From NDDOT….

New Minor Drivers License Law takes effect January 1

The new North Dakota Minor Drivers License Law goes into effect January 1, 2012. The new law extends the instructional driving period from six months to one year for drivers under the age of 16. The law was passed during the last legislative session in an effort to improve teen driver safety.

The new law also requires Class D permit holders, under the age of 16, to complete all North Dakota drivers education requirements, spend a minimum of 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving under various conditions.

The law requires drivers license holders, under the age of 16, to only drive between the hours of 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. or sunset whichever is later, unless driving to or from work, an official school activity or a religious activity.

“Thirteen North Dakota teens were involved in fatal crashes during 2010,” says North Dakota Department of Transportation Drivers License Director, Glenn Jackson. “The new law will give younger drivers a chance to get more supervised experience behind the wheel, and if it saves even one life, it’s worth it.”

The new law also prohibits drivers under the age of 18 from using electronic communication devices such as cell phones while driving.

A driving law that is already in effect prohibits drivers of all ages from texting while driving.