§ 39-06-04 — Class D instruction permit

1. Any resident of this state who is at least fourteen years of age may apply to the
director for a class D instruction permit.
2. The director may issue a class D instruction permit that entitles the applicant while
having the permit in the permittee's immediate possession to drive a motor vehicle
upon the public highways, if the individual:
a. Has successfully passed a standard written rules of the road knowledge test
prescribed by the director;
b. Has successfully passed a vision examination; and
c. Has the written approval of the individual's parent or legal guardian.
3. The permittee must be accompanied by an individual with a class A, B, C, or D license
in a vehicle allowed to be operated with a class D license, who is at least eighteen
years of age, who has had at least three years of driving experience, and who is
occupying a seat beside the driver. An individual other than the supervising driver and
the permitholder may not be in the front seat unless the vehicle has only a front seat,
in which case, the supervising driver must be seated next to the permitholder.
4. An individual who is not yet eighteen years of age is not eligible for a class D license
until that individual has had an instruction permit issued for at least six months or at
least twelve months if under the age of sixteen. The director may recognize an
instruction permit issued by another jurisdiction in computing the six-month or
twelve-month instructional period.
5. The permittee may not operate an electronic communication device to talk, compose,
read, or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle that is in motion
unless the sole purpose of operating the device is to obtain emergency assistance, to
prevent a crime about to be committed, or in the reasonable belief that an individual's
life or safety is in danger.