CDL Truck Driver in North Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.
BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.
Jobs (ND)
10-yr job growth
Licensing fees
Time to complete
route How to become a cdl truck driver in North Dakota
To become a CDL Truck Driver in North Dakota, individuals must obtain a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) through the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT). Key steps include completing FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), passing a general knowledge test and a skills test, and applying for the CDL. Applicants must be at least 18 for intrastate driving or 21 for interstate commerce, and a valid DOT medical certificate is required. North Dakota offers reciprocity for Farm CDLs with South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming within 150 miles of the farm.
bar_chart Salary percentiles
Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.
checklist North Dakota requirements
| Licensing body | North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) |
| State license | Required |
| Education | FMCSA-approved Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) |
| Exam | CDL General Knowledge and Skills Test ($5) |
| Application fee | $15 |
| Renewal | Every 4.0 years |
| Notes | Applicants must be 18+ for intrastate or 21+ for interstate commerce. A valid DOT medical certificate is required. Effective April 21, 2025, nationally certified medical examiners must upload medical certificates electronically. A CDL restricted to custom harvesting operations may be available at 16 years old. The knowledge test is $5 per attempt, and the road test is $5. A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) costs $15 and must be held for a minimum of 14 days before the road test. Endorsements cost $3 each. Federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required for new applicants. |
workspace_premium North Dakota license tiers
North Dakota offers multiple tiers of cdl truck driver licensing:
| Tier | Hours required |
|---|---|
| Class A | N/A |
| Class B | N/A |
| Class C | N/A |
work_outline Job outlook
AI & tech impact
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
balance Is it worth it?
- check_circleNorth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
- check_circleLow AI disruption risk