The Ultimate North Dakota Road Test Cheat Sheet (2025 Edition)

The moment is here—your North Dakota road test is booked, and you're ready for your final review. This guide isn't about "cheating"; it's your smart, scannable resource for the most critical information you need to recall under pressure. An examiner wants to see a safe, confident, and knowledgeable driver.

Use this cheat sheet to quickly refresh your memory on the essential rules, numbers, and maneuvers that are the foundation of a passing score. Let's get you ready to ace that test!

🚨 Automatic Fails: Critical Errors to Avoid at All Costs

These are the non-negotiable mistakes. A single one of these actions will almost certainly lead to an immediate failure of your test, regardless of your other skills.

• Incomplete Stop: The "rolling stop" is a classic error. You must bring the vehicle to a complete stop behind the white stop line, crosswalk, or before the intersection.
• Striking a Fixed Object: Hitting a cone, curb, or another object during a maneuver is an automatic fail.
• Speeding: Exceeding the speed limit, especially in a school zone (20 mph limit), is a major violation and grounds for failure.
• Dangerous Action: Any move that forces another driver or a pedestrian to take evasive action to avoid you.
• Violating a Law: Disobeying any traffic sign, signal, or law (e.g., turning into the wrong lane, failing to yield) will lead to failure.
• Lack of Vehicle Control: Weaving, drifting between lanes, or failing to maintain control of the vehicle.
• Examiner Intervention: If the examiner must take verbal or physical control of the car to prevent an accident, the test is over.

🔢 Key Numbers to Burn into Your Brain

The examiner expects you to know these North Dakota-specific figures.

• Speed Limits (Unless Posted Otherwise):
  • Residential & Business Districts: 25 mph
  • School Zones (during recess or opening/closing hours): 20 mph
  • Gravel or Dirt Roads: 55 mph
  • Paved Two-Lane Highways: 65 mph (if posted)
  • Interstate Highways: 75 mph
• Signaling Distance: You must signal your turn continuously for at least 100 feet before turning.
• Following Distance: Use the three-second rule as a minimum. In poor conditions, increase it to four or five seconds.
• Parallel Parking Distance: Your wheels must be within 12 inches (one foot) of the curb when parked.
• Parking Near a Stop Sign: Do not park within 15 feet of a traffic signal like a stop sign.
• Double Parking: It is illegal in all situations in North Dakota.

🚗 Key Maneuvers: How to Execute Them Perfectly

These are the core skills you'll be tested on. The examiner is looking for smoothness, control, and constant observation.

Observation: The SMOG Method

This isn't one maneuver; it's part of every maneuver. Always show you're aware of your surroundings.

• S - Signal: Signal your intentions early.
• M - Mirrors: Check your rearview and side mirrors constantly (every 5-10 seconds).
• O - Over the Shoulder: Always do a physical head check to look into your blind spot before changing lanes, merging, or pulling away from a curb. Relying only on mirrors is a common point deduction.
• G - Go: Proceed when safe.

Parallel Parking

In North Dakota, you will be tested on parallel parking. Stay calm and follow these steps.

1. Signal & Position: Signal your intent to park. Pull up parallel to the car in front of the empty space, about 2 feet away from it.
2. Reverse & Turn Right: Check traffic, then reverse slowly while turning your steering wheel sharply to the right until your car is at a 45-degree angle.
3. Straighten & Reverse: Straighten the wheel and continue backing up until your front bumper is clear of the rear bumper of the car in front.
4. Turn Left: Turn the steering wheel sharply to the left and continue backing slowly until you are parallel with the curb.
5. Center: Pull forward slightly to center yourself in the space, ensuring you are within 12 inches of the curb.

Three-Point Turn (Turnabout)

This maneuver tests your ability to turn around in a narrow space.

1. Signal Right & Stop: Signal right, pull over to the right edge of the road, and stop.
2. Signal Left & Turn: Signal left. Check mirrors and blind spot. When clear, move forward slowly while turning the wheel completely to the left. Stop before the opposite curb.
3. Reverse Right: Check all around again. Shift to reverse and turn the wheel completely to the right while backing up slowly. Stop before the curb behind you.
4. Drive Forward: Shift to drive, check traffic, and straighten out into the proper lane.

Backing (Reversing)

You will be asked to back up in a straight line for about 50 feet.

• Look Back: Place your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and turn your head to look directly out the rear window.
• Slow Speed: Control your speed with the brake.
• Steer Minimally: Make only small steering adjustments to keep the car straight.

🚦 Final Pre-Test Reminders

• Hand Position: Keep both hands on the wheel (e.g., at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4).
• Stopping Behind Cars: When stopping behind another vehicle, make sure you can see their rear tires touching the pavement.
• Left Turns: When waiting in an intersection to make a left turn, keep your wheels pointing straight ahead. This prevents you from being pushed into oncoming traffic if you are rear-ended.
• Right on Red: You can turn right on a red light after a complete stop, unless a sign prohibits it. If you're unsure or uncomfortable, it's okay to wait for the green light.

You've prepared, you've practiced, and now you have the key points fresh in your mind. Drive safely, stay calm, and show the examiner the great driver you are. You've got this!