Do You Need Insurance to Register a Car in North Dakota in 2025
North Dakota law mandates motor vehicle liability insurance for all vehicles operated on public roadways. Under North Dakota Century Code Chapters 39-16.1 vehicle owners must maintain financial responsibility before operating a motor vehicle in the state. The North Dakota Department of Transportation administers vehicle registration and enforces insurance compliance through the Motor Vehicle Division. The requirement applies to both initial vehicle registration and registration renewal.
Legal Requirement for Insurance Coverage
North Dakota Century Code Chapter 39-16.1 establishes the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, which requires all motor vehicles registered in North Dakota to maintain liability insurance or other acceptable proof of financial responsibility. Under law, no person may operate or permit the operation of a motor vehicle upon the highways of North Dakota unless the owner has in force an automobile liability policy meeting the requirements of this chapter.
Vehicle owners must maintain continuous insurance coverage throughout the registration period. Operating a vehicle without the required liability insurance constitutes a Class B misdemeanor and may result in fines up to $1,500, suspension of driving privileges, suspension of vehicle registration, and a $150 fee to reinstate driving privileges. The North Dakota Insurance Department regulates insurance companies and handles consumer inquiries related to automobile insurance.
North Dakota Department of Transportation - Motor Vehicle Division
608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Phone: (701) 328-2725
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
Minimum Insurance Coverage Requirements
North Dakota state law requires minimum amounts for motor vehicle liability insurance coverage. The North Dakota Insurance Department regulates insurance companies operating in the state. North Dakota requires drivers to maintain liability insurance coverage that meets or exceeds statutory minimum amounts.
| Coverage Type | Minimum Amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury or death of one person | $25,000 |
| Bodily injury or death of two or more persons | $50,000 total |
| Property damage | $25,000 |
The minimum coverage requirements apply to liability insurance only. North Dakota law does not mandate collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, though lenders typically require these coverages for financed vehicles. North Dakota also requires Personal Injury Protection coverage with minimum limits of $30,000 per person, though vehicle owners may reject this coverage in writing. Alternative methods of demonstrating financial responsibility include a certificate of deposit of $100,000 filed with the State Treasurer, a surety bond of $100,000, or qualification as a self-insurer approved by the Director of the Department of Transportation.
North Dakota Insurance Department
600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0320
Phone: (800) 247-0560
Official Website: North Dakota Insurance Department
Proof of Insurance Documents
North Dakota requires vehicle operators to carry proof of motor vehicle liability insurance at all times while operating a motor vehicle. Vehicle owners must provide acceptable documentation during registration and maintain proof while driving. The following formats are accepted:
- Insurance identification card issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in North Dakota
- Copy of the liability insurance policy declarations page
- Electronic proof of insurance displayed on a mobile electronic device
- Certificate of self-insurance issued by the Department of Transportation
North Dakota law enforcement officers may request proof of insurance during traffic stops, accidents, or vehicle inspections. Failure to provide acceptable proof may result in a citation and fines up to $1,500. The Department of Transportation maintains an insurance database that allows law enforcement to electronically verify insurance coverage for all registered vehicles in North Dakota.
Exceptions to Insurance Requirements
Limited exceptions to the financial responsibility requirement exist under North Dakota law :
- Motor vehicles owned by the United States government, the state of North Dakota, or any political subdivision of the state
- Motor vehicles owned by self-insurers who have received a certificate of self-insurance from the Director of the Department of Transportation
- Farm tractors, special mobile equipment, and implements of husbandry not designed primarily for highway transportation
- Motor vehicles owned by municipalities when operated by municipal employees in the discharge of governmental functions
- Motor vehicles covered under an automobile liability policy that provides at least the minimum coverage required by any other state or Canadian province in which the vehicle is registered
Insurance Requirements for Vehicle Registration
The North Dakota Department of Transportation verifies insurance coverage before processing vehicle registration applications and renewals. Vehicle owners must provide proof of insurance when registering a vehicle for the first time in North Dakota or when renewing an existing registration. The insurance identification card must show the vehicle identification number, policy number, and coverage effective dates.
North Dakota residents who establish residency must register their vehicles within 60 days of becoming a resident. New residents must obtain North Dakota insurance coverage that meets the state's minimum requirements before completing their vehicle registration. A person who resides in North Dakota or is gainfully employed in the state is considered a resident for registration purposes.
North Dakota motorists may renew vehicle registration online through the NDDOT website, by mail, or in person at motor vehicle offices located throughout the state. The Department of Transportation monitors all registered vehicles to ensure continuous compliance with insurance requirements.
Vehicle owners who allow their insurance to lapse will receive a Notice of Intent to Suspend Registration from the Department. The vehicle owner must provide current proof of insurance within 20 days of receiving the notice, or the vehicle registration will be suspended. To restore registration privileges after suspension, vehicle owners must obtain valid insurance coverage, submit proof to the Department, and pay a $150 reinstatement fee.
