North Dakota laws by category

No permit is needed in North Dakota at 18 or older, for residents and visitors, if you are not a prohibited person and carry a valid driver's license or state ID from your home state. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

North Dakota is not a control state: alcohol is sold by privately owned retailers that hold both a state license from the attorney general and a local license (from the city, or outside city limits the county commission or tribal government); selling without both is a class A misdemeanor. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

Radar detectors are legal in private passenger vehicles in North Dakota — a search of Title 39 (motor vehicles) of the North Dakota Century Code finds no ban on them. Federal law bans using or having one in a commercial motor vehicle (49 CFR 392.71).

In North Dakota, you need a freshwater fishing license from age 16. Licenses are issued by the North Dakota Game and Fish Dept. (NDGFD).

North Dakota's state sales tax is 5% of retailers' gross receipts from retail sales in the state (N.D.C.C. §57-39.2-02.1(1)). Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

North Dakota has allowed medical cannabis only since 2016, and recreational use is illegal. Adult-use legalization was rejected by voters in November 2024.

In North Dakota, during deer gun season, hunters must wear a hat and outer garment above the waist totaling 400+ sq in of solid daylight fluorescent orange; camo orange not legal.

North Dakota sports betting is legal only through tribal casinos — no statewide online/mobile. Exceptions may apply — read the full rule.

North Dakota requires youth ages 12-15 to pass the state boating course to operate a boat or PWC with at least a 10-hp motor by themselves; no requirement for adults.

Switchblades/gravity knives are 'dangerous weapons' but not banned to own or open-carry; only concealing one (or any knife 6+ inches) requires a class 2 license (NDCC 62.1-01-01).

North Dakota (NDCC ch. 29-29.4) regulates drone surveillance — law enforcement needs a warrant and it bars authorizing nonconsensual private-person drone surveillance; no general criminal offense.