signal continuously for the last 100 feet before the turn.”
11. What information must drivers exchange following a crash involving injury or damage?
Answer: Driver’s name, address, motor vehicle insurance company, and policy number. The handbook lists these specific four items as mandatory information to exchange after such crashes.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 31: “In all crashes involving injury or damage, the drivers must exchange the following information: driver’s name, address, motor vehicle insurance company, and policy number.”
12. If a pedestrian is crossing a road where there is no crosswalk, who has the right of way?
Answer: All vehicles on the roadway. The handbook states that pedestrians must yield to vehicles when crossing outside of a designated crosswalk.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 41: “If you cross a road where there is no crosswalk, you must yield the right of way to all vehicles on the roadway.”
13. What is the requirement for applicants under the age of 16 regarding their presence during the application process?
Answer: They must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The handbook states that applicants younger than 16 require accompaniment by a parent or legal guardian.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 6: “Applicants under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.”
14. What is the rule for crossing a solid yellow line paired with a broken yellow line?
Answer: No passing is allowed when you are in the lane with the solid line. The handbook states that drivers facing the solid line side of the marking are prohibited from passing.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 20: “One solid line with one broken line means no passing when you are in the lane with the solid line.”
15. How should you use your feet to operate the pedals to avoid overheating the brakes?
Answer: Use one foot to operate both the gas pedal and brake pedal. The handbook recommends using one foot for both pedals to prevent riding the brakes, which leads to overheating.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 34: “Use one foot to operate both the gas pedal and brake pedal to avoid riding the brakes which can cause them to overheat.”
16. Why is it important to keep your eyes moving while driving at night?
Answer: To avoid eyestrain, fatigue, and lack of concentration caused by staring at the headlight spot. The handbook advises scanning rather than staring to prevent physical fatigue and maintain concentration levels.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 27: “Eyestrain, fatigue, and lack of concentration can be the result of staring at the spot created by your headlights. Keep your eyes moving, especially at night.”
17. What is the minimum age requirement for a non-resident to drive in North Dakota with a valid license from their home state?
Answer: 16 years of age. The handbook states that non-residents must be at least 16 years old to operate a vehicle in the state.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 7: “A non-resident must be at least 16 years of age to drive in North Dakota.”
18. If your vehicle becomes stuck on railroad tracks, in which direction should you evacuate?
Answer: In the direction of the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a 45 degree angle. The handbook instructs drivers to walk in the direction of the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a specific angle to avoid debris.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 22: “If your vehicle is trapped or stuck on the tracks, evacuate your vehicle and walk in the direction of the oncoming train and away from the tracks at a 45 dregree angle.”
19. Where should children age 12 and younger be seated for proper restraint according to the handbook?
Answer: In the back seat. The handbook specifies that children aged 12 and younger should be properly restrained in the back seat.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 38: “Air bags work best when everyone is buckled and children, especially those age 12 and younger, are properly restrained in the back seat.”
20. What action does the Yield sign require a driver to take?
Answer: Slow down and stop if necessary to yield the right of way. The handbook defines the Yield sign's instruction as slowing down and stopping only if necessary to yield right of way, distinguishing it from the mandatory complete stop of the Stop sign.
North Dakota driver handbook, page 13: “The Yield sign means that you must yield the right of way. The sign tells you to slow down and stop if necessary so you can yield the right of way.”