Motor Vehicle

I am registering a vehicle for the first time in North Dakota. Is automobile insurance mandatory?: Yes, but this is not enforced through vehicle registration. State law requires that each motor vehicle carry a minimum of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 per accident for property damage. A person may not drive, or the owner may not cause or knowingly permit to be driven, a motor vehicle in this state without a valid policy of liability insurance to include the no-fault, in effect. Upon stopping a motor vehicle for any other statutory violation, a law enforcement officer, who is authorized to issue traffic citations, shall verify that the insurance card is in the motor vehicle.; back to top

Can I maintain my current policy issued in my previous state of residence?: No. The minimum required insurance must be issued through a North Dakota agent with an insurance company licensed to transact business in the state of North Dakota. Ask your agent to transfer your current insurance to North Dakota when you register a vehicle in North Dakota. This is required to assure that your policy is properly rated due to the different rate system amongst the states.; back to top

I am a Canadian resident, temporarily residing in North Dakota as a student, completing my education. Will my current policy contain the requirements necessary for North Dakota?: Most Canadian insurance policies do not include the no-fault coverage. You would need to contact your agent and make certain the no-fault requirement is included within your current policy for the time you are in North Dakota as a student.; back to top

What vehicles are required to carry a liability insurance policy?: All vehicles with a current registration tag used on any public street, road, highway or off-highway are required to have a liability insurance policy in effect.; back to top

I live outside North Dakota for six months a year. When I am not in North Dakota, my vehicle is in storage and not used. Must I maintain automobile insurance?: Any vehicle holding a valid North Dakota tag and registration must be covered by a North Dakota insurance policy throughout the entire registration period. No insurer may exercise its right to cancel a policy unless a written notice of cancellation is mailed or delivered to the named insured at least twenty days prior to the cancellation if the period of cancellation is for more than thirty days. The insured is held personally responsible if they allow someone to operate the vehicle during the cancellation period.; back to top

How many license plates do I have to display on my vehicle?: The registered owner must display two (2) license plates. The plates must be displayed horizontally and in an upright position, one in the front and one on the rear of the vehicle, each securely fastened. The bottom of each license plate must be at a height of not less than twelve (12) inches (30.48 centimeter) above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands. 39-04-11 NDCC; back to top

When is an IRS Form 2290 required?: Owners of all trucks with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more, must file each year with the Internal Revenue Service an IRS Form 2290. A 2290 stamped by the IRS is required at the time of renewal. The Motor Vehicle Division is not responsible for the collection of the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax. Contact the Internal Revenue Service for the forms and any further questions. Telephone 1-800-829-1040 or find your local office.; back to top

What if I fail to keep insurance on my vehicle(s) that I have registered in North Dakota?: The Motor Vehicle Division is authorized to suspend or revoke your vehicle tags and registration until proof of North Dakota insurance is provided.; back to top

How many license plates are issued for each vehicle?: The division will issue two license plates bearing all numeric or a combination of alpha and numeric characters for each passenger car, house car (motor home), or pickup and one license plate for each motorcycle, trailer, or travel trailer (39-04-11 NDCC). The division may, in its discretion, furnish only one number plate for each registered apportioned vehicle licensed under the International Regulation Plan for interstate carriers. (ex. Truck tractors) Motor Carrier Online Systems; back to top

What is the law concerning tinted windows on vehicles?: An individual may not operate a motor vehicle with any object, material, or tinting displayed, affixed, or applied on the front windshield or any window unless the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least seventy percent. This does not apply to windows behind the operator if the vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides that meet the requirements. Refer to 39-21-38 NDCC or 39-21-39 NDCC.

NOTE: A physician can no longer authorize darker window tinting for medical purposes.; back to top

How are the registration fees determined for each vehicle?: Registration fees are based on the year the vehicle is first registered and the weight of the vehicle.; back to top

How is the expiration date of my vehicle registration determined?: The Motor Vehicle Division uses a system of staggered registration for cars, house cars, and pickups (39-04-14.1 NDCC). Your expiration month is based on the date of sale or the date first used on ND Highways.; back to top

Where do my vehicle registration fees go?: 63% of the fees are distributed to the Department of Transportation.
23% of the fees are distributed to the Counties.
14% of the fees are distributed to the Cities.; back to top

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