North Dakota speed limits and key traffic laws

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state North Dakota's default speed limits for each type of road.
• You can explain when 20 mph applies.
• You can pass another vehicle legally and safely.
• You can explain what to do for a stopped school bus.
• You can apply the move-over rule on the Interstate and multi-lane highways.

What you need to know and understand

• 20 mph: approaching a railroad crossing or intersection when your view is blocked, and passing a school during recess or while children are arriving or leaving, unless posted.
• 25 mph in business and residential districts unless posted.
• 55 mph on gravel, dirt or loose-surface roads, and on unposted paved two-lane county and township roads.
• 65 mph on rural paved two-lane highways where posted; 70 mph on paved divided multi-lane highways; 80 mph on rural Interstate, unless posted otherwise.
• Speeding in a highway construction zone while workers are present carries a minimum $150 fee, plus more for every mph over 10 mph above the limit.
• Never pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing or tunnel.
• Driving onto a road officially closed for hazardous conditions carries a $250 fine.

Default limits at a glance

Posted signs override these defaults. Officials can also post minimum speeds. Whatever the sign says, slow down for snow, ice, gravel, fog or heavy traffic.

• Blind railroad crossing or intersection, school at busy times: 20 mph
• Business or residential district: 25 mph
• Gravel, dirt or loose surface; unposted paved county and township two-lane roads: 55 mph
• Rural paved two-lane highway posted for it: 65 mph
• Paved, divided multi-lane highway: 70 mph
• Rural Interstate: 80 mph

Passing on two-lane roads

On a two-lane road, passing puts you in the path of oncoming traffic, and many head-on crashes happen this way. Treat every hill or curve as if a car is just beyond it.

• Return to your lane at least 200 feet before meeting an oncoming vehicle.
• Do not move back until you can see the whole front of the passed vehicle in your inside mirror.
• Never pass near the top of a hill, on a curve, in fog or snow that hides the road, or within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing or tunnel.
• Never leave the main road surface to pass, and never speed up while someone is passing you.

School buses and the move-over rule

When a school bus stops with red lights flashing, traffic from both directions must stop. Stay stopped until the bus moves, the driver signals you to go, or the red lights stop. Yellow lights warn that the bus is about to stop. Passing a stopped school bus carries 6 points.

On the Interstate or a multi-lane highway, move to a lane away from a parked emergency vehicle, police vehicle or NDDOT maintenance vehicle with its lights flashing, and go with care. Outside city limits, do the same for a stranded vehicle with hazard lights on; if you cannot change lanes safely, slow down and pass carefully.

Other laws worth knowing

• Coasting downhill in neutral is not allowed.
• Throwing litter on a public highway can bring a $500 fine.
• Dial 511 for road and weather conditions before winter trips, and 911 for emergencies.

Common mistakes

• Driving 55 mph on a gravel road in poor conditions just because it is the default limit. Adjust to traction and visibility.
• Forgetting the 20 mph rule at a crossing or intersection where your view is blocked.
• Cutting back in too soon after passing. Wait until you see the whole front of the other vehicle in your mirror.
• Driving past a stopped school bus on the opposite side of the road. Both directions must stop.

Test yourself: North Dakota speed limits and key traffic laws

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• North Dakota Restricted License at 15
• Learning to Drive in North Dakota
• North Dakota 50 Hour Supervised Driving Log